Sports Brief: March 9

Eagle Update

Lady Eagle softball surged toward three straight series wins, edging out Texas A&M International, Lubbock Christian University and Cameron University each in three-game series. 

The wins improved their record to 16-5 overall and 11-4 in the conference. 

Oklahoma Christian baseball played a disappointing four-game set in Lubbock, TX, against Lubbock Christian University, losing three of four games. 

They await No. 3 Angelo State University to come to Dobson Field on March 10. 

Eagle men’s golf was in Las Vegas, NV, this past weekend in the Las Vegas Desert Classic. They placed fifth out of 19 with Exequiel Rodriguez and Mateo Pulcini finishing as Oklahoma Christian’s top golfers, each tying for ninth out of more than 100 players. 

Women’s golf stayed in Oklahoma City to play in the Diffee Invitational, placing fourth out of 15. Wilma Merenmies was the top golfer for the Lady Eagles, tying for 16th. 

Ja Morant

Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant is facing a possible suspension after multiple controversies came to light off the court.

The 23-year-old allegedly punched a teenager, though Morant claims it was in self-defense. Morants was also investigated for a gun incident on Jan. 29 following a game against the Indiana Pacers. 

Following the Jan. game, he live-streamed himself on Instagram being seemingly careless with a handgun in a Colorado nightclub. 

Morants has missed the past two games, and the Grizzlies released a statement saying he would be away from the team for at least the next four as he is still under investigation by the NBA. 

“I’m going to take some time away to get help and work on learning better methods of dealing with stress and my overall well-being,” Morant said. 

The NBA is reportedly contemplating a 50-game suspension, which would end Morant’s season.

NFL Offseason

The deadline for teams to be under the salary cap for the 2023-24 NFL is March 15 at 4:00 p.m. 

The Baltimore Ravens failed to pay and extend former MVP quarterback Lamar Jackson, ultimately deciding to sign Jackson to a franchise tag instead. This choice creates an opportunity for other teams to snag the 2019 MVP once his free agency period begins after March 15. 

Derek Carr, who the Las Vegas Raiders cut, signed a new deal with the New Orleans Saints.  

World Baseball Classic

The 2023 World Baseball Classic began on Tuesday, March 7 with The Netherlands beating Cuba 4-2. 

The United States starts their attempt at defending their World Baseball Classic title in 2017 against Great Britain on Saturday, March 11 at 8:00 p.m.