Elly De La Cruz comes through as Reds beat Rays, secure series win

Elly De La Cruz certainly looks well-equipped for a playoff race. In fact, the Cincinnati Reds all do when they're rolling like they are right now.

But it was De La Cruz, as fans chanted his name, who came up big and brought a crowd of 39,848 to its feet with the game-winning hit against the Tampa Bay Rays on July 26. De La Cruz drove in two runs on a bloop, bases-loaded, two-out single that lifted the Reds over the Rays, 6-2, on a night at Great American Ball Park when hits were in short supply for both clubs for much of the contest.

"Everybody likes the big moments," De La Cruz said. "Big crowd, tight game. It was a tight situation."

Start the day smarter. Get all the news you need in your inbox each morning.

Reds Blue Hats Tampa Bay Rays Here's why the Reds wore blue hats against the Tampa Bay Rays

Reds injuries Carson Spiers Hunter Green Reds lose another pitcher: Carson Spiers to have season-ending elbow surgery

The victory lifted the Reds to 55-50, equaling the five-games-over-.500 high-water mark they had already achieved once in 2025. Cincinnati will enter the July 27 series finale against Tampa Bay with the series win in hand and one game back in the race for the No. 3 Wild Card spot in the National League, trailing the San Diego Padres , who beat St. Louis.

Graham Ashcraft was the winning pitcher for the Reds. Andrew Abbott started the game and allowed one run and two hits in six innings as his ERA dropped from 2.13 to 2.09.

We're playing really good baseball right now," Abbott said. "I think we kind of sat down and had a discussion as a team where we're just kind of like, let's keep stacking series wins. Let's control the things that we can control. Obviously, trying to put ourselves in a situation to be buyers, to be in the playoffs and we're right on the door knocking. We're really just trying to focus on the things that we can do.

"So, really just trying to focus on the things we can do and try to get in there, and keep playing well all the way through the end and hopefully at the end, we're in the postseason."

A pitchers' duel through five innings, both clubs started to gain traction offensively in the sixth.

Yandy Diaz opened the scoring with a solo home run to left-center field to lead off the sixth. The Reds, who wore blue throwback-style caps with a National Baseball Hall of Fame patch in honor of this weekend's induction festivities, came back to take the lead in the bottom of the inning when a hard-hit Austin Hays grounder slid under the glove of Rays' shortstop Taylor Walls.

Tampa Bay tied the game in a controversial manner in its next at-bat. Graham Ashcraft appeared to have hit the strike zone for a would-be called third strike against the Rays' Josh Lowe, but home plate umpire Willie Traynor called the pitch a ball.

The next pitch from Ashcraft was lined into left field for a game-tying single. Reds manager Terry Francona then appeared to argue with Traynor from the dugout and was ejected. Francona came out to the field to continue the dispute and crew chief Todd Tichenor diffused the exchange.

Then, De La Cruz delivered his game-winning hit on a full count after initially falling behind, 0-2, against Rays lefty reliever Garrett Cleavinger.

The patience he has, he's seeing the ball really well over the last couple weeks, or the last couple months, actually," said Reds bench coach Freddie Benavides. "For him to put it in play, especially against one of their top left-handed relievers, so, it was a great at-bat and great things happen when you put it in play.

Benavides was the acting manager for Cincinnati after Francona's ejection.

T.J. Friedl and Matt McLain added more insurance runs in the eighth inning. Friedl hit a dribbler single that got past Lowe, who entered the game at shortstop. A McLain single made it 6-2.

The Reds will go for a sweep of the Rays on July 27, (1:40 p.m.) as Cincinnati's Brady Singer (7-8, 4.84 ERA) is scheduled to start against Tampa's Shane Baz (8-6, 4.66 ERA).

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Elly De La Cruz comes through in the clutch as Reds beat Rays, take series win

Read More

What We Learned About MN Twins Top Pick Marek Houston – MSF Exclusive

On Sunday evening, just before the start of this year’s All-Star Game festivities, Major League Baseball ushered in the next wave of big league talent via the 2025 MLB Draft, where the Minnesota Twins selected 21-year-old switch-hitting shortstop Marek Houston 16th overall , from Wake Forest.

Yes, another shortstop , which happens a lot in professional baseball, because at all levels of the game, shortstop is where teams usually play their best athletes. And for these kids' entire lives, up until they are drafted, that's always been them.

Like last year at Wake Forest, when Marek Houston proved to be far better than his collegiate competition, slashing .354/.458/.597 (1.055 OPS) with 14 doubles, 15 home runs and a 46/46 K/BB ratio. Oh, and he successfully stole 19 of the 21 bases he tried to steal, too.

Want to see more exclusive sports content like this? Follow Minnesota Sports Fan on MSN.

Related: Report: Minnesota Twins Prepare for a Quiet Trade Deadline

Now, the superstar Demon Deacon is looking forward to his first professional opportunity, which will come quickly. Luckily, before his life became too hectic, I was able to catch up with Houston a couple of days after he was drafted by the Twins.

Marek Houston not a fan of the MLB Draft process, but MN Twins fans will love him

In our brief conversations, I got to know Minnesota's latest top just a little bit. And it didn't take more than a few messages back and forth before I realized that this kid is an old-school type gamer who takes pride in his defense (more on that below). No doubt, I expect Houston to grow on the fanbase rather quickly, if he plays well.

I'm a competitor. I like to compete, and once the game starts it's about winning. As a hitter I'm looking to get on base and see what the situation holds for me. Defensively I want to be reliable and take away hits from the other team. — Marek Houston

Houston tried to soak in the draft process as much as possible, and told me that he had a great meeting with the Minnesota Twins and loved the people they have in the organization. He described the overall draft process, however, as confusing.

The 6'3", 205 lb athlete He said he had an idea of where he would go, but "when the time comes, it's all a big mystery." Overall, it sounds like going through the steps of getting drafted and dealing with all the outside noise added more unnecessary stress than anything else. Without a doubt, he sounds happy that it's over and excited to be a Twin.

The draft process was honestly very confusing. You have an idea of where you may go, but when the time comes it's all a big mystery. I had a great meeting with the Twins a couple days before and loved what they were about and the people they have... I'm excited to be a part of an organization that I have already heard so many great things about. — Marek Houston

When Houston lands in Minneapolis to put pen to paper, he will be visiting the state for the first time. He has seen plenty of Target Field, from afar, and knows some of the stars who have worn the Minnesota Twins uniform.

Houston can stick at shortstop, ready to prove the offense is legitimate.

Before he can think about living in the Twin Cities, though, he has to fight his way up the minor league ladder. Defensively, there's no reason why Marek Houston can't stick at shortstop.

In fact, MLB Pipeline tagged him as the best defensive shortstop in the 2025 MLB Draft. That now gives the MN Twins two consecutive drafts where their top pick could genuinely remain at SS, after they selected Kaelen Culpepper in 2024. He represented the Twins in the MLB All-Star Futures Game this year

Offensively, Houston's game took off during his final collegiate season, especially from a power standpoint. After posting just 12 home runs in his first 119 college games, Marek overhauled his offensive approach last season and it led to some incredible results.

I'm looking to keep improving at all levels of my game. You can always get better if you are putting in the work. I think the most exciting part about pro ball is the high level players and pitchers you face. I think I will learn a lot just from being around those types of players. — Marek Houston

Now, he's determined to prove to himself and anyone else who cares that he was worth the 16th overall pick, and hopefully even more.

MLB Commissioner: Minnesota Twins Sale is Imminent

With a significant amount of college experience behind him, and a polished defensive game, he could be a fast riser. Look for the MN Twins to send him to Fort Myers initially, but a promotion to Cedar Rapids by the end of the year makes sense.

Want to see more exclusive sports content like this? Follow Minnesota Sports Fan on MSN.

Related Headlines

• Koi Perich Leaving Gophers for Vikings ASAP
• Report: Minnesota Twins Prepare for a Quiet Trade Deadline
• MN Twins Past and Present Make Major Impact on MLB All-Star Game
• MLB Commissioner: Minnesota Twins Sale is Imminent

Read More

How to watch PSG vs Real Madrid live: Stream link, TV channel, team news, prediction

PSG and Real Madrid meet in a FIFA Club World Cup semifinal, swimming with narratives, as quite the spectacle will take place at MetLife Stadium on Wednesday.

MORE — Prize money list for Club World Cup

Luis Enrique's PSG have been sensational during this tournament, with the reigning European champions creating so many chances and dominating games. They did have a tough time against Bayern Munich in the quarterfinals, but they got the job done , as they always seem to. Still, they did have two players sent off late on and that could impact them for this semifinal. PSG are the red-hot favorites to win this competition and it feels like they are destined to dominate the club game for years to come.

MORE — Club World Cup schedule, bracket

Real Madrid have really adapted to their new 3-5-2 formation under new manager Xabi Alonso and were quite comfortable in their quarterfinal win against Borussia Dortmund. Well, until the final few minutes when they almost collapsed. Kylian Mbappe is pushing hard to start as he has recovered from his stomach issue, and there will be a lot of focus on the former PSG striker before, during and after this crucial semifinal.

How to watch PSG vs Real Madrid live, stream link and start time

Kick off time: 3pm ET Wednesday (July 9)

Venue: MetLife Stadium — East Rutherford, New Jersey

TV Channel/Streaming: Stream every game live on DAZN, for free

PSG team news, focus

Luis Enrique has lost both Willian Pacho and Lucas Hernandez to suspension after they were sent off in the quarterfinal against Bayern. Lucas Beraldo is likely to start in place of Pacho at center back, and the only other selection dilemma Enrique faces is whether to start Ousmane Dembele up top. Dembele came on and scored against Bayern, and now that he's back from injury, it's likely he starts this game ahead of Bradley Barcola.

Real Madrid team news, focus

Xabi Alonso has a few big decisions to make regarding his starting lineup. Dean Huijsen is suspended after receiving a red card late in the match against Borussia Dortmund. The young center back has been excellent in his first few games for Real Madrid but will miss this crucial match, so Raul Asencio is likely to come in. Kylian Mbappe scored a beautiful goal late against Dortmund after coming off the bench, and he will surely start against PSG. Young forward Gonzalo Garcia has been a revelation up front, scoring four goals in five games so far, leading the competition in scoring. But this is Mbappe. Against PSG. He has to start. David Alaba, Ferland Mendy, Eduardo Camavinga and Endrick remain injured.

PSG vs Real Madrid prediction

This is going to be a classic. You can just feel it. PSG will press high and try to dictate the tempo, and Real are just fine with making the most of space on the counter. Hold on to your hats. PSG 4-3 Real Madrid .

Read More

Phillies' Ranger Suárez gets a shorter start as the ace left-hander's workload grows

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Ranger Suárez has thrown enough pitches and innings this season for the reigning NL East champion Philadelphia Phillies to fit the modern definition of a workhorse.

On Saturday, it was time for a break.

Or at least time to shorten the left-hander's outing against Cincinnati to give him some rest and try to prevent wear and tear on a body that broke down at the end of last season.

Suárez was pulled after just five innings and 80 pitches, the fewest of each since his first start of the season in early May.

Suárez earned a no-decision but did his part — along with home runs from Alec Bohm, Kyle Schwarber and Edmundo Sosa — to help the Phillies beat the Reds 5-1.

Manager Rob Thomson said that due to a recent heavy workload, Suárez entered with an 85-pitch limit.

Suárez had pitched at least seven innings in each of his last five starts and thrown at least six in all but his first start of the year, when he allowed seven runs in 3 2/3 innings.

Suárez (7-2, 1.99 ERA) has been superb since then. He made six June starts and threw at least 94 pitches in all of them, and he has a 1.22 ERA over his last 11 starts.

We went into today just trying to pull back a little bit," Thomson said. "I don't really concern myself with (velocity) because he pitches and that's what he did today. He threw strikes, first-pitch strikes.

Suárez said he agreed with Thomson's decision to play it safe with his left shoulder and back.

Suárez has not allowed more than one earned run since June 7 at Pittsburgh, and he's permitted one or zero earned runs in nine of his 12 starts.

Although he missed April while recovering from a back injury, Suárez's stats are strong enough to warrant consideration for a second consecutive All-Star selection. Thomson advocated for his star pitcher—who will be eligible for free agency at the end of the season—as well as fellow starters Zack Wheeler and Cristopher Sánchez to represent the NL on July 15 in Atlanta.

He'll find out Sunday if he's on the team.

When the season starts, one of the goals you have as a player is to go to the All-Star Game," Suárez said through an interpreter. "On that end, I'm a little hopeful. If that happens, I'm excited about it. But I think the main thing for us right now is to focus on just finishing the season as healthy as possible.

The Phillies have reason to be cautious with Suárez as they pursue their fourth consecutive playoff appearance and their first World Series title since 2008.

Suárez went 10-2 with a 1.83 ERA in 16 starts last season through June 25 before a bad back landed him on the injured list, and he struggled afterward, posting a 2-6 record and a 6.54 ERA over his final 11 starts. Suárez also missed time due to a back injury in 2022.

The Phillies need Suárez healthy and at his best in October, even if pitch counts cost him a win in July.

If we have to do it again," Thomson said, "we'll do it again.

___

AP MLB: https://apnews.com/mlb

Read More

Sara Louise Graffin leads the way as Down progresses to the All-Ireland intermediate camogie semi-final against Kerry.

Glen Dimplex All-Ireland Intermediate Championship quarter-final

Down 2-13 Meath 0-10

SARA Louise Graffin rolled back the years to steer Down into the All-Ireland intermediate semi-finals on Saturday.

The Clonduff veteran, and mother of two, scored four first-half points and was involved in both goals during the second half as the Mourne county advanced to a place in the Newbridge double-header next Saturday.

There they will face Kerry, exactly four weeks after the Kingdom beat them in Liatroim Fontenoys by 0-13 to 0-11, with the winning points scored in added time.

Her leadership was vital as Meath put up a challenge to Down during periods of the match that Down led from start to finish.

Another star was Graffin’s Clonduff club-mate Cassie Fitzpatrick, who made two good saves in each half and also saved a penalty in the 13th minute after Down had taken a 0-5 to 0-1 lead.

At the other end of the pitch, Dearbhla Magee scored three points in the first half and one in the second, while also tracking back through midfield and beyond to win possession and create attacking opportunities.

Down started the game nervously and conceded four wides in the first 10 minutes, one of which was a goal chance for Niamh McGrath in the sixth minute. Saoirse Sands scored the opening point, the only score until the eighth minute. Then Dearbhla Magee and Sara Louise Graffin each added two points, with a point from Isabel O'Connor in reply.

Down responded to Fitzpatrick’s penalty save with two further points, one each from Magee and Graffin, leaving them in a healthy position with 20 minutes played. However, they then struggled as the game was interrupted several times due to injuries. Graffin scored another point in the 30th minute, but Meath replied with scores during added time.

Visitors to Clonduff Park narrowed the gap further with a point from Ellen Burke on the restart, but Down then scored three unanswered points through Graffin (free), Magee, and Sands.

Although Meath pulled two of those back, Graffin responded with a 43rd-minute pointed free and then, within 40 seconds, found Saoirse Sands for the opening goal.

Six minutes later Sands returned the favor for Graffin to put Down 2-12 to 0-7 ahead and in the home straight.

As they did in their final group game in Loughgiel a fortnight ago, Meath kept working away and were rewarded with three late points from Aoife Carey – but they came too late to make any impact on the scoreboard.

The other semi-final this coming weekend will feature Antrim and Offaly. The Faithful saw off Carlow 3-18 to 2-9 in Tullamore on Saturday.

Down C Fitzpatrick, A McDowell, D Coleman, E Fitzpatrick, C McGilligan, B Fitzpatrick capt, B Savage, D Savage, O McCusker, S Sands 1-2, SL Graffin 1-6 (0-3f), D Magee 0-4, S McGrath, N McGrath, E Elliott

Subs G Cunningham 0-1f for E Elliott (45), A Brown and G McGrattan for E Fitzpatrick and O McCusker (50), A Murphy and K McGilligan for SL Graffin and N McGrath (57)

Meath T Murphy, L O’Neill, C Coffey, S Payne, E Leddy, R O’Neill, L Devine capt., E Regan, A Carey 0-5 (0-3f), I O’Connor 0-3, C Foley, G Connolly 0-1, M Clince, E Burke 0-1, G Coleman.

Subs E O’Brien for G Coleman (37), A Boyle for B Kelly (46), B Kelly for M Clince (54), E Boyle for R O’Neill (57)

Referee K Collins (Galway)

Read More

Parents walk off with a win after Xander Bogaerts' exit

Jake Cronenworth struck out looking with the bases loaded to end the sixth inning.

He wasn’t going to come up empty again.

The Padres' second baseman avenged an early missed opportunity with a single in the same situation in the 10th inning, sending the Padres to a walk-off, 3-2 victory over the Texas Rangers to start the final homestand before the All-Star break.

The Padres are hopeful that this win wasn't preceded by a significant loss.

Moments before Cronenworth's walk-off in front of a sellout crowd of 45,114, Xander Bogaerts grabbed his right hamstring after swinging and missing at a first-pitch changeup. Bogaerts was attended to by a trainer for several moments before leaving the game for the second time in five days due to cramping.

Pretty nasty cramp," Padres manager Mike Shildt said. "Knotted up on him. Tried to get it to relax. Doesn't sound like it's hamstring-related, but it's happening a little more frequently, so we've got to do the proverbial deep dive to figure out what that looks like.

It was quad cramping that forced Bogaerts from the ninth inning on June 29 in Cincinnati. He did not miss any additional time and was hopeful that would be the case this time as well.

Friday's issue occurred without any warning.

That's why it was a little weird," Bogaerts said. "I hadn't felt one thing before the whole day and after the swing ... I could barely walk. (But) ... I'm good now.

Bryce Johnson completed Bogaerts' at-bat in the 10th inning and struck out on two pitches, bringing Cronenworth to the plate with two outs and the bases loaded.

Against a left-hander, too.

Just like in the sixth inning after Luis Arraez's game-tying single.

At that point, Padres manager Mike Shildt still had the right-handed-hitting Jose Iglesias in his holster — someone he's used in similar spots on occasion — and elected to stick with Cronenworth against left-hander Hoby Milner.

In the 10th, Iglesias had already flied out as a pinch-hitter for Martin Maldonado in the ninth, so the only option was to stick with Cronenworth.

The two-time All-Star came through this time, pulling a 2-1 slider from left-hander Robert Garcia into right field for his fifth walk-off hit at Petco Park.

Only Will Venable, with six, has more in the history of the Padres' East Village park.

“It’s not too often you get an opportunity again with the bases loaded to win the game,” Cronenworth said.

He added: "I think I get the best out of myself in those bigger spots. I think it's something I thrive in, in those positions. I just want to help the team win."

The walk-off ensured the Padres got something from a stellar day on the mound from the staff.

Randy Vásquez allowed only Marcus Semien's two-run double in the second inning over six quality innings. Jeremiah Estrada, Jason Adam, and Robert Suarez each pitched scoreless innings, and Adrián Morejón left the automatic runner and a walk on base in the 10th inning, giving a struggling offense one more chance at victory.

An intentional walk to Manny Machado — sitting just three hits shy of 2,000 after homering in a two-hit day — started the rally, and Gavin Sheets' soft, one-out single to center loaded the bases.

Before that, the Padres spent much of Friday afternoon trying to erase Semien's two-run double.

Machado's 440-foot home run to center field in the third inning brought the Padres halfway there. Then, in the sixth inning, Fernando Tatis Jr. hit a triple off the glove of right fielder Adolis Garcia to lead off the inning and eventually scored on a single by Luis Arraez through the left side of the infield, tying the game.

The pitching staff might have had a little more room to breathe if Trenton Brooks hadn't been erased at second base in the fifth inning on a technicality.

The 30-year-old journeyman roped a 102 mph ball off the right-field wall with one out and slid into second base ahead of shortstop Corey Seager’s tag. Seager, however, kept his glove on Brooks as he popped up from his slide and was awarded an out after a delayed replay review showed that the Padres' designated hitter lost contact with the bag for just a moment.

In fact, that was likely Shildt's argument as he discussed the overturned call with crew chief Alan Porter after the review in New York removed Brooks from second base.

A manager must raise a hand immediately after a play to signal a potential challenge, starting a 15-second window to make a decision.

After Brooks' "double" — which was later scored a single — Rangers manager Bruce Bochy and his bench appeared to struggle to get the attention of plate umpire Alex MacKay.

That prompted a discussion with Shildt before the play was sent to New York and after the safe call on the field was overturned.

Managers are typically automatically ejected immediately after arguing a decision from New York.

“I think they did the right thing by allowing me to have the conversation so I didn’t get ejected,” Shildt said. “… They have hard jobs, man. I’m not going to be that guy that just piles on them when I have an opportunity. Fact of the matter is (Bochy) was looking to make a challenge, he was doing it right and they were able to challenge it.”

©2025 The San Diego Union-Tribune. Visit sandiegouniontribune.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

Read More

Liverpool prepare for emotional farewell at Diogo Jota funeral

Liverpool are preparing to bid an emotional farewell to Diogo Jota at the forward's funeral in Portugal on Saturday.

The club, as well as fans and football as a whole, are in mourning after the 28-year-old Portugal international and his brother Andre Silva were killed in a car crash in Spain in the early hours of Thursday.

Mohamed Salah, one of the last players to express his sorrow on social media, admitted he was dreading returning to the club following Jota's shocking death.

Some players were due back on Friday to begin the preliminaries of pre-season testing, but the first tranche of a phased return was postponed as everyone at the club continues to try to come to terms with the tragedy.

"I am truly lost for words. Until yesterday, I never thought there would be something that would frighten me of going back to Liverpool after the break," Salah wrote on social media.

Team-mates come and go, but not like this. It's going to be extremely difficult to accept that Diogo won't be there when we go back.

My thoughts are with his wife, his children, and of course his parents who suddenly lost their child.

Those close to Diogo and his brother Andre need all the support they can get. They will never be forgotten.

It is believed a flight to Portugal has been chartered by the club. Reports in Portugal say the players, most of whom are still on summer holiday, are expected to attend, but Liverpool have yet to confirm arrangements.

Mourners gathered for a wake at the Sao Cosme Chapel, the Capela da Ressurreicao, in the town of Gondomar near Porto on Friday, ahead of the brothers' funeral at the Igreja Matriz de Gondomar in Sao Cosme at 10am on Saturday.

Initially held in private for family - Jota leaves a newly-married wife Rute and three young children - it was later opened to the public, with hundreds queuing outside the chapel.

Liverpool sporting director Richard Hughes was among a number of club staff to attend the chapel, along with Manchester United's Portugal international Diogo Dalot.

also present. Andre Villas-Boas also visiting.

The country's president, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, and Prime Minister Luís Montenegro both attended in person, while members of the Portuguese parliament paid tribute to the two brothers.

Some members of the public embraced and cried before entering the venue as floral tributes of yellow and white and candles were laid by a tree outside.

People held service sheets featuring pictures of both brothers, the largest one showing Jota smiling in his Liverpool shirt and making a heart sign with his hands.

At Anfield, where a temporary shrine has been set up, thousands have left flowers, shirts, scarves, and cards.

A tearful former Liverpool captain and teammate, Jordan Henderson, was among those present on Friday, laying flowers and taking a moment to read some of the tributes after signing a book of condolence available in the Anfield Road stand.

"Jots, it was a pleasure to share a pitch with you but more importantly a friendship. All the laughs we had off the pitch and trying to find ways to wind Milly (James Milner) up and get him fined, which we never could," the England midfielder wrote on Instagram.

Taking pictures of me asleep on the bus while traveling, then sending them to me later. You always wanted to have a laugh and were a pleasure to be around.

I know how much Rute and your family meant to you, and I know you will always be watching over them. Thank you for everything you brought into this world; we will all miss you.

An Everton delegation comprising Portugal-born strikers Beto and Youssef Chermiti and former midfielder Ian Snodin also attended Anfield to pay their respects and lay wreaths.

A tribute was also paid to Jota at Oasis' comeback gig at Cardiff's Principality Stadium.

During the final bars of Live Forever, a picture of Jota was displayed, with the crowd cheering and applauding the gesture.

The Independent is the world's most free-thinking news brand, providing global news, commentary and analysis for the independently-minded. We have grown a huge, global readership of independently minded individuals, who value our trusted voice and commitment to positive change. Our mission, making change happen, has never been as important as it is today.

Read More

Meet Anderson football's Ace Alston and Antwoine Higgins, with nearly 70 college offers

Anderson High School football was one score away from a season for the ages in 2024.

Under head coach Evan Dreyer, the Raptors won their first 15 games of the season on the way to the Division II state title game, where they finally lost. 20-13 to Avon on a snow-blanketed Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in Canton.

Much of that success was thanks to a defense that didn't allow more than 10 points until its seventh game of the year and averaged just 10.75 points allowed per game.

Start the day smarter. Get all the news you need delivered to your inbox each morning.

A portion of that success was thanks to a pair of star Raptor defenders in the class of 2027. Cornerback Ace Alston is rated a top 100 player in the country and the No. 2 player in Ohio for the class of 2027. EDGE Antwoine Higgins is rated just behind him, a top 200 player and Ohio's No. 4 player.

The Enquirer spoke to both Alston and Higgins to help readers get to know a pair of Cincinnati's rising star football players:

Confidence, physicality headline future restaurateur Ace Alston's game

In fall 2023, then-freshman Alston showed up to Anderson's preseason camp weighing 145 pounds. Still, even at that weight, he could make a tackle.

It's more mental than anything else," Alston said. "You have to want to go make that tackle every single time. If you let them bring it to you, you're not going to make the tackle.

Alston hasn't faced too many major challenges throughout his high school career, but his lack of weight as a freshman was one of them. It isn't easy for a skinny kid to gain weight, especially when burning calories like a train engine while playing high-level sports every day. It has taken a lot of discipline, meal prepping, and protein shakes, but Alston now weighs around 180, about two years later.

That's the first thing he mentions when talking about his game—his ability to make open-field tackles. That's a premium skill for a cornerback. Many who play in college, and even in the NFL, struggle with it.

Alston describes himself as an aggressive but disciplined corner. He likes to get hands on his opponent at the line of scrimmage, but he isn't afraid to bait a quarterback, and he's been working hard this offseason on being even more patient and trusting his smarts and athleticism.

Dreyer said one of Alston's best traits is his football IQ. It's somewhat innate in him, according to Dreyer. He showed up as a freshman with better instincts and more field awareness than most. But over the past two years, through hard work, Alston has learned to think the game, from his assignment to his teammates' roles and how they all fit together in real time.

Alston demonstrated that last season in the state championship game, when he intercepted a pass at the Anderson 3-yard line with 4:28 remaining, giving the Raptors a chance at the end.

According to Dreyer, Alston likes to say he's going to be the next Travis Hunter. He hasn't yet caught a pass in his high school career, but he hopes to get a chance to do so in the future.

Yeah, I've been bugging him a lot," Alston said. "The competitor I am, I want to help the team as much as I can. I think I could be a good fit on offense too.

Alston also believes that playing some receiver could help him play corner at the next level. He mentioned Dallas Cowboys' star Trevon Diggs as one of his favorite defensive backs to emulate. Diggs began his college career at Alabama as a receiver, catching 31 passes with the Crimson Tide. Alston believes that's part of why Diggs is such a ballhawk, with 20 interceptions in 58 career games.

Alston also models his cornerback game after former Cincinnati Bearcat Coby Bryant, along with NFL stars Sauce Gardner and Patrick Surtain. He loves the way Bryant plays—aggressive and confident, unafraid of hitting a ball carrier regardless of his size. He sees himself playing a similar game to Gardner, as Gardner is so long and athletic that he’s rarely caught out of position. He tries to match Surtain’s fearless physicality.

Dreyer mentioned Alston's unshakable confidence as another one of his biggest assets. That's a mindset shared by most of the world's best defensive backs. "I'm trying to be the best player on the field," Alston said. "You have to go out there with the mindset that 'I'm going to kill everything. I'm going to lock down everything.'"

Alston started playing football when he was 4 years old. He said he loved it from his first game.

At age 4, he was playing with 6-year-olds. In one of his first games, he remembered playing running back and taking a long run up the sideline. He thought he was free, but a defender two years bigger and faster came out of nowhere and popped him.

“I popped right back up and said, 'I want to do it again,’" Alston said.

Alston is being heavily recruited, with 38 offers already from schools including LSU, Michigan, Notre Dame, Ohio State, Oregon, and Tennessee. In a college program, he’s looking for the same things any young athlete would: a good environment for him to succeed, a strong brotherhood in the locker room, experienced coaches who can make him better. He is also looking for an education that can help him live a dream that doesn’t involve football.

I pray to God football lasts a very long time for me," Alston said. "But I know it's not forever.

Alston said that for a long time, he has dreamed of opening a steakhouse. He hopes to find a degree that can help him achieve that goal and a school that will assist him in making the necessary connections as well.

Antwoine Higgins: Middle school All-American quarterback turned star linebacker

(Higgins) loves to say that he was a middle school All-American quarterback," Dreyer said. "After a few reps at quarterback, I just thought he was going to be a top-tier linebacker.

Higgins has given up the quarterback dream, and he's doing just fine. One of the most fearsome players in Cincinnati, 247Sports ranks him as the No. 22 edge rusher in the country for the 2027 class. He currently holds 31 offers from schools including Alabama, Michigan, Notre Dame, Oregon, and Tennessee.

In his recruiting, Higgins is looking for a place where he can quickly get on the field without redshirting. He's also hoping for strong relationships with coaches, a positive locker room culture, and a meaningful degree in either business or sports management.

Higgins, like Alston, has been on the football field since he was just 4 years old. He said he wasn’t great at first, a "bench player" for his first year or so of playing the sport.

Around middle school, Higgins realized he had a chance to be an excellent football player. Back then, he was a decorated quarterback, the position he played at Anderson for all of about half a practice before Dreyer realized his potential on the other side of the ball.

Higgins has always had to work on his speed. For a while, it was the main thing that held him back, as he was slower than top players at his position. Through resistance running, lower-body strength training, plyometrics, and even old-fashioned hill running, Higgins has significantly improved his speed and plans to continue.

He often does two or three workouts a day. That doesn't even count the ones he puts himself through before he jumps in bed, which usually involve body-weight exercises like push-ups.

You definitely have to overwork yourself," Higgins said. "You have to push your body to new limits.

The first thing Dreyer mentioned when talking about Higgins was his "big heart." If you go to an Anderson-sponsored youth sports camp, chances are you'll see Higgins somewhere on the field with the kids surrounding him, having an absolute blast.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Meet Anderson football's Ace Alston and Antwoine Higgins, with nearly 70 college offers

Read More

MLB News: Former Red Sox, Cardinals Pitcher Dies

Diego Segui, a journeyman pitcher who was traded three times and played for two expansion franchises over parts of 15 major league seasons, has died. He was 87.

Bob Kendrick, president of the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum, made the announcement. Tuesday on Twitter/X .

Heartbroken about the news of the passing of my dear friend, and former MLB pitcher, Diego Segui," Kendrick wrote He was 87. We honored Diego last November with our Negro Leagues Baseball Lifetime Achievement Award. Sending thoughts and prayers to the Segui family!

Segui went 92-111 with a 3.81 ERA in 639 major league games (171 starts). He also saved 71 games in his career with the Kansas City/Oakland Athletics (1962-65, 1967-68, 1970-72), Washington Senators (1966), Seattle Pilots (1969), St. Louis Cardinals (1972-73), Boston Red Sox (1974-75) and Seattle Mariners (1977).

Segui won the American League ERA title in 1970 with Oakland, and helped the A's reach the AL Championship Series the following year.

More news: MLB News: 3-Time All-Star Announces Sudden Retirement

But Segui was not around to see the A's rattle off the first of their three consecutive World Series championships in 1972. He was purchased by the Cardinals at midseason and remained in the St. Louis bullpen through the end of the 1973 season.

In December 1973, Segui was traded again, this time to the Boston Red Sox as part of a six-player swap.

More news: Two-Time World Series Champion, Beloved Member of 1969 Mets, Passes Away

Segui appeared in his only World Series with the Red Sox in 1975, throwing a scoreless inning in Game 5 of Boston's seven-game loss to the Cincinnati Reds.

That would prove to be Segui's final appearance in a Red Sox uniform; he was released the following April and spent the season starting for the San Diego Padres' Triple-A affiliate in Hawaii.

More news: Legendary 2-Sport Star Whose Grandson Followed Him to MLB's Cardinals Dies

The minor league audition was a successful one, as Segui signed with the expansion Mariners ahead of the 1977 season. He was tabbed to start the Mariners' first regular season game, and threw the first pitch in franchise history.

Segui also appeared in the first game in Seattle Pilots history in 1969, throwing the final three innings, giving him a unique place in the annals of the city's two baseball franchises. The Pilots moved to Milwaukee the following year and were rebranded the Brewers.

More news: Former Orioles and Twins pitcher, Cincinnati native, dies unexpectedly at 54

Santos's playing career continued in the Mexican League for another seven years after he threw his final pitch in MLB in September 1977. After retiring, he would serve as a minor league coach. His second son, David, had a 15-year major league career of his own (1990-2004) and in 1998 followed in his father's footsteps by playing for the Mariners.

For more MLB news, visit news realtime Sports .

Related Articles

• MLB Insider Ranks Alex Bregman As Top Trade Candidate Ahead Of Deadline
• Red Sox Pushed To Trade Alex Bregman To Loaded AL Powerhouse
• Former Braves and Red Sox pitcher dies unexpectedly at 54.
• Red Sox Announce Unfortunate Alex Bregman Injury Update

Start your unlimited news real-time trial

Read More