Texas
Texas Longhorns’ Air Force Transfer Target Rytis Petraitis Announces Decision
AUSTIN — The Texas Longhorns went guard-heavy to begin their portal spree but still need to add more to the frontcourt. They’ll have to continue looking after Sunday’s latest news.
Feb 10, 2024; Colorado Springs, Colorado, USA; Air Force Falcons forward Rytis Petraitis (31).
Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports
Per an announcement on his X (Twitter) account, Air Force transfer Rytis Petraitis has committed to Cal, choosing the Golden Bears over Texas. The Arlington, Texas native visited the Forty Acres earlier this month, but is now deciding to take his talents out west instead of coming back to his home state.
This past season, Petraitis led Air Force in points (15.7), rebounds (6.3), assists (3.7), blocks (0.9) and steals (1.6). Safe to say he was a do-it-all player for the Falcons, and the Longhorns clearly recognized this.
Air Force finished last in the Mountain West regular-season standings, but had some big wins, most notably a shocking 90-58 road win at UNLV on Jan. 23. In the win, Petraitis posted the second-ever triple-double in Air Force history with 18 points, 13 rebounds and 11 assists. He added three blocks and two steals in what was a dominant performance from the Falcons.
The Longhorns and coach Rodney Terry would’ve certainly loved to add Petraitis to the fold, but it’s possible a larger role awaits him at Cal.
The Golden Bears had some Austin/Longhorn connections last season. Former Longhorns Devin Askew and Jaylon Tyson played at Cal in 2023 along with Austin native Keonte Kennedy.
A day off at the pool — and a little sunburn — didn’t stop the Minnesota Twins’ momentum.
Brooks Lee hit a three-run homer as Minnesota scored multiple runs in the first inning for the third consecutive game, and the Twins went on to complete a series sweep of the Texas Rangers with a 9-3 win Thursday.
Minnesota has won four games in a row and scored 25 runs in the three-games series in Texas. The two teams had a rare, mid-series day off on Wednesday with the England-Croatia World Cup game being played in Arlington.
“We’re locked in every day,” Lee told Audra Martin on the team’s broadcast. “Yesterday, taking time off, lay out by the pool, get a little burnt and then right back to it. We did a good job getting focused. I feel like we do that with rain delays, too, just lock back in and we’re doing it.”
Lee’s 12th homer capped a four-run first off Jack Leiter (3-7). Trevor Larnach made it 6-0 in the fourth with a two-run shot to straightaway center that just cleared the extended glove of leaping Alejandro Osuna. Larnach’s third hit was an RBI single in the fifth, and Ryan Kriedler hit a two-run homer in the eighth.
Joe Ryan (5-3) struck out seven but needed 97 pitches to get through five scoreless innings while allowing three singles. Leiter was done after the fourth, and has given up 17 runs while losing three starts in a row.
The Twins never trailed in the sweep that extended their winning streak to four, matching their longest this season. Their 14-5 record at Globe Life Field is the best for any American League opponent since the ballpark opened in 2020.
Wyatt Langford, Ezequiel Duran and Justin Foscue hit solo homers for the Rangers, who have lost five of six games. They are 0-15 when giving up multiple runs in the first inning.
Twins DH Josh Bell, who was born in nearby Irving and grew up in the area, had an RBI single before Lee’s homer. Bell hit a three-run homer in the first inning of the series-opening 4-2 win Monday, and had an RBI single for a 2-0 lead in the first of a 12-2 win on Tuesday.
“We’re just passing the baton each time,” Lee said of the offensive output. “Our guys are hot. They feel good and they came out swinging today. It was awesome to see. We’ve done that for a while now.”
Up next
Twins rookie left-hander Connor Prielipp (2-4, 5.26 ERA) starts Friday at Arizona. The Diamondbacks are scheduled to start right-hander Michael Soroka (8-3, 3.11).
Watch CBS News
A Texas state trooper was killed in a crash in the Panhandle, becoming the 244th Texas Department of Public Safety officer to die in the line of duty since 1823, according to the agency.
Sergio Romero, 27, died Wednesday after a semi-truck pulled in front of him as he attempted a traffic stop around 4 p.m. on U.S. 287 in Childress County, DPS said.
In a statement, Col. Freeman F. Martin praised Romero’s courage, integrity, and service.
“Today, we grieve the loss of one of our own,” Martin said. “… Our hearts break alongside his family, friends, fellow troopers, and all who loved him. We will never forget the ultimate sacrifice he made in service of his fellow Texans.”
Romero previously served with the Hall County Sheriff’s Office before joining DPS as part of Class B-2025 in Childress, the agency said.
He is survived by his wife, Francisca, and their two young sons.
Funeral arrangements are pending. The crash remains under investigation.
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