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The GIST: Team USA’s quest to repeat as World Baseball Classic (WBC) champs came up just short as the stars and stripes lost 3–2 to Team Japan in last night’s gold medal game. Although the U.S. lost, the WBC’s success is a major win for America’s pastime.

As it happened: Shortstop Trea Turner started the scoring and continued his WBC hot streak with a massive home run in the second inning, but Team Japan’s offense wasted no time responding to USA's depleted pitching staff.

• Then the face of baseball, LA Angels unicorn Shohei Ohtani, entered from the bullpen in the ninth inning to secure the final three outs — with the last coming against his Angels teammate Mike Trout — and lift Japan to their third WBC title. What an ending.

Zooming out: After a six-year hiatus due to COVID-19, the highly anticipated WBC more than delivered with big moments, MLB starpower and the unrivaled passion of athletes playing for their country.

• While brutal injuries to top MLB talent like NY Mets pitcher Edwin Díaz and Houston Astros second baseman Jose Altuve caused some to question the future of the event, this year’s tourney made clear: there’s nothing quite like the WBC. Let ’em play ball.

The GIST: After four straight days featuring 96 (!!!) games, not to mention four men’s and women’s No. 1 seeds falling, it’s time to catch your breath and prepare for more mayhem — the Madness continues with the men’s Sweet 16 tomorrow.

The women: Following a mostly as-expected first round, true chaos descended on the women’s tourney on Monday, highlighted by No. 9 Miami’s wild last-second upset of No. 1 Indiana on the Hoosiers’ home court. Think they game-prepped with Alix Earle?

• But the ’Canes weren’t the only ones who snagged a victory this week: the NCAA also announced that the women’s first and second rounds set a new attendance record. As legendary sports reporter Holly Rowe said, when you build it, they will come.

The men: The Madness machine starts up again when eight men’s teams take the court in tomorrow’s Sweet 16 action. Hoping to see an upset? Don’t miss No. 7 Michigan State vs. No. 3 Kansas State at 6:30 p.m. ET — the Spartans are the only team favored against a higher-seeded squad.

• The No. 2 UCLA vs. No. 3 Gonzaga matchup at 9:45 p.m. ET will also be spicy, as the injury-prone Bruins and the Sweet 16–veteran Bulldogs have some serious March Madness history. Cue Taylor.

P.S. The madness is truly maddening. Stay sane with our three-times weekly college sports newsletter.

The Madness is in full swing, making it the perfect time to check on the leaderboard for The GIST’s bracket challenge, presented by Aflac.

• As we turn our attention to the Sweet 16, users sinselberg, Landshark Chicken Wings and jsowa16 are leading the way in the women’s bracket while Jennie and our very own Dee@TheGIST (!!!) sit atop the men’s bracket.

And although the Aflac Duck hasn’t quite quacked the code on the perfect bracket — they’re currently 1221st in the women’s challenge and 1417th in the men’s — at least Aflac’s nothing but net when it comes to helping with expenses health insurance doesn't cover.

• So, as the action heats up on the court, it’s time to get serious about protecting yourself off it, too. Get’cha head in the game and learn more about Aflac today.

Aflac is not the sponsor of this promotion and is not responsible for the administration of this promotion in any way.

Memphis Grizzlies star Ja Morant is expected to return to the court against the Houston Rockets tonight at 8 p.m. ET for the first time since serving an eight-game suspension for conduct detrimental to the league.

• Morant was suspended and underwent counseling after live-streaming a video of himself holding a gun in a nightclub earlier this month.

The youths keep coming and they don’t stop coming. The San Diego Wave signed 15-year-old hometown hero Melanie Barcenas yesterday, making the forward the youngest-ever NWSL player. Barcenas joins her teammate forward/midfielder Jaedyn Shaw as one of four teens in the league.

The Toronto Six skated circles around the Connecticut Whale in Monday’s 3–0 semifinal Game 3 win, booking their ticket to Sunday’s Isobel Cup final against the Minnesota Whitecaps. For the first time ever, the PHF championship will feature two women coaches. Puck yeah.

🎾 Tennis: Miami Open — Today and tomorrow — Tennis Channel

• After winning Indian Wells last weekend, Spain’s world No. 1 Carlos Alacaraz and Kazakhstan’s No. 7 Elena Rybakina are both fighting for a Sunshine Double, but they could be thwarted by Americans No. 10 Taylor Fritz and No. 6 Coco Gauff.

⚽ UEFA Women’s Champions League quarter-finals: Chelsea vs. Lyon — Today at 1:45 p.m. ET — DAZN

• Anchored by USWNT star midfielder Lindsey Horan, defending champs Lyon host Chelsea in the first leg of the quarter-finals. Footy footy footy footy rockin’ everywhere.

⛸️ ISU World Figure Skating Championships: Pairs free skate — Tomorrow at 10 p.m. ET — Peacock

• Prepare to be dazzled as 18 members of Team USA take the ice in the top figure skating event of the season, starting with 2022 World Champion duo, Alexa Knierim and Brandon Frazier. The cold never bothered them anyway.

Hump day just got a whole lot sweeter.