Previewing the 2025 college softball season: Players to watch, key storylines and WCWS predictions

Arsenal: Mikel MerinoArsenal's decision to forgo a striker in January left them vulnerable, especially with Gabriel Jesus and Kai Havertz injured. Mikel Merino stepped up, scoring six league goals this season, second only to Havertz, and contributing significantly in victories against Leicester, Chelsea, and Fulham. Fans are eager for summer investments, but Merino's performance, considering his long absence from a forward role, has been commendable. Full Article

The Boxing Writers Association of America (BWAA) will celebrate its 100th awards dinner on April 30, marking a century since its inception by notable figures including Damon Runyan and Ed Sullivan, aimed at improving conditions for boxing writers. The first dinner in 1926 featured Babe Ruth and highlighted Mayor James J. Walker's call to maintain integrity in boxing, stating that bouts should be decided in the ring, not through intimidation. Over the years, the BWAA...

The Sacramento Kings are undergoing another reset as general manager Monte McNair has parted ways with the team following their elimination from playoff contention after a loss to the Dallas Mavericks. Hired in September 2020, McNair's tenure included one playoff appearance in 2023, where he was named Executive of the Year, but the Kings finished with a record of 195-205. The past season was tumultuous, featuring the firing of Coach Mike Brown and a trade...

Hampshire’s Keith Barker expressed concern for his career during a nine-month wait for the outcome of a failed drug test attributed to a "genuine administrative error." He has been cleared to return to cricket on July 4, following a ban reduced to 12 months after testing positive for indapamide, a substance prescribed for high blood pressure. The tribunal found Barker bore "no significant fault," and Hampshire's director of cricket acknowledged the incident as a regrettable...

Klay Thompson scored 16 of his 23 points in a dominant second quarter, helping the Dallas Mavericks defeat the Sacramento Kings 120-106 and advance in the play-in tournament. The Mavs, who faced a tumultuous season after trading Luka Dončić and losing Kyrie Irving to injury, will play Memphis for a playoff spot. In another matchup, Tyler Herro scored 38 points as the Miami Heat defeated the Chicago Bulls 109-90, also advancing in their play-in tournament...

Mary Fowler has suffered a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament after an injury during Manchester City’s FA Cup semi-final loss to Manchester United, marking a significant personal setback for the 22-year-old forward. This injury not only impacts her club performances, where she had established herself as a key player, but also poses a challenge for the Matildas ahead of the upcoming Women’s Asian Cup, as her rehabilitation could take up to a year. The Matildas now...