• Slug: Sports-Ryne Nelson Diamondbacks, 920 words.
• 2 photos available (thumbnails, captions below).

By Aaron Schmidt
Cronkite News

PHOENIX – After a six-week-long battle for the fifth and final spot in the Arizona Diamondbacks’ starting rotation, right-handed pitcher Ryne Nelson earned the nod from manager Torey Lovullo.

However, it didn’t quite unfold the way he anticipated, and it might be a temporary assignment.

Entering spring training, the Diamondbacks had already finalized their first four rotation spots with right-handers Zac Gallen and Merrill Kelly, followed by left-hander Eduardo Rodriguez and right-hander Brandon Pfaadt. Continue reading “Ryne Nelson’s dominant spring signals resurgent 2024 campaign with Arizona Diamondbacks”

• Slug: Sports-Oscar Valdez Boxing Title. 974 words.
• 3 photos available (thumbnails, captions below).

By Maxwell Williams
Cronkite News

GLENDALE – After the bell sounded to initiate the seventh round, Oscar Valdez saw an opportunity and capitalized, landing a wave of heavy hits and finally defeating Liam Wilson by way of a technical knockout under the bright lights of Desert Diamond Arena.

For Valdez, there could not have been a better venue to succeed given his heritage from Mexico and Arizona.

Continue reading “Oscar Valdez captures WBO interim junior lightweight world title for all his ‘beautiful Mexican fans’”

• Slug: Sports-Final Four Floor Installation, 820 words.
• 3 photos available (thumbnails, captions below)

By Noah Maltzman
Cronkite News

GLENDALE – One of the most important parts of Men’s Final Four preparation is complete.

On Friday morning, technicians from Connor Sports, in partnership with the State Farm Stadium crew, completed the installation of the court for this weekend big event.

“The Final Four is one of the biggest sporting events of the year,” said Andy Gorchov, general manager of State Farm Stadium. “We know the spotlight of the nation is going to be on the stadium and Arizona over the weekend.” Continue reading “Full court success: Flooring for Men’s Final Four successfully installed”

• Slug: Sports-ASU Wrestling Champion Figueroa. 1,180 words.
• Photo available (thumbnail, caption below).

By Braeden Steele
Cronkite News

PHOENIX – If there is one thing that can be said about Richard Figueroa, it’s that he really hates to fail.

“Losing, even if I lost in high school, it would just get to me,” Figueroa said. “I’m a winner, and losing just doesn’t comprehend with me. I just can’t do it.”

Figueroa doesn’t lose often. And he didn’t at the NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships in Kansas City, where he entered as the No. 8 seed but emerged as the 10th NCAA champ in Arizona State wrestling history.

It was a successful finish to what began as a frustrating season for Figueroa. He lost four of his first eight matches to begin the 2023-24 wrestling season, but the losing wasn’t the only thing eating at him.

Continue reading “‘This is what I live for’: Richard Figueroa defies odds, wins ASU’s first NCAA individual wrestling championship since 2019”

• Slug: Sports-NCAA Men’s Tournament Set, 1,800 words.
• 2 photos available (thumbnails, captions below)

By Scott Sandulli
Cronkite News

PHOENIX – Depending on which team emerges with a national championship, the 2024 NCAA Men’s Final Four will unfold as a story of redemption, relationships, a repeat or maybe something remarkable.

Purdue, which suffered an embarrassing first-round loss in 2023, is seeking redemption. Alabama is coached by Nate Oats, who has long-standing ties to his semifinal opponent. Connecticut is seeking to become the first repeat champion since Florida in 2007 and 2008.

And, as it has before, 11th-seeded North Carolina State hopes to write a remarkable storybook ending. Continue reading “Final chapter: Teams set, storylines aplenty at NCAA Men’s Final Four”

• Slug: Sports-Arizona Cold Shooting, 600 words.
• Photo available (thumbnail, caption below)

By Delanie Todd
Cronkite News

LOS ANGELES – Love is all you need? Not when it come to the men’s NCAA Tournament.

When the Arizona Wildcats’ star guard failed from 3-point range Thursday night, his teammates struggled to pick up the slack. That helped the Clemson Tigers advance to their school’s second-ever Elite Eight with a 77-72 victory in a West Regional semifinal of the men’s NCAA Tournament at Crypto.com Arena.

The Wildcats struggled offensively throughout the game, shooting 25 of 67 (37.3%) from the field and just 5 of 28 (17.9%) from outside the arc. Guards Caleb Love and Pelle Larsson combined to go 1 of 15 in 3-point attempts with Love missing all nine of his tries en route to 13 points. Continue reading “Arizona’s shooters turn cold as Clemson finally returns to Elite Eight in men’s NCAA Tournament”

• Slug: Sports-Arizona Loses Sweet 16, 900 words.
• 3 photos available (thumbnails, captions below)

By Addison Kalmbach
Cronkite News

LOS ANGELES – Although much talk before Thursday’s Sweet 16 meeting between Arizona and Clemson centered on the Wildcats’ electric offense, Tigers guard Chase Hunter thought many were overlooking a simple fact.

“They have to guard us, too,” the senior said.

They did, and not always successfully. Hunter exploded for 18 points, seven rebounds and five assists and limited Pac-12 Player of the Year Caleb Love to 13 points and 0-for-9 shooting from 3-point range as Clemson beat Arizona 77-72 in the men’s NCAA Tournament at Cyrpto.com Arena.

For the Wildcats, this feeling is all too familiar. Continue reading “Easy, Tigers: Clemson controls tempo early, knocks off No. 2 Arizona to advance to Elite Eight”

• Slug: Sports-Arizona Clemson NCAA, 1,000 words.
• 3 photos available (thumbnails, captions below)

By Addison Kalmbach
Cronkite News

LOS ANGELES – After a dominating first weekend in the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament, the Arizona Wildcats are back in the Sweet 16 for the second time in three years under coach Tommy Lloyd.

With a chance to make the Elite Eight for the first time in nearly a decade, the Wildcats, seeded No. 2, are not overlooking a tough No. 6 Clemson team, which beat No. 11 New Mexico and No. 3 Baylor on the way to its first Sweet 16 since 2018.

“I know it’s boring, but we’re a one-day-at-a-time, one-game-at-a-time cliche coach, cliche team,” said Lloyd, before Arizona took on Clemson Thursday afternoon at Crypto.com Arena in the West Region semifinals. “So we’re 100 percent focused on Clemson, and we haven’t looked at anything beyond that.” Continue reading “King of the Jungle: Arizona Wildcats looks to pounce on Clemson Tigers in Sweet 16 meeting”

• Slug: Sports-Brewers Freddy Peralta, 930 words.
• Photo available (thumbnail, caption below)

By Anthony Remedios
Cronkite News

PHOENIX – Among the Milwaukee Brewers’ revamped roster, the pitching staff will also look different in 2024.

Right-hander Freddy Peralta was named the Opening Day starter for the first time in his career, while being just the third Dominican-born Opening Day starter in franchise history. He had to wait an extra day before taking the Citi Field mound against the Mets in New York, as the Brewers’ first regular season game was pushed from Thursday to Friday because of rain.

Peralta, 27, made his MLB debut on May 13, 2018 and has been a full-time member of the Brewers’ rotation since 2021. The 2024 season is the last on his current contract, though the club does have an option for each of the next two years. Continue reading “Next big thing: Freddy Peralta begins pathway to Brewers’ ace, will make first career Opening Day start”

• Slug: Sports-Hot or Not Sweet 16, 1,580 words.
• Photos available (thumbnails, captions below)

By Bobby Hurley
Cronkite News

PHOENIX – The first round of men’s March Madness marched its way to an average of 8.3 million viewers, the most in tournament history, according to Front Office Sports. Fifty two teams were eliminated and 16 remain vying to reach the Final Four at Glendale’s State Farm Stadium April 6-8. So, who’s feeling hot, and who’s not? Continue reading “Who’s hot, who’s not in the men’s Sweet 16? The ACC, transfer portal and … birds”

• Slug: Sports-Arizona Clemson NCAA, 620 words.
• Photo available (thumbnail, caption below)

By Dalanie Todd
Cronkite News

LOS ANGELES – Basketball is a game of power and skill, and of course, a little bit of luck, especially in March. With constant upsets, and plenty of highs and lows, the Sweet 16 West Region semifinal between Arizona and Clemson should be no different, especially when looking at centers Oumar Ballo and PJ Hall, who will bring starkly different playing styles to Thursday’s game at Crypto.com Arena in downtown Los Angeles.

The No. 2-seeded Wildcats are pursuing their first Final Four appearance since 2001. The Tigers, a No. 6-seed, are making their first Sweet 16 appearance since 2018.

One of the focal points will be the matchup between Hall, a 6-foot-10, 238-pound senior, and Ballo, a 7-foot, 260-pound senior. Continue reading “Battle of the Bigs: Arizona’s Oumar Ballo faces tall task in Sweet 16 matchup against Clemson’s PJ Hall”

• Slug: Sports-Cactus Basketball Hoops, 733 words.
• Photo available (thumbnail, caption below)

By Justin de Haas
Cronkite News

SCOTTSDALE – Arizona is known for its cacti, but not like the succulents popping up across the Valley recently.

Four “Cactus Basketball Hoops” – each with a unique design and standing 13 feet tall – signal that the men’s Final Four is approaching. One basket was unveiled on the Marshall Way Bridge in Old Town Scottsdale Tuesday, while two others will be located in downtown Phoenix and a fourth one in Glendale, near the site of the games April 6-8.

Two of the hoops, including the one in Scottsdale, were designed by Paul Molina, a local Hispanic and Indigenous artist. The NCAA contacted Molina via Instagram about creating the design and he worked with its marketing team to depict the connection of basketball with the Indigenous culture of Arizona. Continue reading “‘Cactus Basketball Hoops’ honor Indigenous community as Final Four nears”

• Slug: Sports-Kim Paez LPGA, 830 words.
• Photos available (thumbnail, caption below)

By Maxwell Williams
Cronkite News

GILBERT – After making history as the first female golfer to win the 2023 Southwest PGA Championship, Kim Paez is prepared to compete in her first LPGA tour event from the comfort of her own home state of Arizona. However, Paez didn’t know she had the chance to play until quite recently.

On March 7, Paez prepared herself for a meeting at PING’s Phoenix headquarters. As a player development director at PING and a PGA coach at Cave Creek Gold Club’s Reed West Academy, the meeting seemed routine at first, and she was given the impression that she was participating in a discussion promoting women’s golf during women’s history month.

“I honestly thought I was there for a women’s golf marketing meeting,” Paez said. “I had notes prepared, I did my research and there were women in the meeting that I have been in meetings with before so I thought it was really nothing new.” Continue reading “Sponsor surprise turns golfer Kim Paez’s LPGA dreams into reality following recent success”

• Slug: Sports-Diamondbacks Season Opener 1,200 words.
• 3 photos available (thumbnails, captions below)

By Aaron Schmidt
Cronkite News

PHOENIX – The vibes in the Arizona Diamondbacks clubhouse could not be any better.

Music blasts as players challenge each other to a game of cards, or a seemingly popular game of dominoes where players can’t help resist a friendly match between teammates. An exciting 162-game season looms, and the Diamondbacks are brimming with anticipation to step back out on the diamond.

“It’s always a different day for me. It’s the best day of the baseball season,” Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo said, referring to Thursday night’s game at Chase Field against the Colorado Rockies that launches the 2024 season. “It’s Opening Day and there’s so much excitement. I love that. The people around the stadium are here and energized and it means the start of a new year.” Continue reading “‘This team will be ready’: Arizona Diamondbacks’ expectations high entering 2024”

• Slug: Sports-LPGA Tour Game Night, 1,023 words.
• 2 photos available (thumbnails, captions below)

By Brett Lapinski
Cronkite News

SCOTTSDALE – Just over a month after the last putt clinked the bottom of the cup on the 18th hole at the Waste Management Phoenix Open, the professional golf scene is back in Arizona. Starting Thursday morning, LPGA Tour golfers will shoot to ace the Gilbert greens of Seville Golf and Country Club during the inaugural Ford Championship presented by KCC, which runs through Sunday.

The tournament features a star-studded lineup including the top five players in the Rolex Women’s World Golf Rankings: No. 1 Lilia Vu, No. 2 Nelly Korda, No. 3 Céline Boutier, No. 4 Ruoning Yin and No. 5 Minjee Lee. Continue reading “LPGA Tour Game Night brings together fans, pros in a unique golf experience”

• Slug: Sports-Josh Doan Coyotes, 1,050 words.
• 3 photos available (thumbnails, captions below)

By Josh Jones and Zach Mott.
Cronkite News

TEMPE – The Doan legacy lives on in the desert.

The NHL debut of an Arizona legend’s descendant made a permanent mark in history on a magical Tuesday night at Mullet Arena.

As the lights dimmed and the fans settled in their seats, a distinct energy that has been long absent swept through the building as the hometown crowd awaited the return of former Arizona State captain Josh Doan, son of former Coyotes captain Shane Doan. Continue reading “‘Little bit of a fairytale’: Josh Doan scores twice in unforgettable Arizona Coyotes debut”

• Slug: Sports-Arizona Swim Dive NCAA, 1,220 words.
• Photo available (thumbnail, caption below)

By Hayden Cilley
Cronkite News

PHOENIX – The Arizona State men’s swim and dive team, the top-ranked team in the nation, looks to deliver a coup de grace to the Pac-12 era this week by capturing its first NCAA men’s swimming and diving championship.

Three weeks before the NCAA championships, which run Wednesday through Saturday at the IU Natatorium in Indianapolis, the Sun Devils secured their second consecutive Pac-12 championship in dominant fashion by scoring 1,036 total points. They also had the second-highest point differential in conference history, winning by 303 points. Arizona State men’s swim and dive coach Bob Bowman acknowledged the possibility of winning the first NCAA championship in program history. Continue reading “Ultimate coup de grace: ASU men’s swim and dive team seeks to end Pac-12 era with first NCAA championship”

• Slug: Sports-Chase Field Changes, 650 words.
• 4 photos available (thumbnails, captions below)

By Sean Brennan
Cronkite News

PHOENIX – With a new MLB season approaching, the collection of Arizona Diamondbacks’ banners above Chase Field’s left-field wall has a new member — one that highlights the team’s 2023 National League pennant. Other novelties can be found around the ballpark, but one thing that remains unchanged is the Diamondbacks’ plan on where they might call home in the future.

With the team’s lease with the 28-year-old stadium expiring in 2027 and no reported negotiations towards a renewal, much uncertainty has surrounded the Diamondbacks’ next steps in the Valley. Earlier in the spring, owner Ken Kendrick said, “We may run out of time in Phoenix” although he hopes the situation doesn’t come to that.

Diamondbacks president and CEO Derrick Hall added additional insight into the situation Thursday, citing the organization’s strong relationship with Maricopa County, which owns Chase Field. Continue reading “Lights, churro, action! Diamondbacks highlight upgrades to Chase Field despite uncertain future”

• Slug: Sports-Cubs Expectations, 1,220 words.
• Photo available (thumbnail, caption below)

By Justin de Haas
Cronkite News

MESA — MLB spring training provides a mix of key players in their prime, young minor league prospects making a name for themselves and older veterans proving they still have what it takes, and the Chicago Cubs are a great example of that as a team with aspirations of winning the National League Central Division.

The Cubs won the NL Central in 2020, but the last time they did it in a 162-game season was 2017, which was the year after they broke the 108-year drought of winning the World Series. Even though Chicago lifted the Commissioner’s Trophy eight years ago, the team has changed dramatically since that championship team.

Right-handed starting pitcher Kyle Hendricks is the only player on the active roster left from that 2016 squad. The Cubs had righty relief pitcher Carl Edwards Jr. – who was on that World Series roster in his second major league season – in camp as a non-roster invitee, but he opted out of his minor league contract on March 23. Continue reading “Chicago Cubs finding identity as 2024 regular season approaches with sights set on NL Central crown”