Sports
Prep baseball playoffs: Boston Bateman is overpowering in Camarillo's 9-0 victory
The first thing you notice about left-hander Boston Bateman is his size. He’s 6 feet 8 with lots of hair sticking out from the back of his Camarillo High hat.
There’s high expectations whenever he pitches because he rarely gives up hits. Four times this baseball season, he has combined on no-hitters while giving up six hits in 48 innings with 102 strikeouts.
So there he was Thursday afternoon with the wind blowing in and not a cloud in the sky, pitching in an opening game of the Southern Section Division 4 playoffs against visiting Dos Pueblos, which joked about turning up the pitching machine to 92 mph in practice.
“Not hard enough,” a player said before the game.
Boston Bateman gets fired up. After two walks and hit batter loads bases, he gets strikeout. B4, Camarillo 2, Dos Pueblos 0. pic.twitter.com/IoLkQfCdkm
— eric sondheimer (@latsondheimer) May 2, 2024
It turned out that player knows what he’s talking about. Bateman, who committed to LSU but is expected to be a high draft pick, gave up two hits in 5 1/3 innings, striking out eight, walking three and hitting a batter in Camarillo’s 9-0 victory. He came through with a strikeout in the fourth with the bases loaded, showing emotion and trying to fire up his teammates. That led to a five-run inning in the bottom of the fourth.
Even though he had some command issues early in the season (he has 33 walks in 53 1/3 innings), Bateman clearly has made progress, putting him in position to be a draft candidate for the first or second round this summer. And pitching in Division 4, there’s going to be an opponent who gets lucky to beat him. He has four pitches, but his mid-90s fastball overpowers high school hitters. He’s limiting himself to 85 pitches to protect his arm.
“He’s grown so much since the beginning of the year,” coach TJ Foreman said.
Bateman is also one of Camarillo’s top hitters. He had an RBI single in the first inning and another single in the third. Tommy Goodin had two RBI hits. The Scorpions, seeded No. 1 in Division 4, had four bunts in the game, two going for singles. They will play at Murrieta Valley on Tuesday.
Troy Arenzana of Camarillo slides home and is called safe against Dos Pueblos.
(Craig Weston)
Hart 5, Simi Valley 4: In a wild Division 2 opener with darkness lurking in the bottom of the 14th inning, Hart finally won when Brayden Jefferis drove in the winning run with a one-out sacrifice fly. There were many heroes for Hart, which trailed 3-0. Troy Cooper entered the game in the eighth inning and allowed one hit in seven innings of relief.
Playoff magic happening at Hart right now!!!! Brady Werther with a 2-run HR on a 2-1 count, ties it up in the bottom of the 7th! Let’s go Hart!!! pic.twitter.com/wSVdmgbyso
— Hart High School (@HartHigh) May 3, 2024
But it was junior Brady Werther coming through most of all. He hit a two-run home run to tie the game 3-3 in the bottom of the seventh. He hit an RBI double to tie the game 4-4 in the bottom of the ninth. The win delays retirement plans for Hart coach Jim Ozella. The team advances to Tuesday’s second round at Newport Harbor.
Maranatha 4, Royal 0: Zach Strickland threw a no-hitter with 17 strikeouts in Maranatha’s Division 2 opener.
Villa Park 6, Bishop Amat 1: Justin Tims struck out nine and walked none in throwing a shutout in the Division 1 opener. Shawn Romero had three hits.
Orange Lutheran 6, Sierra Canyon 0: A six-run sixth inning sent the Lancers into the next round of the Division 1 playoffs. Gary Morse threw a one-hit shutout. Freshman Sean Parrow had the Lancers shut out for five innings but a bases-loaded walk and bases-loaded hit batter in the sixth got the Lancers rolling. Derek Curiel had a two-run single.
Westlake 10, Mira Costa 1: Johnny Backus hit a three-run home run in the first inning, and Nolan Johnson drove in five runs for Westlake, seeded No. 1 in Division 2. Dylan Volantis struck out 10 in six innings.
Arcadia 3, Long Beach Poly 0: Gabriel Lopez struck out eight, walked none and allowed four hits in 6 1/3 innings for Arcadia in Division 2.
Valencia 7, Aliso Niguel 1: Michael Mair threw a four-hitter and Aiden Voyles had four hits in Valencia’s 7-1 win.
San Juan Hills 1, Cajon 0: Drew Nelson threw six scoreless innings for San Juan Hills.
Ayala 6, La Serna 1: Caleb Trugman struck out nine in six innings and Dylan Wood had two hits and two RBIs for Ayala.
Arlington 4, Woodbridge 2: Nathan Chavez and Cody Kiemele combined on a seven-hitter for Arlington.
St. Francis 8, Windward 3: Jordan Lewallen had two hits and three RBIs for St. Francis.
Newport Harbor 1, Capistrano Valley Christian 0: Ryan Williams went four for four to lead Newport Harbor.
Quartz Hill 13, Charter Oak 1: Ismael Quintero struck out eight in six innings.
Chatsworth 7, Birmingham 3: The Chancellors handed Birmingham its first defeat after 12 consecutive West Valley League victories. Logan Ruiz had two hits and two RBIs and Mason Ruiz threw five innings for the Chancellors.
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Winning two knockout stage games? That means you’re really in the running to win the World Cup.
Let’s check out the updated odds for which countries will make it to the quarterfinals at FanDuel Sportsbook as of July 1.
This page may contain affiliate links to legal sports betting partners. If you sign up or place a wager, FOX Sports may be compensated. Read more about Sports Betting on FOX Sports.
To Reach Quarterfinals
France: -1250 (bet $10 to win $10.80 total)
Argentina: -425 (bet $10 to win $12.35 total)
Morocco: -260 (bet $10 to win $13.85 total)
Brazil: -240 (bet $10 to win $14.17 total)
England: -175 (bet $10 to win $15.71 total)
Spain: -140 (bet $10 to win $17.14 total)
Colombia: -105 (bet $10 to win $19.52 total)
USA: +105 (bet $10 to win $20.50 total)
Mexico: +140 (bet $10 to win $24 total)
Norway: +160 (bet $10 to win $26 total)
Portugal: +175 (bet $10 to win $27.50 total)
Canada: +180 (bet $10 to win $28 total)
Belgium: +185 (bet $10 to win $28.50 total)
Switzerland: +195 (bet $10 to win $29.50 total)
Senegal: +370 (bet $10 to win $47 total)
Algeria: +550 (bet $10 to win $65 total)
Egypt: +650 (bet $10 to win $75 total)
Ghana: +750 (bet $10 to win $85 total)
The USA is currently one of the favorites to reach the World Cup quarterfinals (Getty Images).
Here’s what to know about this oddsboard.
Recent History: The quarterfinals are kinda a given for France, at least in recent years. The French have made it to at least the quarterfinals in five of the last seven World Cups, and they have made the final in four of the last seven years, winning the tournament twice. Les Bleus are now heavy favorites at -1250 to beat Paraguay and get back to the quarterfinals.
The Host Nations: Before this summer, Canada had never won a World Cup match in two tournament appearances. But that has all changed. Canada is through to the Round of 16 after beating South Africa in the Round of 32. As for Mexico, it has recorded four straight scoreless wins to start the tournament for the first time in its nation’s history. El Tri will look to get back to the quarterfinals for the first time in 40 years after dominating Ecuador in the Round of 32. After its win over Ecuador, Mexico jumped from +290 to +140 to make the quarters. The U.S. looks to replicate the other two host nations’ knockout stage performances against Bosnia and Herzegovina on Wednesday.
Dodgers manager Tommy Lasorda celebrates after the Dodgers beat the Montreal Expos to win the NL pennant in 1981.
(Associated Press)
Years as manager: 1976-1996
Record: 1,599-1,439, .526 win pct
After serving as the team’s third base coach for four seasons, Lasorda took over as manager late in the 1976 season when Alston announced his retirement. He led the Dodgers to the National League pennant in his first two full seasons, losing both times to the Yankees in the World Series. He won his first World Series in 1981, knocking off the Yankees, and rallied his team to a surprise title in 1988 in which the Dodgers beat the heavily favored Athletics. Lasorda was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1997, his first year of eligibility.
A fiery and vibrant presence who spent 71 years with the Dodgers, Lasorda managed nine players who won the NL rookie of the year award. The Dodgers also opened the Japanese player pipeline on his watch. Hideo Nomo, the first Japanese big leaguer to permanently relocate to the U.S., joined the Dodgers in 1995. Three decades later, the team features Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto on its star-studded roster.
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Back in January, the odds that King James would retire before the beginning of the 2026-27 season were slightly longer than the odds that he would give it another go.
But as of now, it looks like LeBron will, in fact, give it another go but with a team other than the Lakers.
Here are the latest odds for where James could land next season at DraftKings Sportsbook as of June 30.
This page may contain affiliate links to legal sports betting partners. If you sign up or place a wager, FOX Sports may be compensated. Read more about Sports Betting on FOX Sports.
LeBron James Next Team Odds
Golden State Warriors: -115 (bet $10 to win $18.70 total)
Los Angeles Lakers: +105 (bet $10 to win $20.50 total)
Cleveland Cavaliers: +600 (bet $10 to win $70 total)
Miami Heat: +1000 (bet $10 to win $110 total)
New York Knicks: +3000 (bet $10 to win $310 total)
Detroit Pistons: +3000 (bet $10 to win $310 total)
Dallas Mavericks: +3000 (bet $10 to win $310 total)
San Antonio Spurs: +3500 (bet $10 to win $360 total)
Milwaukee Bucks: +4000 (bet $10 to win $410 total)
Brooklyn Nets: +4000 (bet $10 to win $410 total)
Washington Wizards: +5000 (bet $10 to win $510 total)
NBA free agency begins on June 30 at 6 p.m. ET. However, hours before its official start, LeBron James’ agent, Rich Paul, made a jaw-dropping announcement.
According to ESPN reporting, Paul notified the Lakers that the franchise could move on without LeBron because he plans to play elsewhere for the 2026-27 season.
James played for the organization for eight years — the longest he’s played for any other team. While in L.A., King James broke the all-time scoring record, won an NBA title and earned his fourth NBA Finals MVP.
The imprint he’s left on the league in his more than 20 years has been immeasurable.
Where will LeBron land next season now that his time in Los Angeles is over?
In addition to his tenure in Los Angeles, he’s played for the Cavaliers and the Heat, winning titles with all three franchises. He won Rookie of the Year, has four regular-season MVPs and is a 22-time All-Star.
James has averaged 26.8 points, 7.5 boards and 7.4 assists over the course of his career.
During the 2025-26 season, he helped lead the Lakers to a 53-29 record in the regular season. The team secured the No. 4 seed in the Western Conference and defeated Houston 4-2 in the first round.
Eventually, Los Angeles got bounced by Oklahoma City in the conference semifinals, 4-0, which marked LeBron’s last dance in Hollywood.
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