Sports Briefs 2/22

California baseball stays perfect, Tennessee quarterback Joey Aguilar loses eligibility bid, UCLA’s Mick Cronin apologizes for benching Steven Jamerson II, and the Rams promote Nate Scheelhaase to offensive coordinator.

California swept a Friday doubleheader against Ohio Dominican at EQT Park, winning 7-2 and 12-6 to complete a three-game sweep and improve to 3-0 under first-year head coach Joey Noro. Connor Evans starred in both contests, going 3-for-3 with two runs and two RBI in the opener and 4-for-5 with a double, three runs, and two RBI in the nightcap. Beau Bigam earned the first win, allowing one run over five innings with five strikeouts, while Josh Bryson surrendered one run across four frames in game two. Ohio Dominican plated five runs in the top of the ninth of the second contest.

Tennessee quarterback Joey Aguilar will not return to the Volunteers in 2025 after Knox County Chancellor Christopher D. Heagerty denied his request for an injunction that would have granted a fourth year of Division I eligibility. Heagerty dissolved the temporary restraining order he issued on Feb. 4, ruling that Aguilar’s two seasons at Appalachian State and prior junior-college tenure count against NCAA limits. Aguilar, who redshirted at City College of San Francisco in 2019 and saw the 2020 season canceled, threw for 3,565 yards with 24 touchdowns and 10 interceptions while completing 67.3 percent of his passes for Tennessee this fall. He has accepted an invitation to next week’s NFL scouting combine.

UCLA men’s basketball coach Mick Cronin publicly apologized to center Steven Jamerson II for sending him to the locker room during Tuesday’s 23-point loss at No. 15 Michigan State. Cronin grabbed Jamerson’s jersey and ordered him off the floor after a hard foul that was later ruled a flagrant-1. “I thought he literally made a dirty play,” Cronin said before Friday’s practice. “Once I saw the film … I don’t even know if he deserved that.” Jamerson responded by jokingly asking for an extra $10,000 in NIL money.

The Los Angeles Rams are elevating 35-year-old pass game coordinator Nate Scheelhaase to offensive coordinator, according to a source familiar with the decision. Scheelhaase, who interviewed for at least five head-coaching openings this offseason, spent the past two seasons working closely with head coach Sean McVay and offensive coordinator-to-be Matt LaFleur. The promotion comes after the Rams posted a 14-6 record and reached the NFC Championship Game.