AP Sports Digest

Here are the AP’s top sports stories that have moved or are planned to move today. All times U.S. Eastern. For up-to-the minute information on AP’s coverage, visit AP Newsroom’s Coverage Plan. Sports content can be found at http://newsroom.ap.org/page/APSports.

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UPCOMING

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BBC--COLLEGE WORLD SERIES

FORMATS: Text

1. WITH: BBC--CWS-WEST VIRGINIA-TROY

2. DESCRIPTION: OMAHA, Neb. -- West Virginia and Troy square off in an elimination game at the College World Series. By Eric Olson. 500 words. Game starts 2 p.m. ET.

3. UPCOMING: By 06/16/2026 2:00 p.m. EDT

4. WITH: BBC--CWS-GEORGIA-TEXAS

5. DESCRIPTION: OMAHA, Neb. -- Georgia, which beat Texas 9-0 in a College World Series opener, faces the Longhorns again, this time in an elimination game. The winner meets Oklahoma on Wednesday. By Eric Olson. 500 words. Game starts 7 p.m.

6. UPCOMING: By 06/16/2026 8:00 p.m. EDT

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HKW--PWHL DRAFT-PREVIEW

FORMATS: Text

7. WITH: HKW--PWHL DRAFT-PREVIEW

8. DESCRIPTION: USA Hockey will be holding a mini Olympic gold-medal reunion at the PWHL draft in Detroit on Wednesday. Led by defender Caroline Harvey, six members of the U.S. team are members of the 236-player draft class, with all projected to be selected in the first round. By Hockey Writer John Wawrow. 650 words, photos.

9. UPCOMING: By 06/16/2026 5:30 p.m. EDT

10. WITH: HKW--PWHL-AWARDS

11. DESCRIPTION: Boston goalie Aerin Frankel and Montreal goalie Ann-Renee Desbiens and Minnesota forward Kelly Pannek, who led the PWHL in points this season, are contending for Billie Jean King MVP honors at the league’s award ceremonies being held in Detroit on Tuesday. By Hockey Writer John Wawrow. 450 words, photos. Ceremony begins at 5 p.m. EDT.

12. UPCOMING: By 06/16/2026 5:30 p.m. EDT

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FBN--TITANS-WARD AND TATE

DESCRIPTION: NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Cam Ward has Carnell Tate to help the Tennessee Titans quarterback have more help in his second NFL season with the rookie wide receiver looking more comfortable as they wrap up the offseason with a mandatory minicamp starting Tuesday. By Pro Football Writer Teresa M. Walker.

UPCOMING: By 06/16/2026 7:00 p.m. EDT, Text, Photo

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NEW AND DEVELOPING

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FBC--BIG 12-SORSBY

Sorsby won’t play for Texas Tech after unprecedented legal fight over his eligibility for gambling

SUMMARY: Transfer quarterback Brendan Sorsby will not play for Texas Tech this fall. He is instead planning to enter the NFL supplemental draft. That will end an unprecedented legal fight over the college eligibility of a player who had acknowledged betting on college and pro sports, including some wagers on his own team while a freshman at Indiana four years ago. The decision by Sorsby came exactly one week before the deadline to apply for the NFL supplemental draft. It was also on the same day the NCAA and Big 12 Conference had filings in different courts challenging a temporary injunction that cleared the way for Sorsby to play despite being declared ineligible after he acknowledged making thousands of bets worth at least $90,000 while in college.

WORDS: 1266 - MOVED: 06/16/2026 1:09 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:f8e823a3b4f322f079445d6f541d17b6&mediaType=text

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SOC--WCUP-IRAN-NEW ZEALAND

Iran coach says team ordered out of US right after 2-2 draw with New Zealand in World Cup opener

SUMMARY: The coach of Iran’s World Cup team says it was ordered to leave the U.S. and return to its training base in Mexico only a few hours after opening its politically charged tournament by playing to a 2-2 draw with New Zealand. Coach Amir Ghalenoei didn’t say who ordered the Iranians to leave earlier than planned. The team had expected to spend the night in California. The Iranians’ World Cup cycle has been in upheaval since the U.S. and Israel began a war against Iran on Feb. 28.

WORDS: 1067 - MOVED: 06/16/2026 1:07 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:314655749d94fe577bb2b52ebd6b32c4&mediaType=text

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US--WCUP-IRANIAN AMERICANS-PROTEST

As Iran chases the World Cup, its US diaspora is divided between protesting and cheering

SUMMARY: Iranian American demonstrators amassed outside Iran’s first World Cup match, waving the pre-revolutionary lion-and-sun flags banned inside the stadium and calling for change in Tehran. Others on Monday filed into the stadium in wholehearted support of the team. Spectators both cheered and booed at Iran’s national anthem. Iran drew 2-2 with New Zealand near Los Angeles, home to the largest Iranian community outside Iran. Iran’s participation in the World Cup has been fraught with conflict due to the ongoing war with U.S. and Israeli forces. Many diaspora community members say they’re also upset over FIFA’s rules barring political flags in the stadium.

WORDS: 1043 - MOVED: 06/16/2026 12:57 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:0ebcfd4931c65d9a51090290ca9d7805&mediaType=text

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BBO--CUBS-CROW-ARMSTRONG’S CYCLE

Cubs outfielder Pete Crow-Armstrong becomes 1st MLB player to hit for cycle this season

SUMMARY: Pete Crow-Armstrong put his name in the Chicago Cubs’ record book next to Hall of Fame slugger Hack Wilson — and then nearly ruined the celebration at Wrigley Field. Crow-Armstrong completed the first cycle by a major leaguer this season with a seventh-inning single, then was promptly picked off first base by Colorado Rockies reliever Brennan Bernardino. Fortunately for Crow-Armstrong and the Cubs, they scored twice in the ninth to rally for a 5-4 victory. Crow-Armstrong, who was a single short of the cycle Saturday in San Francisco, hit a leadoff home run in the first inning, tripled off the wall in the third and doubled down the right-field line in the fifth. Wilson is the only other Cubs center fielder to hit for the cycle since 1901.

WORDS: 518 - MOVED: 06/16/2026 12:50 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:2cbacd6a8fbb918fc11ca9aab318d113&mediaType=text

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SOC--WCUP-ARGENTINA-MESSI

Scaloni: ‘The whole planet’ awaits Messi’s 200th cap as Argentina opens World Cup against Algeria

SUMMARY: Lionel Messi and Argentina are ready to defend their World Cup title. For Messi, the tournament beginning Tuesday night against Algeria is another opportunity to burnish his legacy as one of the greatest soccer players ever. For La Albiceleste, the opportunity exists to become only the third nation to repeat as champions. Messi enters the World Cup having dealt with a minor hamstring injury, but he’s been fit and relaxed in the few moments of training opened to reporters. He has not spoken to the media since his arrival with the national team, but those close to him have spoken glowingly about his importance not only to Argentina but soccer fans worldwide.

WORDS: 894 - MOVED: 06/16/2026 12:31 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:3144322aefb0b8b7c9bd012474a8e441&mediaType=text

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SOC--WCUP-MATCH-OFFICIAL-HAND SIGN

World Cup official says twitch caused gesture resembling supremacist sign; FIFA says no breach

SUMMARY: A World Cup video review official says his hand gesture resembling a white supremacist sign was caused by an involuntary twitch. A FIFA committee concluded Australian official Shaun Evans didn’t breach the sport’s disciplinary code. FIFA’s discrimination monitor had called for Evans to be removed from the tournament. Evans worked Germany’s opening 7-1 win over Curaçao on Sunday as an assistant to the video assistant referee. He made an “OK” symbol with his right hand. Evans stated he did not intentionally make a gesture to communicate any message. Evans is working at his second World Cup and it was his first game of this year’s tournament.

WORDS: 763 - MOVED: 06/16/2026 12:28 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:16a98fb0164746cd7796e70f849d31ff&mediaType=text

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BBO--CARDINALS-MAY’S DAY

Cardinals’ Dustin May continues to put health woes behind him with 1-hit shutout against Padres

SUMMARY: St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Dustin May’s bid to rise above his injury-plagued past has hit a new height. May threw a one-hitter in a 3-0 victory over the San Diego Padres. May struck out nine and walked just one batter. He threw 69 of his 101 pitches for strikes in the first complete game of his eight-year career in the majors. It was the second time since May 27 that May took a no-hit bid into the seventh inning. He pitched seven no-hit innings in a 2-1 loss to Milwaukee last month. May struggled with multiple arm injuries and a life-threatening esophagus tear earlier in his career with the Los Angeles Dodgers.

WORDS: 413 - MOVED: 06/16/2026 12:24 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:7cbe37697578d72984f57c316f380cdb&mediaType=text

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BBO--ROCKIES-CUBS

Pete Crow-Armstrong hits for the cycle as the Cubs walk off the Rockies, 5-4

SUMMARY: Pete Crow-Armstrong became the first major league player to hit for the cycle this season as the Chicago Cubs rallied for a 5-4 victory over the Colorado Rockies. Chicago trailed 4-3 in the ninth inning before Pedro Ramírez hit an RBI single off Seth Halvorsen with the bases loaded and nobody out. Matt Shaw then walked on five pitches to force home the winning run. Cole Carrigg’s three-run homer in the eighth gave Colorado a 4-2 lead. Crow-Armstrong’s sacrifice fly in the bottom half pulled Chicago within one. Crow-Armstrong extended his on-base streak to 19 games with his second leadoff homer in three games. He tripled in the third, doubled in the fifth and singled in the seventh for the 13th cycle in Cubs history and second since 1993.

WORDS: 359 - MOVED: 06/16/2026 12:04 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:e8d82c7c5167a9ffbe313afadf19256c&mediaType=text

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BBO--PADRES-CARDINALS

Dustin May perfect into 7th inning and completes 1-hitter as Cardinals blank Padres 3-0

SUMMARY: Dustin May took a perfect game into the seventh inning before finishing a one-hitter as the St. Louis Cardinals beat the San Diego Padres 3-0. Jimmy Crooks had a two-run double and Alec Burleson added an RBI double for the Cardinals, who won for the eighth time in 11 games. May struck out nine and walked one. He threw 69 of his 101 pitches for strikes during his first complete game in 71 major league starts. The 28-year-old right-hander didn’t allow a baserunner until he walked Fernando Tatis Jr. to begin the seventh. Manny Machado singled one out later, putting runners at the corners, but Gold Glove shortstop Masyn Winn turned a nifty double play on Gavin Sheets’ grounder to keep it 3-0.

WORDS: 406 - MOVED: 06/15/2026 11:11 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:67e14dd9fad0392215a84baa956dac8d&mediaType=text

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BKL--AROUND THE WNBA

New York Liberty are back in the Commissioner’s Cup final, with a familiar Finals pattern

SUMMARY: The New York Liberty have made the Commissioner’s Cup championship twice before and each time the team also made the WNBA Finals. The players didn’t want to think that far ahead after clinching their spot Sunday in the mid-season tournament title game. Still it’s hard to ignore the success considering New York has won seven straight games and finally had their entire roster healthy for the victory over Washington. Las Vegas takes over the top spot after edging Minnesota last week. The Aces were followed by the Lynx and Liberty. A’ja Wilson was the AP player of the week.

WORDS: 610 - MOVED: 06/15/2026 10:27 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:d56fb7c4ddc786537a3119524f605923&mediaType=text

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SOC--WCUP-SAUDI ARABIA-URUGUAY

Uruguay’s Maxi Araújo scores equalizer in 1-1 World Cup draw with Saudi Arabia

SUMMARY: Abdulelah Al-Amri scored on a rebound in the 41st minute for Saudi Arabia, and Uruguay’s Maxi Araújo responded with an equalizer in the 80th as the teams played to a 1-1 draw in their World Cup opener. Uruguay controlled most of the second half but didn’t break through until Araújo fired a rebound past goalkeeper Mohammed Al-Owais from close range. La Celeste dominated possession and had 29 attempts on goal to Saudi Arabia’s seven but trailed until late in the second half. Al-Owais turned away several other solid scoring chances for Uruguay.

WORDS: 738 - MOVED: 06/15/2026 9:37 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:f280fe0d5161f48f9d9b81477cd2129e&mediaType=text

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SOC--WCUP-EGYPT-BELGIUM

Belgium settles for 1-1 draw with Egypt at World Cup despite numerous chances for Lukaku, De Bruyne

SUMMARY: Romelu Lukaku’s mere presence sparked an attack that led to Belgium’s lone goal only seconds after he entered as a second-half substitute, helping his team earn a 1-1 draw with Egypt at the World Cup. Lukaku came on in the 66th minute with Belgium trailing 1-0. He ran down the middle of the field and lurched to tap a cross from the right into the net, but Egypt defender Mohamed Hany did that instead, scoring an own-goal. The equalizing goal came only 23 seconds after Lukaku came on the field. Emam Ashour had put the Egyptians ahead in the 19th minute with his first international goal.

WORDS: 628 - MOVED: 06/15/2026 8:41 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:9d8e0dbc29d07c21d9821ae9d3f9b4f5&mediaType=text

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SOC--WCUP-NORWAY-VIKING THEME

Norway embraces Viking theme for World Cup return and provokes some debate

SUMMARY: Norway is leaning into the country’s Viking heritage as its star-studded men’s team containing Erling Haaland and Martin Odegaard heads into a first World Cup in 28 years. First it was their fans performing a synchronized “Viking row” in the stands at matches. Then it was their players dressing up in authentic Viking attire to the backdrop of a fjord for a moody, dramatic photo shoot on the rocky beach. It has created plenty of excitement and debate, with one commentator describing it as “chauvinistic.” The Norway fan routine sees lines of supporters rowing in unison to the steady beat of a drum. It could potentially have a similar impact to the “thunder clap” performed by Iceland’s soccer fans.

WORDS: 465 - MOVED: 06/15/2026 8:02 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:ffe65155eeb34d5e4f108494ab20a004&mediaType=text

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BBO--BRAVES-STRIDER INJURY

Braves’ Spencer Strider shut down for 4 weeks because of inflammation in his right elbow

SUMMARY: Atlanta Braves right-hander Spencer Strider will be shut down from throwing for four weeks. Strider had been placed on the 15-day injured list Saturday with inflammation in his right elbow. The Braves say the four-week plan for Strider came after a consultation with Dr. Keith Meister. The Braves say Strider will have another MRI in four weeks and would then begin throwing if the inflammation has cleared. Strider had Tommy John surgery in 2019 and had the UCL in his right elbow repaired with an internal brace in 2024.

WORDS: 296 - MOVED: 06/15/2026 7:12 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:7c1ca58af40931d4de5024daf125a333&mediaType=text

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SOC--WCUP-SPAIN-CAPE VERDE

Cape Verde holds Spain to a surprising 0-0 draw in the country’s World Cup debut

SUMMARY: Tiny Cape Verde pulled off a stunning result in its World Cup debut by holding heavily favored Spain scoreless in a 0-0 draw. An impressive performance by 40-year-old goalkeeper Vozinha helped Cape Verde deny a victory by one of the favorites to win the tournament. The result was the biggest shock of the World Cup so far. And it might have been even better for Cape Verde. Diney Borges had a late chance to score, but saw his header saved by Spain goalkeeper Unai Simon.

WORDS: 669 - MOVED: 06/15/2026 5:52 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:6aaf0fe892fd2c02fc068e3f9d84c53f&mediaType=text

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GLF--US OPEN

Shinnecock Hills study starts before US Open practice rounds to avoid long waits

SUMMARY: The start of practice for the U.S. Open featured plenty of wind and limited activity at Shinnecock Hills. That’s the way it’s been trending at majors that move to a different course each year. Justin Thomas says nine holes is taking three hours because of all the practice on and around the greens. So more players have been doing what Jack Nicklaus did in his prime. They’ve come to Shinnecock Hills for practice ahead of U.S. Open week. It’s a lot quieter with less traffic. Rory McIlroy says one reason for the busy practice rounds are people hanging around inside the ropes.

WORDS: 903 - MOVED: 06/15/2026 5:05 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:dcf3bb1048c1e43aad24a74c9bc2fb87&mediaType=text

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HKN--OFFSEASON LOOKAHEAD

While Carolina celebrates, the rest of the NHL will try to catch up and go after the Stanley Cup

SUMMARY: Now that the Carolina Hurricanes are Stanley Cup champions, the NHL offseason is underway with another huge jump in the salary cap and plenty of teams eager to make moves around the draft and when free agency begins on July 1. Toronto is expected to take Penn State’s Gavin McKenna with the first pick in the draft. Buffalo’s Alex Tuch and point-a-game Tampa Bay defenseman Darren Raddysh could be two of the most coveted free agents available. The future of two-time Florida Cup-winning goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky is also a lingering uncertainty.

WORDS: 755 - MOVED: 06/15/2026 2:37 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:8ad574849a3f52f6d74bf1abdfb61f4e&mediaType=text

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OLY--US-WADA SPAT

US drug czar blasts WADA, saying proposed changes could undermine clean sport at Olympics

SUMMARY: The U.S. drug czar portrayed a menu of changes to anti-doping protocols being proposed by a World Anti-Doping Agency panel in advance of the LA Olympics as moves that would “undermine the trustworthiness of the performances of competitors” at those games in two years. Sara Carter, the director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy, sent an open letter to WADA and its stakeholders. It comes a day before an “extraordinary meeting” of the WADA executive committee at which it will discuss recommendations from a “working group” put together in the wake of a doping case involving Chinese swimmers.

WORDS: 308 - MOVED: 06/15/2026 2:35 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:04a4b662d0a8af415074286c090ebceb&mediaType=text

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FBO--FLAG FOOTBALL-NEXT GENERATION

US women’s flag football team receives youthful infusion ahead of world championships

SUMMARY: Seventeen-year-old Akemi Higa is part of a youthful wave in the U.S. women’s flag football team pipeline. This shift comes as the sport gains popularity, especially with its Olympic debut set for the 2028 LA Games. This week, Higa is at a training camp in California, aiming for a spot on Team USA for the IFAF world championships in Germany. The women’s team is trending younger, with an average age of 26. The men’s team also is trending younger. Flag football is growing rapidly, with increasing participation and support from big names. Women’s flag football also is on track to gain NCAA championship status.

WORDS: 927 - MOVED: 06/15/2026 2:32 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:f4e7068fd0dcfc7c76f1f0df4e7d30f4&mediaType=text

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SOC--WCUP-LONG-DISTANCE-TRAVEL

World Cup teams face major travel demands in tournament spread across US, Canada and Mexico

SUMMARY: The biggest World Cup ever has brought some logistics challenges to the 48 teams in a tournament being played across three countries and four time zones. Some teams will travel more than 5,000 miles going back-and-forth between training camps and games in the group stage. The Canada and U.S. teams will also travel a lot despite being tournament hosts. Mexico faces fewer challenges with shorter trips within the country. England is expected to travel the most among the main title contenders.

WORDS: 859 - MOVED: 06/15/2026 1:46 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:fb060506ffb8bc6f95a08ce7c05edd57&mediaType=text

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