Local Sports Digest

YSU
Softball
CLEVELAND -- Cleveland State's Michelle Penney hit a two-strike, two-out, two-run home run in the bottom of the sixth inning to break a 1-1 tie and lift the Vikings past Youngstown State 3-1 Wednesday.
In the top of the second inning, freshman Allyse Ledford led off with a double and scored on McKenzie Bedra's infield single to give the Penguins (10-12, 5-2 Horizon League) a 1-0 lead.
The Vikings (20-7, 5-2) tied the score in the bottom half of the second on Kaitlin Guyette's two-out solo home run, her first of the season.
Penney's game-winning home run was also her first of the year.
Junior Tricia Hilbish scattered eight hits and struck out three in the loss.
LOCAL
Struthers' Pensonchooses Ashland
STRUTHERS -- Struthers senior Justin Penson will continue his football and track careers at Ashland University.
Penson was a standout running back for the Wildcats and a first team all-Metro Athletic Conference selection at linebacker this season. He was also a member of the school's state championship 4x100-meter relay in 2004. The Wildcats were runners-up in the 4x100 and 4x200 relays at last year's state meet.
National club baseball tourney at Eastwood
NILES -- The National Club Baseball Association will hold the 2006 NCBA World Series at Eastwood Field May 24-30 the Pittsburgh-based organization announced.
The NCBA is the first-ever national governing body for intercollegiate club baseball.
The world series will feature eight regional champs from across the U.S. playing a double-elimination tournament.
One-hundred-thirty teams from colleges and universities in 37 states compete within geographic conferences with conference champions vying for the NCBA World Series title.
Mountaineer boxing
CHESTER, W. Va. -- Two local boxers and a third with a Youngstown connection take to the ring tonight at Mountaineer Race Track and Gaming Resort.
Heavyweight Dan Harvison, the most accomplished of the trio, puts his undefeated mark (13-0, 8 knockouts) against Mike Middleton (11-16-1, 5 KOs) of Tampa, Fla., in a six-round bout. Harvison, managed by Pat Nelson of Youngstown, is attempting a comeback of sorts, having been out nine months with an injury.
A former cruiserweight champion for the North American Boxing Organization, Harvison, of McKeesport, Pa., is ranked 14th by the World Boxing Organization.
Welterweight Steve Perry of Mineral Ridge makes his professional debut in tonight's first match. Perry, trained by Larry Filer and with seven amateur fights under his belt, takes on John Lipcomb (1-2) of Cleveland in a four-rounder.
Heavyweight Adam Smith (5-11-1, 2 KOs) of Warren battles Rocky Phillips (21-12, 19 KOs) of Covington, Ky., in another four-round affair. Smith trains with Dave Bower at the Warren Athletic Club.
Tonight's card begins at 7:30 p.m. The main event is a 12-round title match between featherweights Verquan Kimbrough (14-0-1, 7 KOs) of Aliquippa, Pa., and Jose Gonzalez (12-2, 5 KOs) of Mexico City for Gonzalez's International Boxing Association's belt.
REGION
Cavs playoff tickets
CLEVELAND -- The Cavaliers announced that individual playoff tickets go on sale Monday at 10 a.m. at the arena box office, online or by telephone. Tickets are priced at $12, $31 and $44.
The Cavaliers have home-court advantage for the first round with the fourth seed in the Eastern Conference.
Kent State basketball
CLEVELAND -- Kent State coach Jim Christian, who led the Golden Flashes to a Mid-American Conference title and an NCAA tournament appearance this season, signed a new seven-year contract Wednesday.
The deal is through the 2012-13 season.
Full financial terms were not available, but athletic director Laing Kennedy said Christian's $250,000 base salary is believed to be the highest among the MAC's coaches. He can earn additional money with incentives, Kennedy said.
NATION
Redick wins Sullivan
NEW YORK -- Duke's J.J. Redick won the Sullivan Award Wednesday, becoming the first men's basketball player since Bill Walton in 1973 to be honored as the nation's top amateur athlete.
Redick beat out Texas quarterback Vince Young, who led the Longhorns to a national title with a win in the Rose Bowl over Southern California and its two Sullivan Award finalists -- Matt Leinart and Reggie Bush.
Vindicator staff/wire reports