Florida Sports Wires

Special to Florida Sports Wires JACKSONVILLE (www.jaxsportsnews.com)  – Miami Marlins right-handed pitcher Anthony Bender is scheduled to join the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp on Tuesday to begin an injury rehabilitation assignment with the club’s 7:45 p.m. ET first pitch at the Memphis Redbirds from AutoZone Park. Bender was placed on the injured list on June 30 with a right shin stress reaction. He had pitched in 35 games for Miami prior to his injury, going 1-1 with a 2.62 ERA. Over 34.1 innings, the 31-year-old had yielded only 21 hits and 12 walks while striking out 41.  A native of Petaluma, Calif., Bender was originally drafted by the Kansas City Royals in the 20th round of the 2016 draft out of Santa Rosa Junior College (Calif.). He reached as high as High-A Wilmington in the Royals’ organization before getting released during Spring Training in 2019.  Bender latched on with independent Sioux City of the American Association, pitching in two games before signing a m...

By Jeff Moeller, Florida SportsWire (www.jaxsportsday.com) - It was important to see the Jaguars mount their comeback against the Saints and pull out a 24-20 victory. The game certainly can serve as a motivator as well as ignitor for the rest of the preseason. However, this is preseason where the outcome of the games really doesn't matter. Instead, it’s the old-time adage on how you got there. For the Jaguars, hopefully, it is a true indicator and not just one based on facing second- third-, and fourth-stringers. What the Jaguars need this summer is to establish their running game. Against the Saints, they may have taken the first step. Behind rookie, free agent J’Mari Taylor, the Jags ran for 118 yards on 36 carries. Taylor paced the field with a workmanlike 78 yards on 22 carries.  When you look at 118 yards, it doesn’t seem like much. But the 36 carries are the difference. The heavy-pass offense Jags threw just 25 times behind the backup core of Nick Mullens, Joey Aguilar, and ...

Special to Jax Sports News JACKSONVILLE (www.thefloridasportswire.com) – The Syracuse Mets rallied in the eighth inning to defeat the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp 4-3 Saturday night at VyStar Ballpark in front of 7,435 fans.  MJ Melendez (14) slugged a solo homer off Jacksonville (59-58, 17-26) reliever Jack Ralston (L, 5-2) with one out in the top of the eighth to give Syracuse (58-60, 20-23) the lead for good.  Syracuse opened the scoring in the top of the first against Jumbo Shrimp starter Karson Milbrandt after Melendez walked and Ronny Mauricio (14) slugged a two-run home run to center field to give the Mets a 2-0 lead.  Johnny Olmstead (8) cut the deficit to 2-1 in the second with a solo homer off Syracuse starter Kevin Herget. Jacksonville knotted the score at three in the sixth with a two-out rally. Cam Cannarella singled and Deyvison De Los Santos (17) launched a two-run homer to right. Once Syracuse retook the lead, Chris Devenski (SV, 1) earned his first save wit...

Special to Jax Sports News FORT LAUDERDALE (www.thefloridasportswire.com) - The Sporting JAX women’s team made a season-opener statement against Fort Lauderdale United FC with a 1-0 win, taking the lead in the 89th minute after a scoreless first half. The late game-winning goal came from Baylee DeSmit, one of Sporting JAX’ stars in their inaugural season. “It feels great,” said DeSmit. “I hope it’s just the beginning, but obviously it feels great to get that win under our belt to start off, and be able to provide for the team like that.” DeSmit had a strong start to her professional career in the 2025/26 season, where she made 25 appearances with 12 goals and two assists. Her 12 goals brought her even with teammate Ashlyn Puerta, the 2025/26 Player of the Year recipient, for the most goals on the team. The women will head back to Hodges Stadium for their home opener against another familiar in-state rival, Tampa Bay Sun FC.  Sporting JAX has gone 7-0-2 against their Sunshine State...

Special to Jax Sports News JACKSONVILLE (www.thefloridasportswire.com) The Sporting JAX men’s team put up a strong fight against Eastern Conference rival Indy Eleven on Saturday, but ultimately fell, 1-0, after the visitors took the lead in the closing minutes. Jackosonville h ead coach Liam Fox after the match: “We probably weren’t as ruthless as I would like us to be in the final third. We probably didn’t create enough chances, but some of the football was really, really good. And it’s difficult for me to say that at the moment, say that was positive because we’ve come away with a cheap goal at the end from a team that we know are very dangerous at set pieces, and ultimately that cost us tonight.” “Every week we’ve got an opportunity to bounce back. As has been the message all throughout the season, we’ll get back in to work and we’ll look forward to the next one.” Saturday’s match served as Sporting JAX’s first home match in nearly a month, with fans returning to Hodges Stadium to c...

  ARLINGTON, Texas (www.thefloridasportsday.com) Dallas Renegades tight end Baylor Cupp and Orlando Storm running back Tre Stewart have signed with the Arizona Cardinals of the National Football League, the team announced today. The signings bring the total number of 2026 UFL players who have earned NFL contracts to 51.  Since August 1, 47 UFL players have signed with or worked out for NFL teams, participating in a combined 57 NFL workouts during that span. Overall, 83 UFL alumni are currently under contract with NFL teams and participating in NFL training camps, continuing the league's role as a development pathway for professional football players. Cupp (6-6, 243, Texas Tech) appeared in nine games for the Renegades in 2026, recording eight receptions for 73 yards, including a 20-yard reception. He joins the Cardinals following his first season in the UFL. Cupp entered the NFL as an undrafted free agent with the Kansas City Chiefs in 2024 after completing his collegiate car...

By Don Coble, Florida Sports Wire (www.jaxsportsday.com) There were so many player swaps, especially on the offensive line, during Thursday’s joint practice with the New Orleans Saints that head coach Lian Coen said he couldn’t keep up with the changes. He also said to expect that to continue when Jacksonville opens its preseason schedule against the Saints Saturday, August 15, at the Mercedes Superdome. Kickoff is scheduled at 4 p.m. on ESPN Unlimited. “I couldn’t even tell you who was in at the end, honestly,” Coen said after Thursday’s workout. “It was just a lot of rotating in there, whether it's because of trying to get guys work at different spots in these settings or because we had some guys cramping and had to mix it up.” Coen also plans to step back and observe the entire operation from the sidelines. Coen normally calls the offensive plays, but he will give that headset to Offensive Coordinator Grant Udinksi. That way, the second-year coach can also pay attention to the d...

  By Jeff Moeller, Jax Sports News Welcome to the Big Easy. The Jaguars will be in New Orleans Saturday to officially open the season. These are two teams that don’t have much of a history between them, as there have only been eight regular-season meetings, the last with the Jaguars pulling out a 31-24 victory in a pretty interesting game. In a joint practice Thursday, the Jaguars apparently made it look relatively easy. For Lawrence, the city’s “Big Easy” moniker could be his for the season. He has to make it look easy.  They started slowly, but eventually Trevor Lawrence looked good, tossing a pair of touchdown passes to Jakobi Meyers - looking like his new favorite target- song with Parker Washington and Brian Thomas Jr. This was after Lawrence was picked off on his first pass. It was another untimely throw that Lawrence will need to correct.  Saturday night, the two teams will tee it up for real, but the regulars will likely be done before halftime.  Lawrence’s f...

Special to Florida SportsTicker LAWRENCEVILLE, Ga. (www,jaxsportsday.com) – Jace Beck tossed a no-hitter on Sunday in the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp’s 4-0 rain-shortened, five-inning victory over the Gwinnett Stripers from Gwinnett Field. The only base runner Beck (1-1) yielded came on an error to begin the bottom of the first before he retired the next 15 batters, five via strikeout. The contest was halted with Jacksonville (57-55, 15-23) leading 4-0 following the fifth inning due to inclement weather.  Beck’s no-hitter was the second of the season for Jacksonville, following Braxton Garrett’s 8.0-inning no-hitter in a 2-0 loss on April 21, also at Gwinnett. Beck was one of two players traded by the Chicago Cubs for Garrett on August 3 to the Marlins. The no-hitter is also the 15th in Jacksonville history (1970-present) and the first rain-shortened no-no since Elih Villanueva’s 5.0-inning no-hitter on August 15, 2010 against Carolina. Deyvison De Los Santos got the scoring started ...

By Jeff Moeller, Florida Sports Wire JACKSONVILLE (www.jaxsportsnews.com) - When he took over as offensive coordinator last season, Grant Udinski had plenty of pressure on him. Udinski was part of the new regime under GM James Gladstone and head coach Liam Coen. He had the challenge to take the team to the next level after predecessor Press Taylor failed in his attempt the previous three seasons. But this was a new beginning for Udinski. He previously had served  as assistant offensive coordinator and assistant quarterbacks coach  for Minnesota during the  previous three seasons, and was an assistant coach for four previous seasons.  There were plenty of questions surrounding the 29-year-old on whether he was ready for the job.  He certainly had the deck stacked against him.   Udinski inherited an offense that was derailed due to Trevor Lawrence’s early season-ending injury, and the Jags never got on track with a 4-13 overall slate. Prior to that seaso...

From Florida SportsTicker TAMPA  (www.thefloridasportswire.com) – South Florida junior kicker Nico Gramatica has been named to the preseason watch list for the Lou Groza Collegiate Place-Kicker Award, the Palm Beach County Sports Commission announced Friday. Gramatica is one of three American Conference players named to the 35-player watch list. The 35th Annual Lou Groza Collegiate Place-Kicker Award, presented by the Orange Bowl, recognizes three finalists during a celebration in Palm Beach County, culminating with a banquet gala on December 7th in West Palm Beach, Florida.   The Award is named for National Football League Hall of Fame kicker Lou “The Toe” Groza, who played 21 seasons with the Cleveland Browns. Groza won four NFL championships with Cleveland and was named NFL Player of the Year in 1954.  Gramatica earned Second Team American All-Conference honors last season, his first as the Bulls’ starting kicker. He went 18-of-24 (75%) on field goal attempts, ty...

From Florida SportsTicker ORLANDO (www.thefloridasportswire.com) – Orlando Storm running back Jashaun Corbin has signed a contract with the Dallas Cowboys of the National Football League. Corbin becomes the fourth Orlando player and 39th player from the 2026 UFL season to sign an NFL contract since the conclusion of the season. He joins defensive end Keshawn Banks (Atlanta Falcons), wide receiver Cam Camper (New York Jets), and cornerback D.J. James (New York Giants) as Orlando players to earn NFL contracts. Corbin played in all 10 games for the Storm in 2026, rushing for 438 yards on 131 carries with three touchdowns. He added 118 receiving yards and 322 kick return yards to finish with 878 total yards, ranking third in the UFL. His 438 rushing yards also ranked third in the league. An All-UFL selection in 2025, Corbin led the league with 514 rushing yards while playing for the San Antonio Brahmas. He averaged 5.3 yards per carry and scored four rushing touchdowns. Corbin originally s...

From Florida SportsTicker BOCA RATON (www.thefloridasportswire.com) – An accomplished and respected college athletics administrator with proven fundraising and revenue generation success, Josh McCowan was announced Friday as vice president and director of athletics at Florida Atlantic University. McCowan, who will be officially introduced next Friday during a press conference at the Schmidt Family Athletics Complex for Academic and Athletic Excellence, brings more than 15 years of high-level collegiate athletics experience to Boca Raton that has included stints at Mississippi State University, Kansas State University and University of Colorado. "I'm thrilled to name Josh McCowan as our next vice president and director of athletics. Florida Atlantic has a proven track record of attracting young, rising leaders, and Josh's experience, energy, and commitment to excellence make him a perfect fit for our dynamic university," said FAU President Adam Hasner. "I want to...

Special to Jax Sports News LAWRENCEVILLE, Ga. (www.jaxsportsnews.com) – The Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp split their doubleheader against the Gwinnett Stripers Saturday by winning the opening game 8-4 and dropping the finale 4-1 in a five-inning rain-shortened contest. In game one, Jumbo Shrimp (56-55) starter Bradley Blalock (W, 2-8) allowed three unearned runs and one walk over five innings while striking out eight Stripers (58-54) to earn his first winning decision since May 2.  Jacksonville opened the scoring in the top of the first after Cam Cannarella singled, stole second and scored on a Graham Pauley double.  The Jumbo Shrimp expanded their lead to 5-0 thanks to a four-run top half of the third. Garret Forrester walked and Cannarella doubled to open the frame. Jonathon Long’s single one batter later plated Forrester. A throwing error on a pickoff attempt by Gwinnett starter Drue Hackenberg (L, 1-1) brought in Cannarella. Kemp Alderman (15) capped off the rally with a two-...

By Jeff Moeller, Florida Sports Wire JACKSONVILLE - When you think about the Jaguars’ offense for 2026, a few things could easily come to mind. Trevor Lawrence is likely the first player to come to mind, and he will  be expected to lead the Jags to take the next step and get beyond their first round of the playoffs after a 13-win season last year. There’s also wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr., who will look to return to his rookie form in his third season after struggling to stay in the limelight last season with only two touchdown receptions.  But Thomas Jr. 's production drop was overshadowed by the emergence of Parker Washington and the early season acquisition of Jakobi Meyers that both elevated the position.  Then there’s the Jags’ revamped running game without Travis Etienne and young backs Bhayshul Tuten and LeQuint Allen team with veteran Chris Rodriguez that will provide a new look. But what makes it all work? It’s the Jaguars’ offensive line. The Jags brought bac...

CHARLOTTE, NC (www.jaxsportsday.com) – The MLS All-Stars defeated the LIGA MX All-Stars, 4-2, in the 2026 MLS All-Star Game presented by Chime before a capacity crowd of 35,197 at Bank of America Stadium.  The victory improved MLS to 4-1 all-time against LIGA MX in the MLS All-Star Game. Son Heung-min scored twice in the first half to lead the MLS All-Stars to victory and earn 2026 MLS All-Star Game MVP honors. Scoring Summary: LMX - Rey (Brunetta), 9' Juan Brunetta (Tigres) delivered a curling set piece to the back post, where Luis Gabriel Rey (Chivas) headed it home to open the scoring. MLS - Son (Gil), 20' WATCH - Carles Gil (New England Revolution) played a perfectly weighted ball over the defense to Son Heung-min (LAFC), who took a touch before calmly finishing to level the match for the MLS All-Stars. MLS - Son (Gil, Mukhtar) 23' WATCH - Hany Mukhtar (Nashville SC) found Carles Gil (New England Revolution) with a clipped pass, who's cross found Son Heung-min (LA...