Adrian, MI – Below is the Inside The Cave Sports Update from Friday, July 25th…
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Former Adrian College men’s NCAA hockey goaltender, Dershahn Stewart, has officially signed a professional contract with the Coventry Blaze of the Elite Ice Hockey League, marking the beginning of his professional playing career post-graduation.
A native of Amherstburg, Ontario, Stewart spent the past five seasons with the Adrian College Bulldogs, where he established himself as one of the premier goaltenders in NCAA Division III hockey…and was part of the 2022 National Championship team.
Over five seasons, he played in 77 games, amassed 50 career wins, and earned numerous accolades. In the 2023–24 season, Stewart recorded a .936 save percentage, one of the highest in the nation. He followed that up with another strong campaign in 2024–25, finishing with a .910 save percentage.
The Coventry Blaze, based in the United Kingdom, compete in the top tier of professional hockey in the UK and are known for developing North American talent.
In previous years, the Blaze have brought in numerous Adrian College products, including Mathew Thompson, Zach Heintz, Cam Gray, and others.
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The Toledo Mud Hens came up just short against the Indianapolis Indians, falling 3-2 in game three of their series on Thursday on the road.
Jace Jung was 2 for 2 with a double, a walk, and an RBI. Hao-Yu Lee had a triple, and the other RBI for Toledo. The Mud Hens will look to bounce back in game four tonight at 7:05.
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Ernie Clement and Joey Loperfido hit back-to-back home runs in the fifth inning to help the surging Toronto Blue Jays rout the slumping Detroit Tigers 11-4 in a matchup of first-place teams going in opposite directions.
The AL East-leading Blue Jays have won 19 of their last 24 games and the AL Central-leading Tigers have lost 10 of 11. Keider Montero will be on the hill tonight for Detroit. First pitch at 7:10 from Comerica Park in Detroit.
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The Detroit Tigers are in a position to buy…or possibly stay put…as the July 31st trade deadline draws near. GM Scott Harris could be looking at multiple areas to improve the team… a right handed bat, relief pitcher, or even another starting pitcher.
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The Detroit Lions had one of the NFL’s best offensive lines last season. This year is more of a work in progress. Center Frank Ragnow’s retirement and the loss of right guard Kevin Zeitler in free agency have opened up competition for at least two new starters.
Graham Glasgow, who started at left guard last season and has experience at center, along with rookie Tate Ratledge are getting reps at center through four days of training camp. And then there’s the banged-up veteran Taylor Decker at left tackle.
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12-year-old Little Leaguer, Marco Rocco, who faced suspension from his team’s first state tournament game for flipping his bat after hitting a home run was allowed to play Thursday night.
He was ejected and suspended for a game over what his family was told were actions deemed “unsportsmanlike” and “horseplay.” The family sought and received an emergency temporary restraining order that allowed him to play in the New Jersey state tournament.
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President Donald Trump has signed an executive order directing federal authorities to clarify whether college athletes can be considered employees of their schools. The move aims to establish clearer national standards in the NCAA’s name, image, and likeness era.
The order seeks to address the chaotic landscape of college sports, where athletes can now earn income from endorsements and schools can pay them directly. Trump’s order also calls for preserving scholarships and roster spots for non-revenue sports and asks the Justice Department to protect athletes’ rights.
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Notable MLB scores from Thursday…
Baltimore 4 Cleveland 3
Toronto 11 Detroit 4
In the WNBA…
Los Angeles 101 Connecticut 86
Indiana 80 Las Vegas 70
Seattle 95 Chicago 57
Relevant MLB games today include…
Chi Cubs at Chi White Sox 7:40 p.m.
Washington at Minnesota 8:10 p.m.
Toronto at Detroit 7:10 p.m.
Cleveland at Kansas City 8:10 p.m.
In the WNBA tonight…
Las Vegas at Minnesota 7:30 p.m.
Phoenix at New York 7:30 p.m.
Dallas at Golden State 10 p.m.
*featured image courtesy of Adrian College Athletics*