K-HEART SPORTS – 04/04/23 – 0700
MINOT, N.D. (MSU) – The Minot State softball team announced that their games against Bemidji State have been canceled because of the looming winter storm. The NSIC doubleheader had been relocated to the Air-Supported Dome on the MSU campus and scheduled for today starting at 2 p.m., with Bemidji State playing as the home team against Minot State in “The Bubble.” The games will not be made up. Minot State (16-12 overall, 3-3 NSIC) next hits the diamond this weekend hosting Augustana on Friday and Wayne State on Saturday in doubleheaders in “The Bubble,” with first pitch each day scheduled for noon.
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MSU BASEBALL
MAUSTON, Wis. (MSU) – Though they had plenty of opportunities, the Minot State baseball team had a hard time cashing them in, leaving 10 Beavers on base in a 9-4 defeat at the hands of the Concordia, Saint Paul Golden Bears on Monday in NSIC play. Junior Craig Schmich (2-2) started and took the loss on the mound for Minot State (16-9 overall, 7-6 NSIC). Offensively, the Beavers were led by junior Brent Riddle, who went 1-for-4 on the day with a double, a walk and three RBI. Junior Gunnar Kozlowitz put together a noteworthy performance as well, going 1-for-2 with a double. Sophomore Dalin Ludlow also helped out for Minot State, putting together one hit in one trip to the plate while adding an RBI. Trailing 6-0, the Beavers first put runs on the board in the eighth inning. Minot State’s offense started clicking and put up four runs, including a three-run double off the bat of Riddle. The Beavers were unable to get any closer, as Concordia, Saint Paul added three runs to their tally on the way to a 9-4 final. The Beavers are back in action traveling to Upper Iowa for a doubleheader on Friday and a single game against the Peacocks on Saturday.
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UND HOCKEY-CAULFIELD
GRAND FORKS, N.D. (UND) – UND Senior forward and assistant captain Judd Caulfield has signed a two-year, entry-level deal with the Anaheim Ducks. Caulfield was a constant in the North Dakota lineup over his four years with the program, appearing in 133 career games, including 93 straight dating back to his sophomore season. The Grand Forks, N.D., native reached double-digit points in each of his four campaigns, notching a career-high 20 in 2021-22, to total 29 goals and 33 assists for 62 points. This past year, Caulfield tallied 10 goals and nine assists to finish just shy of another 20-point mark. He was one of UND’s top defensive forwards as well, registering 17 blocks, a shorthanded goal and finishing with a plus-8 rating. Off the ice, Caulfield is a four-time NCHC Distinguished Scholar-Athlete and AHCA Academic All-America Scholar. Caulfield will play the remainder of the season with the San Diego Gulls, the AHL affiliate of the Ducks.
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WILD-GOLDEN KNIGHTS
ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — Pavel Dorofeyev scored twice in regulation, including the tying goal with 34.2 seconds left to send it to overtime and then had one of Vegas’ three scores in the shootout in the Golden Knights’ 4-3 victory over the Minnesota Wild who earned a postseason berth shortly after the game. Keegan Kolesar also scored in regulation and Jack Eichel and Reilly Smith had shootout goals for Vegas. Laurent Brossoit made 30 saves. Matt Boldy, Brandon Duhaime and John Klingberg scored in regulation for Minnesota, which clinched a playoff spot after Dallas beat Nashville. Minnesota is tied with Dallas atop the Central Division with 98 points. Boldy reaches the 30-goal mark in his first full NHL season for the Wild. Frederick Gaudreau and Joel Eriksson Ek had shootout goals for the Wild. Minnesota plays at Pittsburgh on Thursday.
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TWINS-MARLINS
MIAMI (AP) — Max Kepler hit a leadoff homer, Joey Gallo added a three-run shot and the Minnesota Twins routed the Miami Marlins 11-1 to remain unbeaten this season. Trevor Larnach also went deep and Tyler Mahle pitched five solid innings for the Twins, who swept their opening series in Kansas City and are 4-0 for the ninth time in franchise history. The last time was 2017. Mahle struck out seven, walked one and limited the Marlins to one run on five hits. Minnesota relievers Jorge Alcala and Cole Sands gave up seven hits combined without allowing a run. Miami starter Johnny Cueto exited with right biceps tightness in the second inning after giving up two home runs in his Marlins debut. Minnesota’s starters have permitted only two runs in four games. The series continues today with Minnesota RHP Kenta Maeda facing RHP Sandy Alcantara.
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NCAA MEN’S TOURNAMENT
HOUSTON (AP) – The Cinderellas certainly had their moments in this March Madness. More than a few, actually. In the end, it was a familiar face that won the NCAA Tournament. UConn — a No. 4 seed — beat No. 5 seed San Diego State 76-59 on Monday night in Houston for its fifth title in the past 24 years. The Huskies and coach Dan Hurley cruised through the tournament in impressive fashion, winning all six games by at least 10 points. The Aztecs of the Mountain West Conference didn’t go quietly, cutting UConn’s lead to six points late in the second half before the Huskies used one more run to put the game away. It was San Diego State’s first trip to the title game. Before Monday night, college basketball fans enjoyed three weeks of great moments.