LOUISVILLE, KY - The Nashville Sounds’ late push came up just short in the opener of their latest series against the Louisville Bats, with the Bats winning 6–4 at Louisville Slugger Field on Wednesday, May 6. It was a storyline shaped early by weather and momentum. Tuesday’s opening game of the series was postponed due to rain giving the Sounds an extra day of rest. Unfortunately, even when the Sounds struck first, Louisville answered every time—then took control late. Home Runs Set the Early Tone Nashville grabbed a 2–0 lead in the top of the second inning, sparked by Jett Williams’ one-out single. The Sounds quickly made it hurt for Louisville as Jeferson Quero launched a two-run homer—a first-pitch blast that was clocked at 107.7 MPH—to put Nashville ahead. But the Bats weren’t deterred. Louisville leveled things in the bottom of the frame, tying the game 2–2 on a burst of offense that included a triple from Michael Toglia that plated two runs. Bullpen Takes Over, Louisville Finally Gets the Advantage After Robert Gasser started and had a solid outing, pitching four innings with three strike outs on two earned runs. The Bats took a one-run edge in the middle innings going up 3–2, helped by a two-out RBI single. Nashville responded in the top of the sixth, when Luis Lara continued his power surge—cracking a solo home run to tie the game 3–3. Lara now leads Nashville with seven homers on the season and a .333 batting average. That tie didn’t last. In the later innings, Louisville struck with the kind of execution that swings late games—drawing walks, loading the bases, and turning that pressure into a decisive surge. The Ninth-Inning Threat Comes Up One Out Short The Sounds made it interesting in the top of the ninth, led by Freddy Zamora, who opened the inning with his fourth double of the season. After Quero reached on a single and Zamora advanced to third, Nashville loaded the bases—but Louisville held firm when Cooper Pratt hit a grounder that resulted in the final out at third. Louisville took the series opener 6–4, despite a strong all-around performance from the Sounds’ core. Key Takeaways Quero’s 4th homer: Finished 3-for-4 with two RBI. Wilken’s streak lives on: Brock Wilken extended his on-base streak to 23 straight games. Lara keeps mashing: His homer tied the game and marked another big moment in a season full of long balls. What’s Next: Doubleheader on Thursday Nashville continues the week with a doubleheader on Thursday, May 7 starting at 3:35 p.m.

Harter and Want named All - CUSA Photo / MTSU Athletics MURFREESBORO, TN – Two Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders were recognized with Conference USA All-Conference Team selections, the league announced on Tuesday, May 5. Macie Harter earned Second Team All-CUSA honors after delivering a standout sophomore season from the leadoff spot in the Blue Raiders’ lineup. Harter paced Middle Tennessee in multiple offensive categories, finishing with a .346 batting average, 41 runs scored, 26 extra-base hits, .677 slugging percentage, 37 walks, a .486 on-base percentage, and 19 stolen bases. The left fielder produced a powerful blend of patience and production, recording 12 multi-hit games and six multi-RBI games across 46 starts. Harter’s ability to get on base at an elite level defined her year. She held a 24-game streak reaching base, along with a nine-game hitting streak, and ranked among Conference USA’s best in key offensive metrics. Her on-base percentage placed fourth in the league, her OPS was fifth, and she finished fifth in runs scored. She also ranked high across extra-base production, sitting fifth in doubles, second in triples, and third in walks, while finishing fourth in stolen bases. Offensively, Harter’s impact was matched by her defensive presence in the outfield. She logged 110 putouts and nine assists on 122 chances and helped turn two double plays during the season. Among her biggest moments, Harter powered a memorable three-home run weekend at Jax State, including a two-for-two performance with two home runs and three RBI in the opening game against Jacksonville State. She also delivered a major spark against FIU, going three-for-four in game one with two doubles and her fifth home run of the season, all within a single stretch. Jana Want also earned Second Team All-CUSA recognition after being named the 2025 Conference USA Freshman of the Year and continuing her momentum into her sophomore campaign. Want turned in another productive season, batting .309 with a .497 slugging percentage and a .432 on-base percentage. She led Middle Tennessee in hits with 46, while adding 13 doubles, five home runs, and 27 RBI. Want contributed consistently throughout the year, producing 12 multi-hit games and five multi-RBI games across 51 starts. With plate discipline and power coming together, Want drew 28 walks while striking out in fewer than 10% of her at-bats—an approach that made her a difficult out. She also delivered at key moments, including a three-for-four performance against LA Tech featuring three runs, four RBI, and two home runs. She followed that with back-to-back multi-hit games against FIU, recording a double in each contest. Defensively, Want anchored the Blue Raiders’ infield, starting every game at shortstop. She recorded 71 putouts and 82 assists and was credited with turning six double plays during the season.

COOKEVILLE, TN - Tennessee Tech student-athletes continued to demonstrate excellence in the classroom, as reflected in the NCAA’s latest Academic Progress Rate (APR) report—covering the 2021-25 academic years. The multiyear APR is a key NCAA metric that measures academic achievement, eligibility, and retention. Programs scoring 930 or higher meet the benchmark for postseason eligibility, and Tennessee Tech’s teams once again exceeded that standard across the board. Programs Earn Near-Perfect and Perfect APR Scores Tennessee Tech posted multiple programs with near-perfect or perfect multiyear APR marks, including several teams achieving a 1,000 rating. Women’s programs leading the way: Women’s Volleyball: 1,000 Women’s Soccer: 995 Women’s Golf: 993 Women’s Track: 993 Women’s Cross Country: 989 Women’s Beach Volleyball does not have a multiyear APR rate due to being in its third year of existence. Men’s top performers include: Baseball: 985 Men’s Cross Country: 980 Men’s Tennis: 979 Larger roster sports also remained strong, with Football (968) and Men’s Basketball (967) both comfortably above the NCAA benchmark—showing steady academic progress. “Raising the Standard” in the Classroom and on the Field “Our student-athletes continue to raise the standard for what it means to succeed at Tennessee Tech,” said Director of Athletics Casey Fox. “These APR scores reflect the commitment, discipline, and support system that our programs have built. We are proud of the work our student-athletes put in every day in the classroom, and this achievement is a direct result of their dedication to excellence.” Division I APR Trends Show Continued Growth Nationwide Division I student-athlete academics remain a priority nationally as well. The national four-year APR for Division I teams rose by 2 points to 986, marking an uptick from the prior four consecutive years of a steady rate. Sport averages for the four years ending in 2024-25 also increased, including: Men’s Basketball: +3 (971) Women’s Basketball: +3 (984) Football Bowl Subdivision: +2 (971) Baseball: +1 (980) Football Championship Subdivision: +1 (959) Former Student-Athletes Return to Finish Their Degrees The Academic Performance Program highlights how many former student-athletes return to complete their degrees after exhausting athletics eligibility. In the past 22 years, more than 22,400 former student-athletes have returned to earn degrees and APR points for their teams—often not reflected in federal graduation rate or Graduation Success Rate calculations. How APR Is Calculated Each academic year, Division I team APR is calculated using a consistent formula. Scholarship student-athletes can earn 1 point for staying on track for their degree and 1 point for retention (or graduation) at the end of each academic term. Teams’ total points are divided by points possible and multiplied by 1,000. Non-scholarship recruited student-athletes are tracked as well. Tennessee Tech Continues to Lead Beyond Athletics Tennessee Tech is also recognized as a top national university by U.S. News & World Report (2026)—ranked #198 among national universities and among the top two public universities in Tennessee—valued for strong return on investment, including the highest starting salary and lowest debt for graduates among public universities in the state.

Photo / Cumberland Athletics LEBANON, TN — Cumberland University flag football standout Marley Hyde has been named a First Team NAIA All-American, earning one of the highest honors available following the sport’s inaugural NAIA Women’s Flag Football season. A sophomore from White House, Tennessee, Hyde (listed at 6 ft. 0 in.) emerged as one of the nation’s most productive offensive playmakers in Cumberland’s breakthrough campaign. Her performance helped cement her place among the top student-athletes recognized on the newly released NAIA Women’s Flag Football All-America Teams. Dominating on Offense Hyde finished third nationally with 1,571 receiving yards and ranked third in receptions with 147, averaging 71.4 yards per game. She also led the scoring impact through the air, posting 23 receiving touchdowns—the fifth-most in the NAIA—while totaling 27 touchdowns overall. In addition to her production as a receiver, Hyde contributed in other ways, including a rushing touchdown, and threw for three more. Historic Recognition for Cumberland The NAIA recognized 35 student-athletes across two All-America teams, representing 14 institutions as part of the sport’s inaugural season. Hyde becomes the first All-American in Cumberland flag football history, a milestone that underscores both her individual impact and the program’s rising status. Hyde’s First Team selection places her alongside the nation’s elite performers and sets a new standard for the Phoenix moving forward.

NASHVILLE, TN — The Nashville Sounds kept the series moving into Sunday’s slate after a tough Saturday night loss at First Horizon Park, that left Nashville searching for consistency—but buoyed by one standout who continues to look more and more like the team’s offensive catalyst. Saturday: Tides 5, Sounds 2 — Lara Goes Deep, Leonard Strikes Again Nashville fell 5-2 on Saturday, May 2, dropping their second straight to the Norfolk Tides and managing just one run over a seven-inning stretch after taking an early lead on the power bat of Luis Lara. Lara delivered his sixth home run of the season, driving a slider from the left side down and clanking it off the right-field foul pole in the bottom of the first. Eddys Leonard answered with a big night at the plate, recording three hits—the second time this season he has had a three-hit game. Still, the Sounds’ opportunities didn’t translate into enough runs. Despite getting multiple baserunners on base, Nashville stranded 10 and went 0-for-10 with runners in scoring position in the loss. Match-up wise, Nashville had moments late, but Norfolk tightened things up with timely hitting—including a push that grew the lead to 4-1 in the middle innings and put the game out of reach in the end. Sunday: Sounds Aimed to Turn Momentum with a 5 - 1 Win After Saturday’s setback, the Nashville Sounds responded on Sunday with a more efficient, more decisive performance at First Horizon Park, finishing with a 5–1 win to keep the momentum moving and answer the frustration from the previous night's loss. While both clubs exchanged chances early, Nashville’s offense found its rhythm—led by the kind of consistent production at the plate that’s been a hallmark of Luis Lara’s breakout season. The Sounds got on base and cashed in at key moments, combining timely hits, pressure with runners on, and inning-to-inning execution to put the game away. Big Weekend Story Still Belongs to Lara 6 home runs 39 hits 12 stolen bases An on-base and hit streak currently extended to three games And he leads the Sounds in home runs and hits Heading into the next games, it’s not just that Lara is producing—it’s that he’s producing in multiple ways: power, speed, and run creation. What’s Next Nashville is set to move on to its next slate, with a six-game series in Louisville against the Bats beginning on Tuesday, May 5.

Photo / Trevecca Athletics On the middle day of the 2025 Gulf South Conference men’s and women’s outdoor track and field championships in Montevallo, Alabama, the air seemed to crackle with both fatigue and possibility. Athletes traded strained smiles between heats and field circles, chasing points the way others chase time—one fraction, one toss, one step at a time. For Trevecca Nazarene University, the noise grew strongest around Campbell Johnson, a senior finally racing and throwing on Alabama soil one last time. In the women’s heptathlon, she didn’t just compete—she detonated the program record. Johnson scorched past the previous best by more than 400 points, finishing with a staggering 3,627. That mark didn’t simply break a number; it shattered a benchmark that had stood for years, set back in April 2023. She powered that success with a series of decisive performances. Her javelin throw—34.53 meters—was the best of anyone in the heptathlon, and in the shot put she added authority with a 10.20-meter toss. Then, when the heptathlon’s final test arrived, she ran the 800 meters in 2:30.96, turning speed into placement and placement into points—landing Trevecca an eighth-place finish with a point gained that felt like a victory in itself. Across the day, Hadar Biger kept momentum alive in the 5,000 meters, crossing sixth in 17:38.83. Meanwhile, on the men’s side, Zion Griffin qualified for the 100-meter final with 10.89 in the prelims, while McCaden Selby and Anthony Kosinski pushed the 5,000-meter standard higher—both posting new personal bests that lifted Trevecca’s total to nine personal records and even a program record through the first two days.

Photo / Mid-South Conference By David Oglesby Cumberland punched its ticket to the Mid-South Conference Baseball Tournament Championship game with a dramatic, extra-innings 10–8 win over Bethel at Bowling Green Ballpark. For five scoreless innings, it was mostly silence that looked like it might last forever. Then Bethel struck in the third. Three straight hits turned into a RBI single from Adriel Vega and an RBI double from Juan Diego Ramos, and suddenly the Wildcats were up 2–0. Bethel made it hurt worse in the fifth, turning Cumberland’s mistakes into momentum: miscues, a run-scoring single from Cade Pilkinton, and a 4–0 lead that felt like a door closing. Cumberland didn’t slam it back open. It pushed, step by step, until the sixth. LaRue doubled to start the frame, and Caleb Royer—designated hitter, but carrying a pitcher’s authority—launched a two-run home run to right. It was 4–2 now, and the Phoenix finally had air. Bethel added a run in the bottom half, setting the score at 5–2. But the seventh inning was where the story turned. Yuito Suzuki and Camden Williamson reached base. LaRue drove in a run with a groundout. McDonald answered with an RBI single to pull Cumberland within one. Then an intentional walk brought Wilser Then to the plate, and Royer took one more swing—three-run power to right-center that capped a five-run inning and gave Cumberland a 7–5 lead. Bethel came roaring back in the ninth, tying the game with three runs—first a two-run double from Pilkinton, then a sacrifice fly from Garrett Taylor. Extras arrived, and so did courage. Suzuki sparked it again with a leadoff walk, Williamson moved him along, the bases filled, and Then delivered: a two-run single to right that scored Suzuki and Hurt. Cumberland led 10–8. Kyle Nyblod struck out the side, and when it was over, Cumberland didn’t just win. It punched its ticket—heading to the Mid-South Conference Championship game at noon on Saturday.

NASHVILLE, TN — Thursday night at First Horizon Park had the feel of two different stories stitched together: a setback early, then a response loud enough to split a doubleheader with Norfolk. In Game 1, Robert Gasser set the tone quickly, striking out the side in the first and repeatedly putting the Tides in uncomfortable counts. Though Nashville couldn’t turn the early momentum into runs, Gasser’s start stayed sharp and compact—more reminder than routine. He finished after 2.2 innings with four hits allowed, just one earned run, two walks, and five strikeouts, and at times he looked un-hittable, even when Norfolk kept finding ways to work him with two hits that were more lucky than skillful. Behind him, Nashville’s bats finally connected. Cooper Pratt drove in the tying run with a sacrifice fly, and Eddys Leonard added pop with key contact that kept the Sounds within reach. But Norfolk answered with timely hits and pressure through the middle frames, and Nashville couldn’t climb all the way back, falling 5-2. It was the kind of loss that stung, but didn’t feel hopeless—more like unlucky / unfinished business. Then came Game 2, and the Sounds treated it like a promise. Coleman Crow was the calming force, spinning through trouble with control, and when Brock Wilken came to the plate, everything clicked. Wilken’s second home run of the season gave Nashville a 2-0 lead, and once the margin was built, the bullpen held firm. Nashville scored again to make it 3-0 before Norfolk finally threatened—just enough to make the last outs feel earned—but Nashville secured the 3-1 win. By night’s end, Nashville didn’t just split; they corrected. A short, productive start by Gasser set the table, and a relentless response in Game 2 turned frustration into momentum heading for Friday’s rematch.

NASHVILLE, TN — The Nashville Sounds closed out a thrilling walk-off win over the Norfolk Tides on Wednesday night at First Horizon Park, scoring three in the bottom of the ninth to claim a 7-4 victory. Jett Williams powered the finish with an opposite-field three-run home run, while Jeferson Quero delivered a major spark with two doubles and two RBI as the Sounds (15-13) improved past Charlotte Knights?—correcting: defeating Norfolk—after nearly surrendering the lead late. Norfolk struck first, using two walks and a single to load the bases in the opening frame. A sacrifice fly by Creed Willems made it 1-0, and the Tides kept things quiet for two innings before Nashville answered in the third. Major league rehabber Jackson Chourio drew a walk to start the inning and scored on Quero’s loud double to left to even the game at 1-1. On the mound, left-hander Thomas Pannone worked 2.1 innings, allowing a run on two hits while striking out one. After Craig Yoho took over, Nashville added another momentum shift when Carlos Rodriguez returned to the lineup and the Sounds posted three scoreless innings on two hits, striking out two. The Sounds took their first lead in the sixth on a one-out double by Cooper Pratt and a soft single from Eddys Leonard, then extended it further in the seventh with Jacob Hurtubise’s seventh walk and Brock Wilken’s sixth double. But the Tides rallied in the ninth. Easton McGee entered and surrendered a one-out, two-run homer, giving Norfolk a 4-3 advantage. Nashville tied it when Jordyn Adams struck out then Hurtubise beat out an infield single, Quero followed with a go-ahead?—instead: an RBI double?—correcting: another RBI single?—Quero drove in the tying run with a bullet to left, then Williams capped the comeback with his walk-off shot. NEXT: Nashville returns to action Tonight, April 30 for a doubleheader starting at 5:35 p.m.

Photo / Trevecca Athletics MONTEVALLO, AL.—The 2025 outdoor track and field season for Trevecca Nazarene University reached its final regularly scheduled stop on Wednesday, when the Trojans opened competition at the 2025 Gulf South Conference Championships in Montevallo, Alabama alongside six other team. The meet marked the start of a busy championship slate featuring a mix of track races, field events, and the first day of multi-events. Trevecca placed 19 athletes into action during the opening day. On the women’s side, Margaret Chauncy sparked the Trojans’ scoring in the pole vault, while Campbell Johnson made a major mark in the 100-meter hurdles by breaking the school record as heptathlon competition began. Chauncy cleared 2.95 meters to finish sixth, good for three team points. In men’s action, Joshua Novotny provided Trevecca’s lone top-10 event finish of the day, placing 10th in the 10,000-meter run in 32:41.33. Wednesday’s meet also featured a standout day of growth for the Trojans, highlighted by six personal best performances and two additional season-best efforts. In the women’s heptathlon, Johnson and Nina Willoughby both produced personal-record breakthroughs in the 100-meter hurdles, clocking 16.58 and 18.08, respectively. Other PRs included Leighton Varden in the men’s 200-meter prelims (21.90), Brooklyn Rader in the hammer (24.51m), and PR marks in the men’s 10,000 from Joel White (34:19.08) and John Dalton (34:54.24). Grant Allen posted a season-best 22.58 in the men’s 200-meter prelims, and Ashley Alsvig ran her fastest 2,000-meter steeplechase of the season at 12:34.82. Johnson and Willoughby are Trevecca’s only heptathletes. After four events, Johnson sits eighth with 2221 points, while Willoughby is ninth with 1749 points. Thursday will bring the completion of the heptathlon, featuring the 800 meters, long jump, and javelin, along with additional track and field championship events.

Photo / MLS - Nashville SC NASHVILLE, TN - On a Tuesday night when Nashville’s sky refused to cooperate, the kickoff at GEODIS Park was delayed—sixty minutes of waiting while the city held its breath. Inside, the Boys in Gold did what they always seemed to do when the world got noisy: they stayed organized, stayed patient, and waited for the moment to arrive. When the match finally kicked off, it didn’t arrive gently. Tigres UANL came north of the border with the confidence of a team that had seen this stage before—and the sting of a lineup built to hurt you in more than one way. Nashville, though, matched that intent with discipline. They didn’t try to out-magic Tigres. They tried to out-discipline them. And for a while, that plan almost worked. At 33 minutes, Angel Correa cracked the game open. Just a single moment—timing, space, execution—and Nashville’s night changed from “control” to “survive.” The goal was the only one that would matter. But the story of the match wasn’t the score. It was the preventing. Brian Schwake—newer to the spotlight, first-year starter—spent the night rewriting the momentum with saves that felt both critical and cruel. He made six, each one buying Nashville time, each one turning every Tigres push into something less inevitable. The tie would be decided later, and so would the emotions—tonight’s job was to keep it from turning into something worse. By the time the caution flags started to fly—Juan Brunetta, Juan Vigon, Cesar Araujo, then Jeisson Palacios—the match had taken on that tournament look: tense, physical, and tight around the edges. Nashville kept their structure. Tigres kept pressing. The stadium kept roaring whenever the ball came close. When the referee finally brought the game to its close, the verdict was simple: Nashville had fallen 1–0 in the first leg. But the finer print told a different truth. Schwake kept Nashville in it. Now Nashville SC will carry that truth across borders and across time—on May 5, the semifinal will be decided at Estadio Universitario, home to Tigres. Away goals served as the first tie breaker in this Champions Cup run, and the margin tonight—thin as it was keeps Nashville close in the hunt to pull off a win when they next play. If Schwake can keep his form during the upcoming match a more forceful attack seen to have a last stop defensive protect that should encourage the team to go all out. Until then, Nashville’s season has not gone on pause for international nights. Leaders in MLS’s Eastern Conference will be back at it on this Saturday, May 2 away versus the Philadelphia Union.

Photo / Cumberland Athletics BOWLING GREEN, KY - Cumberland came out swinging on day one of the Mid-South Conference Championship at Bowling Green Country Club, positioning itself firmly in contention as the tournament enters its final round. Leading the field was Lindsey Wilson, which turned in the low round of the day with a combined 624 strokes. The Blue Raiders’ team scored 310 in their first round and added a 314 to finish strong. University of the Cumberlands moved into second place after carding 626 as well, with rounds of 312 and 314. The Phoenix also finished at 626, sitting in third and only a few shots off the pace. Individual performances were a highlight across the day. Crystal Zamzow stood near the top of the standings in the individual race, finishing day one in second place with a 152-stroke total. Zamzow shot 76-76, including a pivotal stretch where she recorded three birdies in four holes on holes 15, 17, and 18. Another standout was Lucy Labdon, who surged into the Top 5 in fourth place after improving significantly in her second round. She carded an 81 in round one and then responded with a two-over 74 in round two, featuring three birdies. In the middle of the pack, Matilda Lind finished day one tied for 11th at 161, while Alba McCorquodale sat 22nd with 165 and Franziska Mramor was tied for 24th at 167. The championship’s final round is today, with the winner earning an automatic berth to the NAIA National Championship.

Photo / Vanderbilt Athletics By David Oglesby NASHVILLE, TN - Vanderbilt fans had reasons to cheer Sunday evening when news spread that one of the major contributors to the team dramatic turn around will get his chance at the next level. Baltimore’s quarterback room just added a storybook competitor: Diego Pavia, Vanderbilt's own landed in the NFL after going undrafted—despite being a Heisman finalist. Per reports, Pavia is the first Heisman candidate to go undrafted since 2014, when Northern Illinois QB Jordan Lynch went unpicked. The Baltimore Ravens, meanwhile, have long built their identity around development, discipline, and a “Play Like a Raven” standard that prizes toughness and accountability. In that kind of environment, Pavia’s long climb—and his likely chip-on-the-shoulder mentality—could become a long-haul advantage rather than a footnote. Here are five reasons his arrival could be a super win for his professional career: 1) The “chip” is real—and Baltimore tends to monetize chips Pavia’s combination of accolades and the shock of going undrafted creates an automatic psychological edge. CBS Sports reported framing the “why” notes this was an uncommon outcome for a Heisman finalist. Baltimore’s culture doesn’t typically waste that kind of motivation; it channels it into habits—film work, ball security, focus mentality, and execution. 2) He arrives to a quarterback room built for learning The Ravens have repeatedly shown they can turn limited reps into usable growth—especially for quarterbacks who start as backups. With Lamar Jackson defining the era, the team’s modern approach has included maximizing the value of the starter while developing capable options behind him. That’s a perfect setup for a developmental-but-athletic QB to sharpen his decision-making. 3) “Modern great” proximity means faster processing and better habits Being the back-up to an elite franchise quarterback can be more educational than starting elsewhere. Pavia will learn how reads are timed, when the run game becomes the leverage point, and how throws change when the defense knows the pocket can’t be escaped forever. In the long haul, that kind of repetition can turn athletic traits into consistent production. 4) His statistical body of work suggests NFL-style traits (not just hype) Even before the Heisman spotlight, Pavia built a résumé as a dynamic dual-threat with off the chart stats that extend back to his high school career ( and probably beyond into his Pop Warner days). His college path included winning the 2021 NJCAA National Championship at New Mexico Military Institute, then earning Conference USA Offensive Player of the Year at New Mexico State, and later taking major honors at Vanderbilt. His 2024/2025-level production and playmaking profile is exactly what teams search for when looking for a QB who can extend plays and stay dangerous outside scripted structure. 5) Ravens development + his resilience = a real “shine later” formula Pavia wasn’t handed easy access to Division I recruiting and had to fight for every step. On each level he has proven that he belongs. That background matters in the NFL, where winning isn’t only about tools—it’s about staying ready when opportunity finally arrives. Baltimore’s patient approach could give him the reps and coaching needed to convert potential into execution. In other words: Pavia’s undrafted slip may have delayed the spotlight—but if Baltimore’s system “clicks” for him, the Ravens or a NFL team down the road could end up with a long-term quarterback success story.

NASHVILLE, TN - Nashville sports fans know the fun of a good rivalry, and this weekend delivered for supporters of both Lipscomb and Austin Peay. From Draper Diamond at Smith Stadium to Ken Dugan Field, the Bisons and the Govs gave a show for the full house of supporters that showed up for both sides. Softball: Lipscomb Strikes Early and Holds Firm In the Sunday finale, Lipscomb Softball closed out its home series against Austin Peay with a 5–2 win, setting the tone from the start. The Bisons looked sharp in the first inning when Presley Rader launched a two-run home run to left field, turning the early moment into a 2–0 lead. Austin Peay answered in the fourth with a solo shot, but Lipscomb stayed composed—pushing back with MK Hickey’s sacrifice fly in the fourth to make it 3–1. Then came a key swing in the fifth, Kyla Jobe drove in two with a two-RBI single, stretching the lead to 5–1. Austin Peay added a run in the sixth, but the Bisons controlled the final outs to seal it. In the circle, Jeysne Espinal did the heavy lifting, throwing 6.1 innings with just five hits and two runs while keeping pressure off the bats. Baseball: Austin Peay Takes the Sunday Decision On the baseball diamond, Austin Peay responded in a big way—winning 6–2 over Lipscomb to salvage the series. After a scoreless early stretch, Austin Peay broke through in the third on a run that plated Trevor Conley. Lipscomb tied it in the fifth with Hutson Miles’ solo homer, but Austin Peay pulled away with timely scoring in the sixth and seventh, highlighted by Ty Wisdom’s home run. For both programs, the next step is now all about finishing strong as the schedule turns toward postseason positioning. Lipscomb will continue its road to the regular-season finish by traveling to Conway, Arkansas to take on Central Arkansas, starting Thursday, April 30 at 4:00 p.m., followed by a doubleheader on Friday, May 1. Meanwhile, Austin Peay heads into its final home stretch by returning to Clarksville for a weekend series against Eastern Kentucky, with the Governors and Colonels opening Friday, May 1 at 1:00 p.m. for a doubleheader and closing the regular season Saturday, May 2 at 1:00 p.m.. On the baseball side, Austin Peay also keeps momentum at home, hosting Western Kentucky for its final home midweek starting Tuesday at 6:00 p.m. at Joe Maynard Field. Lipscomb will then look to respond at home against Tennessee Tech on Tuesday at 6:00 p.m., concluding its four-game home stand.

Sunday morning in the NFL universe is usually when the post-draft news cycle begins to settle—team rosters get filled, priority undrafted rookie free agents (UDFAs) get locked in, and fanbases start sorting who landed where. But for Tennessee’s college pipelines, this year’s 2026 Draft is already delivering major headlines. The biggest storyline on the Tennessee side, however, remains Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia, who entered the weekend as one of the most scrutinized offensive talents in college football—and left Pittsburgh still waiting. As of the writing of this article, Pavia remains undrafted and unsigned, making him the highest-profile Tennessee college player still without an NFL deal after the 2026 Draft concluded. Multiple outlets reported that the Vanderbilt quarterback did not hear his name called, and according to Sports Illustrated he is the first Heisman Trophy finalist to go undrafted since Jordan Lynch in 2014. The decision left Pavia in a familiar-but-uncomfortable position but the roster math of UDFAs tends to produce signings quickly. Here is why Pavia's likely to be signed on an NFL roster quickly: Pavia is a proven winner at the college level: the 2025 runner-up for the Heisman Trophy threw for 3,539 yards and 29 touchdowns while helping Vanderbilt reach the ReliaQuest Bowl and its first 10-win season. And while his NFL landing spot is still missing, the raw resume is why teams will kept engaging with him through this evaluation period. Pre-draft reporting indicated he met with NFL personnel—including that the Panthers were among the teams he visited—and that other clubs had continued their work on him late in the process. Here is a list of Tennessee-Affiliated Players who are drafted and signed for upcoming NFL camps as of this posting: 1. Drafted Players Eli Stowers — Vanderbilt→ Philadelphia Eagles (Round 2) Jermod McCoy — Tennessee→ Las Vegas Raiders (Round 4) Tyre West — Tennessee→ Detroit Lions (Round 7) Chris Brazzell II — Tennessee→ Carolina Panthers (Round 3) 2. Undrafted Free Agents Joey Aguilar, QB — Tennessee→ Jacksonville Jaguars (UDFA) Theron Gaines, LB — Tennessee Tech→ Buffalo Bills (UDFA) Parker Hughes, LB — MTSU→ Jacksonville Jaguars (UDFA) Omari Kelly, WR — MTSU→ Chicago Bears (UDFA) Langston Patterson, LB — Vanderbilt→ Dallas Cowboys (UDFA) Jordan White, OL — Vanderbilt→ Jacksonville Jaguars (UDFA) Isaia Glass, OL — Vanderbilt→ Carolina Panthers (UDFA) Khordae Sydnor, DE — Vanderbilt→ Cleveland Browns (UDFA) Steven Losoya, C — Vanderbilt→ Carolina Panthers (UDFA) Bryson Eason, DL — Tennessee→ San Francisco 49ers Miles Kitselman, TE - Tennessee→ Detroit Lions Jalen McMurray,DB — Tennessee→ Tennessee Titans Dominic Bailey, DL — Tennessee→ Houston Texans Jaxson Moi, DL — Tennessee→ Los Angeles Rams William Wright, DB — Tennessee→ Denver Broncos Star Thomas, RB — Tennessee→ Invited to Titans Rookie Minicamp Greg Desrosiers, RB - Memphis→ Los Angeles Chargers Cortez Braham Jr., WR - Memphis→ Baltimore Ravens

Photo / Nashville SC NASHVILLE, TN - First place Nashville Soccer Club kept its momentum at GEODIS Park, defeating Charlotte FC 4-2 Saturday night to remain unbeaten in 14 of its first 15 matches across MLS and the Concacaf Champions Cup. The result pushed the club to 7W-1L-1D in MLS and marked the first time in franchise history Nashville has started MLS play with such a strong league record. At home in 2026, the Boys in Gold stayed perfect, improving to 4W-0L-0D in MLS and 5W-0L-2D overall at GEODIS Park. The match also featured a headline moment: Hany Mukhtar became the third fastest player in MLS history to reach 150 regular-season goal contributions. Mukhtar opened the scoring in the 19th minute, assisted by Ahmed Qasem and Warren Madrigal, and Nashville’s two-goal burst early delivered separation. In the 25th minute, Qasem doubled the lead, finishing with assists from Cristian Espinoza and Andy Najar. Nashville’s attacking depth proved decisive in the second half. Making his return from injury, Sam Surridge came off the bench and scored a brace, his first game since April 11. He found the net in the 60th and 74th minutes as Charlotte’s comeback attempts were answered almost immediately by Nashville’s own response. Charlotte did get on the board twice, with goals from Morrison Agyemang (42’) and Pep Biel (68’). Still, Nashville continued to control the pace and kept its home advantage firmly in place, now outscoring opponents 21-4 at GEODIS Park in seven matches across all competitions this season. In his post-match comments, head coach BJ Callahan highlighted how Qasem’s movement created danger early. “Ahmed found really good spaces between the lines… once he got in between the lines he turned and started running at the back line,” Callahan said. He also praised the team’s response after conceding more than one goal, noting, “the response is what we judge everybody by.” Looking ahead, Nashville will make its Concacaf Champions Cup semifinal debut when it hosts Tigres UANL at GEODIS Park on Tuesday, April 28 at 7:30 p.m. CT for leg one of the home-away series decided on aggregate.