Arizona
Arizona State Extends Baseball Coach Willie Bloomquist
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Arizona State coach Willie Bloomquist (Photo by Eddie Kelly / ProLook Photos)
Arizona State plans to extend head baseball coach Willie Bloomquist for two additional seasons through the 2028 campaign, sources told Baseball America. The extension is pending formal approval from the Arizona Board of Regents.
Bloomquist was set to earn $390,000 from July 1 through June 30, 2026, the final year of his existing deal. As part of the extension, Arizona State adjusted some of Bloomquist’s contract incentives and is planning to increase its overall investment in the baseball program, sources said. The Sun Devils currently fund 34 full scholarships, the maximum allotment permitted.
The timing of the extension reflects a measured show of confidence following a pivotal season for both Bloomquist and the ASU program.
Hired in the summer of 2021, Bloomquist returned to his alma mater with no head coaching experience and inherited a program navigating significant change. His first three seasons were subpar, marked by flashes of competitiveness but ultimately falling well short of the standard long associated with ASU baseball.
The Sun Devils went 26-32 in 2022, 32-23 in 2023 and 32-26 in 2024, missing the NCAA Tournament in each of those seasons. The three-year postseason absence represented the longest drought in program history, an uncomfortable distinction for one of college baseball’s most historically successful programs. As the sport rapidly evolved around the transfer portal and NIL, the pressure to accelerate results mounted.
ASU finally broke through in 2025, finishing 36-24 overall and 18-12 in their first season competing in the Big 12 to end the postseason drought and reestablish a baseline of competitiveness. While the season did not fully restore the national stature the program once routinely commanded, it provided tangible evidence of progress and stability after several transitional years.
That momentum carried into the offseason, when the Sun Devils assembled one of their most complete teams under Bloomquist. ASU retained key pieces from their 2025 roster, most notably top pitcher Cole Carlon, a lefthander who emerged as a reliable anchor for the staff out of the bullpen, and emerging outfielder Landon Hairston, among others.
ASU also made a significant push in the transfer portal, securing commitments from three top 100 transfers: former Cal shortstop PJ Moutzouridis, former UNLV outfielder Dean Toigo and former TCU righthander Kole Klecker.
The planned increase in institutional investment aligns with those roster moves. In an era when resources increasingly shape competitive ceilings, ASU’s willingness to increase its baseball budget signals an understanding of the demands required to contend at a high level. While details of the expanded support were not immediately available, the move suggests a more aggressive approach to sustaining success in the Big 12 and nationally.
For Bloomquist, the two-year extension provides continuity without dramatically altering the short-term expectations attached to the job. It offers stability as he continues to shape the program while still placing an emphasis on sustained results.
The Sun Devils enter the next phase of Bloomquist’s tenure with clearer alignment. The extension does not erase the challenges of the past four seasons, but it does position ASU to evaluate progress on firmer footing as it looks to turn a single breakthrough season into something more durable.
Arizona
Arizona Diamondbacks Gameday Thread, #40: 5/11 @ Rangers
Any time we go to Globe Field, memories immediately go back to the 2023 World Series, when we faced the Texas Rangers in this ballpark. It’s interesting to note that neither team has made it back to the postseason since then. Indeed, at least the D-backs have come close: the Rangers failed to post a winning record in 2024 or 2025, missing out on the playoffs by eight and six games respectively. The two sides have similar records right now as well, with Texas’s 19-21 a mere half a game behind Arizona’s 19-20. However, in the mediocre AL West, that’s good enough for the Rangers to be in second, two games back of… the Athletics? Wait, what?
Yeah, the last time before this year the A’s had sole possession of first was June 19, 2021 – y’know, back when they were in a different city, and weren’t embarrassed to name it. But, then, the AL as a whole is strikingly mediocre, with only three teams above .500: the Yankees, Rays and A’s. It’s because just four teams have winning records in interleague play, and none of those are better than 5-4. Right now, the National League is 25 games above .500 in interleague play, at 315-290. Texas are 7-8, taking two of three from the Cubs, Phillies and Pirates, but losing to the Dodgers and getting swept by the Reds (y’know back when they didn’t suck).
Last time the Diamondbacks were here was in August last season, and we took two out of three. We lost the opening game on a walkoff, 7-6, but rebounded to take the next two contests, by margins of 3-2 and 6-4. Andrew Saalfrank got the save in the final game. How long ago that all seems. We’ll see if Michael Soroka can keep the sterling streak of starts going. He was certainly a hard-luck loser last time, allowing just the one run over 6.1 innings. But that was enough in a 1-0 loss. In his last three start, the D-backs have scored a total of two runs, so hopefully he gets a bit more support tonight.
Arizona
Where to watch Arizona Diamondbacks vs Texas Rangers: TV channel, start time, streaming for May 11
What to know about MLB’s ABS robot umpire strike zone system
MLB launches ABS challenge system as players test robot umpire calls in a groundbreaking season.
Baseball is back and finding what channel your favorite team is playing on has become a little bit more confusing since MLB announced plans to produce and distribute broadcasts for nearly a third of the league.
We’re here to help. Here’s everything you need to know Monday as the Arizona Diamondbacks visit the Texas Rangers.
See USA TODAY’s sortable MLB schedule to filter by team or division.
What time is Arizona Diamondbacks vs Texas Rangers?
First pitch between the Texas Rangers and Arizona Diamondbacks is scheduled for 8:05 p.m. (ET) on Monday, May 11.
How to watch Arizona Diamondbacks vs Texas Rangers on Monday
All times Eastern and accurate as of Monday, May 11, 2026, at 6:32 a.m.
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MLB regional blackout restrictions apply
MLB scores, results
MLB scores for May 11 games are available on usatoday.com . Here’s how to access today’s results:
See scores, results for all of today’s games.
Arizona
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