In this week’s review, the Cincinnati Reds have a red hot opening weekend. Cincinnati Basketball head coach John Brannen is put on administrative leave. While this year’s College Basketball season reaches it’s climax.

Cincinnati Reds roar in opening series

The 2021 Cincinnati Reds season began on a cold note in a few ways. First, through losing 11-6 to the St.Louis Cardinals on Opening Day last Thursday. Second, the temperature at first pitch on Opening Day was a record low 37 degrees in Cincinnati. Which was likely a factor in a rough outing for Reds starting pitcher Luis Castillo. He gave up six runs in the top of the first inning last Thursday. Castillo’s second Opening Day start with the Reds wrapped up after 3.1 innings. After giving up eight hits and eight earned runs.

Despite the cold Opening Day, the Reds were hot in the rest of their opening series. With an offensive showcase that was a far cry from their scoring woes in recent years. Cincinnati scored 27 runs in their opening series; the most in their first three games of a season since scoring 30 in 1976. Cincinnati evened the series in a scrappy Saturday showdown. Through beating St.Louis 9-6, in a game that featured a bench clearing brawl in the bottom of the fourth.

The brawl broke out after Reds right fielder Nick Castellanos scored through a wild pitch. Castellanos got on base through getting hit by a pitch from Jake Woodford. After sliding home to score, Castellanos flexed in celebration over Woodford. Tempers flared as Castellanos began to walk back to the dugout. With a melee breaking out near home plate and later in the outfield.

Castellanos was ultimately ejected from the game. While Woodford stayed in and later walked in a run. Through hitting rookie Jonathan India and giving the Reds an 8-2 lead. Castellanos got the last laugh in this series on Sunday. Through hitting a three-run homer in Cincinnati’s 12-1 series finale win.

Meanwhile, India’s major league career is off to a phenomenal start. After becoming the first Reds rookie to start at second base on Opening Day since Pete Rose in 1963. While also being Cincinnati’s first position player to debut on Opening Day since Chris Sabo in 1988. India went five for 11 and had two runs batted in during the opening series. Along with some impressive defensive plays throughout the series.

Cincinnati will wrap up their opening home-stand through facing another division rival. Taking on the Pittsburgh Pirates Monday and Tuesday at 6:40 PM Eastern. Then wrapping up the home-stand Wednesday at 12:35 PM Eastern.

Beyond Baseball

In non-Reds news, Cincinnati Basketball head coach John Brannen is on administrative leave. As an internal review of the program continues. The review was launched in late March due to undisclosed allegations surrounding Cincinnati’s coaching staff. Leaving Brannen and the program in a turbulent state. Less than a month after the Cincinnati Bearcats season ended.

Meanwhile, former Bearcat Mason Madsen is westward bound. He announced last week he’s transferring to play for Utah Basketball. While senior Paul Scruggs will play one more season for Xavier Basketball. Utilizing the extra year of eligibility offered by the NCAA due to the pandemic. Scruggs will be the first player in program history to play for five years at Xavier.

Elsewhere, Cincinnati native MaCio Teague and Baylor Basketball are all that stand in Gonzaga Basketball’s way. As Gonzaga’s pursuit of a perfect season survived a overtime thrill ride last Saturday night. Against former Cincinnati head coach Mick Cronin and UCLA Basketball. Cronin’s first Final Four appearance as a head coach culminated with 93-90 loss to Gonzaga. With Jalen Suggs making a last second three-pointer. To send Gonzaga to tonight’s National Championship Game in Indianapolis at 9:20 PM Eastern on CBS. Through arguably the most exciting national semifinal game in recent memory.

In Women’s Basketball, Stanford Basketball dashed Louisville Basketball’s Final Four hopes. Stanford rallied from behind to beat Louisville 78-63 last Tuesday. Stanford went on to win the National Championship on Easter Sunday in San Antonio, TX.