ysu

ysu

Softball team splits

KISSIMEE, Fla. — Senior Allyse Ledford went 2-for-3 with a double and a career-high four RBIs, and the YSU softball team collected 11 hits en route to a 7-3 win over Saint Francis (Pa.) at the Rebel Games.

The Penguins also dropped a 7-3 decision to Holy Cross.

In the win over St. Francis, the Penguins had four straight two-out hits to post three runs capped by a Ledford single, which drove in two.

After the Red Flash cut the deficit to 4-2 with a run in the top of the fourth, Ledford drilled a two-run double in the bottom half of the frame and the Penguins posted another three-run inning to take a 7-2 lead.

Doubleheader setback

TOWSON, Md. — The YSU baseball team came up a run short with a ninth-inning rally in game one and saw Towson rally from four runs down in game two as the Penguins were swept in a doubleheader Saturday.

In the opener, the Penguins nearly came back from a 6-1 deficit by scoring a run in the eighth and three in the ninth in a 6-5 loss.

YSU led 7-3 in game two before Towson scored three in the sixth and two in the seventh to win 8-7.

The Penguins outhit the Tigers 9-5 in game one, but YSU allowed six walks and hit into a game-ending double play with runners at the corners.

Three of those walks came in to score for the Tigers.

In the nightcap, YSU led 6-2 and 7-3 behind four home runs before the Tigers rallied.

local

Curbstoners

BOARDMAN — Neil Lowry, former University of Kentucky football player under “Bear” Bryant, will be the guest speaker Monday at noon when the Curbstone Coaches meet at the Blue Wolf Catering Center.

Area golf ace

COITSVILLE — Phil Clacko of Lowellville scored a hole-in-one on the No. 6 hole at Bedford Trails Golf Course. He used a 7-iron on the 150-yard hole and it was the fifth ace of his career.

Clacko was in a group that included Dopn Granchy, Bill Grischow Sr. and Ed Romack.

HOF applications

YOUNGSTOWN — Application forms for 2009 for the Greater Youngstown Bowling Association’s Hall of Fame are available at local centers or by contacting the GYBA at (330) 758-8367.

Applications must be submitted by March 17.

Bronze conference at Freeway Lanes

WARREN — A Bronze conference training program will be held March 20-22 at Freeway Lanes, 2700 Parkman Rd.

Coaches attending will receive training that will prepare them to work with intermediate-level bowlers. It is also designed to supply individuals with the tools and information to pursue coaching as a profession.

The course continues to develop the four essential keys of the sport: physical game, lane play, equipment and mental game. Cost is $305. For more, call (330) 898-2866.

Spring schedules

YOUNGSTOWN — All area high schools are requested to send a copy of their spring sports schedules to The Vindicator.

They can be sent by fax to (330) 747-6712 or e-mailed to sports@vindy.com.

State basketball

COLUMBUS — Six area basketball officials will officiate state tournament games in Columbus later this month.

Working the girls tournament will be Norm McIltrot, Don Friedrich, Karen Pavlansky and Chuck Parker.

Officiating in the boys tournament will be Jake Sell and Rob Luklan.

Baseball bus fire

The bus carrying the Mount Union College baseball team to Florida for the spring trip broke down and caught fire 5 miles south of the Florida border on Interstate 95 early Saturday morning.

No one was injured but there was some damage to personal belongings and equipment on the bus.

The team vacated the bus and players were taken to a Florida welcome station by a local bus. Team officials have decided to continue with the trip, which includes games scheduled throughout the week in Orlando and Winter Haven.

nation

Speedskating records

KEARNS, Utah — American Shani Davis set a world record in the 1,000 meters Saturday at the speedskating World Cup, breaking the mark U.S. skater Trevor Marsicano held for about 20 minutes.

Davis, who set a world record in the 1,500 meters Friday, finished in 1:06.42 for his second record in two days at the Utah Olympic Oval.

The record had briefly belonged to Marsicano, a 19-year-old from Ballston Spa, N.Y.

world

Wales wins rugby World Cup Sevens

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — Wales won an upset-laden Rugby World Cup Sevens on Saturday, besting Argentina 19-12 in the final.

In the final, the first for both teams, Richie Pugh scored a try within two minutes, but Argentina’s Martin Rodriguez raced from halfway off a turnover to make it 7-7. Tal Selley’s solo try put Wales 12-7 ahead into halftime.

Gonzalo Camacho chased down a cross-kick to score in the corner and level again, and just when it seemed the final would go to sudden death, Aled Thomas threaded his way through the defense to touch down the winner.

US track leader proposes dual meets

Crazy as it sounds, the U.S. track team is challenging Usain Bolt to a race.

Doug Logan, the CEO of USA Track and Field, has proposed a home-and-home track series this year between sprinters from America and Jamaica — the home of the world-record holder in the 100 and 200 meters.

“I was among the millions of captivated observers in Beijing who watched as Jamaican short sprinters dominated their events at the Olympic Games,” Logan wrote.

Vindicator staff/wire reports