The Columbian

National Sports

Seattle Kraken defenseman Ryker Evans (39) reaches for the puck on a shot blocked by San Jose Sharks goaltender Devin Cooley, bottom left, with Kraken right wing Eeli Tolvanen (20) assisting during the first period of an NHL hockey game, Thursday, April 11, 2024, in Seattle.

Cooley cool under pressure with 49 saves as Sharks top Kraken 3-1

April 11, 2024, 10:02pm National Sports

Devin Cooley withstood a barrage of shots to make 49 saves in his fourth career start and the San Jose Sharks spoiled the Seattle Kraken's home finale with a 3-1 win Thursday. Read story

FILE - Buffalo Bulls running back O.J. Simpson (32) has his jersey pulled by Baltimore Colts linebacker Mike Curtis, during the second quarter of an NFL football game in Baltimore, Md., Oct. 12, 1975. Simpson, the decorated football superstar and Hollywood actor who was acquitted of charges he killed his former wife and her friend but later found liable in a separate civil trial, died Wednesday, April 11, 2024, of prostate cancer. He was 76.

Before murder charges tarnished his legacy, O.J. Simpson was one of NFL’s greatest running backs

April 11, 2024, 4:34pm National Sports

Long before the Bronco chase gripped a national television audience and the “Trial of the Century” captivated the country, O.J. Simpson was making his mark on the football field. Read story

FILE - In this June 15, 1995 file photo, O.J. Simpson, left, grimaces as he tries on one of the leather gloves prosecutors say he wore the night his ex-wife Nicole Brown Simpson and Ron Goldman were murdered in a Los Angeles courtroom. Simpson, the decorated football superstar and Hollywood actor who was acquitted of charges he killed his former wife and her friend but later found liable in a separate civil trial, has died.

OJ Simpson, fallen football hero acquitted of murder in ‘trial of the century,’ dies at 76

April 11, 2024, 12:19pm Latest News

O.J. Simpson, the decorated football superstar and Hollywood actor who was acquitted of charges he killed his former wife and her friend but was found liable in a separate civil trial, has died. He was 76. Read story

Seattle Kraken center Shane Wright, top right, celebrates his goal with Justin Schultz (4) and Jordan Eberle (7) as Arizona Coyotes defenseman J.J. Moser, right, skates away during the first period of an NHL hockey game Tuesday, April 9, 2024, in Seattle.

AHL call-up Shane Wright sparks Kraken to 5-0 win over Coyotes

April 9, 2024, 9:53pm National Sports

Shane Wright scored 68 seconds into the first period for his fourth goal in four games since being called up from the AHL, Philipp Grubauer made 39 saves in his second shutout of the season, and the Seattle Kraken beat the Arizona Coyotes 5-0. Read story

Toronto Blue Jays' Bo Bichette (11) runs the bases after hitting a two-run home run off Seattle Mariners pitcher George Kirby, foreground, during the third inning of a baseball game Tuesday, April 9, 2024, in Toronto.

Blue Jays hand Mariners third straight loss

April 9, 2024, 7:59pm National Sports

Bo Bichette hit a two-run homer, Chris Bassitt pitched 6 2/3 effective innings to win for the first time in three starts this season and the Toronto Blue Jays beat the Seattle Mariners 5-3. Read story

Seattle Mariners pitcher Luis Castillo reacts during fourth-inning baseball game action against the Toronto Blue Jays in Toronto, Monday, April 8, 2024.

Castillo falls to 0-3 as Mariners lose 5-2 in Blue Jays’ home opener

April 8, 2024, 7:45pm Latest News

José Berríos pitched 6 2/3 shutout innings, Davis Schneider hit a two-run single and the Toronto Blue Jays won their home opener Monday night, beating the Seattle Mariners 5-2. Read story

A Hank Aaron bobblehead commemorating the 50th anniversary of Aaron breaking Babe Ruth’s career home run record is shown before a baseball game between New York Mets and Atlanta Braves Monday, April 8, 2024, in Atlanta. Aaron hit his 715th home run on April 8, 1974.

50 years after Hank Aaron’s 715th homer, Hall of Fame announces statue, Postal Service unveils stamp

April 8, 2024, 4:50pm National Sports

The 50th anniversary of Hank Aaron’s 715th home run was marked Monday with announcements of a new statue at Baseball’s Hall of Fame and a new commemorative stamp from the U.S. Postal Service. Read story

South Carolina head coach Dawn Staley celebrates after the Final Four college basketball championship game against Iowa in the women's NCAA Tournament, Sunday, April 7, 2024, in Cleveland. South Carolina won 87-75.

South Carolina finishes perfect season, beating Clark and Iowa

April 7, 2024, 3:19pm Latest News

Dawn Staley and South Carolina completed their perfect season, ending Caitlin Clark’s historic college career with an 87-75 win over Iowa in the NCAA championship game Sunday. Read story

UConn forward Samson Johnson celebrates a basket during the second half of the NCAA college basketball game against Alabama at the Final Four, Saturday, April 6, 2024, in Glendale, Ariz.

UConn returns to NCAA title game, beating Alabama 86-72

April 6, 2024, 8:38pm National Sports

UConn kept its bid to repeat as national champion intact by surviving its first true test of the NCAA Tournament, getting 21 points from freshman Stephon Castle while clamping down defensively in the second half of an 86-72 win over Alabama in the Final Four on Saturday night. Read story

Purdue guard Fletcher Loyer (2) celebrates with guard Braden Smith (3) after scoring against North Carolina State during the second half of the NCAA college basketball game at the Final Four, Saturday, April 6, 2024, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/David J.

Zach Edey, Purdue power their way into NCAA title game

April 6, 2024, 5:56pm National Sports

Purdue kept its March Madness dream alive while snuffing out North Carolina State’s, getting 20 points and 12 rebounds from Zach Edey in a 63-50 victory Saturday that placed the Boilermakers a win from their first NCAA title. Read story