LOCAL

LOCAL
Class AA playoffsset to begin
YOUNGSTOWN -- Jolly Joe's (18-4), the regular season Class AA Baseball League champion, will take on Weaver Chiropractic (4-17) in a best-of-3 AA playoff series Sunday at 7:30 p.m. at Pemberton-Donnell Park.
The playoffs will get underway at 5:30 p.m. as Pal Joey's/New Affair (14-7) goes against Roth Brothers (13-9) in another best-of-3 series.
The tournament will continue Monday with games scheduled for 6:15 p.m. and 8:15 p.m. at Pemberton-Donnell Park.
Jim Brown guestof Browns Boosters
NILES -- The Ohio Browns Boosters will host an evening with Jim Brown, the former Cleveland Browns great and Hall of Famer, at McMenamy's Banquet Center Aug. 28 at 6 p.m.
Joining the event will be some of Brown's former teammates, Dick Schafrath, Jim Houston and others.
A limited number of tickets go on sale July 20 at McMenamy's and will cost $25 for Browns Boosters members and $30 for non members. A table of 10 will be sold for $270.
In addition to McMenamy's, other ticket outlets will be Knight Line Embroidery and the Creekside Golf Dome in Girard and Buente Vista Cafe in Warren.
Mayhew resigns
CANFIELD -- After coaching the Canfield High School softball team for three seasons, Fred Mayhew recently resigned his position as head coach.
Canfield Athletic Director Lee Frey confirmed Mayhew's resignation. The school has not yet begun taking applications for the vacancy.
Express roll
PITTSBURGH -- The Youngstown Express won their fifth straight Thursday, defeating the Pittsburgh Pandas 4-3 in collegiate wooden bat league action at LaRoche College.
Dane Towery (El Camino) pitched 6 1/3 innings, giving up two runs (both earned) on six hits and striking out eight. Nick Walsh (Arizona State) scored twice, including a steal of home. Brad Schutz (Cincinnati) and Jesse Cragwell (Maryville) each had two hits.
Morrow wins
XENIA -- Tim Morrow of Boardman shot a 74 to take first in the 13-15 age group at Thursday's Ohio Golf Course Owners Association junior golf tournament at WGC Golf Course.
Over 160 golfers competed in the event for boys and girls between the ages of 13-18.
Correction
BOARDMAN -- Boardman sophomore Krysta Sylvester made second team All-Steel Valley Conference as an outfielder. Thursday's paper had her making the team as a junior designated hitter.
Drivers look to continue streaks
HARTFORD -- Ron Smoker of Hamburg, N.Y., and Ed Lynch Jr. of Apollo, Pa., will attempt to extend their winning streaks tonight at the Sharon Speedway. Lynch won the Sprint Car Challenge last week for the Sharon Sprinters, his sixth consecutive victory.
Throughout the evening, which is sponsored by Boardman Steel of Youngstown, fans will have a chance to win Pepsi giveaway items, including CD players, jackets and a Mountain Dew replica hood.
Following the on-track activities, interested fans will be able to purchase a ride in the specially designed Dave Blaney's Outlaw Driving Experience two-seat sprint car. For $99 a fan can strap into the 700-horsepower winged car behind a professional driver and experience the thrill of sliding through Sharon Speedway's corners for three laps.
Gates open at 4 p.m., with hot laps beginning at 6:30 p.m. and racing at 7 p.m. Tickets are available at the gate. Reserved seats are $12 for adults, $7 for kids 12-15 and $2 for children 3-11. General admission prices are $10 for adults, $5 for kids 12-15 and free for children 11 and younger.
Coolers less than 14 inches are permitted. Fans can call (330) 772-5481 or visit www.sharonspeedway.com for more and directions.
REGION
Aeros beat Altoona
AKRON -- Nate Grindell got Akron's attack started with a solo home run and Victor Martinez had two of the Aeros' five doubles in a 7-3 win over the Altoona Curve Friday night in the Eastern League.
Vindicator staff/wire reports