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Today's starting lineup

For two games and four innings Saturday, the Astros' offense was — for lack of a better word — dreadful. But a key hit from Isaac Paredes helped open the floodgates as Houston outslugged the Angels to pick up its first win of the season.

Please scroll down for the rest of this morning's headlines.

Greg Rajan, Weekend Sports Editor

greg.rajan@houstonchronicle.com

Astros / MLB

Houston Astros Isaac Paredes (15) hits a double during the fifth inning of a MLB baseball game at Daikin Park, Saturday, March 28, 2026, in Houston.

Photo by: Jason Fochtman, Houston Chronicle

Timely spark

For four innings Saturday, Houston's offense had been nonexistent. But a big hit from Isaac Paredes helped open the floodgates in a win over the Angels.

Astros 11, Angels 9: After scoring two runs in their first 22 innings of the season, the Astros erupted against the Angels' bullpen to get into the win column for the first time. Read More
'Grateful' after winding journey: Ryan Weiss' major-league debut came nearly eight years after he was drafted and after a trek through various organizations and going overseas to pitch. Read More

UH Basketball

Houston head coach Kelvin Sampson answers questions during a press conference after the team's 88-57 win over Texas A&M in the second round of the NCAA college basketball tournament in Oklahoma City, Saturday, March 21, 2026.

Photo by: Brett Coomer, Houston Chronicle

'I still burn for this'

After speculation about his status for next season, Kelvin Sampson says he will return in 2026-27 after UH fell two wins shy of another Final Four trip.

Iowa's Kael Combs (11) reaches to knock the ball away from Illinois' Keaton Wagler during the first half of an Elite Eight game in the NCAA college basketball tournament Saturday, March 28, 2026, in Houston. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

Photo by: Eric Gay, Associated Press

21-year itch ends

Two nights after Houston had its Final Four hopes dashed by Illinois at Toyota Center, the Illini kept their dance going in the same arena, beating Big Ten rival Iowa to reach the Final Four for the first time since 2005.

Noisy delay: The NCAA Tournament's Elite Eight matchup in Houston was delayed nearly 15 minutes when the arena horn at Toyota Center got stuck. Read More
Arizona 79, Purdue 64: Arizona is headed back to the Final Four for the first time in 25 years after the top-seeded Wildcats got 20 points from freshman Koa Peat to beat Purdue in the West Region final. Read More
Aggies extend McMillan: After leading the Aggies to the second round of the NCAA Tournament in his first season, Bucky McMillan had his contract extended. Read More

NCAA Basketball Tournament / Women

Texas Longhorns forward Madison Booker (35) pushes towards the basket during the NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament Sweet 16 game against Kentucky at Dickies Arena on Saturday, March 28, 2026 in Fort Worth, Texas.

Photo by: Aaron E. Martinez, Austin American-Statesman

Something to savor

Not even a perfectionist like Texas coach Vic Schaefer could complain after his team drubbed Kentucky in the Sweet 16 to move within a win of a second consecutive Final Four appearance, writes Kirk Bohls.

Roundup: A look at Saturday's other Sweet 16 games in the women's tournament. Read More

Houston Open / Golf

Nicolai Hojgaard enters the final round of the Texas Children's Houston Open trailing leader Gary Woodland by just one stroke.

Photo by: Leslie Plaza Johnson, Icon Sportswire Via Getty Images

Headed for tight finish

Gary Woodland never trailed at any point Saturday, but his lead over Nicolai Hojgaard is down to one stroke entering today's final round of the Houston Open.