Local Sports News: July 4, 2025

Anthony Leal’s Request to play a Sixth Year for Indiana University Men’s Basketball has been Denied Indiana guard Anthony Leal had his waiver for an extra year of eligibility denied by the NCAA, according to a report from Peegs.com, ending his career after five seasons. The 2020 Indiana Mr. Basketball and Bloomington native played in 95 games, starting 16 –14 last season. “He’s the most selfless person possible,” fellow IU guard Luke Goode said of Leal in March. “He’s one of those guys that doesn’t care what shows up in that stat sheet; all he cares about is the win column. “When you get a player like that that’s selfless, can play 30 minutes, can guard the other team’s best offensive player, that’s a valuable guy to any team or program.”

Leal’s case for a waiver rested on the 2022-23 season, when he played just 11 games and dealt with nagging injuries. In the past, the NCAA has not granted medical redshirts to players who played in the back half of the season, even if they missed large portions of the season with an injury. Leal was trying to change that. His case is similar to that of Goode, the Fort Wayne native who has also applied for a waiver but has not yet heard from the NCAA about it. The Homestead grad played just 10 games in 2022-23 for Illinois after suffering a broken foot in a preseason scrimmage. The main difference between the petitions is that Leal’s appearances were spread throughout the season while Goode’s all came at the end of the campaign.

There had been indications recently that Leal’s waiver request was trending in the wrong direction. First, the Hoosiers, who had previously kept roster spots open for Goode and Leal, brought in freshman Serbian guard Aleksa Ristic to be part of the 2025-26 team. Then, Tuesday, Leal issued a call on X for anyone who might be interested in some of his team-issued gear. Leal, who got his Master’s degree from the Kelley School of Business in May, averaged 3.3 points, 2.9 rebounds, 1.8 assists and 1.1 steals for the Hoosiers last season while shooting 57.8% from the field and 41.2% from 3-point range. The 6-foot-5 guard’s career highlight came in the 2024 Big Ten Tournament, when he scored a late putback basket to beat Penn State.

Indiana University Field Hockey announces 2025 Season Schedule Indiana Field Hockey head coach Kayla Bashore has announced the team’s 2025 schedule. The schedule includes 17 regular season games and three exhibition contests. Of the 17 games, there are nine Big Ten games and eight non-conference matchups. Including the exhibitions, there will be 11 home games at Deborah Tobias Field.

The Hoosiers’ three exhibition games come at Ball State (Aug. 14), vs. Bellarmine (Aug. 16) and at Miami (OH) (Aug. 20). Indiana’s opening weekend will feature a neutral site game against Boston College (Aug. 30) and a road game at Maine (Sep. 1). Both games will be played at Maine. In the next three weekends, Indiana will play six consecutive home games, facing Drexel (Sep. 4), Louisville (Sep. 7), Lock Haven (Sep. 12), St. Francis (Sep. 14) and two games against Iowa to open Big Ten play (Sep. 19 & 21). In the following six weekends of the season, Indiana will face the remainder of its Big Ten opponents and two more non-conference contests, including a home game against UC Davis (Oct. 3) and a road trip to Miami (OH) (Oct. 13).Indiana will close out the regular season with a road trip to Michigan (Oct. 31). Dates and times are subject to change between now and the start of the season.

Indiana Field Hockey 2025 Schedule (All times listed in EST)

Five Indiana University Student Athletes Attend the Big Ten Student-Athlete Engagement Leadership Retreat Five Indiana student-athletes recently took part in the two-day Big Ten Conference Student-Athlete Engagement Leadership retreat June 16-18 at Big Ten headquarters. Among those attending were Lenée Beaumont (women’s basketball), Garrett Messer (track & field), Tyler Morris (football), Jordan Rayford (Men’s Basketball) and Mary Kate Sullivan (women’s soccer). Student-athletes had the chance to network with alumni and current student athletes from all 18 schools while attending breakout sessions and guest speakers on the topics of financial literacy, mental health, personal branding, NCAA legislation and leadership. The group also had a chance to hear from Big Ten Commissioner Tony Petitti while ending the two-day retreat with a field day with the Boys & Girls Club of America.

“I’m so grateful I had the opportunity to be part of the Big Ten Leadership Retreat. It was an amazing experience from start to finish. I learned so much and came away with valuable lessons and insights. All the speakers were so engaging and impactful, and it was especially meaningful to connect with student-athletes from other schools. I can’t wait to bring everything I learned back to Indiana Athletics and my team”. – Mary Kate Sullivan.

“I was truly honored to attend the inaugural Big Ten Leadership Retreat over the summer at the Big Ten headquarters. The experience was both inspiring and enriching, and I’m excited to bring the insights and lessons I gained back to my school and team. We heard from a multitude of passionate and educated speakers over topics such as leadership, mental health, and how to brand yourself. I also got the opportunity to interact with other student-athletes from every institution in the Big Ten and made meaningful connections with many of them”. – Garrett Messer.

Indianapolis Indians beat the Louisville Bats 3-2 in Louisville Ronny Simon and Nick Yorke’s homers combined for all the Indianapolis Indians runs, and Indy’s bullpen held the Louisville Bats scoreless for the final four frames in Wednesday night’s 3-2 victory at Louisville Slugger Field. Simon opened the game for Indianapolis (47-35, 5-3) with his third lead-off home run of the season for Indy in just 21 games. Simon’s three lead-off home runs are tied for the third-most lead-off homers by an Indians hitter since at least 2005.Additionally, he matched Brian Bixler in 2009 and Ji Hwan Bae last season for the most lead-off home runs by an Indian in a single season in that same time frame.

Nick Yorke added some much-needed insurance for Indianapolis in the fourth inning with a towering two-run home run. Louisville (36-47, 4-4) threatened with a bases-loaded jam in the second but were not able to muster anything more than five hits off Thomas Harrington (W, 5-8) until the fifth inning. With two outs in the frame, the Bats scratched across two runs with a string of three singles and a walk but could not rally any further. Cam Sanders, Kyle Nicolas, Dauri Moreta and Tanner Rainey (S, 3) held Louisville 3) held no runs across the final four innings to secure the victory. Adam Plutko (L,2-5) surrendered both home runs and took the loss for Louisville despite turning in 6.0 innings of work.

Indy Ignite Names Lauren Bertolacci as Head Coach for the 2026 Season After coming off of an inaugural championship season, the Indy Ignite are adding some serious experience to arguably the most pivotal position — head coach. The team announced Lauren Bertolacci as their new head coach Wednesday Bertolacci was just recently the head coach of the Swiss Volley powerhouse Viteos NUC and is currently the head coach of the Swiss Women’s National Team. “From my very first conversations with the leadership at Ignite, I felt a strong connection to their vision, values and professionalism. It’s clear this organization is building something special, and I’m excited to join a team that made such a powerful statement in its first season. To be part of pushing Ignite toward championship contention again in 2026 is a tremendous honor,” Bertolacci said. “The growth of the fan base and the momentum around the team in Indiana is inspiring. I can’t wait to get started!” f a recent championship and powerhouse coaching experience isn’t enough, she also has a wide array of experience on the court.

Before coaching, Bertolacci was a professional player for 10 years as a setter in France, Germany, Spain and Switzerland. The new head coach will start her tenure with the Ignite immediately. While leading the team, Bertolacci will also work with the front office to “shape the culture around the Ignite community and promote the sport of volleyball across Indiana and beyond,” according to the Indy Ignite. Just a couple of months ago, the Ignite made a championship run to finish as the runner-ups in the PVF. Bertolacci will be replacing former head coach George Padjen.

Kokomo to get a New Summer Collegiate Baseball Team Some exciting news for sports fans out of Kokomo! A new summer collegiate baseball program will be coming to Kokomo Municipal Stadium. Northwoods League team, the Kokomo Jackrabbits. previously played in the facility up until this season. “This would have been the 10th year for baseball in Kokomo, and we kind of had a parting of ways with the former organization and put out for bids,” said Mayor Tyler Moore. Now, Bullpen Ventures are up to bat. They’ll be creating a new team and taking care of the facility. The group already manages Grand Park in Westfield, as well as Championship Park just down the road. “It felt like it was necessary for us to grow our baseball roots here,” said Bullpen Ventures President Blake Hibler.

“Joe Thatcher, one of our owners, played professionally for nine years, and was a little bit inspired to get Kokomo collegiate summer baseball back on track.” Several other players from the area have also knocked it out of the park over the years. “We’ve had collegiate baseball here, literally going back to the ’60s,” said Brent Owens, one of the committee members. “Off those teams, the Highlanders, the local high schools, we’ve had a lot of major league pitchers come.”

With the recent upgrades to turf, lighting, and netting, those involved hope thousands will come to fill the stands and root for the home team. During this year’s hiatus, local teams have been playing on the field. “We have a really good relationship with IUK that’ll continue, and with the high school to ensure, really, that the local athletes are playing here, as well as the future professionals,” said Hibler. While Bullpen is working to evaluate potential players, they’re also working with the city on the brand. “The next steps for the team, we’re going to come up with some suggested team mascots or logos and have the community participate in voting on who the next team’s name may be,” said Moore. Opening day for the new team will be in May 2026.