SPORTS 5-15

COLLEGE BASEBALL:

Number 7 Oregon State defeated the Airforce Academy at Goss Stadium 7 – 4 last night.

Number 16 Oregon plays game 2 of their three-game series against 17^th ranked USC tonight.

SOFTBALL:

The Ducks host the NCAA Tournament Eugene regional at Jane Sanders Stadium.

Oregon is the 14^th overall seed playing Idaho State at 7, ahead of that match up, Mississippi State takes on Saint Mary’s.

NFL:

The Seahawks will open the 2026 season with a Wednesday night game against the New England Patriots, in a Super Bowl LX rematch to kick off the season.

Seattle will six total primetime games, a Saturday afternoon contest in Philadelphia, and Friday on Christmas Day against the Rams at Lumen Field.

Fire Blown Out By Liberty

The Fire could not secure consecutive wins. Portland lost 100-82 to the New York Liberty at home. Megan Gustafson led the team with 14 points off the bench and Nyadiew Puoch paced the starters with 13 points. The Fire will wrap up their homestand Monday against the Connecticut Sun.

LOCAL:

It’s the 50^th anniversary of the PPP!

The Selco Pole Pedal Paddle is tomorrow (Sat).

Zoe Roy won the elite women’s category five times in a row and competed with her family for many years.

She says the race bring the community together.

The PPP is a benefit for the Mt Bachelor Sports Education Foundation.

The First wave starts from Mt Bachelor at 9:15

The finish-line celebration at River Bend Park starts at 11 and goes through the afternoon.

SPORTS 5-14

COLLEGE BASEBALL:

As it stands with the regular season winding down, NCAA regional tournaments would take place in both Corvallis and Eugene.

The Beavers have an RPI of 17, while the Ducks start the day right on the cut line at number 20.

Number 7 Oregon State welcomes the Airforce Academy to Goss for a series starting tonight.

The Beavs are looking for style points to convince voters and swing the metrics in their post-season favor.

Number 16 Oregon hosts a huge top 20 matchup against 17^th ranked USC starting tonight.

UO trails the Trojans by one game in the Big 10, with tournament seeding implications on the line.

SOFTBALL:

The Ducks are preparing to host the NCAA Tournament Eugene regional at Jane Sanders Stadium starting tomorrow as the 14^th overall seed with Mississippi State, Saint Mary’s, and Idaho State.

Fire To Host Liberty

The Fire will be back in action tonight. Portland will host their second straight games against the Liberty at home. Portland beat New York 98-96 Tuesday on a last-second shot by Sarah Ashlee Barker. In other news, the team signed former Oregon guard Holly Winterburn to a developmental contract on Wednesday. Winterburn played one season for the Ducks before returning to her home country of England.

MLS Round Up

The MLS season continued last night. The Timbers played Montreal CF to a two-two tie on the road. Kevin Kelsy and Cole Bassett each scored for Portland. The Sounders beat the San Jose Earthquakes three to two at home. Albert Rusnák scored on a penalty kick before Jesus Ferreira and Osaze De Rosario added a goal each.

LOCAL:

Lace up your sneakers and wear pink: the 3rd Annual Speak Up Pink Duck 5K is Sunday, June 7, 2026 at 11:00 AM at the Athletic Club of Bend. It’s a benefit for IN OUR BACKYARD.

It’s the 50^th anniversary of the PPP!

The Selco Pole Pedal Paddle is Saturday.

Bend’s Jesse Thomas, 4 x elite winner and former pro-triathlete tells me the founders, Dave and Jenny Sheldon had insight in bringing the Pole Pedal Paddle to Central Oregon way back in 1976.

“Just a testament to the town too, you know, of just like keeping this very cool, very unique, very like bend, bend-ish event going for 50 years. I think it's just a, it's just a really cool deal, something to be super proud of as a community, I think.”

The Sheldon’s held the race as a fundraiser for the Skyliners Ski Club, now the Mt Bachelor Sports Education Foundation.

Learn more about MBSEF and sign up to volunteer at PPP Bend dot com.

SPORTS 5-13

COLLEGE BASEBALL:

Number 7 Oregon State got a win over Portland last night (Tu).

OSU needs all the wins they can get as they make a case to host a regional in Corvallis.

The Beavers continue the homestand with the Airforce Academy visiting for a series starting tomorrow.

Number 16 Oregon is readying for their top 25 matchup against 17^th ranked USC starting tomorrow.

UO trails the Trojans by one game in the standings heading into game one of the three game series.

Both teams are battling to stay in the top four in the Big 10 and claim a spot in the single-elimination bracket.

SOFTBALL:

The University of Oregon finished the regular season ranked 12^th by the coaches and 13^th in Softball America.

The Ducks are preparing to host the NCAA Tournament Eugene regional as the 14^th overall seed.

[It’s Ducks, Bulldogs, Gaels, and Bengals Friday from Jane Sanders Stadium. have Mississippi State, Saint Mary’s, and Idaho State at Jane Sanders Stadium starting Friday.

Oregon State’s Jaeya Butler has been named West Coast Conference Player of the Year.

Starting each of the Beavers' 53 games this season, Butler shattered the program's single season records for home runs (23), RBI (61), total bases (157) and slugging percentage (.882) and led the WCC in all of those categories.

Fire Win First Ever Game Over Liberty 

The Fire won their first game in franchise history. Sarah Ashlee Barker made a put-back as time expired to give Portland a 98-96 win over the New York Liberty. Bridget Carleton led the team with 26 points and Carla Leite added 21 of her own in the victory. The teams will face off again on Thursday.

LOCAL:

The Oregon High Desert Classics returns to Bend July 8 through 12 at J Bar J Boys Ranch.

This popular hunter-jumper show brings top riders from the U.S. and Canada for one week of competition, rather than the previous two-week event.

Spectators are welcome to enjoy the action, shop at local vendor booths, and support J Bar J Youth Services.

It’s the 50^th anniversary of the PPP!

The Selco Pole Pedal Paddle is Saturday.

7x winner Marshall Greene handicaps the men’s elite category.

Learn more about MBSEF and sign up to volunteer at PPP Bend dot com.

SPORTS 5-12

COLLEGE BASEBALL:

Poll-a-palooza

Oregon State’s road sweep at Long Beach State and Portland sees them move as high as number six in the Writers’ poll, 7^th by D1 Baseball, The Coaches, and Baseball America. It’s five for five in the top 10 of the polls with a number 9 by Perfect Game.

The Beavs are back in Corvallis against Portland tonight (Tu).

Oregon’s quality showing against number 1 UCLA gave them a rankings boost.

Perfect Game likes them at 11^th, the Coaches and Writers have them 15^th, D1 Baseball ranking is 16^th, and its 23^rd in Baseball America.

The Ducks are back at PK Park this week for the regular season conference finale with another top 25 matchup against 17^th ranked USC starting Thursday.

SOFTBALL:

The University of Oregon hosts the NCAA Tournament Eugene regional. The 14^th seeded Ducks have Mississippi State, Saint Mary’s, and Idaho State at Jane Sanders Stadium starting Friday.

LOCAL:

It’s the 50^th anniversary of the PPP!

The Selco Pole Pedal Paddle is Saturday.

The race was a fundraiser for local youth outdoor sports from the beginning.

4-time PPP champion and former coach Dennis Oliphant talks about the impact the race has for the Mt Bachelor Sports Education Foundation.

“With all the other events they put on cycling events and ski races and stuff, it, it was a good driver.

It was a perfect fit for me as an organization to be a part of because it represented both kids and, you know, a rural economy.”

Learn more about MBSEF and sign up to volunteer at PPP Bend dot com.

Fire To Host Liberty:

The Fire are searching for their first ever victory.  Portland will welcome the New York Liberty to town tonight.  The Fire opened the season with a 98-83 home loss to the Chicago Sky last week.  Carla Leite scored a team-high 18 points in that matchup.  In other news, the team waived guard Jordan Harrison and activated forward Kamiah Smalls.

SPORTS 5-11

COLLEGE BASEBALL:

10^TH ranked Oregon State got a road sweep at Long Beach State slugging and pitching their way to three commanding wins.

The Beavs are back in Corvallis against Portland tomorrow (Tu).

Number 13 Oregon gave all unanimous number 1 UCLA wanted but came up short in yesterday’s series rubber-match giving up a five-run lead in yesterday’s game three.

The Ducks four straight series winning streak snaps but are still a respectable 18 – 9 in the Big 10.

The U of O is back at PK Park this week for the regular season conference finale with another top 25 matchup against 18^th ranked USC.

SOFTBALL:

Oregon State won two of three in Southern California to take down Loyola Marymount in the final series of the season, concluding the Beavers time in the West Coast Conference, going back to the Pac 12 next season.

LOCAL:

It’s the 50^th anniversary of the PPP!

The Selco Pole Pedal Paddle is Saturday.

Deadline to enter is today (Mon).

It’s a benefit for the Mt Bachelor Sports Education Foundation.

PPP Race Director Marieka Greene says plenty of course volunteers are needed, especially with replacing the opening skiing legs at Mt Bachelor.

“So, the first one will have some elevation gain. We're calling it the mountain run. It'll be a little bit harder, about 2.8 miles, and then the next one we're calling the fun run. It's, it's relatively flat. It's going to be 1.2 miles.

Sign up to race by today, or volunteer at PPP Bend dot com.

DUCK FOOTBALL:

The Big Ten announced its Friday night schedule for the fall. Oregon will face off with Portland State on September 18 and its lone Friday conference game will take place on November 20 at Michigan State. 

MLS Round Up:

The MLS season continued over the weekend. The Timbers crushed Sporting Kansas City 6-0 at home. Kevin Kelsy scored a pair of goals to lead Portland, while Kristoffer Velde, Cole Bassett and Ariel Lassiter added one each. The Sounders played San Diego FC to a 1-1 tie. Danny Musovski scored the tying goal for Seattle in the 80th minute.

SPORTS 5-8

COLLEGE BASEBALL:

Number 13 Oregon is preparing for a big series at unanimous number 1 UCLA today (Fr).

The Ducks, are winners of four straight Big 10 series, and have lost only one in 17 series since joining the Big 10. However, the Bruins are undefeated at 24 – 0 in the conference and 44 – 4 overall.

The first of three games at Jackie Robinson stadium starts tonight.

10^TH ranked Oregon State is on the road for a series at Long Beach State starting this afternoon.

The Beavers will be without usual Friday starter Dax Whitney, out for the season with elbow surgery.

OSU will need to put together a good showing, that is lots of runs on the board, and keeping pitchers’ earned runs low to bump up its RPI against the 17 – 29 Dirt Bags.

SOFTBALL:

No. 11 ranked Oregon was upset yesterday coming in as the number two seed in this week’s Big 10 tournament. The Ducks lost by one run to seventh-seeded Wisconsin.

The U of O expects to have a decent seed in the NCAA tournament Regionals according to coach Melyssa Lombardi.

Oregon State beat Loyola Marymount in game one of their series.

U of O FOOTBALL:

The Oregon football team added to its 2027 recruiting class. Four-star offensive lineman Gus Corsair committed to the Ducks on Thursday. The Hays, Kansas native chose UO over offers from Miami and Vanderbilt, among others.

WNBA:

The Fire will play the first game in franchise history this weekend. Portland will face off with the Chicago Sky on Saturday at home. The WNBA returns to the Rose City for the first time since 2002, when the previous iteration of the Portland Fire completed their third season.

LOCAL:

The Happy Girls Bend race is tomorrow. The Half Marathon, 10K, and 5K races begin and end at Riverbend Park.  The day also includes the Happy Little Kids Run. Visit bendraces.com.

It’s the 50^th anniversary of the PPP!

The Selco Pole Pedal Paddle is Saturday the 16^th.

Bend’s Zoe Roy, an accomplished Nordic skier won the women’s elite category five times in a row, and had numerous other podium finishes, including one year with her mom, Muffy Roy, herself a two-time elite women’s winner.

It’s a benefit for the Mt Bachelor Sports Education Foundation.

Deadline to enter is Monday the 11^th.

Sign up to race or volunteer at PPP Bend dot com.

SPORTS 5-7

COLLEGE BASEBALL:

10^TH ranked Oregon State is up a spot in the RPI ranking this week to number 14 with two series left and no conference tournament for the Independent Beavers.

OSU continues on the road for a series at Long Beach State starting tomorrow.

Number 13 Oregon is preparing for a big series against unanimous number 1 UCLA tomorrow (Fr).

The Ducks, one of the top teams in the Big 10, have a 27 RPI.

SOFTBALL:

No. 11 ranked Oregon is the number two seed in this week’s Big 10 tournament.

The Ducks play today (Th) against seventh-seeded Wisconsin at 1:30 our time from College Park, Maryland.

Oregon State is in Southern California to take on Loyola Marymount for a series starting today.

MLS ROUNDUP:

The MLS season continues on Saturday. The Timbers will take on Sporting Kansas City at Providence Park. Portland is in 13th place in the Western Conference.

PORTLAND FIRE:

The Fire made a pair of trades ahead of the regular season. Portland sent forward Chloe Bibby to the Phoenix Mercury in exchange for the rights to guard Julia Ayrault. The team also sent guard Maya Caldwell to the Minnesota Lynx in exchange for a 2028 third round pick. The Fire begin their season Saturday with a home game against the Chicago Sky.

LOCAL:

Central Oregon Community College’s four-mile Jungle Run is today, and the two-mile, 465-step Storm the Stairs is May 19. Both are scholarship fundraisers for COCC. Register at cocc.edu/sports

It’s the 50^th anniversary of the PPP! The Selco Pole Pedal Paddle is Saturday the 16^th.

It’s a benefit for the Mt Bachelor Sports Education Foundation.

4 X Elite Winner in the early 80s, and multiple podium finisher Dennis Oliphant tells me the PPP was a hit right from the start. And quickly grew into a destination for adventure sport athletes

Deadline to enter is Monday the 11^th.

Sign up to race or volunteer at PPP Bend dot com.

SPORTS 5-6

COLLEGE BASEBALL:

10^TH ranked Oregon State got all they wanted from the Portland Pilots last night at the new Hillsboro Hops Ballpark.

But the Beavers broke through in the 12^th inning to get the midweek win 6 - 4.

OSU continues on the road for a series at Long Beach State on Friday.

Number 13 Oregon is preparing for big series against unanimous number 1 UCLA starting Friday.

SOFTBALL:

No. 11 ranked Oregon is the number two seed in this week’s Big 10 tournament.

The Ducks play tomorrow (Th) against the winner of seventh-seeded Wisconsin and 10th-seeded Purdue.

NBA:

The Trail Blazers coaching search continues.

According to published reports Portland has a list of almost 20 candidates.

There were unsubstantiated rumors the team is looking to pay a salary of one-million dollars a year.

The NBA’s lowest paid coach is Sacramento’s Doug Christie at 2-million annually.

Interim coach Tiago Splitter has stated he intends to vie for the job; several players have vouched for the long-time assistant, and support making him the permanent leader.

According to league sources, owner Tom Dundon and GM Joe Cronin have not made a hiring timeline known.

Portland currently doesn’t have any picks in June’s NBA Draft.

LOCAL:

Central Oregon Community College’s four-mile Jungle Run is tomorrow, and the two-mile, 465-step Storm the Stairs is May 19. Both are scholarship fundraisers for COCC. Register at cocc.edu/sports

It’s the 50^th anniversary of the PPP! The Selco Pole Pedal Paddle is Saturday the 16^th.

It’s a benefit for the Mt Bachelor Sports Education Foundation.

Deadline to sign up for the race is Monday the 11^th.

Sign up to race or volunteer at PPP Bend dot com.

SPORTS 5-5

COLLEGE BASEBALL:

Poll-a-palooza.

Oregon is ranked 8^th by Perfect Game, number 13 in the D1 Baseball dot com poll, 14^th in the Coaches poll, 15 by the Writers, and 23^rd in Baseball America.

The Ducks play unanimous number 1 UCLA in a series starting Friday.

Oregon State is ranked 7^th in Baseball America and the Writers’ poll, 8^th in the Coaches poll,10^th by D1 Baseball dot com and Perfect Game.

OSU has a midweek matchup with Portland tonight when the Beavers and Pilots meet at the new Hillsboro Hops Ballpark

SOFTBALL:

No. 11 ranked Oregon has the conference player of the week in slugger Stefini Ma’ake.

The sophomore is the 2^nd Duck player to receive that honor this season. The U of O is the number two seed in this week’s Big 10 tournament starting Thursday.

NBA:

The Trail Blazers could trade Jrue Holiday this offseason according to various reports.

Holiday and Jerami Grant have two of the largest veteran contracts on the team.

LOCAL:

The Happy Girls Bend race is Saturday. The Half Marathon, 10K, and 5K races begin and end at Riverbend Park.  The day also includes the Happy Little Kids Run. Sign up at bendraces.com.

It’s the 50^th anniversary of the PPP! The Selco Pole Pedal Paddle is Saturday the 16^th.

It’s a benefit for the Mt Bachelor Sports Education Foundation.

Deadline to sign up for the race is Monday the 11^th.

Former race director Molly Kelly tells me moving from Drake Park to the Old Mill District in the early 2000s helped scale up the PPP

MBSEF is having a PPP Trivia Night tonight (Tu) at Crux Fermentation Project in Bend, co-hosted by Molly.

Attendees are encouraged to wear their favorite PPP T-shirt and bring their favorite PPP Mug starting at 5:30 this afternoon.

SPORTS 5-4

COLLEGE BASEBALL:

Number 13 Oregon took two of three in Seattle to beat Washington and win another Big 10 series.

Number 6 Oregon State won their series over Cal State Northridge but received deflating news learning stand-out pitcher Dax Whitney will miss the rest of the season with elbow surgery.

SOFTBALL:

No. 11 Oregon won their series against No. 5 UCLA on the final weekend of the regular season, earning the Ducks the number two seed in this week’s Big 10 tournament.

MLS:

The MLS regular season continued over the weekend. The Timbers were shut out 2-0 by Real Salt Lake on the road. James Pantemis was forced to make 13 saves in the Portland setback.

LOCAL:

Central Oregon Community College’s four-mile Jungle Run is Thursday, and the two-mile, 465-step Storm the Stairs is May 19. Both are scholarship fundraisers for COCC. Register at cocc.edu/sports

It’s the 50^th anniversary of the PPP! The Selco Pole Pedal Paddle is Saturday the 16^th.   Bend local Jesse Thomas, former pro-triathlete, and 4-time men’s elite winner joked with me on just how much the PPP means locally.  It’s a benefit for the Mt Bachelor Sports Education Foundation. Deadline to sign up for the race is next Monday the 11^th.

SPORTS 5-1

NBA:

The Trail Blazers look forward to having Damian Lillard back in uniform next season. General Manager Joe Cronin spoke at length yesterday during the team’s exit interviews following Tuesday’s playoff ouster to San Antonio.

Cronin mentioned getting better on outside shooting, and continuing to develop the young players on the roster.

As far as the status on interim coach Tiago Splitter, Cronin indicated he is a candidate to keep the job, but said they are “casting a wide net to get to know a lot of different coaches”.

U of O MBB:

The Oregon men's basketball team added yet another transfer to its roster. Former Arizona forward Dwayne Aristode committed to the Ducks on Thursday. Aristode appeared in 35 games off the bench for the Wildcats, averaging three-point-eight points and one-point-seven rebounds in over 13 minutes.

COLLEGE BASEBALL:

Number 6 Oregon State will try to shake off the mid-week split with UT – Rio Grande Valley when they host Cal State Northridge for a three-game series starting tonight.

The Beavers will be celebrating the 20th anniversary of the program's 2006 National Championship.

Number 13 Oregon is on the road in Seattle to take on Washington for a three-game series beginning tonight.

SOFTBALL:

No. 11 Oregon visits No. 5 UCLA on the final weekend of the regular season with both teams in the hunt for the Big Ten title.

LOCAL:

The Mt. Bachelor Sports Education Foundation (MBSEF) is having a Pole Pedal Paddle at a PPP Trivia Night this Tuesday, May 5, at 5:30 at Crux Fermentation Project in Bend.

Attendees are encouraged to wear their favorite PPP T-shirt and bring their favorite PPP Mug.

The Happy Girls Bend race is at Riverbend Park next Sat, May 9, The Half Marathon, 10K, and 5K races begin and end at Riverbend Park.  The day also includes the Happy Little Kids Run. Sign up at bendraces.com.

SPORTS 4-30

NBA:

The Trail Blazers enter the offseason after another first round playoff exit. The franchise recently got some social media roasting over some of the money-saving measures implemented by new team owner Tom Dundon, including reportedly low-balling contract negotiations with interim head coach Tiago Splitter.

Portland also has decisions in free agency with Robert Williams III as their most notable unrestricted free agent.

After his playoff performance, Big Rob may have played himself into a bigger contract than Dundon wants to pay.

The team is over the salary cap with the bulk of that going to Jrue Holiday and Jerami Grant. Both could be traded.

The Blazers don’t have a pick, as of now, in June’s NBA Draft.

Then, there’s the anticipated return of Damian Lillard coming back from Achilles injury next season.

Lots of decisions for Dundon and whoever he has in the Blazers front-office.

COLLEGE:

In the continuing saga embroiling Oregon State’s Athletic department Kyle Bjornstad, former owner of Dam Nation, is suing Blueprint Sports, claiming the company owes him 155-thousand dollars from the sale of his NIL business.

The dispute follows Oregon State’s decision to end its contract with Blueprint.

Bjornstad is asking for payment and an apology.

U of O MBB:

The Oregon men's basketball team continues to add to next season's roster. The Ducks received a commitment from Boston College transfer guard Fred Payne. In 31 games with the Eagles this season, Payne averaged 15.8 points and four-point-two rebounds.

LOCAL:

Central Oregon Community College’s two long-running spring race events are happening on the Bend campus in May: the four-mile Jungle Run on May 7, and the two-mile, 465-step Storm the Stairs on May 19. Both are scholarship fundraisers for COCC. Register at cocc.edu/sports

SPORTS 4-29

NBA:

The Trail Blazers couldn’t keep pace with the Spurs last night, falling 114 – 95 and losing their first round series in San Antonio.

Portland’s season ends better than pre-season expectations, and certainly better than expected when their coach was arrested after their first game of the season.

They were also ranked 3^rd for most missed games due to injuries.

There are likely to be several off-season moves made by new team owner Tom Dundon, including the status of interim head coach Tiago Splitter.

We’ll unpack more of the Blazers options and outlook for next season the rest of this week.

COLLEGE BASEBALL:

Number 13 Oregon got a nice win over Gonzaga yesterday afternoon at PK Park.

The Bulldogs came into the contest ranked 33^rd in the RPI metric used to determine playoff seeding.

Number 6 Oregon State beat UT – Rio Grande Valley.

The Beavers and Vaqueros play again tonight.

SOFTBALL:

Oregon is ranked 11^th in the latest coaches’ poll and 15^th by USA Softball.

The Ducks have a huge regular season series-finale at number 6 ranked UCLA starting Friday.

LOCAL:

The Cascade Cycling Classic Criterium is back in downtown Bend on Sunday, June 21.  The prize purse for the Pro Men and Women’s field is the biggest purse for a one-day race in the U.S.  Equal payout between the pro men and the pro women of $20,000.  The pro racers and the junior racers need host housing for June 20th and June 21st.  Race information including sponsorship, volunteer and host housing opportunities can be found at www.cascadecyclingclassic.com

The University of Oregon has Happy Hour with head football coach Dan Lanning on May 19^th at Worthy Brewing in Bend.

SPORTS 4-28

NBA:

The Trail Blazers are in a 3 – 1 hole to the Spurs in their best of 7 first-round playoff series.

Portland coach Tiago Splitter spoke to the media on the situation the team finds itself in:

‘We’ve been in situations like this before throughout this season. Of course now is the playoffs, but we’ve been in situations where we have to win every game that we have in front of us. And we’re going to fight, one by one.’

Game 5 is back in San Antonio tonight.

Tip-off set for 6:30.

COLLEGE BASEBALL:

Poll-a-palooza.

Oregon moved up in the rankings following the sweep of Penn State and a mid-week win over OSU.

They’re ranked 11^th in Perfect Game, 13 in D1 Baseball, the Writers poll has them 14^th, and the coaches slot them 21^st.

The Ducks play Gonzaga this afternoon at PK Park.

Oregon State is ranked 5^th by the Writers and Baseball America. D1 Baseball, Perfect Game, and the Coaches poll put them 6^th.

The Beavers host UTRGV for games today and tomorrow. That’s the Vaqueros from the University of Texas – Rio Grande Valley.

FOOTBALL:

Former Oregon Running Back Noah Whittington went undrafted this past weekend but has signed a free-agent deal with the Houston Texans. Whittington was an honorable mention all-Big 10 Conference last season when he led the Ducks in rushing yards.

Tackle Isaiah World also signed an undrafted rookie free agent deal with the Los Angeles Chargers.

World was honorable mention all-Big 10 for the Ducks last season.

Also, the Pac 12 has released its updated logo.

The main difference in describing it for radio is the ‘A’ in Pac is now pointy at the top, where as the old one was leveled flat.

Otherwise, it’s mostly the same.

The conference press release says ‘new league, same legacy.’

The new Pac 12 conference with nine teams, eight that play football, officially launches July 1^st after the end of the current sports season.

SPORTS 4-27

NBA:

The Trail Blazers are in a 3 – 1 hole to the Spurs in their best of 7 first round playoff series.

Portland blew two big leads in both games 3 and 4, and let San Antonio take a commanding advantage.

Yesterday’s 114 – 93 loss had Deni Avdija lead the team with 26 points. Avdija got into an altercation with the Spurs’ Stephon Castle when he took exception to Castle shoving the ball into his chest.

Game four also set an NBA record for the biggest point swing in a loss with 38. Portland led by 17 at the half, and lost by 21.

Game 5 is back in San Antonio tomorrow night.

COLLEGE BASEBALL:

The 19^th ranked Ducks swept Penn State to win another Big 10 series.

6^TH ranked Oregon State swept Hawai’i.

SOFTBALL:

Number 12 Oregon won their three-game series with a win over Ohio State yesterday.

Oregon State got a win yesterday for a series win over Seattle U.

NFL DRAFT:

Oregon had seven players selected.

OL Emmanuel Pregnon went in the third round to Jacksonville, DB Jadon Canady and LB Bryce Boettcher were taken in the 4^th round. The 6^th round saw WR Malik Benson and OL Alex Harkey have their names called.

The Seahawks ended up with deals giving them eight picks after entering the draft with four.

NFL experts gave Seattle a B grade for their selections, noting they filled most of their needs.

SPORTS 4-24

NBA:

The Trail Blazers go into Game 3 with the best of 7 first-round series against the Spurs tied up after stealing game 2 

As of this writing, San Antonio star Victor Wembanyama is Questionable to play tonight after suffering a concussion in Tuesday’s game.

Despite social media speculation following a video the Trail Blazers released Wednesday, Damian Lillard remains out with his Achilles tear.

Although there’s still a sliver of hope for Rip City as head coach Tiago Splitter did not completely rule out Dame playing in this series.

Tip off tonight is at 7:30 at the Moda Center.

Sunday’s Game 4, also in Portland, tips at 12:30.

COLLEGE BASEBALL:

The 19^th ranked Ducks have Penn State in for a three-game series at PK Park starting tonight.

6^TH ranked Oregon State welcomes Hawai’i starting this afternoon.

SOFTBALL:

Number 12 Oregon has a three-game series with Ohio State starting tonight.

Oregon State plays their final home-series taking on Seattle U beginning tonight.

COLLEGE FOOTBALL:

It’s Spring Game Saturday in Corvallis and Eugene.

New Beavers head coach JaMarcus Shephard is eager to show-off what his team has been working on the past few months. Kickoff from Reser is at Noon.

Oregon looks to reload for another championship run behind a stacked roster of returning starters including quarterback Dante Moore and incoming transfers including QB Dylan Raiola.

KBND coverage of the Ducks’ Spring game starts at 1 tomorrow afternoon.

NFL DRAFT:

Oregon Tight End Kenyon Sadiq was picked at 16 by the New York Jets, and DB Dillon Thieneman was taken 25^th overall by the Chicago Bears.

More Ducks could be selected in tonight’s 2^nd and 3^rd round.

LOCAL:

Arena Football tomorrow night at the First Interstate Bank Center at the Fairgrounds in Remond. The Oregon Lightning host the Albany Firebirds with a 6 pm kickoff.

Central Oregon Community College’s two long-running spring race events are happening on the Bend campus in May: the four-mile Jungle Run is May 7, and the two-mile, 465-step Storm the Stairs is May 19.?
??Both are scholarship fundraisers for COCC.

SPORTS 4-23

NBA:

The Trail Blazers evened up the best of 7 series against the Spurs at a game apiece following Portland’s three-point win Tuesday.

Scoot Henderson erupted for 31 points to lead all scorers.

San Antonio center Victor Wembanyama is in concussion protocol after hitting the floor hard in the early part of game 2.

His status is not certain. We will likely know more later today.

Game 3 is tomorrow at the Moda Center.

COLLEGE BASEBALL:

The 6^TH ranked Beavers lost to the 19^th ranked Ducks at Coleman Field at Goss Stadium last night.

Oregon State pitchers Albert Roblez and Dax Whitney were each recognized with selections to midseason watch lists this week.

Roblez has been selected for the Stopper of the Year and Pitcher of the Year watch lists. Whitney is also on the Pitcher of the Year list.

SOFTBALL:

Number 12 Oregon beat Oregon State last night to sweep the rivalry series this season.

U of O FOOTBALL:

The Oregon football team added to its 2027 recruiting class. Four-star quarterback Will Mencl committed to the Ducks on Wednesday. The Chandler, Arizona native chose UO over offers from Miami and Washington, among others.

NFL DRAFT:

The Seahawks are looking to trade out of tonight’s First Round.

The Super Bowl champs have the last pick at number 32, and only four total picks.

As far as position needs go: running back, Edge Rusher, and Cornerback are thought to be the most pressing.

Oregon Tight End Kenyon Sadiq and DB Dillon Thieneman could have their names called tonight.

SPORTS 4-22

NBA:

The Trail Blazers evened up the best of 7 series against the Spurs at a game apiece following Portland’s 106 – 103 win.

Scoot Henderson led the way with 31 points, playing arguably his best game with the franchise, and many players came up clutch including Robert Williams III, and Jrue Holiday.

San Antonio was without star center Victor Wembanyama for much of the game after hitting is face on the floor after stumbling while driving to the basket. Wemby entered concussion protocol and his status will be questionable.

Game 3 is Friday at the Moda Center.

COLLEGE BASEBALL:

RPI (Ratings Percentage Index) this week:

Oregon State is down a spot to 12^th.

Oregon is down one to 27^th.

The 6^TH ranked Beavers host the 19^th ranked Ducks at Coleman Field at Goss Stadium today. First pitch at 5:35.

SOFTBALL:

OSU visits Eugene to play Oregon today. The Ducks are ranked number 12 in the Coaches poll and 14 by USA Softball this week.

First Pitch at 6 from Jane Sanders Stadium.

NFL:

The Seahawks are looking to trade out of the First Round of tomorrow’s Draft. The Super Bowl champs have the last pick at number 32.

General Manager John Schneider and Head Coach Mike Macdonald said at a press conference Monday the team would like to move back to get more picks, trading with a team who wants to move up in the first round.

Seattle currently has four picks over the entirety of the draft after trading two picks this previous season for kick returner Rashid Shaheed.

Meantime, while the ‘Hawks have been holding offseason work-outs this week.

SPORTS 4-21

NBA:

The Trail Blazers are down 0 – 1 in the best of 7 series against the Spurs.

As Portland regroups fans are wondering about how much new owner Tom Dundon is willing to spend on the team now that the more than 4-billion dollar purchase of the franchise has been approved.

Various reports say the team is looking to pay its next head-coach well below the league minimum.

The figure being mentioned is what assistant coaches typically earn.

Two-way players who won’t play in this play-off series didn’t travel with the team; every other team brings those players who aren’t on playoff rosters.

There are also rumblings the radio and TV broadcasts could be down-sizing.

And fans are upset the Moda Center won’t have promotional playoff T-Shirts for this Friday’s playoff game.

Color-coordinated free play-off shirts are a staple at NBA arenas. The Spurs fans had a great look Sunday.

Dundon was also criticized by fans and media early on over cost-cutting measures when he purchased the NHL’s Carolina Hurricanes .

Game 2 is tonight in San Antonio.

Tip off is at 5.
 

COLLEGE BASEBALL:

It’s poll-palooza Tuesday.

Oregon State is ranked 5^th in Baseball America, and they’re 6^th in D1 Baseball, Perfect Game and the Coaches’ and Writers’ polls.

The Beavers earned their 30^th victory last weekend, marking 17 straight seasons with at least 30 wins.

Oregon is ranked in four of the five polls: 16^th in the Perfect Game poll, 18^th by the Writers, 19 in D1 Baseball, and 21^st by the Coaches.

Also, Ryan Cooney was named Big 10 Co-player of the week for his big offensive outing over the weekend.

The Beavs host the Ducks tomorrow (Wed) at Goss Stadium.

OSU MBB 

The Oregon State men's basketball team lost a trio of players to the transfer portal. Guards Dez White and Isaiah Sy as well as center Johan Munch departed the program on Monday. OSU has now lost 12 players to the portal this offseason.

SPORTS 4-20

NBA:

The Trail Blazers fell in Game 1 of their first round playoff series in San Antonio. The 111 – 98 final puts Portland in an 0 – 1 hole in the best of 7 series.

They made a run in the third quarter to get close but ultimately didn’t have enough fire power to compete with the Spurs.

Game 2 is tomorrow night.
Also, Blazers’ breakout star Deni Avdija is a finalist for the NBA’s Most Improved Player.

Game 3 of the best of 7 series will be at the Moda Center Friday.

COLLEGE BASEBALL:

19th ranked Oregon slugged their way to a victory on the road at Illinois yesterday clinching another conference series.

The Ducks continue to roll in the Big 10 sitting in 4^th place.

6th ranked Oregon State won their series against Cal State Fullerton taking the rubber match 10 – 2 yesterday. Those 10 runs on a season-high 16 hits.

The Beavers evened the series Saturday following a dramatic 8^th inning comeback that included a go-ahead grand slam.

The Beavs host the Ducks Wednesday at Goss Stadium.

SOFTBALL:

Number 13 ranked Oregon swept 23rd ranked Washington for their 14^th straight Big 10 series win going back to last season. The Ducks are 3^rd in the conference standings.

Oregon State was swept on the road by Saint Mary's.

Next, OSU visits Eugene Wednesday.

LOCAL:

The Salmon Run Saturday in Bend drew hundreds of runners for the half marathon, 10K and 5K.

SPORTS 4-17

NBA:

The Trail Blazers lost two of their three regular season meetings with San Antonio.

The most recent L coming on a two-point defeat last week.

Although star center Victor Wembenyama sat out with an injury in each of the three contests.

He will be a tough matchup for Blazers bigs Donovan Clingan and Robert Williams III.

Portland coach Tiago Splitter told the media yesterday Wemby  would be a main focus for the whole team defense.

Game one is set for Sunday night in San Antonio with a 6 pm tip-off.

Game 3 of the best of 7 series will be at the Moda Center next Friday.

COLLEGE BASEBALL:

6th ranked Oregon State host Cal State Fullerton for a three-game series starting this afternoon.

Beavs stud Friday Pitcher Dax Whitney takes the mound at Coleman Field at Goss Stadium.

19th ranked Oregon is on the road at Illinois playing the Illini for the first time in a conference series.

The Ducks continue to roll in the Big 10 having won 20 of their 22 series since joining last season.

SOFTBALL:

Number 13 ranked Oregon plays 23rd ranked Washington for a three game series in Eugene as the Ducks recognize 60 years of softball with a tribute all weekend.

Oregon State is on the road for a trio of games over the weekend, facing the Saint Mary's Gaels.

LOCAL:

The Salmon Run is tomorrow in Bend.

The half marathon, 10K and 5K is in its 38^th year with the starter pistol firing at 9 tomorrow morning going along the Deschutes River trail, starting and finishing at Riverbend park.

SPORTS 4-16

NBA:

The Trail Blazers play-in win at Phoenix propels them into the first round of the playoff, fulfilling a 2021 trade-requirement giving the Chicago Bulls their first round pick this year.

The Blazers were an unlikely play-off contender when the season began last fall when head coach Chauncey Billups was arrested after the first game for being part of an alleged illegal gambling operation.

Now the team goes to the 62-win San Antonio Spurs for a first round-series.

The Blazers are not favored to win it.

Game one is set for Sunday night in San Antonio.

Game 3 of the best of 7 series will be at the Moda Center on Friday the 24^th.

Tickets for the first Portland Trail Blazers playoff games since 2021 are rising fast. The Blazers secured the seventh seed in the Western Conference after beating the Phoenix Suns on Tuesday night. They will face Victor Wembanyama and the San Antonio spurs in a seven game series, with at least two games guaranteed at the Moda Center. Game one of the series is set for Sunday in San Antonio, while games three and four at Moda are set for April 24th and 26th. Tickets are already on sale for the games in Portland, ranging from as low as 133-dollars for upper deck seats and as high as 38-hundred-dollars for courtside seats.

COLLEGE BASEBALL:

Baseball America has released this week’s projected field of 64 for this year’s NCAA Tournament.

The 6th ranked Oregon State Beavers could host their own regional in Corvallis, matched up with Gonzaga and maybe Oklahoma.

19th ranked Oregon is slotted as a two seed in the Austin Texas regional.

This projection is subject to change.

COLLEGE BASKETBALL:

The OSU men’s team has signed Center Yabi Aklog.

Head coach Justin Joyner announced Wednesday, Aklog will join the Beavers as a freshman four-star recruit out of Sammamish, Washington.  The Beavers returned only one scholarship player from last season.

Oregon State is adding one of the West Coast Conference's best three-point shooters. Legend Smiley committed to the Beavers Wednesday after transferring from the University of San Francisco. During his freshman season with the Dons, the six-five guard shot 42-percent from behind the arc. Smiley will be reunited with former USF assistant Michael Plank at OSU.

Oregon’s team was similarly decimated by transfers. UO head men’s coach Dana Altman cited less NIL money available to pay players as one of the reasons for the player exodus.  The Ducks have recently signed Boise State forward Andrew Meadow, who will be entering his Senior season.

##

SPORTS 4-15

NBA:

The Trail Blazers 114 - 110 win in Phoenix sends them to the 7^th seed and a matchup against the San Antonio Spurs Sunday.

Portland started off hot and built a lead, let that slip away near the end of the 3rd quarter, then fell behind to start the 4th.

But the team battled back, getting defensive stops when they counted.

Deni Avdija once again came up huge, scoring 41 points in last night’s play-in game to lead all scorers.

The veterans with major playoff experience, Jrue Holiday and Jerami Grant, also reached double figures in scoring.

Grant returned to the line-up after being injured for much of the end of the regular season.

It’s the first time in four years Rip City goes to the playoffs.

COLLEGE BASEBALL:

The game between the 6th ranked Oregon State Beavers and 19th ranked Oregon Ducks was postponed last night. 

OSU freshman pitcher Tyler Bellerose was involved in a car accident Monday that resulted in a serious medical condition according to the Beavers Baseball social media.

Softball:
Oregon State plays at Portland State today.

SPORTS 4-14

NBA:

The Trail Blazers are in Phoenix for tonight’s play-in game.

The scenario: If the Blazers win, they move up to the 7th seed in the playoffs facing 2-seed San Antonio.

If the Blazers lose, they have to play the winner of tomorrow’s game between the LA Clippers and Golden State Warriors to claim the 8th seed.

The Suns are slight favorites over Portland.

Tip-off at 7 with the game broadcast on Amazon Prime Video.

COLLEGE BASEBALL:

Civil War Baseball in Hillsboro tonight.

Both squads are ranked nationally with more than just state-bragging rights on the line. A Ducks win helps them when it comes a look at the postseason seedings. OSU needs every win against good teams it can’t get.

The Beavers slipped a spot down to 7th in the RPI, a key metric in postseason seeding.

With the voters’ polls this week Oregon State moved up in the polls to number five by Baseball America and the Writers. D1 Baseball dot com, the Coaches, and Perfect game have them sixth.

Oregon is up to number 19 in the Coaches poll and D1 Baseball. The Ducks lost the first game to OSU earlier this season in Eugene.

First pitch tonight on the neutral site at Hillsboro Hops Ball Park is 6:05

LOCAL:

The 38th Bend Salmon Run is Saturday at Riverbend Park.

SPORTS 4-13

NBA:

The Trail Blazers held off Sacramento 122 - 110 last night to take possession of the 8^th spot in the Western Conference, and finish the season at 42 – 40.

That sets up Portland to play at Phoenix tomorrow in the play-in game. If the Blazers win, they move up to the 7^th seed in the playoffs facing 2-seed San Antonio.

If the Blazers lose, they have to play the winner of tomorrow’s game between the LA Clippers and Golden State Warriors to claim the 8^th seed.

It's the first winning-season for the Trail Blazers in five years.

COLLEGE BASEBALL:

21st ranked Oregon hung on yesterday to beat number 19 ranked Nebraska and win the three-game series against the Cornhuskers.

The 7th ranked Beavers swept Cal Poly over the weekend battling the elements as much as a scrappy Mustangs squad. It took a walk-off base hit yesterday to complete the three-game sweep.

SOFTBALL:

Number 15 ranked Oregon swept their series at Maryland. The Ducks have won 8 straight.

OSU won their series against Pacific, 2 games to one.

LOCAL:

Yesterday’s Bend Marathon saw over two thousand runners cross a finish line competing in the marathon, half-marathon, 10K, and 5K distances.