YSU

YSU
Softball teamloses twinbill
BUFFALO, N.Y. -- The Youngstown State softball team lost a doubleheader to Canisius (8-10), getting shutout in both contests.
The Penguins (16-22) lost the opener 5-0, collecting just four hits. Losing pitcher Tricia Hilbish gave up a pair of home runs to sophomore Jessica Martin.
In the second game, the Penguins were blanked 8-0 as Jess Stackhouse pitched a one-hitter with freshman Sarah Berry getting the only hit.
The Penguins committed four errors in the nightcap.
Women's Golf
SALEM -- The YSU women's golf team will play host to the six-team YSU Spring Invitational on Sunday and Monday at Salem Hills Golf Course.
The 36-hole tournament will be played on the par-72 course, which features a 5,338-yard layout. This is the first spring tournament or dual hosted by the program since April 2002.
The match will be a tuneup for the Horizon League Championships which are being held May 2-3 at the Royal American Golf Course in Galena. Four of the league's five sponsored women's programs will be playing in the YSU Spring Invitational. Defending league champion Loyola is the only school not participating.
Tee time for Sunday is 11 a.m. while on Monday the final round is set to start at 10 a.m.
Women's basketball
YOUNGSTOWN -- The YSU women's basketball team will attend a benefit dinner at the Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish Center on Saturday from 4 to 8 p.m.
Cost is $6 per pasta dinner with proceeds benefiting Sydney Kern and Anthony Roberts.
AREA
York to receivefootball award
CLEVELAND -- San Francisco 49ers owner John York of Canfield will receive the Distinguished American Award from the Northeastern Ohio chapter of the National Football Foundation.
York, who took over the 49ers in 1999, also serves as the president of the DeBartolo Corporation. He will be honored at the chapter's scholar-athlete awards banquet on May 9. Notre Dame coach Charlie Weis will be the guest speaker.
Boardman High graduate Bernie Kosar pledged $100,000 over five years to the chapter's scholarship fund.
Tickets cost $59.50 and can be ordered by calling (330) 963-0444.
Correction
YOUNGSTOWN -- Jack Pico of the Ohio Carpet team in the Penn-Ohio Golf League was the low medalist in the opening round at Sharon Country Club.
Pico shot an even-par 70 round and his name was omitted from a recent story.
Sharon Speedwaytries again
HARTFORD -- Sharon Speedway will kick off its 2005 season Saturday with racing in all five divisions and the first installment of Spectator Drags.
Tickets, available at the gate, cost $10 for adults (16 and older), $5 for kids (12-15) and free for children 11 and under. Pit passes cost $22. Gates open at 4 p.m. and racing starts at 6. Fans may call (330) 772-5481 or visit www.sharonspeedway.com for more information and directions.
OHIO
OSU releases Jackson-Wilson
COLUMBUS -- Seldom-used Ohio State basketball forward Jermyl Jackson-Wilson has been released from his scholarship so that he can transfer to another school after spring quarter, the school said on Thursday.
Jackson-Wilson, a 6-foot-5, 210-pound freshman, wants more playing time, the university said.
Jackson-Wilson played in just 11 of Ohio State's 32 games and averaged 2.3 minutes.
NATION
Lonard leadsMCI Heritage
HILTON HEAD ISLAND, S.C. -- Peter Lonard flirted with a 59 and finished with a two-stroke lead after Thursday's opening round of the MCI Heritage.
The 9-under 62 was one shot off the tournament record and brought some life to an event that doesn't have Masters champion Tiger Woods and his Big Four buddies.
Staff/wire reports