Monday April 1st Local Sports
TONIGHT:
AM-1300 KGLO — NCAA women’s regional final — Iowa vs. Louisiana State — pre-game 6:00, tipoff 6:15
ALBANY, NEW YORK — The 2nd-ranked Iowa Hawkeye women face a title game rematch as they get set to play Louisiana State in tonight’s regional final in Albany, New York. A year ago, LSU hammered the Hawkeyes 102-85 in the NCAA championship game.
That’s Hawkeye coach Lisa Bluder. Iowa star Caitlin Clark diced up Colorado with dribble drives in Saturday’s 89-68 victory and finished with 29 points and 15 assists. Bluder says that will be tougher to do against LSU.
It is a rematch the country was hoping to see but it also means one of last seasons finalists won’t be returning to the Final Four.
Clark and LSU star Angel Reese are a big storyline after Reese taunted Clark during the waning seconds of last year’s championship game.
Clark says while she and Reese are getting attention it is all about the outcome of the game.
Clark says it is much more than just her against Reese.
Clark and the Hawkeyes are a win away from a second straight trip to the Final Four and the third in program history.
Clark says balanced scoring will be a key against LSU and not settling for the first shot.
LSU coach Kim Mulkey says Caitlin Clark sets the table for her teammates.
Mulkey says this game should be played at the Final Four.
Mulkey says there are a lot of similarities between Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese.
Angel Reese on her relationship with Caitlin Clark.
Reese says slowing down Iowa is more than just defending Clark.
You can hear the Iowa-Louisiana State game on AM-1300 KGLO starting with the pre-game at 6:00 with the tipoff scheduled for 6:15 PM
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Bobby Witt Jr. finished a double shy of the cycle as the Royals hit five homers to back a strong start by Brady Singer in a 11-0 rout of the Twins. The win allowed Kansas City to avoid getting swept by Minnesota to start a second consecutive season. Salvador Perez hit a three-run homer, Kyle Isbel and Maikel Garcia hit back-to-back homers in the second, and Nelson Velázquez also went deep for Kansas City. Singer allowed three hits and a walk over seven innings while striking out 10. Bailey Ober took the loss for Minnesota, getting just four outs while allowing eight runs on nine hits and a walk.
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The Minnesota Twins put oft-injured infielder Royce Lewis on the injured list with what the club called “a severe quad strain” on Saturday. The reigning AL Central champions are preparing to be without him for more than a month. Lewis strained his right quad while rounding the bases on opening day Thursday against the Kansas City Royals. It is the fifth time the former No. 1 overall draft pick has been put on the IL in just over two seasons as a big leaguer. The Twins called up Austin Martin, one of their top prospects, to provide some depth. But the immediate plan was to use Willi Castro, who was in the lineup Saturday, and Kyle Farmer to handle third base duties.
BOONE — The NIACC baseball team dropped two of three games in their weekend doubleheader at DMACC. The Trojans took the series opener on Friday afternoon with a 7-4 win. Austin Klug picked up the win, striking out eight in five innings of work. Darcy Berry and Eli Anderson both had three hits with Tyler Froland hitting a two-run homer. In Friday’s second game, NIACC used an eight-run sixth to take a 10-4 lead, but then allowed DMACC to score two in the sixth, two in the seventh, two in the eighth and three in the ninth of a 13-10 win. DMACC then shut out NIACC 7-0 on Saturday to wrap up the series. NIACC is 11-19 overall and 3-7 in the Iowa Community College Athletic Conference. NIACC is scheduled to host Ellsworth in a single conference contest on Wednesday as part of their home opener at Roosevelt Field.
HUDSON — The NIACC softball team won three of four games on the weekend. The Trojans split a doubleheader Friday with 10th-ranked Kirkwood, dropping the opener 9-4 but picking up a 5-3 win in the nightcap. Macy Kellar picked up the win, striking out four. Katy Olive had a home run and two RBI while Madisyn Kelley added two runs batted in. Olive then hit two home runs in each game of a doubleheader sweep at Hawkeye Community College on Saturday in 8-7 and 6-3 wins. Olive is now NIACC’s all-time home run leader with 30. NIACC is now 14-12 overall and will travel to Ellsworth for a doubleheader on Wednesday.
AMES — Iowa State offensive coordinator Taylor Mouser hopes a talented wide receiver group will provide the Cyclones with more big plays next season. Mouser is entering his ninth season on the ISU staff and took over the offense after Nate Scheelhaase left to take a job on the staff of the Los Angeles Rams.
Helping his transition to offensive coordinator is the presence of quarterback Rocco Becht. He was the Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year.
Mouser says it is important for the offense to develop and identity this spring.
Iowa State’s spring game is April 20th.
