Hang it in the rafters

The GIST: Yesterday was like Christmas for softball fans, starting with the news that MLB will make a strategic investment in the Athletes Unlimited Softball League (AUSL) ahead of their debut season next week, followed by a high-octane opening day of the Women’s College World Series (WCWS). Let’s unpack all the latest.

📈 MLB invests in professional softball for the first time: Pro softball has a long and complicated history in the U.S., with many leagues debuting, then folding over the years, never seeing support from the sport’s pro baseball counterpart.

• But this game-changing investment, which will see AUSL games aired on MLB Network, joint marketing efforts, and more, opens tons of doors for the new league, which is already backed by a superstar lineup including AUSL Commissioner (and former MLB general manager) Kim Ng. Just the beginning.

🎓 Four-time defending champ No. 2 seed Oklahoma survives Day 1 stunner: The seemingly inevitable Sooners pulled off more magic yesterday — down to their final out, sophomore Ella Parker blasted a three-run home run, lifting her squad to a 4–3 walk-off win over No. 7 Tennessee.

• The five-peat quest continues tomorrow at 3 p.m. ET vs. No. 6 Texas, a rematch of last year’s championship series, headlining the rest of the double-elimination action rolling on throughout the weekend. No pressure, no diamonds.

The GIST: The Stanley Cup Final is officially set, while the quest for the NBA’s Larry O'Brien Trophy is still a three-horse race. Only the strong survive in the postseason.

🏀 NY Knicks stave off elimination with Game 5 win: This lead was safe — and fans across the Big Apple exhaled after the Knicks extended their season with last night’s 111–94 win over the Indiana Pacers (up 3-2). NY’s Jalen Brunson exploded for 32 points, while Indy’s Tyrese Haliburton was held to a mere eight in the loss. Expect these superstars to keep jawing in tomorrow’s 8 p.m. ET Game 6 from Indiana.

• Meanwhile, the Oklahoma City Thunder punched their first Finals ticket since 2012 with Wednesday’s 124–94 Game 5 shellacking of the Minnesota Timberwolves. OKC’s always been a vibe, but now with the league’s best defense and MVP in Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, they look virtually unstoppable.

🏒 Edmonton Oilers continue goal-scoring surge in series-clinching Game 5 win: The Oil burned bright from puck drop, lighting the lamp three times in the first period en route to a 6–3 dub over the Dallas Stars. Save Game 1, Edmonton dominated all series, outscoring the Stars 19–5 in Games 2 through 5 to return to next week’s Stanley Cup Final for the second straight season.

• And their opponent is an all-too-familiar foe: The reigning champ Florida Panthers earned their third straight finals berth with Wednesday’s 5–3 comeback W over the Carolina Hurricanes. With the storm weathered, the Cats have bigger goals than a run-of-the-mill conference championship.

The GIST: The U.S. Women’s Open — the second LPGA major of the season — is underway from Wisconsin’s gorgeous and notoriously challenging Erin Hills amid palpable buzz surrounding women’s golf. Excitement’s in the air — here’s what you need to know as the gals tear up the tee boxes.

👀 World No. 1 Nelly Korda eyes first win of the year: After a tremendous 2024 campaign, Korda (who sits four shots back following yesterday’s opening round) is practicing patience to overcome a slow, but promising, start.

• The reigning Rolex Player of the Year had already notched six of her astounding seven wins by this time last year. In 2025, Korda is playing well with six top-25 finishes, but remains trophy-less. All eyes on her.

💰 LPGA hires Craig Kessler as new commissioner: Last Thursday, the LPGA announced that the former Topgolf chief operating officer would take over the Tour, a monumental move made in hopes that women’s golf can capture the zeitgeist in the same way the WNBA, Unrivaled, and NWSL recently have.

• Plus, Kessler will have the chance to build on significant strides made under former commissioner Mollie Marcoux Samaan, most visibly in the Tour’s increased prize pools — like the record-setting purse at this weekend’s Open. Fore!

🎾 French Open: Marie Bouzková vs. No. 2 Coco Gauff — Tomorrow — TNT/Max

• Gauff is one of seven American women still competing in Roland-Garros after cruising through the second round in straight sets yesterday. That said, her serve did look a bit shaky — tune in to see if she can return to her excellent clay form.

⚽ UEFA Champions League: Paris Saint-Germain vs. Inter Milan — Tomorrow at 3 p.m. ET — CBS

• The most important annual men’s European soccer match is here, with perennial bridesmaid, France’s PSG, and Italy’s experienced Inter competing for the region’s most prestigious title.

• After years of building around (and saying goodbye to) generational talents, PSG finally found their groove and is oh so close to its first Champions League trophy, while Inter will rely on its veteran core after narrowly losing just two years ago.

🇺🇸⚽ No. 17 China vs. No. 1 USWNT — Tomorrow at 5:30 p.m. ET — TBS/Max

• Among the many fresh faces at this USWNT camp is one beloved millennial: Kansas City Current captain (and celly queen) Lo’eau LaBonta, who at 32 years old could become the oldest player to debut for the national team if she takes the field tomorrow.

🏎️ F1: Spanish Grand Prix — Sunday at 9 a.m. ET — ESPN

The race for motorsports’ shiniest trophy is neck-and-neck: Three points separate McLaren teammates Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris in the standings, with Red Bull’s Max Verstappen hot on their heels. Add in a new regulation, and it’s anyone’s guess who tops the podium.

🔆 Highlight-reel dimes are the stuff of legends — smooth, flashy, and impossible to ignore. But sometimes it’s the assists you don’t see on replay that really change the game.

❣️ That’s why State Farm’s ongoing partnership with Indiana Fever superstar Caitlin Clark is a no-brainer: They’re both assist maestros, making plays on the court and in the community.

• State Farm’s not dropping behind-the-back dimes, but they are all in on women’s hoops, from teaming up with Clark to making sure this newsletter hits your inbox for free.