>>Team USA Rallies Past Venezuela
(San Diego, CA) — Team USA is off to a dramatic start in the second round of the World Baseball Classic. The U.S. scored three times in the bottom of the eighth to rally for a 4-2 win over Venezuela. Adam Jones tied the game with a solo homer and Eric Hosmer launched a go-ahead, two-run shot. The U.S. plays Puerto Rico tomorrow.
>>USC Storms Past Providence
(Dayton, OH) — USC is moving on to the Round of 64 after a stunning comeback. The Trojans rallied from a 17-point deficit for a 75-71 win over Providence in a First Four matchup in Dayton. USC outscored the Friars 46-to-27 in the second half to secure a date with SMU on Friday.
>>NCAA Tournament Begins In Earnest
(Undated) — The NCAA Tournament begins in earnest across the nation today. Sixteen games are on the schedule at various locations around the country. Number-one overall seed Villanova and West Regional top seed Gonzaga will both be in action later today.
>>Illinois State Crushes UC Irvine
(Normal, IL) — Illinois State crushed UC Irvine, 85-71, in the opening round of the NIT in Normal. Deontae Hawkins had 22 points for the top-seeded Redbirds, who improved to 28-and-6. Illinois State squares off with UCF in round two Monday night.
>>Blues Come Up Short Against Ducks
(Anaheim, CA) — The Blues fell behind 2-0 in the second period and lost 2-1 to the Ducks in Anaheim. Ivan Barbashev had the lone St. Louis goal midway through the third. Jake Allen made 20 saves for the Blues, who hold the second wild card in the West with 77 points. They skate in San Jose tonight.
>>Cactus League Roundup
(Undated) — In Cactus League play yesterday, the Cubs suffered a 7-3 loss to the Diamondbacks. Addison Russell and Ben Zobrist went deep in defeat. The White Sox downed the Royals, 7-3. Yoan Moncada homered twice and plated three in the win. Today, the Cubs face the Dodgers. The White Sox have the day off and host the Cubs tomorrow.
>>Cardinals Blanked By Twins
(Fort Myers, FL) — The Cardinals managed just five singles in an 8-0 loss to the Twins in Fort Myers. Mike Leake allowed three runs in four innings to take the loss for St. Louis. Rowan Wick gave up four more runs in just a third of an inning of relief. The Cards and Twins rematch today at Roger Dean Stadium.
>>Obama Reveals NCAA Tournament Bracket
(Undated) — Former President Barack Obama is predicting an all-Carolina national championship game. Obama picked North Carolina to beat Duke in the men’s title game next month. Obama is continuing the tradition of revealing his “March Madness” bracket he began during his time in office.
>>Revis Cleared From Assault Charges
(Pittsburgh, PA) — Felony charges against former Jets cornerback Darrelle Revis are being dismissed. The “Pittsburgh Post-Gazette” reports the charges were dropped after Revis’ childhood friend took responsibility for a fight in Pittsburgh last month. The 31-year-old was released by the Jets last month.
>>Illinois To Host Boise State In NIT Second Round Monday
(Champaign, IL) — Illinois is prepping for the second round of the NIT. The Fighting Illini will host Boise State Monday night at the State Farm Center. Second-seeded Illinois knocked off seventh-seeded Valparaiso 82-57 in the first round on Tuesday, while sixth-seeded Boise State beat Utah 73-68 to advance.