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SEE IT: Mets’ Kodai Senga throws ‘miracle ball’ pitch in spring training game

Mets ace Kodai Senga has become renowned for his array of pitches, including his infamous ghost fork. But the right-hander has introduced a new pitch, with an equally catchy name.

In the Mets’ 3-3 tie with the Cardinals on Friday night, Senga was on the mound against Yohel Pozo in the third inning. With the Mets up 1-0, the Cardinals were threatening with a man on second and no out when Senga threw a 63.5 mph curveball on a 1-1 count.

Pozo waved at it and fouled it back, but how slow the pitch was thrown caught the eyes of those in Port St. Lucie. 

Pozo would get the better of Senga, launching a two-run shot off an 84 mph slider to put St. Louis in the lead.

After his outing, Senga was asked about that curveball. The right-hander simply called it the “miracle ball” before a smirk came over his face.

When pressed about the pitch, the 32-year-old was reluctant to go into too much detail. The media present pressed a bit, asking if he was trying to throw a Yu Darvish eephus pitch.

Senga laughed before answering through his interpreter, “Didn’t have any thoughts. Threw it lightly and it went in the zone. So…great.”

Unlike his ghost fork, however, fans probably shouldn't expect the miracle ball to be added to Senga's repertoire.

"If it's that slow, I'm going to regret it if it gets hit," Senga said. "So I don’t know [if I'll add it]."

Friday was Senga's second spring start this year, and he was inconsistent. He pitched 3.1 innings, allowing two runs on seven hits and striking out just one batter on 53 pitches. While there was a lot of traffic, Senga's lone mistake was the two-run shot to Pozo.

Despite his struggles, Senga was relatively pleased with his outing.

"Feel good. Came out of the outing healthy and was able to try out a bunch of things," he said. "It was a productive outing."

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Ejiofor powers No. 6 St. John’s past No. 25 Marquette 79-63 into 1st Big East final since 2000

Zuby Ejiofor scored a career-high 33 points, a St. John's record in the Big East Tournament, and the sixth-ranked Red Storm pulled away from No. 25 Marquette 79-63 on Friday night to reach the conference championship game for the first time in 25 years. Big East Player of the Year RJ Luis Jr. added 13 points and Ejiofor grabbed nine rebounds as the top-seeded Red Storm (29-4) wiped out an early 15-point deficit. Kadary Richmond had 12 points, 10 rebounds and six assists for St. John's, which has won eight straight — and 18 of 19 since the new year.

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Best Calgary-Born NHL Players In 2024-25

Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images

Calgary, Alberta, Canada, is home to some of hockey's greatest players, including Hall of Famers Mike Vernon, Bill Gadsby, and Herbie Lewis, former first-round pick Taylor Hall, and several Stanley Cup champions, including Logan Thompson, Brayden Point, Cale Makar, and Tim Hunter.

Although the list of current NHLers born in Stampede City is small, their impact is felt across the league both north and south of the border. 

Today, we pieced together the best lineup featuring Calgary-born players.

Center: Brayden Point (Tampa Bay Lightning)

2024-25: 60 GP 32-33-65 

Point is the only two-time Stanley Cup champion from Calgary currently playing in the NHL. Moreover, he's among 21 players to score 50 goals in a single season in the salary cap era. Since his debut in 2016-17, Point has tallied the seventh most goals (296) of any player in the past nine seasons. Although there are hundreds of centers in the league, there's a case that Point is one of the best.

Left Wing: Dylan Holloway (St. Louis Blues)

2024-25: 66 GP 21-27-48 

As the 14th overall pick from the 2020 Draft, Dylan Holloway has finally blossomed into the player many expected with his first 20-goal season with the St. Louis Blues. After leaving the Edmonton Oilers on an offer sheet in 2024, Holloway has become one of the Blues' top scorers when given a chance to play top six minutes. 

Right Wing: Brett Leason (Anaheim Ducks)

2024-25: 54 GP 5-11-16 

Brett Leason became an NHL regular after the Anaheim Ducks claimed him off waivers from the Washington Capitals ahead of the 2022-23 season. In 2023-24, he had a career year with 11 goals and 22 points. As one of the few wingers from Calgary in today's NHL, Leason is one of the more productive ones.

Cale Makar Sets An Avalanche Record With His SIXTH Point Of The NightCale Makar Sets An Avalanche Record With His SIXTH Point Of The NightWatch as Cale Makar grabs a little piece of Colorado Avalanche history, firing home his second goal of the night against the San Jose Sharks to earn his sixt...

Defence: Cale Makar (Colorado Avalanche)

2024-25: 66 GP 24-51-75 

Almost every time Makar scores a goal, makes a play, or sets up a teammate, he's usually compared to the all-time greats like Bobby Orr, Paul Coffey, and Niklas Lidstrom. Whether he's playing defense or offense, Makar is a generational talent already worthy of the Hall of Fame in just six seasons.

Defence: Josh Morrissey (Winnipeg Jets)

2024-25: 65 GP 10-41-51 

Josh Morrissey is among the most underrated defensemen in the NHL, ranking among the top five in production with 196 points in 224 games over the past three seasons. For his efforts, he's finished in the top ten for Norris Trophy in the past two seasons. As the anchor of the Winnipeg Jets, Morrissey is one of the reasons why they are one of the top teams in the NHL. 

Goalie: Logan Thompson (Washington Capitals)

2024-25: 37 GP 28-4-2, 2.36 GAA, .916 SV% 

Thompson wouldn't be the starter with the Vegas Golden Knights, so he accepted a trade to the Capitals in June 2024. In 37 games, the 28-year-old has had a Vezina Trophy-caliber season, guiding the Capitals to the top of the NHL standings with a 28-4-2 record. He was awarded a six-year extension worth $35.1 million for his performance. 

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Juan Soto homers, drives in two as Mets and Cardinals play to tie

The Mets are now 8-10-3 in spring training games. The Cardinals are 8-11-2.

Here are the main takeaways...

-Kodai Senga threw 3.1 innings and allowed seven (!) hits and two runs while striking out one, walking none, and also throwing a wild pitch. He threw 53 pitches, 30 for strikes and 30 of his pitches overall were four-seam fastballs – he said afterward it was a fastball-heavy night as he hones his repertoire during camp.

-Senga gave up several hard-hit balls, including a 356-foot home run to No. 9 batter Yohel Pozo in the third inning. Senga got some help from José Siri, who made two nice running catches in center field on back-to-back plays to end the second inning. 

-Senga came out of the game with one out and a runner on first in the third inning after throwing 23 pitches in that frame alone. Righty Carlos Guzman got the final two outs of the inning. But then Senga returned to the game to pitch the fourth inning, which is allowed by spring training rules. Carlos Mendoza had said before the game that Senga would have four “ups” in the game. Senga gave up a hit to the leadoff batter in all four innings. The fourth inning started with Senga allowing a single and a double on the first two pitches, but he retired the next three in order.

-The Senga vs. Pozo at-bat had some interesting wrinkles, and came after Michael Helman hammered a double over the head of left-fielder Tyrone Taylor. The first pitch of Pozo’s at-bat was a 93.4 mile-per-hour fastball. Two pitches later, Senga threw a 63.5 mph curve. Pozo, who had not had a hit this spring prior to his homer, connected for his homer on a 3-2 sweeper traveling about 84 mph.

-Brett Baty, vying for playing time as either the second baseman while Jeff McNeil is on the mend or as a utility player, smacked a two-out double to left in the fourth inning and finished 1-for-3. Baty entered the game tied for eighth with 11 Grapefruit League hits. 

-Reed Garrett threw a 1-2-3 fifth inning and now has tossed five innings this spring and allowed no runs and just one hit. He fanned one, giving him six strikeouts against one walk. Chris Devenski and Sean Reid-Foley also threw scoreless frames and Trey McLoughlin, a 16th-round pick out of Fairfield in 2021, struck out the side in the top of the ninth.

-The Mets tied the score at 3-3 in the eighth inning when José Azocar scampered home on a wild pitch. Azocar singled and then stole second and moved to third when the catcher’s throw went awry. 

Game MVP: Juan Soto

Soto entered the night with a .905 slugging percentage this spring. In the first inning, he smacked a solo home run off righty Michael McGreevy. It was Soto’s fourth homer of camp and he had entered the game tied for ninth in MLB spring blasts. In the fifth, Soto sprinted to make a sliding catch in right field.

One inning later, he hit an RBI single to bring the Mets within one, 3-2. Soto drove in Francisco Lindor, who had started the inning with a chopper that glanced off Helman’s glove at second. Lindor never stopped running and dove into second base with a hustle double. 

Highlights

What's next

The Mets hit the road to take on the Washington Nationals on Saturday night. First pitch is scheduled for 6:05 p.m.

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Woods’ 20 lead Tulane over Florida Atlantic 83-76 in American Athletic Conference Tournament

Asher Woods had 20 points in Tulane's 83-76 win against Florida Atlantic on Friday in the American Athletic Conference Tournament quarterfinals. Woods shot 6 for 10 (2 for 3 from 3-point range) and 6 of 8 from the free-throw line for the Green Wave (19-13). Kaleb Banks added 17 points while shooting 7 for 11 (3 for 4 from 3-point range) and 0 of 3 from the free-throw line while he also had five rebounds.

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Yankees' Giancarlo Stanton dealing with calf injury in addition to elbow issues; timeline still unknown

Giancarlo Stanton can't catch a break.

The Yankees designated hitter is already dealing with tennis elbow in both his arms, which will keep him off the roster to start the season, but manager Aaron Boone revealed that Stanton has a calf injury as well.

Jon Heyman of the New York Post reported Thursday that Stanton's calf ailment is "chronic" but that the elbow injuries are the bigger problem.

Stanton is back with the Yankees in camp after he had his third PRP injection on his elbows, but the team still doesn't have a timetable for the slugger's return.

Heyman did report that an optimistic estimate for a Stanton return is Memorial Day, but it's way too early to tell.

As Stanton tries to overcome his elbow issues, surgery has not been ruled out for the slugger. But the former NL MVP admitted that if he were to go under the knife, it could certainly be season-ending.

Stanton had an injury-plagued 2024 season, managing to play in 114 regular season games and slash .233/.298/.475 with 27 homers and 72 RBI. He hit seven home runs and had 16 RBI in 14 playoff games, however.

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Flames Projected Lineup & Game Notes Against Avalanche 3.14.25

Credit: Sergei Belski-Imagn Images

The Calgary Flames (30-23-11) wrap up a three-game homestand by hosting the Colorado Avalanche on Friday night at the Scotiabank Saddledome.

After a busy trade deadline, this is the first time the Flames will play the Avalanche following the acquisitions of Brock Nelson and Erik Johnson. Considering their position in the standings, tied for the second wildcard spot, Friday night is another must win for Calgary. 

Inside the Numbers

Calgary

- Last 10: 4-2-4

- vs. Opponent: 0-1-0 (4-2 L)

- At Home: 18-10-5

Colorado

- Last 10: 7-2-1

- vs. Opponent: 1-0-0 (4-2 W)

- As Visitors: 17-14-1

Between the Pipes

Calgary starter - Dustin Wolf

  • Season: 38 GP / 22-12-4 / 2.52 GAA / .915 SV%
  • Career: 56 GP / 30-19-5 / 2.68 GAA / .909 SV%
  • Last 5: 3-2-0 / 1.60 GAA / .929 SV%
  • vs. Opponent: 1-0-0 / 1.00 GAA / .958 SV%

Avalanche starter - Scott Wedgewood

  • Season: 17 GP / 8-6-1 / 2.49 GAA / .908 SV%
  • Career: 147 GP / 56-54-23 / 2.92 GAA / .906 SV
  • Last 5: 2-3-0 / 2.80 GAA / .884 SV%
  • vs. Opponent: 0-3-1/ 4.03 GAA / .891 SV%

Conversation Starters

- Jonathan Huberdeau had one of his best games as a member of the Flames on Wednesday. Does he have an encore performance in another critical game?

- Dustin Wolf is starting his third straight game. Considering the Flames have only one more back-to-back left on the schedule, it is safe to assume that he's getting most of the starts the rest of the way?

- Where is the secondary scoring? Matt Coronato is Calgary's fourth leading scorer and has only two points (two goals) in his last nine games. Meanwhile, Blake Coleman, the fifth highest scorer, has a single assist in the past 14 games. These two must step up now that Connor Zary and Mikael Backlund are out. Do they have it in them?

Where Are They Now?

Calgary

- 4th Pacific Division

- 2nd Wildcard

- 8th Western Conference

- 15th NHL

Colorado

- 4th Pacific Division

- 2nd Wildcard

- 8th Western Conference

- 15th NHL

Flames & Canucks Leaders

  • Goals: Huberdeau & Kadri (22) / MacKinnon (27)
  • Assists: Weegar (29) / MacKinnon (75)**
  • Points: Huberdeau & Kadri (46) / MacKinnon (102)**
  • PIM: Pachal (80) / Wood (46)
  • PPG: Huberdeau (7) / Makar (10)
  • SOG: Kadri (211) / MacKinnon (268)

** - NHL Leader

Flames Projected Lineup

According to NHL.com, here's a look at the projected lineups for the Flames. (Subject to change)

FORWARD

Jonathan Huberdeau -- Nazem Kadri -- Matt Coronato

Joel Farabee -- Morgan Frost -- Blake Coleman

Martin Pospisil -- Yegor Sharangovich -- Adam Klapka

Ryan Lomberg -- Kevin Rooney -- Dryden Hunt

DEFENCE

Kevin Bahl -- Rasmus Andersson

Joel Hanley -- MacKenzie Weegar

Jake Bean -- Daniil Miromanov

GOALIE

Dustin Wolf

Dan Vladar

Tonight's game starts at 7:00 p.m. MT and is available on TVAS, SN1, ALT2, KTVD and Sportsnet+.

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Josh Hart says Knicks are ‘moving on’ from Draymond Green’s comments about Karl-Anthony Towns

The Knicks are in the Bay Area to take on the Golden State Warriors on Saturday in what will be the final game of their five-game West Coast road trip. While the game itself is enough for NBA fans to want to tune in, the controversy surrounding Draymond Green and his comments about Karl-Anthony Towns has added a layer of intrigue to the matchup.

The outspoken Warriors forward made news when he suggested Towns did not want to play Golden State when the two teams matched up last week at The Garden. On his podcast, Green said Towns wanted to avoid Jimmy Butler.

Of course, Towns missed that game due to the loss of a family friend. When Green was asked about his comments after Golden State's game against the Brooklyn Nets on March 7, Green was surprised and offered condolences but didn’t apologize for his baseless accusation.

Josh Hart was asked about Green’s comments Friday and said the team is ready to move on, but wishes the former Defensive Player of the Year was more responsible. 

“I think KAT handled it the right way,” Hart told Stefan Bondy of the New York Post. “For me, I have my own podcast and all that stuff. Whenever I’m wrong about something, I’ll sit there and say I was (wrong). For me, I wish he kind of did that - just apologized. You don’t got to be embarrassed or feel like apologizing is when you’re wrong isn’t manly. I wish he did. Now that’s in the past and we’re moving on.”

Bondy asked Towns earlier this week for his reaction, and the first-year Knick stayed positive.

“I choose to approach that with love and not hate. That’s all I really care about,” Towns said. “I hope no one has to go through what I went through and those kids—and what those kids had to go through. Losing a parent is tough."

The Knicks enter Saturday’s matchup with a 2-2 record on the road trip and hope to finish it on a high note without their captain, Jalen Brunson who is out for a few weeks due to an ankle sprain. Entering Friday, the Knicks (42-23) sit five games ahead of the Milwaukee Bucks for the No. 3 seed in the Eastern Conference.

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Flames & Wranglers Busy Adjusting Rosters

Credit: Sergei Belski-Imagn Images

The Calgary Flames (30-23-11) play the Colorado Avalanche on Friday night, ending a three-game homestand before their final trip to the East Coast next week.

In their last contest against the Vancouver Canucks, forward Conor Zary hit defenseman Elias Pettersson with an elbow in the back of the head, leading to a two-game suspension, announced on Thursday afternoon.

During the same game, captain Mikael Backlund suffered an upper-body injury, and on Friday, the team announced that he was now listed as week-to-week. 

Before the Canucks game, the Flames recalled Adam Klapka from the Calgary Wranglers. The 24-year-old was a healthy scratch on Tuesday, but will most likely be pressed into action on Friday night against Colorado.

Meanwhile, with another hole in the lineup to fill, Calgary recalled Dryden Hunt on Friday morning. The pair of Wranglers forwards have combined to skate in 14 games this season in the NHL, with one point.

Hunt is the Wranglers' second-leading scorer, with 48 points, while Klapka has contributed 26 points. 

However, that wasn't the Flames organization's last move on Friday. The Wranglers acquired forward Ty Tullio from the Buffalo Sabres via the Rochester Americans.

Initially drafted by the Edmonton Oilers in the fifth round (125th overall) in the 2020 Draft, Tullio has yet to play in the NHL. Over three seasons in the AHL, he has scored 23 goals with 31 assists for 54 points in 147 games.

The Flames, who maintain the second wildcard spot in the Western Conference, will host the Avalanche at the Saddledome on Friday.  Meanwhile, the Wranglers hit the road for a weekend series with the Abbotsford Canucks on Saturday and Sunday.