Clements hits a walk-off homer to lead UCLA past Oregon 4-2 in Women's College World Series
'I feel on top of the world,' Clements said. 'That was awesome.'
Clements' blast off Oregon reliever Elise Sokolsky lifted ninth-seeded UCLA (55-11) into a matchup with No. 12 Texas Tech on Saturday for a spot in the semifinals. The Bruins are well positioned to challenge for a record 13th World Series title.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
6 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Ben Johnson confirms Bears starters will play vs. Chiefs
The Chicago Bears will close out the preseason against the Kansas City Chiefs on Friday night, and there's been questions about whether Chicago's starters will see any action. Well, we now know the answer. During an appearance on the "Up & Adams Show" with Kay Adams, Johnson confirmed that Bears starters will play in their final preseason game -- although for how long remains to be seen. "We'll see how long it is," Johnson said. "We're going to get through a couple of days of practice and determine how long. But we need to go through this." Following Sunday night's preseason win against the Buffalo Bills, Johnson discussed the importance of going through that prime-time routine for the starters at home. Now, Chicago will have an opportunity to gain that same valuable experience but on the road for the first time this preseason. "I thought a big part of what tonight was about was getting our routine down for a home night game, which is week one for us," Johnson said Sunday night. "I thought our starters did a great job. They understood what the purpose was. They came out and got the job done and did what they needed to do and we got them out of the game. I thought the routine was a big part of it. This would be really the first time we're on the road in a preseason. It's probably good to go through that exercise as well.' It's unclear how long Bears starters will play against the Chiefs, but it should be similar to last Sunday against the Bills with either one or two series of action. It'll likely depend on the operation and execution on each unit's first drive. Follow Bears Wire on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram This article originally appeared on Bears Wire: Bears HC Ben Johnson confirms starters will play vs. Chiefs
Yahoo
6 minutes ago
- Yahoo
A beginner's guide to the main Topps baseball card sets
If you're new to the sports card hobby, navigating Topps products can feel like wandering through a maze. There are so many different sets, each at a different price point, released at different times of the season, and aimed at different types of collectors. And god forbid you ask 'What's the difference between Chrome and Sapphire?' or 'What's the difference between Series 2 and Update?' in a Facebook group lest risk the wraith of internet know-it-alls. The truth is, Topps has built a layered release calendar that caters to both the casual collector who just wants to rip a few packs and the diehard hobbyist chasing low-numbered rookie autos. Sets drop throughout the season and update as rosters shift, giving fans a way to collect the game as it unfolds. Here's a breakdown of the main Topps sets you'll see in the wild and what makes each one different. Topps Series 1 (Flagship) This is the backbone of Topps Baseball. Series 1 is the first major release of the year, typically hitting shelves in February, and it sets the tone for the season. The design here is what you'll see carried across most other Topps releases. Packs are affordable, widely available, and loaded with base cards that become 'binder filler.' The big chase in Series 1 is always the flagship rookie cards — the ones that become the standard reference point for a player's first Topps appearance. Buy on eBay Topps Series 2 Series 2 drops midseason and acts as the next chapter of the flagship line. It usually features players who didn't make it into Series 1, whether they were late roster additions, call-ups, or offseason signings. Think of it as a continuation of the flagship checklist rather than a standalone set. Buy on eBay Topps Chrome If Series 1 is the bread and butter, Chrome is the filet mignon. Chrome cards are essentially the same design as flagship but printed on shiny, premium chromium stock. The autograph checklist is usually smaller than flagship (although 2025 may be an exception), and rookie autos here are considered some of the most desirable in the entire hobby. Parallels — refractors, golds, reds, and more — drive a lot of the value. When you hear 'the true rookie auto,' most collectors are thinking about Topps Chrome. Buy on eBay Topps Chrome Sapphire Sapphire takes Chrome and cranks it up a notch. Every card gets a cracked-ice style background, making even commons look flashy. It's produced in limited quantities and only sold directly through Topps (usually online), which adds to the exclusivity. Sapphire rookies and parallels command strong premiums, and for many collectors, this is the ultimate version of a flagship rookie card. The autograph and base checklist is considerably smaller than Topps Chrome. Buy on eBay Topps Chrome Logofractor Logofractor is one of the newer kids on the block, and it's quickly built a reputation as a short-print chase set. Essentially, it's Topps Chrome with a bold refractor pattern built around the MLB logo. Boxes have been released in limited fashion (often exclusively at the MLB flagship store in New York), and the scarcity adds to the hype. Rookie Logofractors are among the flashiest parallels out there and have become a favorite for collectors who want something rarer than a standard refractor but not quite as unreachable as a Gold or Red. Buy on eBay Topps Update Series Update arrives at the end of the season and captures all the roster movement: deadline trades, mid-season call-ups, and All-Star Game highlights. It's famous for rookie cards of late-season debutants – think Ronald Acuña Jr. or Juan Soto. Update is a must-watch product because those rookies often end up being the most important cards from the year. Update also includes two different rookie cards for players – their 'debut' which is denoted with the date they debuted and the regular base rookie if they were not featured in Series 1 or 2. Buy on eBay Topps Chrome Update Chrome Update takes the Update checklist and gives it the chromium treatment. The product has become even hotter recently with the addition of MLB debut patch cards — one-of-one cards that feature a patch from a player's first big-league game. These are the definition of modern grail cards, and they've turned Chrome Update into one of the most chased products of the year. Buy on eBay Topps Chrome Update Sapphire This is exactly what it sounds like — Update, in Chrome, in Sapphire. Limited, expensive, and absolutely loaded with appeal if you land the right rookie. It combines the excitement of new debuts with the exclusivity of the Sapphire look. Buy on eBay Other sets to know Topps Finest Finest has been around since the '90s and has its own distinct chrome design. It's not as iconic as flagship or Chrome, but it's respected in the hobby and often features bold, colorful inserts. Rookie autos from Finest don't carry quite the same weight as Chrome, but the product has a loyal following. Topps Cosmic Chrome A newer product, Cosmic Chrome takes the chromium format and adds wild, space-themed backgrounds. Think refractors on steroids. It's visually loud, which some collectors love and others find gimmicky, but it's definitely carved out a niche as a fun and unique rip. Topps Archives Archives is a nostalgia play. Each year's set features current players printed on classic Topps card designs from decades past. It's a fan favorite for people who grew up collecting in a certain era and want to see today's stars in those vintage designs. Archives also sneaks in quirky inserts and fan-service cards like broadcaster autos or celebrity cameos. Topps Heritage Heritage is the purest nostalgia trip. Each year it uses the design of Topps sets from 50 years prior. So the 2024 Heritage set mimics the 1975 Topps design. Heritage is known for quirky variations (like error reproductions or action photo swaps) and tends to appeal to traditionalists. It's also a slower burn in terms of value; base rookies here don't always pop right away but can be sneaky long-term holds. Heritage also has the VERY desired red ink and blue ink autographs. These on-card autographs have an extremely loyal following. Red ink autographs are numbered to /76 while blue ink are not numbered. Final Thoughts Topps builds its release schedule so there's something for everyone. Whether you're chasing the 'true' Chrome rookie auto, filling binders with flagship, or enjoying the nostalgia of Heritage, each set has its own role, and price point, in the hobby. Just know the differences before you rip, and if you do ask on Facebook, brace yourself. Have any other questions about Topps products? Ask them on Mantel, we promise we don't bite.
Yahoo
6 minutes ago
- Yahoo
ESPN Releases Updated FPI Rankings Before College Football Season
ESPN Releases Updated FPI Rankings Before College Football Season originally appeared on Athlon Sports. We're only one week away from the start of the 2025 college football season. The preseason Coaches Poll and preseason AP Poll were revealed recently and the Texas Longhorns hold the No. 1 spot in each ranking. On Saturday, ESPN updated its FPI rankings ahead of the 2025 season. ESPN's FPI rankings differ a bit from other polls. It takes into account team strength and predicts future performance based on a variety of metrics. Texas sits atop the updated rankings, while the Ohio State Buckeyes slide down to No. 4. For comparison, the Buckeyes are ranked No. 2 in both the AP Poll and Coaches Poll. Georgia and Alabama are ranked ahead of Ohio State in ESPN's updated FPI. Penn State lands in the top five and six SEC teams are in the top 10. The Longhorns have the highest chance of making the College Football Playoff at 86.7%, the highest odds of reaching the national championship game (38.5%), and the best chance to take home the national title this season at 25%. It's clear Texas is the consensus top team in the country ahead of the season, but they'll have a massive first test against Ohio State on Aug. 30 in Columbus. Should the Longhorns defeat the Buckeyes, the national title expectations in Austin will be higher than story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Aug 16, 2025, where it first appeared.
