Arizona Sports Updates: Rattlers, ASU Baseball, and Phoenix Rising FC
As spring sports continue to thrive in Arizona, there are several exciting developments across college athletics and professional teams. From the indoor football scene to baseball and soccer, here’s a detailed look at what’s happening around the state.
Rattlers Defense Dominates
The Arizona Rattlers delivered a strong performance on Sunday, April 19, in Prescott Valley, defeating the Northern Arizona Wranglers 44-32 in an Indoor Football League game. The Rattlers’ defense played a crucial role in this victory, intercepting three passes from Ramone Atkins.
Despite trailing 16-7 after the first quarter, the Rattlers mounted a remarkable comeback with a 31-7 scoring run to take a 38-23 lead with less than 10 minutes remaining. The Wranglers were held scoreless in the third quarter, which proved to be a turning point in the game.
NAZ (0-4) managed to score two deuces through kicker Nestor Manuel Higuera, with the last one coming with 4:33 left to narrow the gap to 38-32. However, Arizona responded with a 18-yard scoring run by Corey Reed Jr., sealing the 44-32 win. Reed also caught an 8-yard pass from Max Meylor, contributing to the victory.
The Rattlers will return home on Saturday, April 25, to face the Tulsa Oilers (1-2), continuing their season of strong performances.
ASU Baseball Secures Series Against BYU
Arizona State baseball secured a series win against BYU, marking another successful weekend for the Sun Devils. After rallying from a seven-run deficit, the team won 12-8 on April 18, showcasing their resilience under coach Willie Bloomquist.
This win was the sixth seven-run comeback under Bloomquist, highlighting the team’s ability to perform under pressure. The Sun Devils batted .571 in the game, scoring 11 of their 12 runs after the second out had been recorded.
With this win, ASU improved to 8-1 in weekend series this season and 4-1 in rubber matches. The team will host New Mexico State on Wednesday, April 22, followed by a three-game series against Baylor from April 24-26.
Phoenix Rising FC Blanks Miami FC
Phoenix Rising FC made a significant impact in Florida, securing a 3-0 win over Miami FC at Pitbull Stadium in West Miami on April 18. Forward Ihsan Sacko scored his second brace of 2026, while goalkeeper Patrick Rakovsky maintained his third clean sheet.
This victory marked the club’s first road win of the season, following a previous 3-0 win against New Mexico United on April 11. The match also saw the debut of new forward Dom Badji, who joined the team after being acquired earlier that Saturday.
Badji, a 33-year-old veteran with 10 seasons of MLS experience, brings valuable experience to the team. He has played for several top MLS clubs, including D.C. United, Colorado Rapids, and Nashville SC.
Rising FC is set to continue its Prinx Tires USL Cup campaign against Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC on April 25 at Phoenix Rising Stadium.
Phoenix Rising FC’s U.S. Open Cup Run Ends
Phoenix Rising FC’s 2026 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup journey came to an end with a 2-0 loss to the San Jose Earthquakes on April 15 at PayPal Park. Defender Daniel Flores made his first start of the season, and the team competed in the Round of 32 for the fourth time in five seasons.
Despite facing a high-level opponent, Rising FC showed determination in the tournament. The team defeated San Ramon FC and Orange County SC to earn a spot against San Jose, which plays in the highest division of North American soccer.
Phoenix will now travel to face USL opponent Miami FC to close its third, three-match week of the 2026 season.
ASU Pitcher Sets Season High in Strikeouts
Arizona State senior Kenzie Brown made history on April 14, tallying a season-high 16 strikeouts in a 5-1 win against No. 19/24 Grand Canyon. This performance nearly doubled the previous single-game high for any ASU pitcher against GCU, surpassing Allison Royalty’s record of 9 from April 6, 2021.
Third baseman Emily Schepp broke the scoreless game in the fourth inning with a solo home run, followed by a bases-clearing double from second baseman Tiare Ho-Ching, giving the Sun Devils a 4-0 lead.
ASU (32-13, 5-10 in Big 12) will aim to boost its postseason prospects with a road trip to Houston beginning on April 17.
ASU Hockey Sees Multiple Players Enter Transfer Portal
The Arizona State hockey program experienced a major shift as nine players entered the transfer portal following its opening on April 13. Seven of them found new programs, with some notable departures.
One of the biggest losses was elite forward Cullen Potter, who committed to Michigan State after initially choosing ASU. Potter’s sophomore season was cut short due to a season-ending injury, but he had previously shown promise with 12 goals and 14 assists in 24 games.
Other players who have committed include Joel Kjellberg, Austin Zemlak, Carmelo Crandall, Anthony Dowd, Brasen Boser, Justin Kipkie, and Sam Court. Freshman Ty Nash remains in the portal.
ASU added seven new commitments, including Rylan Brown, Sam Hillebrandt, Ben Muthersbaugh, Daniel Shlaine, Nic Chin-Degraves, Matthew Mayich, and Filip Nordberg, bringing depth and talent to the program.
