Newsmakers
Extended Infielder Garrett Wittels of Florida International has extended his hitting streak to 41 games, equaling the fifth-longest mark in NCAA Division I history. Wittels singled in the first inning against Arkansas State on Saturday in Jonesboro, Ark. His 41-game streak matches that of Penn State’s Michael Campo (2000), Southern Mississippi’s Todd Nace (1989-90) and Clemson’s Rusty Adkins (1965-66). The Division I record is 58 by Oklahoma State’s Robin Ventura in 1987. Wittels has a hit in every game in which he’s had an at-bat this season. With a hit in the series finale today, he would tie Austin Peay’s Chuck Abbott for the fourth-longest Division I streak. A .246 hitter last year, Wittels is hitting .404 this season, with 39 RBIs in 38 games. And he’s doing it without a set position either, having spent time this year at shortstop, second base, third base and even pitching in three games.
Returning Brigham Young University guard Jimmer Fredette says he’s coming back for his senior season. Fredette said that he’s withdrawing his name from the National Basketball Association draft pool so he can keep his college eligibility. Saturday was the deadline for underclassmen to remove their names from draft consideration.
•Penn State will get starting point guard Talor Battle back next season. The Nittany Lions announced that Battle removed his name from the NBA draft and will return to school for his senior year.
•Florida coach Billy Donovan will have his NCAA tournament starters back next season. Forward Alex Tyus announced that he has removed his name from the NBA draft and will return for his senior season. His decision means the Gators will return all five starters for the first time in four years. The last time it happened, Florida won the second of back-to-back national championships.
•Purdue’s E’Twaun Moore and JaJuan Johnson have withdrawn from the NBA draft and will return for their senior seasons.
Leaving Kentucky’s freshman exodus is complete. Guard Eric Bledsoe and center Daniel Orton said they’re going to remain in the NBA draft rather than return for their sophomore seasons. They will join classmates John Wall and DeMarcus Cousins in the draft. Junior forward Patrick Patterson is also leaving school early for the NBA.