Mooney’s Vinopal to transfer to Pitt

Mooney’s Vinopal to transfer to Pitt

YOUNGSTOWN

Mooney High graduate Ray Vinopal is transferring from Michigan to Pitt, according to two sources familiar with the situation.

As a true freshman safety last season, Vinopal appeared in 11 games with four starts, making 33 tackles, including 111/2 for loss for the Wolverines, who went 7-6 and lost in the Gator Bowl. Wolverines coach Rich Rodriguez was fired after the season.

Pitt’s new recruiting coordinator, cornerbacks coach Tony Gibson, spent the past three years at UM.

Vinopal, who did not respond to interview requests, will sit out next season due to NCAA transfer guidelines.

Youngstown State games rained out

The YSU softball doubleheader at Robert Morris on Wednesday was called on account of rain after three-and-a-half innings with the scored tied, 1-1.

No makeup date has been announced.

Also, the baseball game Wednesday against Penn St. Behrend never got started due to the weather and has not been rescheduled.

Prep state basketball tickets still remain

COLUMBUS

Plenty of all-session and single-session tickets are available for the Ohio High School Athletic Association Boys State Basketball Tournaments that will be held today, Friday and Saturday at the Jerome Schottenstein Center on the campus of The Ohio State University in Columbus.

All-session ticket books are priced at $144 for the Entry and Club Levels of the arena or $120 for the Terrace Level, while single-session tickets are $15 for the Entry and Club Levels and $12 for the Terrace Level.

Tickets can be purchased in person at Ticketmaster locations, by calling Ticketmaster at 1-800-745-3000 or by going on-line at ticketmaster.com.

Mizzou coach close to returning to Arkansas

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark.

Missouri coach Mike Anderson is close to returning to Arkansas to become the school’s next basketball coach, The Associated Press has learned.

Arkansas athletic director Jeff Long is “working hard” in hopes of bringing Anderson back to the school where he was an assistant for 17 years under Nolan Richardson, a person familiar with the situation said Wednesday. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because negotiations are still ongoing.

The person said “it’s not a done deal yet, but it’s getting close.”

Arkansas fired John Pelphrey after four seasons on March 13

Contador takes Volta lead as decision nears

VALLNORD, Andorra

Alberto Contador won the third stage of the Volta of Catalunya on Wednesday, taking the race’s overall lead a day before cycling’s governing body decides whether to challenge the decision to clear him of doping.

The three-time Tour de France winner set the pace in covering the 114-mile mountain stage from La Vall de’n Bas in Spain to Vallnord in 4 hours, 45 minutes, 31 seconds Wednesday.

Contador tested positive for clenbuterol at last year’s Tour but was cleared of wrongdoing by the Spanish cycling federation.

The International Cycling Union (UCI) says it will decide by today whether to appeal.

Silva wants Congress to help with WCup work

BRASILIA, Brazil

Brazil sports minister Orlando Silva is seeking help from the country’s Congress to simplify the bidding process and expedite work ahead of the 2014 World Cup and 2016 Olympics in Rio.

Silva told a senate commission Wednesday that Congress could help by changing the rules, thus allowing construction work to be completed in time for both events.

The government has complained that it faces too many restrictions to get public works under way and would welcome less lenient regulations for work related to the World Cup and Olympics.

Vindicator staff/wire reports