As the Indianapolis Colts approach their first preseason game, rookie quarterback Sam Ehlinger took some practice reps with the first team offense Tuesday. Coach Frank Reich said that the sixth round pick out of Texas plays really smart and has good instincts. Reich added it was more about giving Ehlinger an opportunity as opposed to something second year gunslinger Jacob Eason did wrong. The Colts open the preseason Sunday at home against Carolina, and Eason is expected to be the starter.
The Colts announced that Wednesday morning’s training camp practice at Grand Park in Westfield has been moved indoors due to the potential for inclement weather. Fans will not be permitted to attend due to NFL Health and Safety protocols. Fresh off signing a new contract, linebacker Darius Leonard took to the practice field Tuesday for the first time in camp. The fourth-year star had what the team described as a minor surgery on his ankle in June.
The college football preseason coaches’ poll was released Tuesday, and a pair of Indiana teams were ranked in the top 25. Notre Dame was ranked seventh, while Indiana came in at number 17. The Fighting Irish are coming off a 10-2 season in which they lost in the College Football Playoff semifinals to eventual national champion Alabama. The Hoosiers have never been ranked in the preseason coaches’ poll and will take on 18th ranked Iowa to kick off the season September 4th.
Valparaiso University announced that the school has adopted the nickname of “Beacons” for its athletic teams. Valpo announced in February that it would move away from the name Crusaders because it had been co-opted by hate groups. University president Jose Padilla said the new nickname “directly connects to the University’s motto,” which is “In Thy Light We See Light.”
The Atlanta Braves beat the Cincinnati Reds 3-2 Tuesday night. Trailing 2-0 in the fourth, former Red Adam Duvall tied the game with a two-run blast. Atlanta took the lead for good on a bases loaded walk in the sixth. The St. Louis Cardinals allowed just one hit and won 4-1 over the Pittsburgh Pirates. The Milwaukee Brewers swept a doubleheader against the Cubs. The Brew Crew took the first game 4-2 behind three home runs. In the night cap, Milwaukee plated six runs in the fifth inning and went on to defeat the Chicago 6-3.
The Minnesota Twins defeated the White Sox 4-3 to snap Chicago’s four-game winning streak. Willians Astudillo connected on a two-run, go-ahead home run in the sixth and the Twins evened the series at a game a piece. The Sox held on to a 10.5 game lead in the AL Central due to Cleveland 4-3, 10 inning loss to the Oakland Athletics. In Baltimore, the Detroit Tigers cruised to a 9-4 win over the Orioles.
