South Carolina women’s basketball head coach Dawn Staley is urging college fans to move on following a heated, verbal exchange with UConn coach Geno Auriemma after the two teams met in the Final Four.

In a statement Tuesday, Staley said she spoke with Auriemma and wants everyone to “turn the page” on the incident. In the statement, Staley praised Auriemma’s contributions to the game, adding, “I have a great deal of respect for him and what he’s meant to this game.”

Staley’s full statement read:

“I spoke with Geno, and I want to be clear — I have a great deal of respect for him and what he’s meant to this game. One moment doesn’t define a career, and it doesn’t change the impact he’s had on growing women’s basketball. The standard at UConn is what it is because of him, and that’s something this game has benefited from.

“So, I’m asking everyone to turn the page. Let’s refocus on what matters most — continuing to elevate our game, creating opportunities and pushing it forward.

“That’s always been my mission and it’s not changing.”

Staley and Auriemma were thrust into the spotlight following South Carolina’s 62-48 win over UConn in the Final Four on Friday. With the contest just about over, Auriemma approached Staley to shake her hand. He exchanged words with Staley, which then resulted in a heated, verbal argument between the two. Auriemma needed to be pulled away from the altercation.

Auriemma initially expressed defiance when asked about the moment after the game, though later released an apology. But following South Carolina’s loss to UCLA in the championship game, Staley said she had yet to hear from Auriemma.

That apparently changed in the days since that game, and both Staley and Auriemma appear to have buried the hatchet now.

With the feud seemingly in the past, both Staley and Auriemma can focus on getting their teams another title. While both have proven adept at getting that done, UCLA’s impressive run gives both coaches something to focus on other than each other during the offseason.

Boston Red Sox first baseman Willson Contreras is sick of being hit by the Milwaukee Brewers. Contreras, who has been hit by the team 24 times over his major-league career, sent a message to the Brewers’ organization following yet another hit-by-pitch during Monday’s 8-6 win by Milwaukee.

After the contest, Contreras said the next time he’s hit by a Brewers pitcher, he’s going to “take one of them out.”

While the comment could get Contreras in trouble with the league, the stats do seem to back up Contreras’ frustration. His 24 hit-by-pitches against Milwaukee are 10 more than Contreras has against any other MLB team, per ESPN. On top of that, the Brewers’ starter Monday, Brandon Woodruff, has hit Contreras six times over their careers.

Contreras — who previously played in the National League Central with both the Chicago Cubs and St. Louis Cardinals — said he was tired of hearing Brewers pitchers say, “I'm not trying to hit you.”

Brewers players, meanwhile, tried to put the blame on Contreras, with Christian Yelich saying they’ve “seen that skit for the last 10 years.” Woodruff echoed that sentiment, saying he’s been through this multiple years with Contreras, who Woodruff believes is “trying to get his side fired up” with his reactions to being hit.

To make things slightly more awkward, Contreras’ brother William is the Brewers’ catcher. After Willson was hit by Woodruff, William walked down the first-base line with Willson, trying to calm him down and make sure he didn’t go after Woodruff.

William didn’t necessarily put the blame on his brother, but said, “He plays like that” when asked about the situation after the game.

If the situation is going to escalate, it’s going to be in the next couple days. The Red Sox and Brewers play Tuesday and Wednesday and then don’t meet again during the regular season.

Contreras will undoubtedly be anxious to see how the Brewers treat his threat the next two games. Things could get ugly between both sides if he’s hit again.

It’s been just over a week into the 2026 MLB regular season, and the New York Mets are already experiencing adversity. Star outfielder Juan Soto — who the team signed to a 15-year, $765 million deal in 2024 — was placed on the Injured List on Monday due to a calf strain.

The team announced the news on social media, noting that calf strains usually result in a two-to-three week absence for a player.

Soto, 27, originally sustained the injury during Friday’s 10-3 win over the San Francisco Giants. After singling and running the bases in the first inning of that contest, Soto was replaced by outfielder Tyrone Taylor in the bottom of the first inning.

With his injury status up in the air, Soto did not play Saturday or Sunday. The Mets won both contests without Soto.

Known for both his hitting prowess and durability, Soto hasn’t spent much time on the Injured List during his nine-year MLB career. The only two seasons in which he’s played in fewer than 150 games were his rookie year, when he was called up in May, and the COVID-19 shortened 2020 season, when the MLB schedule was just 60 games.

That durability has allowed Soto to get off to a historic start to his career. Since being called up to the majors, Soto has a .282/.417/.531 slash line, with 245 career home runs. He’s a six-time Silver Slugger winner, four-time All-Star and a perennial contender for the MVP award.

Soto’s strong numbers have also carried over to the postseason, where he has a career .281/.389/.538 slash line in 191 plate appearances. His playoff excellence helped the Washington Nationals win the World Series in 2019.

With Soto sidelined, it will be on the Mets to prove they have enough depth to stay afloat. The team is off to a solid start so far this season, coming into Monday sitting at 6-4. Taylor will likely see more playing time with Soto sidelined.