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NCAA baseball tournament: UCLA avoids history and stuns Virginia Tech in a comeback UCLA made history on Friday at the baseball NCAA tournament.They needed a ninth-inning rally against Virginia Tech to avoid making even more history on Saturday.The Bruins became the first top-overall seed to lose their opening game on Friday night, dropping a 3-2 contest to Saint Mary’s to fall into the elimination bracket. Facing Virginia Tech on Saturday, the Bruins were in danger of becoming the first top overall seed to lose their first two games at the tournament and be eliminated, when they trailed the Hokies 5-3 in the bottom of the ninth.But the team that led the nation in comeback wins delivered one more to keep their season alive. UCLA scored three runs in the bottom of the ninth on their way to a 6-5 win, extending their season by at least one more game.The inning opened with Mulivai Levu leading off. Levu blasted a solo home run to cut Virginia Tech’s lead to 5-4:The next batter, Roman Martin, left the yard as well:Suddenly, the Bruins were right back in the game.Will Gasparino, who was back in the lineup after serving a one-game suspension and homered earlier in the game, singled to put the potential winning run on base. After Cashel Dugger struck out trying to bunt Gasparino over with two strikes, a single from Dominic Cadiz moved Gasparino just 90 feet from home.That brought Phoenix Call to the plate, and in a moment, the Hokies were headed home and the Bruins were still alive:“Survive and advance,” said shortstop Roch Cholowsky after the win.The Bruins live to fight another day, and will take on the loser of tonight’s game between Saint Mary’s and Cal Poly in another do-or-die game on Sunday. #NCAA #baseball #tournament #UCLA #avoids #history #stuns #Virginia #Tech #comeback

NCAA baseball tournament: UCLA avoids history and stuns Virginia Tech in a comeback

UCLA made history on Friday at the baseball NCAA tournament.

They needed a ninth-inning rally against Virginia Tech to avoid making even more history on Saturday.

The Bruins became the first top-overall seed to lose their opening game on Friday night, dropping a 3-2 contest to Saint Mary’s to fall into the elimination bracket. Facing Virginia Tech on Saturday, the Bruins were in danger of becoming the first top overall seed to lose their first two games at the tournament and be eliminated, when they trailed the Hokies 5-3 in the bottom of the ninth.

But the team that led the nation in comeback wins delivered one more to keep their season alive. UCLA scored three runs in the bottom of the ninth on their way to a 6-5 win, extending their season by at least one more game.

The inning opened with Mulivai Levu leading off. Levu blasted a solo home run to cut Virginia Tech’s lead to 5-4:

The next batter, Roman Martin, left the yard as well:

Suddenly, the Bruins were right back in the game.

Will Gasparino, who was back in the lineup after serving a one-game suspension and homered earlier in the game, singled to put the potential winning run on base. After Cashel Dugger struck out trying to bunt Gasparino over with two strikes, a single from Dominic Cadiz moved Gasparino just 90 feet from home.

That brought Phoenix Call to the plate, and in a moment, the Hokies were headed home and the Bruins were still alive:

“Survive and advance,” said shortstop Roch Cholowsky after the win.

The Bruins live to fight another day, and will take on the loser of tonight’s game between Saint Mary’s and Cal Poly in another do-or-die game on Sunday.

#NCAA #baseball #tournament #UCLA #avoids #history #stuns #Virginia #Tech #comeback

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UCLA made history on Friday at the baseball NCAA tournament.

They needed a ninth-inning rally against Virginia Tech to avoid making even more history on Saturday.

The Bruins became the first top-overall seed to lose their opening game on Friday night, dropping a 3-2 contest to Saint Mary’s to fall into the elimination bracket. Facing Virginia Tech on Saturday, the Bruins were in danger of becoming the first top overall seed to lose their first two games at the tournament and be eliminated, when they trailed the Hokies 5-3 in the bottom of the ninth.

But the team that led the nation in comeback wins delivered one more to keep their season alive. UCLA scored three runs in the bottom of the ninth on their way to a 6-5 win, extending their season by at least one more game.

The inning opened with Mulivai Levu leading off. Levu blasted a solo home run to cut Virginia Tech’s lead to 5-4:

The next batter, Roman Martin, left the yard as well:

Suddenly, the Bruins were right back in the game.

Will Gasparino, who was back in the lineup after serving a one-game suspension and homered earlier in the game, singled to put the potential winning run on base. After Cashel Dugger struck out trying to bunt Gasparino over with two strikes, a single from Dominic Cadiz moved Gasparino just 90 feet from home.

That brought Phoenix Call to the plate, and in a moment, the Hokies were headed home and the Bruins were still alive:

“Survive and advance,” said shortstop Roch Cholowsky after the win.

The Bruins live to fight another day, and will take on the loser of tonight’s game between Saint Mary’s and Cal Poly in another do-or-die game on Sunday.

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#NCAA #baseball #tournament #UCLA #avoids #history #stuns #Virginia #Tech #comeback

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Deadspin | Saints WR Ja’Lynn Polk, 24, placed on retired list Aug 8, 2025; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; New England Patriots receiver Ja’Lynn Polk (1) runs the ball during the first half against the Washington Commanders at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Paul Rutherford-Imagn Images The New Orleans Saints placed 24-year-old wide receiver Ja’Lynn Polk on the reserve/retired list on Sunday. A reason for Polk’s decision to retire was not yet known. Head coach Kellen Moore said Polk had been excused from the past two training camp practices for personal reasons. The receiver’s Instagram account also appeared to be deactivated or removed as of Sunday evening. Polk was the 37th overall pick of the 2024 NFL Draft by the New England Patriots. As a rookie, Polk played in 15 games, making seven starts, and totaled 12 receptions for 87 yards and two touchdowns. He did not play in 2025 due to a shoulder injury. While Polk was on injured reserve in September, the Patriots traded him to the Saints along with a 2028 seventh-round pick in exchange for a 2027 sixth-rounder. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Saints #JaLynn #Polk #retired #listAug 8, 2025; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; New England Patriots receiver Ja’Lynn Polk (1) runs the ball during the first half against the Washington Commanders at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Paul Rutherford-Imagn Images

The New Orleans Saints placed 24-year-old wide receiver Ja’Lynn Polk on the reserve/retired list on Sunday.

A reason for Polk’s decision to retire was not yet known. Head coach Kellen Moore said Polk had been excused from the past two training camp practices for personal reasons. The receiver’s Instagram account also appeared to be deactivated or removed as of Sunday evening.


Polk was the 37th overall pick of the 2024 NFL Draft by the New England Patriots. As a rookie, Polk played in 15 games, making seven starts, and totaled 12 receptions for 87 yards and two touchdowns.

He did not play in 2025 due to a shoulder injury. While Polk was on injured reserve in September, the Patriots traded him to the Saints along with a 2028 seventh-round pick in exchange for a 2027 sixth-rounder.

–Field Level Media

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Alexander Zverev warned on Sunday of burnout and dropouts due to overly long ATP Masters 1000 events as he returned to the scene of his 2017 title in Canada.

The top seed and world number two told reporters in Montreal that he has his doubts about the wisdom of the 12-day Masters tournaments, which can seem as long and draining to players as a Grand Slam fortnight.

This edition of the elite Canadian hard court tournament is missing world number one Jannik Sinner, 24-time Grand Slam winner Novak Djokovic and Spain’s Carlos Alcaraz, who has not played since April due to a wrist injury.

“I think (the pullouts) are a result of the two-week Masters event. I think it’s just too long for some players, too much before the US Open,” Zverev said.

“I used to play more 500 events, 250 events when the Masters were shorter, but now I don’t do that anymore just because of time spent away and time spent on tournaments.”

Zverev said that he and his team also seriously considered bypassing Canada this year.

“We had a thought also of maybe skipping Montreal, but then we decided to play it

But the reigning Roland Garros champion and Wimbledon finalist last month added: “I need to play matches. I need to play tournaments.

“I don’t think maybe I’ll play my best tennis here, but the result of playing here, I think I’ll play better in Cincinnati and then hopefully my best tennis in New York,” he said, looking ahead to the US Open that starts on August 31.

Also read | Zverev says sanctions won’t solve problem of bloated Masters events

Despite fatigue, the 29-year-old is hoping to take his summer momentum into the North American hard court build-up before the final major of the season.

“The two months that I had was fantastic. Of course, I wanted to win Wimbledon, I wanted to win the final (against Sinner).

“But I played an opponent who also knows how to play in these moments, and he played a phenomenal match, a great match which could have gone a bit longer. I feel like it could have gone in the fifth set.

“I played a lot of tennis in that period. So I went on holidays for a week and then after started practicing and preparing myself the best I can for this swing.”

Zverev leads the tournament field, with Canadian Felix Auger-Aliassime seeded second ahead of Australian Alex de Minaur, Daniil Medvedev and title holder Ben Shelton.

With rain marring the opening day in the French-speaking city, completed matches were a rarity, with China’s number 270 Jerry Shang defeating Daniel Vallejo of Paraguay 6-3, 6-3 before afternoon rains set in.

Published on Aug 03, 2026

#Canadian #Open #Zverev #remains #wary #12day #Masters #events">Canadian Open: Zverev remains wary of 12-day Masters events Alexander Zverev warned on Sunday of burnout and dropouts due to overly long ATP Masters 1000 events as he returned to the scene of his 2017 title in Canada.The top seed and world number two told reporters in Montreal that he has his doubts about the wisdom of the 12-day Masters tournaments, which can seem as long and draining to players as a Grand Slam fortnight.This edition of the elite Canadian hard court tournament is missing world number one Jannik Sinner, 24-time Grand Slam winner Novak Djokovic and Spain’s Carlos Alcaraz, who has not played since April due to a wrist injury.“I think (the pullouts) are a result of the two-week Masters event. I think it’s just too long for some players, too much before the US Open,” Zverev said.“I used to play more 500 events, 250 events when the Masters were shorter, but now I don’t do that anymore just because of time spent away and time spent on tournaments.”Zverev said that he and his team also seriously considered bypassing Canada this year.“We had a thought also of maybe skipping Montreal, but then we decided to play itBut the reigning Roland Garros champion and Wimbledon finalist last month added: “I need to play matches. I need to play tournaments.“I don’t think maybe I’ll play my best tennis here, but the result of playing here, I think I’ll play better in Cincinnati and then hopefully my best tennis in New York,” he said, looking ahead to the US Open that starts on August 31.Also read | Zverev says sanctions won’t solve problem of bloated Masters eventsDespite fatigue, the 29-year-old is hoping to take his summer momentum into the North American hard court build-up before the final major of the season.“The two months that I had was fantastic. Of course, I wanted to win Wimbledon, I wanted to win the final (against Sinner).“But I played an opponent who also knows how to play in these moments, and he played a phenomenal match, a great match which could have gone a bit longer. I feel like it could have gone in the fifth set.“I played a lot of tennis in that period. So I went on holidays for a week and then after started practicing and preparing myself the best I can for this swing.”Zverev leads the tournament field, with Canadian Felix Auger-Aliassime seeded second ahead of Australian Alex de Minaur, Daniil Medvedev and title holder Ben Shelton.With rain marring the opening day in the French-speaking city, completed matches were a rarity, with China’s number 270 Jerry Shang defeating Daniel Vallejo of Paraguay 6-3, 6-3 before afternoon rains set in.Published on Aug 03, 2026 #Canadian #Open #Zverev #remains #wary #12day #Masters #events

Zverev says sanctions won’t solve problem of bloated Masters events

Despite fatigue, the 29-year-old is hoping to take his summer momentum into the North American hard court build-up before the final major of the season.

“The two months that I had was fantastic. Of course, I wanted to win Wimbledon, I wanted to win the final (against Sinner).

“But I played an opponent who also knows how to play in these moments, and he played a phenomenal match, a great match which could have gone a bit longer. I feel like it could have gone in the fifth set.

“I played a lot of tennis in that period. So I went on holidays for a week and then after started practicing and preparing myself the best I can for this swing.”

Zverev leads the tournament field, with Canadian Felix Auger-Aliassime seeded second ahead of Australian Alex de Minaur, Daniil Medvedev and title holder Ben Shelton.

With rain marring the opening day in the French-speaking city, completed matches were a rarity, with China’s number 270 Jerry Shang defeating Daniel Vallejo of Paraguay 6-3, 6-3 before afternoon rains set in.

Published on Aug 03, 2026

#Canadian #Open #Zverev #remains #wary #12day #Masters #events">Canadian Open: Zverev remains wary of 12-day Masters events

Alexander Zverev warned on Sunday of burnout and dropouts due to overly long ATP Masters 1000 events as he returned to the scene of his 2017 title in Canada.

The top seed and world number two told reporters in Montreal that he has his doubts about the wisdom of the 12-day Masters tournaments, which can seem as long and draining to players as a Grand Slam fortnight.

This edition of the elite Canadian hard court tournament is missing world number one Jannik Sinner, 24-time Grand Slam winner Novak Djokovic and Spain’s Carlos Alcaraz, who has not played since April due to a wrist injury.

“I think (the pullouts) are a result of the two-week Masters event. I think it’s just too long for some players, too much before the US Open,” Zverev said.

“I used to play more 500 events, 250 events when the Masters were shorter, but now I don’t do that anymore just because of time spent away and time spent on tournaments.”

Zverev said that he and his team also seriously considered bypassing Canada this year.

“We had a thought also of maybe skipping Montreal, but then we decided to play it

But the reigning Roland Garros champion and Wimbledon finalist last month added: “I need to play matches. I need to play tournaments.

“I don’t think maybe I’ll play my best tennis here, but the result of playing here, I think I’ll play better in Cincinnati and then hopefully my best tennis in New York,” he said, looking ahead to the US Open that starts on August 31.

Also read | Zverev says sanctions won’t solve problem of bloated Masters events

Despite fatigue, the 29-year-old is hoping to take his summer momentum into the North American hard court build-up before the final major of the season.

“The two months that I had was fantastic. Of course, I wanted to win Wimbledon, I wanted to win the final (against Sinner).

“But I played an opponent who also knows how to play in these moments, and he played a phenomenal match, a great match which could have gone a bit longer. I feel like it could have gone in the fifth set.

“I played a lot of tennis in that period. So I went on holidays for a week and then after started practicing and preparing myself the best I can for this swing.”

Zverev leads the tournament field, with Canadian Felix Auger-Aliassime seeded second ahead of Australian Alex de Minaur, Daniil Medvedev and title holder Ben Shelton.

With rain marring the opening day in the French-speaking city, completed matches were a rarity, with China’s number 270 Jerry Shang defeating Daniel Vallejo of Paraguay 6-3, 6-3 before afternoon rains set in.

Published on Aug 03, 2026

#Canadian #Open #Zverev #remains #wary #12day #Masters #events

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