YSU’s Ruiz named to national honor

November 5, 2013 at 12:00a.m.

Philadelphia

Youngstown State freshman tailback Martin Ruiz (Tampa, Fla.) was named co-National Freshmen of the Week by the Sports Network, the service announced on Monday. Ruiz and North Dakota freshman quarterback Ryan Bartels shared the honor. On Saturday at South Dakota, the freshman sensation for the Penguins continued his hot streak with 235 all-purpose yards in a come-from-behind win over South Dakota.

Ruiz rushed 22 times for 131 yards and two touchdowns to help his Penguins remain unbeaten in Missouri Valley Conference play. Ruiz also serves as a kickoff return specialist, and on three returns, he had 85 yards against the Coyotes. He rounded out his day with two receptions for 19 yards. His touchdown with 14 seconds remaining gave YSU the win. During the contest, Ruiz set a Youngstown State freshman record for rushing yards in a season. He has 906 yards on 140 carries through nine games.

The eighth-ranked Penguins return to action on Saturday at UNI. Kickoff against the Panthers at the UNI-Dome is set for 5:05 p.m. The game will air live in Youngstown on WFMJ-TV and as always will be on 570 WKBN AM.

YSU faces Oakland in Horizon soccer tourney

YOUNGSTOWN

The sixth-seeded Youngstown State women’s soccer team will take on third-seeded Oakland in the first round of the Horizon League Tournament today at 7 p.m. at Rochester, Mich. If the Penguins (4-12-1, 2-5 Horizon) defeat Oakland, they will face top-seeded and regular-season champion Milwaukee on Friday.

The Golden Grizzlies (9-8-1) earned the No. 3 seed after posting 4-3 record in Horizon League play including a 2-0 win Oct. 12 over the Penguins.

YSU seniors Brittany Dowd and Allison Ludwig were both named to the All-Horizon League second team after a vote by the league’s head coaches. Dowd, a defender, scored her first two career goals in 2013. Ludwig, a forward, is tied for the team lead with six points.

JFK selling tickets for hoops game at the Q

WARREN

Tickets are on sale at John F. Kennedy High for the Kennedy boys varsity basketball game Dec. 7 at Quicken Loans Arena. The Eagles will face Ashtabula Edgewood in the game which tips off at 3:30 p.m.

The ticket will also provide access to the Cleveland Cavaliers’ game that follows against the Los Angeles Clippers.

Sources: Petco Park to host Davis Cup match

SAN DIEGO

The first-round Davis Cup match between Britain and the United States will be played at Petco Park from Jan. 31-Feb. 2, two people with knowledge of the event said Monday. The people spoke on condition of anonymity because the Padres, U.S. Tennis Association and the San Diego Sports Commission planned a news conference today at the downtown ballpark.

The tennis court is expected to be set up in the outfield at the 42,000-seat facility. Coming during Super Bowl weekend, the match will be a renewal of the Davis Cup’s oldest rivalry.

Cabrera voted top player by big leaguers

NEW YORK

Detroit slugger Miguel Cabrera has won his second straight player of the year award in voting by his fellow major leaguers. Cabrera followed his Triple Crown season of 2012 with another impressive year. He led the American League with a .348 average and had 44 homers and 137 RBIs, both second to Baltimore’s Chris Davis. Cabrera edged Davis and the Angels’ Mike Trout for the honor.

Retiring Yankees closer Mariano Rivera was voted Marvin Miller man of the year for excellence on and off the field, and Rivera was also picked as the AL’s comeback player of the year, notching 44 saves after missing most of 2012 with a knee injury. Pittsburgh’s Francisco Liriano was selected the NL’s comeback player.

For the second consecutive year, Pirates center fielder Andrew McCutchen won NL outstanding player. Cabrera was selected AL outstanding player.

Staff reports/Associated Press