Gajownik makes history serving as D-backs coach
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — Ronnie Gajownik spent her Saturday afternoon as the bench coach for the Arizona Diamondbacks.
It wasn't until mid-game she realized that was remarkable.
“It was awesome,” Gajownik said later. “I didn't realize how big of a moment it was until (pitching coach Brent Strom) told me in the fifth inning, he's like, ‘They're doing articles all over about you. You're trending!'”
The split-squad Diamondbacks lost to San Diego 5-4.
The 29-year-old Gajownik was hired during the offseason as manager of the D-backs minor league affiliate Hillsboro Hops. She'll be the first woman to manage a Class High-A team.
In other baseball news, MLB said it will not discipline White Sox pitcher Mike Clevinger after completing an investigation of domestic abuse allegations.
ELSEWHERE Durant’s tiebreaker downs Kyrie, Mavs
Kevin Durant scored 37 points, including the tiebreaking jumper with 11 seconds to go, to lift the Phoenix Suns to a 130-126 victory over the Dallas Mavericks in a thrilling showcase of stars for both teams.
The first meeting between Durant and Dallas' Kyrie Irving since they were traded by Brooklyn before the deadline last month was even when Durant pulled up over Tim Hardaway Jr. and Irving for the lead.
In other games, Tyrese Haliburton hit a 3-pointer with 2.7 seconds left to give the Pacers a 125-122 victory over the Bulls . ... Damian Lillard had another big night, hitting for 41 points in a 122-119 win for the Trail Blazers over the Magic .... Shai Gil geo us Alexander had 38 points and seven rebounds and the Thunder led all the way while beating the Jazz 129-119 . ... The Rockets shot a blistering 61.2 percent in blowing out the Spurs 142-110.
Women’s college basketball: Charlisse Leger-Walker scored 23 points and Bella Murekatete added 21 to help the Washington State women earn a trip to the NCAA Tournament by beating No. 19 UCLA 65-61 in the Pac-12 Championship.
In other action, Zia Cooke scored 24 points and Aliyah Boston added 18 as No. 1 South Carolina beat Tennessee 74-58 for the SEC title . ... No. 8 Virginia Tech beat Louisville 75-67 to win the ACC tournament title. ... No. 9 Connecticut advanced to its 19th straight conference tournament final with an 81-52 win over Marquette . ... The Hukies will face No. 11 Villanova, which beat Creighton 63-61, in the final . ... Caitlin Clark had 30 points for No. 7 Iowa, which beat No. 14 Ohio State 105-72 to win the Big Ten.
Men’s college basketball:
Jamal Shead scored 16 points, including the winning basket as time ran out, and top-ranked Houston escaped a second-half rally by host Memphis for a 67-65 win . ... Brandon Newman scored 19 points and Zach Edey added 17 as No. 5 Purdue held on to beat Illinois 76-71 . ... Camren Wynter made a layup with less than a second remaining to lift Penn State to a 65-64 win over the No. 21 Maryland . ... Trayce Jackson-Davis had 27 points, and No. 15 Indiana beat Michigan 75-73 in overtime.