All aces: Pitching dominates South Sound softball with 70-mph heat, r…

Last May, Rogers freshman Sierra Murray led the South Sound with 252 strikeouts — a breakout season for the right-handed ace and eventual TNT All-Area Player of the Year. When the Rams reached the 4A state softball tournament, she pitched every inning of every game all the way to the championship, eventually falling to Oregon signee Maddie Milhorn and the Skyview Storm.

All in all, Murray won 17 games with a 1.35 earned run average last year. She’s doing more of the same as a sophomore, striking out 150 in her first 14 appearances this spring. catcross.biz

It’s a level of production you simply don’t see in high school baseball. Softball is often more pitcher-friendly and hitter-friendly than its baseball counterpart, using larger equipment, smaller fields, and the dominant arms eligible to pitch nearly every night.

As the postseason nears, The News Tribune breaks down the basics and what makes softball unique.

ALL ACES: TOP PITCHERS PREVAIL

The 4A state softball championship between No. 1 Skyview and No. 10 Rogers last May showcased two of the best pitchers west of the Cascades. It wasn’t a coincidence.

When state championships return next month, expect another pair of aces like Milhorn and Murray in the circle.

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It’s no secret that top-end pitching can drag lineups through hitting slumps and lead the charge toward championships, something particularly prevalent in softball. Programs fortunate enough to possess aces like Milhorn and Murray deploy them most nights, unlike baseball’s traditional, five-man starting rotation.

The big difference: Softball pitchers aren’t subjected to a pitch-count restriction by most governing bodies, such as the WIAA. In Washington, a player cannot compete in more than 20 games per regular season, but it’s typical for one arm to throw both legs of a doubleheader or weekend tournament.

How do we know when we’re watching someone great? Strikeouts are the first, obvious indicator. Graham-Kapowsin sophomore Brooklyn Pettit, the South Sound’s strikeout leader (152) through six weeks of the spring season, is a strong example: The Eagles took third in the 4A state bracket with a freshman Pettit in the circle last year. She’s already thrown no-hitters this spring, to boot, powering an undefeated season in the South Puget Sound League (12-0, 15-1).

THE BASICS

Puyallup freshman Jaycee Kemp is one of the harder-throwing pitchers in the South Sound. Her fastball reached 72 miles per hour in preseason training, considered her putaway pitch that most players can’t touch.

In high school baseball, a pitcher’s fastball typically hovers around 80-82 miles per hour. The mound measures 60 feet, six inches from home plate, as it does in the major leagues — but that number shrinks to 43 feet in softball, giving hitters less time to react to fastballs like Kemp’s.

How else do softball and baseball differ? The nine positions and defensive layout are mostly similar, though on a smaller field. A softball diamond is 60 feet from base-to-base (90 feet in baseball) with outfield walls closer to home, often in the 200-foot range.

Baseballs are nine inches in circumference. Softballs are roughly one ounce heavier and considerably larger, at 12 inches. Both sports use metal bats at the high school and college levels, though a softball bat is traditionally longer, lighter, and skinnier.

The obvious contrast: Softballs are thrown underhand, and have been since the sport’s inception in the 1880s. Baseball began allowing overhand pitching that decade, while softball’s original underhand rule stood the test of time.

So what’s similar? High school softball and baseball programs play seven-inning games, less than the traditional nine innings played professionally. If a high school team leads by 10 or more runs after five innings, the game is called via mercy rule. Both sports feature similar small-ball strategies, too, like bunting, base-stealing, and defensive shifts.

RISE BALL? DROP BALL?

Baseball features the traditional, well-known pitch types most recognize from memory — fastballs, sliders, and changeups, to name a few. Professionals often put their own twist on the classics, creating hybrid “splinkers” or “slurves.”

Softball pitchers utilize those same fastballs and changeups, sure. But their ‘secondary’ off-speed offerings vary greatly, from the popular curveball to a sinking drop ball.

Graham-Kapowsin’s Pettit throws an electric “rise ball,” which breaks sharply upward and fools those expecting a heater. Rogers’ Murray dealt a nasty changeup throughout the Rams’ state-tournament run last spring, mixing it with a traditional fastball and rise ball of her own.

Puyallup’s Kemp continues to dominate 4A SPSL with what’s primarily been a two-pitch mix, overpowering opponents with a 70-mph fastball and baffling others with a nasty curve. Monday afternoon, the 6-foot-1 right-hander threw her first-career no-hitter in a 6-0 win over rival Sumner. She struck out 14, enough to grab the South Sound’s season lead (165) from Pettit.

“(Jaycee’s) a predominantly fastball, curveball (pitcher), and her changeup can be pretty good when it’s biting like it should be,” Puyallup head coach Alec Elliott told The News Tribune last week. “But I think developing whether it’s a screwball, whether it’s a rise ball, whether it’s a drop ball… would be huge for her as the time goes.

“And that’s the ultimate compliment. You’re this good, and you can still develop your arsenal to be even better, is absolutely wild to think.”

Just how valuable is a softball ace, after all? Pettit (Graham-Kapowsin), Murray (Rogers), and Kemp (Puyallup) sit atop the 4A SPSL standings through six weeks. That much isn’t a coincidence, either.

TOP HITTERS KEEP MASHING

Because of the smaller fields and bigger softballs, the area’s best hitters can post batting averages over .600, though it’s the blend of consistent contact and power that carry players to the college level.

Take Franklin Pierce’s Kiley Sledge, for instance. The junior shortstop and Utah commit is batting .737 (14-for-19) with seven doubles and two home runs this spring, a premier all-around player in the South Sound. She’ll be playing Big 12 softball two years from now.

Timberline’s Nevaeh Haagen, committed to Central Arkansas, leads the area with eight home runs in 42 at-bats. G-K’s Pettit has belted seven home runs, in addition to her 166 strikeouts in the circle.

Despite the recent buzz around a potential third fight, Jon Jones isn’t interested in stepping back into the cage with Daniel Cormier.

The pair had one of the most heated rivalries in UFC history, stemming from their time as both heavyweight and light heavyweight champions.

They fought twice during their careers, with Jones winning the first by decision at UFC 182 in 2015. Their second meeting ended in a knockout for Jones, though it was later overturned to a no contest.

Even years later, Cormier hasn’t let go of their rivalry. He’s kept up the verbal jabs but never managed to get a win over Jones. Now, nearly ten years after their last fight, he’s hoping for another shot.

Jon Jones has no interest in wrestling Daniel Cormier again

Jones and Cormier are back in the spotlight as coaches on the latest season of ALF Reality, a Russian series that takes a similar approach to what fans saw with The Ultimate Fighter.

Their familiar back-and-forth has led to speculation about a possible third fight, though not necessarily under UFC rules.

Cormier has thrown out the idea of facing Jones in a wrestling match, confident that he’d come out on top.

“Wrestling match? 15-0 American wrestling, international wrestling 10-0, Greco-Roman wrestling — anything that ends in the word wrestling, let me and Jones do it, and I’ll (win),” Cormier said.

He doubled down during an interview for ALF Reality, which was shared online by ALF Global’s Alfredo Auditore.

“I told him let’s bet. We can bet 50 grand apiece. We can bet 50 grand apiece before we go wrestle,” he added.

This time, he didn’t just say no — he shut it down completely.

But while Cormier has moved into commentary work since retiring from competition, Jon Jones’ future is less clear-cut at this point.

He recently announced another retirement after his request to fight at the White House in June was turned down by the promotion.

Soon after though, Jones walked back his retirement claims again. He later said he’d had a positive chat with Hunter Campbell about setting up another fight. So as always with Jones these days – stay tuned for what happens next.

Read more:

The Detroit Lions had a clear objective entering the 2026 NFL Draft.

Find a long-term answer at offensive tackle.

Mission accomplished.

With the No. 17 overall pick, Detroit selected Blake Miller, a move that may not have been flashy, but was exactly what this roster needed.

The pick: Blake Miller, OT, Clemson

Let’s be honest.

There were multiple directions the Lions could have gone here. Pass rusher, cornerback, even a best-player-available swing at another position.

And yes, if I’m being transparent, Monroe Freeling would have been my top choice at No. 17.

But Miller?

He was right there next on the board.

And more importantly, he fits.

Why Blake Miller makes so much sense

Detroit didn’t just draft a need.

They drafted stability.

After moving on from Taylor Decker, the Lions needed someone who could step in and compete right away while also offering long-term upside.

Miller checks both boxes.

• 54 consecutive starts at Clemson
• Program-record 3,778 offensive snaps
• Proven durability and consistency

That kind of reliability is hard to find, especially at a premium position.

On the field, Miller brings a balanced skill set. He is quick out of his stance, has the range to handle speed rushers, and shows enough strength to anchor against power. In the run game, he plays with a physical edge and the footwork to move defenders.

Is he perfect?

No.

His upright play style and aggressive tendencies can be exploited by polished NFL pass rushers. But those are coachable issues, especially under the guidance of Hank Fraley.

The Brad Holmes factor

If there is one thing we have learned about general manager Brad Holmes, it is this:

He trusts his evaluations.

Holmes admitted the Lions strongly considered trading up for Miller. That alone tells you how highly they valued him.

Instead, Detroit stayed patient, let the board come to them, and still landed their guy.

That is how good teams operate.

Immediate impact and long-term upside

Miller is not just a developmental project.

He is expected to compete for a starting role immediately.

And with Penei Sewell anchoring one side of the line, Miller has the opportunity to grow into a key piece on the other.

For quarterback Jared Goff, that matters.

A lot.

Final grade: A-

Was this the sexiest pick?

No.

Was it a good pick?

Absolutely.

Even if Monroe Freeling was my personal top option, Blake Miller was right there, and he may ultimately prove to be the safer, more reliable choice.

Detroit addressed a major need, landed a high-character player, and did it without sacrificing draft capital.

That is a win.

Grade: A-

Big Red? Big Problem for opposing defensive linemen coming to Reliant Stadium in 2026.

The Houston Texans didn't wait for Georgia Tech offensive lineman Keylan Rutledge to fall into their lap at pick No. 28. They knew he was destined to be a part of the long-term plan, which is why they traded up two spots to get him.

“This guy is all ball,” Texans general manager Nick Caserio said. “Doesn’t care about anything else. He wants to punch you in the mouth and that works here.”

Once the run on offensive linemen began, Houston knew it needed to settle on its top pick. The name: Rutledge, a mauler in the trenches who excelled in run blocking during his lone season in Atlanta. The 6-foot-4, 318-pound lineman didn't allow a sack in over 400 pass-blocking reps last season and has position flexibility, having tested at guard and center, helping the Yellow Jackets secure a 10-win season.

Here's what the pick looked like when Roger Goodell took the podium make made it offical that Rutledge was coming to Houston.

With the 26th pick, the Houston Texans select...

📺: NFL Network pic.twitter.com/ia0mGC1YNV

— Houston Texans (@HoustonTexans) April 24, 2026

Nicknamed "Big Red" for his red mane, Rutledge was considered the top run blocker in the NFL draft after dominating at both Middle Tennessee State and Georgia Tech. He was also voted team captain at both Middle Tennessee and Georgia Tech.

Big Red in the trenches 😤 pic.twitter.com/eYwgjs7kuR

— Houston Texans (@HoustonTexans) April 24, 2026

"Toughness, violence, physicality, playing style, his intelligence. I mean, basically, the guy wants to step on your throat on every play, which I would say sort of embodies what our football team is about, the way we play, intense, violent, physical. We’re going to run the football this year.”

The Texans own three picks on Friday night, including pick No. 91 acquired in the Bills trade to move up to No. 26.

This article originally appeared on Texans Wire: WATCH: Texans make Georgia Tech's Keylan Rutledge the newest road warrior in Houston

Why Gennings Dunker didn't get drafted in NFL Draft 1st round despite viral fame originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

Gennings Dunker and his mullet have to wait.

The Iowa offensive lineman wasn't drafted in the NFL Draft's first round on Thursday night.

That doesn't mean he won't get picked. The second and third rounds are on Friday, and the fourth through seventh rounds are on Saturday.

But anyone hoping for the viral big fella to make it on the board in the first round ended up disappointed.

2026 NFL DRAFT HQ:Live tracker | Pick-by-pick grades | Best players still available

Why didn't Gennings Dunker get drafted in the 1st round?

The reality is that Dunker has always been viewed more as a second or third round pick.

He's not quite the huge, athletic marvel that some of the best offensive linemen in the draft are -- he'll be expected to compete for a starting job in the NFL but not be a shoo-in for it.

Dunker's fame comes in large part because he has a bright red mullet, a quality mustache and a bunch of tattoos.

BEST DRAFT NAMES: Ephesians Prysock | R Mason Thomas | DeVonta Smith | Zxavian Harris

He also has shared his immense meal plan preparing for games, which is a heck of a lot of food.

It ends with postgame Culver's -- a double bacon cheeseburger, family size order of cheese curds or onion rings, and three sides of ranch.

Yep, the 6-foot-5, 319-pound Dunker can certainly eat his fill.

More NFL Draft news:

• Chiefs make a shocking draft trade
• Commanders get Sonny Styles after historic NFL Draft Combine
• Steelers' 1st-round pick didn't play football until college
• Eagles and Cowboys have made a trade like this before
• Browns' pick is really about Shedeur Sanders' replacement