LOCAL
Monday, August 21, 2006 LOCAL Blaney awaits Davis announcement HIGH POINT, N.C. — Bill Davis Racing will be making its 2007 driver lineup announcement Friday at 11 a.m. from Bristol Motor Speedway. Hartford native Dave Blaney is expected to be retained as the driver of the No. 22 Caterpillar car and Jeremy Mayfield should be behind the wheel of the team's second car for next year. Davis will be switching manufacturers from Dodge to Toyota. Bristol is the site of Saturday's Sharpie 500. Phantoms romp BOARDMAN — Matt Quigley and Jordan Sims each scored twice, and Chris Fairbanks added a goal and four assists to lead the Mahoning Valley Phantoms to a 15-2 win over the Michigan Ice Dogs in exhibition action Saturday at the Ice Zone. Much like they did in their 9-0 win on Friday against the Pittsburgh Jr. Penguins, the Phantoms evenly distributed their offense over the course of the game; scoring five goals in each period. Also contributing a goal apiece were Bill Stemzynski, Trent Bonnett, Doug Leaverton, Brent Dexter, Alden Hirschfeld, Johnny Meo, Mike Fillinger, Janis Purins, Matt Atsoff and Adam Snead. The goals by Dexter and Meo were shorthanded. Bonnett, Leaverton, Fillinger, and Jake Roadhouse each chipped in two assists. Forty-one penalties were assessed between the two teams as power-play opportunities were plenty. Teams played continuously at five-on-five for more than two minutes on only one occasion and for more than one minute on four other occasions. The Phantoms amassed 11 power-play goals on 20 opportunities while the Ice Dogs finished 1 for 13. The Phantoms outshot Michigan 50-26 as Bryce Merriam and Ryan Zapolski split time in goal. The Phantoms will return today to the Ice Zone for practice . All weekday practices begin at 3:30 p.m. and open to the public. Keiez Smith earns decision NEW PHILADELPHIA — Junior middleweight boxer Keiez Smith of Boardman defeated Donny Smith of Pittsburgh with a four-round decision. Smith, who trains at Buckeye Elks in Youngstown, is 6-2. Donny Smith is 9-2. Keiez Smith's next fight will be Aug. 31 at Station Square in Pittsburgh. Youngstown splits at Babe Ruth CLIFTON PARK, N.Y. — Youngstown's 15-year-old team split two games Sunday at the Babe Ruth All-Star Game. In the completion of a weather-suspended game, Youngstown lost to South Colonie (New York), 3-2. Later, Youngstown rebounded for an 8-5 victory over Kelso (Washington). In the defeat, Youngstown grabbed a 2-0 lead in the first inning. With one out, Jayme Sheppard singled and Todd Kibby doubled. Both scored when Jason Bagoly singled. South Colonie tied the game with single runs in the second and third innings. Andy Carucci's solo homer in the fifth inning provided the winning margin. Carucci was selected game MVP after producing three hits. Bagoly finished with two hits to be named Youngstown's MVP. Youngstown pounced on Kelso in the second inning, scoring six times. Cory Hill and Anthony Franceschelli ignited the outburst with singles, with Hill scoring on an error. After Kevin McCulloh bunted his way on base, Nick Crum hit a fielder's choice to score Franceschelli with the second run. RBI singles by Brad Byers and Kibby increased the lead to 6-0. After Kelso scored four times in the third inning, Fitzpatrick added a RBI single in the third inning. Bagoly's sixth-inning double led to Youngstown's other run. Niners trade Barlow to Jets NEW YORK — The New York Jets acquired running back Kevan Barlow from the San Francisco 49ers for an undisclosed draft pick in 2007, their second attempt in a week to shore up the position. The deal is contingent on Barlow passing a physical. Last Monday, the Jets traded for Browns running back Lee Suggs, hoping to get help with Curtis Martin out. But Suggs failed his physical Tuesday and the deal was voided. The Jets are in desperate need of help at running back. Martin has been on the physically-unable-to-perform list since training camp opened with a lingering knee injury. Though the 33-year-old Martin hopes to play again, his future is uncertain. The Jets have refused to disclose when Martin could return. Vindicator staff/wire reports