Boomer Back-to-Back

06/10/2022

By: Jeff Yoder

Happy Friday 

The week is over and our weekend primer is packed. College softball’s dynasty reigns on while the Lightning stole Game 5 in New York. Plus, the PGA-LIV showdown gets another twist. All that and more before a June weekend full of sports.

Letter Rip!

 

WCWS

Sooners Go Back-to-Back

Oklahoma Blasts Texas to Win 2nd Straight Women’s College World Series

 

The dynasty continues! Oklahoma obliterated Texas (10-5) in Game 2 of the Women’s College World Series on Thursday night to capture their second straight title. The Sooners trailed 0-2 before pouring in 10 runs in innings 4-6. They led 10-2 before giving up three runs in a garbage-time 7th frame. OU legend Jocelyn Alo took left field for the final inning to get a standing ovation before ending her decorated collegiate career. Grace Lyons and Kinzie Hansen both hit home runs in the rout, and the Sooners celebrated with a ground-out to end it.

 

Fun Fact: Oklahoma set the NCAA record with 17 home runs in the 2022 WCWS

 

OU’s Softball Dynasty

The 2022 title was Oklahoma’s second straight and sixth in program history. Five of those six have come in the last nine seasons. Alo’s departure will be a big loss, but there’s little doubt that OU will bounce back to win more hardware in the years to come.

 

Watch: Oklahoma Wins 2nd Straight WCWS

 

Additional Storylines

USA Today: Oklahoma Caps Dominant Season With 2nd Straight WCWS

The Ringer: All Hail the Queen: Sooners Softball Star Jocelyn Alo Has Ascended Into Sports Royalty

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NHL PLAYOFFS

3-Peat Watch: Bolts Win Again

Ondej Palat Scores Go-Ahead Goal With 1:50 Left to Give Lightning 3rd Straight Win (3-1)

 

Flipping the script! The Lightning trailed the Rangers 2-0 in the Eastern Conference Finals, and they now lead the series 3-2 after three straight wins. Thursday’s Game 5 showdown in New York saw a 1-1 tie heading down the stretch before Ondrej Palat redirected a Mikhail Sergachev shot for the go-ahead goal with 1:50 left in the game. Brandon Hagel added the insurance goal on an open net. The Lightning are back in the driver’s seat and one game away from going back to their third straight Stanley Cup Finals. We’re heading back to Tampa for Game 6 and a potential close-out. TBL Leads Series (3-2)

 

Watch: Lightning Win Game 5 on Palat’s Late Goal (3-1)

 

Upcoming Schedule

Gm 6: Rangers at Lightning (Sat. 8:00 pm ET)

 

Additional Storylines

USA Today: Lightning Beat Rangers in Game 5, 1 Win Away From Stanley Cup Finals

ESPN: Under-the-Radar Stars of the Stanley Cup Playoffs

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GOLF

LIV or Die With the PGA?

LIV Golf Tees Off as PGA Tour Suspends 17 Players for Participation

 

Let the battle begin! LIV Golf teed off with a bang on Thursday from the Centurion Club in London, sporting a wild new format of competitive golf that was full of flare. Unfortunately for the PGA Tour players involved, their PGA cards were officially revoked. The Tour suspended 17 players on Thursday who made the switch to the LIV series. And while the opening round in London was a sight to see — hole countdowns, shotgun starts and a quick-and-snappy five-hour day — it was still a brand new concept backed by questionable ownership.

 

The Majors Hold the Cards

While the PGA Tour officially suspended the 17 members who made the switch, those golfers are still eligible for the majors since the PGA does not own those events. The majors — The Masters, The Players, U.S. Open and Open Championship — will play a critical role in the future of golf if they decide to ban LIV Golf participants as well. When it’s all said and done, Augusta National (The Masters) could play the trump card on this stare down between PGA and LIV.

 

LIV Golf Leaderboard (Round 1)

C. Schwartzel (-5)

H. Du Plessis (-4)

P. Khongwatmai (-3)

S. Vincent (-3)

B. Grace (-2)

J. Harding (-2)

P. Mickelson (-1)

D. Johnson (-1)

 

Watch: LIV Golf London Round 1 (Full Rewind)

 

Additional Storylines

CBS Sports: LIV Golf Changed the Sport Forever, But Not in the Way You Might Think

B/R: PGA Tour Officially Suspends Dustin Johnson, Phil Mickelson & All Current, Future LIV Golfers

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 OTHER HIGHLIGHTS

 MLB: Ohtani’s Big Night Ends Angels’ Skid

After 14 straight losses, Shohei Ohtani stepped up big to end the Angels’ losing streak on Thursday night. Ohtani tossed seven electric innings from the mound (6K, 4H, 1R) before hitting a two-run homer to lift the Halos over the Red Sox (5-2).

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 THE HEADLINES

• NBA Commissioner Adam Silver Considering Shortening Season, In-Season Tournament (Yahoo! Sports)
• Golden State in ‘Wait-and-See’ Mode With Steph Curry Injury After Game 3 (ESPN)
• Commanders Assistant Jack Del Rio Apologizes for Controversial Jan. 6 Insurrection Comments (SI)
• Chicago Bulls Rumored to Pursue Rudy Gobert in Trade With Utah Jazz (CBS Sports)
• Lawsuit Over Orioles Ownership Could See Team Relocated to Tennessee (Bleacher Report)

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 WEEKEND SCHEDULE

The Must-Watch List

NBA Finals Gm 4: Warriors at Celtics (Fri. 9:00 pm)   NHL Playoffs Gm 6: Rangers at Lightning (Sat. 8:00 pm)   Golf LIV Golf Series (Friday-Saturday)   International Soccer CON: USMNT vs. Grenada (Fri. 10:00 pm) UEFA: England vs. Italy (Sat. 2:45 pm) UEFA: Netherlands vs. Poland (Sat. 2:45 pm) UEFA: Spain vs. Czech Republic (Sun. 2:45 pm)   Horse Racing Belmont Stakes (Sat. 7:15 pm)   MLB Cubs-Yankees Series Dodgers-Giants Series Mets-Angels Series Full MLB Schedule   WNBA Sky at Sun (Fri. 7:00 pm) Aces at Sparks (Sat. 9:00 pm) Full WNBA Schedule   Formula 1 Azerbaijan Grand Prix (Sun. 7:00 am)   *All Times ET