Sports

Sports coverage from the Orlando Sentinel:

• ‘It’s a dream come true’: UCF softball to host NCAA regional May 16, 2022
  UCF softball becomes the first non-Power Five program to host an NCAA regional since Louisiana and James Madison did so in 2016.
  Jason Beede
• FSU’s Mike Norvell sees carryover, and Seminoles are better off May 16, 2022
  Florida State coach Mike Norvell added several key transfers last season in hopes of building confidence in his roster.
  Matt Murschel
• Kurt Busch gets Jordan’s No. 45 NASCAR Toyota into Kansas victory lane May 16, 2022
  Kurt Busch pinched his way past Kyle Larson for the lead with eight laps to go, then drove his gaudy Jordan Brand-styled car away from the reigning NASCAR Cup Series champion to win Sunday’s race at Kansas Speedway
  DAVE SKRETTA
• Alabama, Georgia offer 2023 Osceola CB Ja’Keem Jackson May 16, 2022
  Ja'Keem Jackson of Osceola, a 6-2, 184-pound 2023 cornerback, has 32 offers after two SEC powers came calling.
  Chris Hays
• Marshall, Cincinnati first to offer Oviedo senior running back D.J. Scott May 16, 2022
  Oviedo running back D.J. Scott rushed for 1,015 yards and 12 touchdowns and caught 10 passes for 144 yards and another TD as a junior.
  Chris Hays
• Magic issue statement after Jonathan Isaac’s remarks on vaccine, kneeling May 16, 2022
  Jonathan Isaac made comments about the COVID-19 vaccine, Black Lives Matter and why he stood for the national anthem in the "bubble".
  Khobi Price
• Albert Pujols makes his 1st career pitching appearance — and gives up 2 homers — in a St. Louis Cardinals win May 16, 2022
  Pujols, the St. Louis Cardinals designated hitter, came into the game as a pitcher for the first time in his career in the ninth inning of a 15-6 win over the San Francisco Giants.
  STEVE OVERBEY
• Rangers win in OT, face Hurricanes in second round May 16, 2022
  Artemi Panarin scored a power-play goal 4:46 into overtime as the New York Rangers beat the Pittsburgh Penguins 4-3 Sunday night to advance to the second round of the Stanley Cup playoffs.
  Vin A Cherwoo
• Pete Alonso strikes out with bases loaded in 9th as Mariners hold off Mets May 15, 2022
  Rookie Julio Rodríguez hit a tying homer as part of a four-hit game, Cal Raleigh added a go-ahead, two-run drive and reliever Diego Castillo struck out Mets star Pete Alonso with the bases loaded in the bottom of the ninth to lift the Seattle Mariners over New York 8-7 Sunday.
  Ronald Blum
• Nestor Cortes delivers again for Yankees, this time against White Sox May 15, 2022
  While everyone around baseball seems to be discovering how good Cortes is, the 27-year-old lefty just keeps doing his job.
  Kristie Ackert
• Heat to face Celtics in Eastern Conference finals after Boston routs defending champion Bucks May 15, 2022
  The Heat will face the Celtics with a trip to the NBA Finals on the line.
  Adam Lichtenstein
• Cincinnati Reds allow no hits and still lose to the Pittsburgh Pirates — only the 6th time since 1901 that has happened May 15, 2022
  Cincinnati Reds pitchers Hunter Greene and Art Warren combined to allow zero hits in a complete game, but it didn’t count as a no-hitter — or even a win.
  ALAN SAUNDERS
• Wong leads Brewers’ surge past Marlins, sending Miami to fourth straight series loss May 15, 2022
  Since having a seven-game win streak, the Marlins have lost four consecutive series, going 3-11.
• Dolphins signing former Pro Bowl pass rusher Melvin Ingram May 15, 2022
  The Dolphins aren’t done adding talent to the roster this offseason, and they just landed a three-time Pro Bowl pass rusher.
  David Furones
• Miami native Deandre Johnson looks to take advantage of consecutive opportunities with UM, Dolphins May 15, 2022
  After a final college season with UM, Miami native Deandre Johnson looks to take advantage of his opportunity as an undrafted outside linebacker with the Dolphins. And, another Miami-Dade County product, Owen Carney, gets his chance with his hometown team.
  David Furones
• Dolphins, Buccaneers to hold joint practices ahead of preseason game in Tampa May 15, 2022
  The Miami Dolphins and Tampa Bay Buccaneers will hold joint practices ahead of their Aug. 13 preseason game.
  David Furones
• It’s an injustice Kirk Speraw is not retiring from UCF | Commentary May 15, 2022
  Iowa assistant basketball coach Kirk Speraw is retiring after 43 years in the profession, 17 of which he spent as the head coach at UCF.
  Mike Bianchi
• Orlando City secures 1st victory at Toronto May 15, 2022
  The Lions scored the lone goal of the match in the second minute of stoppage time after Alexandre Pato’s corner was flicked in by Kyle Smith.
  Austin David
• Pride earn draw at home late vs. Kansas City May 15, 2022
  The Pride's Kylie Strom was fouled in the box and Toni Pressley took the penalty to tie the game 2-2 in the 96th minute against Kansas City to salvage a point at Exploria Stadium on Saturday night.
  Austin David
• FSU AD Michael Alford updates fundraising efforts, football facility May 15, 2022
  Florida State athletics director Michael Alford believes facilities are important not only in building an athletics department but to attract top athletes.
  Matt Murschel
• Family lifts Foundation Academy alum after emergency heart transplant May 15, 2022
  Denzel Irvin was doing personal training one moment, in a hospital with a damaged heart the next and and left six days after the procedure.
  Chris Hays
• Winter Park dethrones Freedom for 1st boys volleyball state title May 15, 2022
  Winter Park wins first boys volleyball state title with five-set win over two-time defending state champ Freedom in all-local final.
  Steve Gorches, Correspondent
• Seminole, Evans relays lead Orlando area FHSAA 4A track showings May 15, 2022
  Resounding relay victories by Evans High School and Sanford Seminole, coupled with victory by Hagerty's Brayden Seymour and strong showings by speedy football players, highlighted Saturday’s top performances for Orlando schools in the FHSAA Class 4A state track and field meet.
  Buddy Collings
• High school scores and top performers from Saturday, May 14 May 15, 2022
  Among the individual state champions in 4A track were Evans girls in the 1,600 and 3,200 relays, Brandon Seymour of Hagerty in the 1,600 run and Seminole in the 400 relay.
  Steve Gorches, Correspondent
• NASCAR’s Kyle Busch eager to keep good fortune rolling at Kansas May 15, 2022
  Riding a hot streak, Kyle Busch won recently on the Bristol dirt, finished third at Talladega and led the most laps at Dover.
  DAVE SKRETTA
• ‘I’m there to help’ — Jason Taylor hoping to aid Hurricanes staff any way he can May 15, 2022
  Jason Taylor said he is happy with how his first spring on the Hurricanes' staff went.
  Adam Lichtenstein
• Florida Panthers get playoff rematch against two-time defending Stanley Cup champ Tampa Bay Lightning May 15, 2022
  The Lightning may have two of the stars of their 2021 series win against Florida either out or at less than 100% in the second-round matchup.
  Steve Svekis
• Aroldis Chapman struggles in 9th as Yankees win streak ends at 5 as White Sox walk off with 3-2 win May 15, 2022
  Aroldis Chapman got one out Saturday night and then everything fell apart.
  Kristie Ackert
• As 1997 World Series champs celebrated, Rogers, Marlins hitters handle Counsell’s Brewers | Photos May 15, 2022
  Solo homers from Aguilar and Soler and Anderson’s two-run shot against Milwaukee starter Eric Lauer in the fourth helped the Marlins erase a 1-0 deficit.
• Domi, Raanta help Hurricanes close out Bruins 3-2 in Game 7 May 15, 2022
  Max Domi scored twice in the second period while Antti Raanta had 27 saves to help the Carolina Hurricanes beat the Boston Bruins 3-2 to win the deciding Game 7 of their first-round playoff series.
  Aaron Beard
• Comeback Rangers ready to face Penguins in Game 7 at the Garden May 15, 2022
  After falling into a 3-1 series hole, the Rangers have a pair of 5-3 wins — at home and then back on the road — to even the series.
  VIN A. CHERWOO
• UCF softball captures second AAC tournament championship May 14, 2022
  The 11 runs by UCF softball set a tournament record for the AAC championship final and marked the first time that the championship game ended with the eight-run rule.
  Jason Beede
• Winter Springs’ Caroline Wells needs comeback to win 7th state title May 14, 2022
  Minor ailments that forced major adjustments in training didn’t stop Winter Springs star Caroline Wells from capping an illustrious high school career with her sixth and seventh Florida High School Athletic Association state titles on Friday night.
  Buddy Collings
• Dolphins waive undrafted lineman due to failed physical, sign another May 14, 2022
  The Miami Dolphins waived one lineman that was on as an undrafted free agent and signed another blocker on Saturday.
  David Furones
• Sentinel’s 2023 Central Florida Super60 May 14, 2022
  The latest update of the Sentinel’s 2023 Central Florida Super60
  Chris Hays
• Omar Kelly: Don’t overlook Dolphins’ undrafted rookies because history is on their side May 14, 2022
  An undrafted rookie has made the Miami Dolphins' 53-man roster every year for more than a decade, and there's a good chance one of the 14 undrafted players Miami added could have an impact this season because of how small Miami's draft class was.
  Omar Kelly
• From meeting Dan Marino to learning playbook, QB Skylar Thompson details Dolphins rookie minicamp May 14, 2022
  Miami Dolphins rookie quarterback Skylar Thompson details his minicamp experience, making his first professional practice throws under the watchful eye of Hall of Famer Dan Marino.
  David Furones
• Winter Springs’ Caroline Wells needed comeback to win 7th FHSAA state title May 14, 2022
  Winter Springs' Caroline Wells, a Stanford signee and 7-time FHSAA state champion, faced a stiff challenge from Lake Minneola's Lily Henne (Alabama) at the 3A state meet. Second placers included Valentino Rudolph of Lake Minneola and Edgewater sophomore Amaya Bien-Aime.
  Buddy Collings
• NBA scout sizes up Bucks, Celtics as potential Heat opponent in East finals (says Bucks would be more favorable matchup) May 14, 2022
  Sizing up Milwaukee Bucks, Boston Celtics as Miami Heat opponent in Eastern Conference finals.
  Ira Winderman
• Orlando City looks for MLS victory in Toronto May 14, 2022
  The Lions have an afternoon road match against a Toronto team that has been plagued by injuries and has lost four of its last five games.
  Austin David
• Hagerty stuns Lake Brantley in Class 7A region baseball semifinal May 14, 2022
  Taking advantage of multiple Lake Brantley errors, Hagerty held off the Patriots 5-4 in a marathon game that was delayed three times.
  Jeff Gardenour, Correspondent
• High school scores and top performers from Friday, May 13 May 14, 2022
  Orlando area high school scores and top performers from Friday.
• Dave Hyde: A 26-year ghost disappeared as the Panthers celebrated their thrilling opening-round playoff win May 14, 2022
  “Now we might as well go all the way,” Panthers standout Jonathan Huberdeau said after Friday night's thrilling 4-3 overtime win against the Capitals in Game 6 to move on to the second round of the NHL playoffs.
  Dave Hyde