By Terry Boehmker
NKyTribune sports reporter
In her first WNBA game as a starter, Lexi Held provided 11 points, two assists and one block for the Phoenix Mercury in a 93-73 win over the visiting Seattle Storm on Saturday.
Phoenix broke a four-game losing streak with Held in the starting lineup. The Cooper High School graduate replaced Akoa Makani, who was sidelined by a hamstring injury.
Held was 5-for-11 from the field with her one 3-point goal coming on a fast break after she blocked a shot on defense. The 5-foot-9 guard came off the bench to play in seven previous games, averaging 7.3 points, 1.7 rebounds and 1.4 assists.
The Mercury (5-12) have had problems closing out games. The 20-point victory over Seattle should boost the team’s confidence going into nationally televised games Monday and Wednesday against the Indiana Fever (9-7) on USA Network.
This is Held’s second season in the WNBA. As an undrafted free agent, she averaged 5.3 points, 1.1 rebounds and 1.1 assists in 32 games for Phoenix last year.
During the WNBA expansion draft this spring, she was selected 10th overall by the Toronto Tempo. After playing in eight games, the new team released her and Phoenix offered her a contract to return there.
Her current season averages, including games played for Toronto, are 4.4 points, 1.2 assists and 1.1 rebounds per game.
Drew Rom on Brewers’ pitching staff for series with Reds
Highlands graduate Drew Rom is on the pitching staff for the Milwaukee Brewers that will visit Cincinnati for a three-game series against the Reds that starts Monday.
Rom is a left-handed relief pitcher for the Brewers, who lead the National League Central Division. He has appeared in four games since being called up from the minors earlier this month. He has a 3.38 ERA with 10 strikeouts.
Rom pitched 1.1 innings against the Cleveland Indians Thursday without giving up a run. He allowed one hit with three strikeouts and two walks.
Three years ago, Rom was a starting pitcher for the St. Louis Cardinals. He posted a 1-4 record and 8.02 ERA in eight starts with 32 strikeouts and 19 walks. He faced the Reds twice that season, giving up four runs on seven hits in each game.
He missed the entire 2024 season while recovering from shoulder surgery and made just seven appearances in minor league games last year. He signed with the Brewers over the winter and began this season with Nashville in Triple-A.
Steve Flesch among leaders on PGA Tour Champions
Professional golfer Steve Flesch of Union ranks 34th in the PGA Tour Champions Schwab Cup standings two weeks before the U.S. Senior Open Championship July 2-5 at Scioto Country Club in Columbus, Ohio.
The standings are based on total winnings. Flesch has netted $277,960 in 11 tour events for PGA golfers age 50 and over. Two weeks ago, the left-hander tied for 22nd in the Principal Charity Classic with a 4-under 209 (74, 67, 68).
In the final two rounds of that tournament, Flesch had 11 birdies, 21 pars and four bogeys to climb 30 spots in the standings.
Since joining the PGA Tour Champions in 2017, Flesch, 59, has played in 206 events. He won four of them and finished among the top 10 40 times. His total winnings on the tour have surpassed $7.8 million, according to stats posted on the pgatour members website.