LOCAL

LOCAL
Express headedto the playoffs
YOUNGSTOWN -- For the third time in four seasons, the Youngstown Express collegiate baseball team has clinched a playoff spot.
The Express (25-14) defeated the Pittsburgh Pandas 12-4 in their last home game of the season Thursday on five strong innings by pitcher Walt Nolen of McNeese State. Four players had two hits apiece.
The team's regular season will end with a road trip to Northern Ohio and Delaware this weekend.
Lee Wilkoff eventslated for Aug. 3
VIENNA -- The 10th annual Lee Wilkoff Memorial junior golf tournament will be Aug. 3 at Squaw Creek Country Club.
The event, which is considered the top junior event in the area, will have three age divisions for boys and girls.
Squaw Creek professional Gregg Matthus and Sylvia Wilkoff, who started this event many years ago in honor of her late husband, are still accepting entries for this year's tournament.
For more information, contact Matthus at Squaw Creek at (330) 539-5103.
Panezich winnerat national meet
OMAHA, Neb. -- Nick Panezich, who will be a sophomore at Springfield High this coming fall, competed with the Austintown Community Track Club and won the discus Friday at the Junior Track and Field National Championships.
Participating in the intermediate division, Panezich won with a throw of 161 feet, 10 inches. He tossed the shot put 52 feet, 9 1/4 for a silver medal.
George Fetchko of Howland finished 11th with a throw of 149-11 in the young men's division.
Christen Clemson of Maplewood threw the discus 146-8 for second place in the young women's division.
Alex Rathburn of Western Reserve, in the young girls division, threw the discus 79 feet for 15th place.
Panezich, who will compete in the javelin throw today, will participate in an AAU Junior Olympics national track and field meet in August at the University of Tennessee.
Ed Wilson, throwing coach at YSU, accompanied the athletes on the trip.
Duel set atSharon Speedway
HARTFORD -- As Sharon Speedway gets ready to host the Pennzoil World of Outlaws for only the second time in the track's 73-year history July 31, Steve Kinser and Danny Lasoski continue to battle for the series points lead.
Lasoski leads Kinser by just three points following Tuesday's event at Lernerville. Kinser may feel he has a score to settle at Sharon, since during the track's inaugural Outlaws event on May 31, the engine in his No. 11 Quaker State Maxim lost power and Lasoski, who had been trailing Kinser, went on to win the "A" feature and reclaim the points lead.
Kinser and Lasoski, whose team is owned by NASCAR Winston Cup driver Tony Stewart, aren't the only drivers in the points battle, though. Craig Dollansky, Joey Saldana and Mark Kinser, in third, fourth and fifth place, respectively, are within striking distance.
Gates open at 4 p.m., with hot laps beginning at 6:30 p.m. and racing at 7 p.m. Tickets not sold prior to the event will be available at the gate.
Reserved seats are $27 for adults (13 and older) and $14 for kids 3-12. General admission prices are $25 for adults (13 and older), $12 for kids 6-12 and free for children 5 and younger.
Fans can call (330) 772-5481 for tickets or information, or visit www.sharonspeedway.com.
REGION
Stith has surgery
CLEVELAND -- Guard Bryant Stith of the Cleveland Cavaliers had arthroscopic surgery on his right knee and should be ready to play by the start of training camp in October, the team said Friday.
Dr. Richard Parker did the procedure Thursday at the Cleveland Clinic.
Stith played in 50 games last season and averaged 4.2 points a game.
Reading ralliesto beat Akron
AKRON -- Uriel Casillas hit a two-out, two-run double in the ninth inning to give the Reading Phillies a 4-2 win over the Akron Aeros on Friday night in the Eastern League.
Down 2-0 in the seventh, Reading broke the shutout when Travis Chapman scored on Jason Johnson's groundout.
The Phillies tied it in the eighth after Jorge Padilla reached on an error by third baseman Luis Gonzalez. Casillas scored from third on the play.
Jimmy Hamilton (3-2) went five innings, giving up a run on two hits and a walk, for the win.
Luis Garcia homered for Akron in the sixth. Victor Martinez scored in the second on two errors by first baseman Nate Espy.
Vindicator staff/wire reports