Hubbard’s Scott named Trumbull County POY

Hubbard’s Scott named Trumbull County POY

Hubbard’s Larry Scott was named Trumbull County player of the year on Monday during the Trumbull County Coaches Association awards banquet at Leo's Ristorante in Howland.

The Eagles senior running back led his team to an undefeated regular season, but lost in to St. Vincent-St. Mary in the Division III regional final.

He’s a finalist for Mr. Football in the state. That award is announced on Thursday.

Schlegel, Benjamin Earn Weekly Awards

YOUngstown

Youngstown State women’s basketball players Heidi Schlegel and Indiya Benjamin have been recognized for their contributions to YSU’s three wins last week.

Schlegel was named the College Sports Madness Horizon League Player of the Week and Benjamin was tabbed the league’s Freshman of the Week by the conference office.

Schlegel, a senior from Wapakoneta, averaged 16.7 points and 10.7 rebounds in leading the Penguins to their firsts 6-0 start in 18 years. Schlegel had double-doubles in both games at the Teresa Phillips Thanksgiving Classic to earn MVP honors.

Benjamin hit the game-winning free throw with seven seconds left in YSU’s victory over Nicholls State on Saturday. The Lima native averaged 6.7 points, five rebounds and three assists.

Gordon, Barrett picked all-Big Ten

ROSEMONT, Ill.

Wisconsin running back Melvin Gordon and Ohio State quarterback J.T. Barrett were selected first-team, all-Big Ten and took top individual honors at their positions.

Both players led their teams to this week’s conference championship game in Indianapolis.

Gordon leads the nation with a Big Ten-record 2,260 yards rushing for the Badgers (10-2, 7-1), who won the West division title. He also held the FBS single-game record for one week, running for 408 yards against Nebraska last month before Oklahoma’s Samaje Perine put up 427 against Kansas.

The Buckeyes (11-1, 8-0) took the East, with Barrett throwing for 2,834 yards with a school-record 34 touchdowns before breaking his ankle Saturday. He has also run for 938 yards and 11 TDs, giving him a school-record total of 3,772 total yards.

Michigan State’s Kurtis Drummond (Hubbard) was named the league’s best defensive back.

AP sources: Mariners, Cruz nearing contract

SEATTLE

Two people with knowledge of the deal say the Mariners and free agent slugger Nelson Cruz are nearing agreement on a contact that would give Seattle the right-handed bat it has sought.

The people spoke to The Associated Press on Monday on the condition of anonymity because the deal between Cruz and the Mariners had not been finalized and was pending a physical.

El Caribe in the Dominican Republic first reported the agreement, saying it was worth $57 million over for four years.

Seattle did not comment.

Rays trade infielder Rodriguez to Pirates

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla.

The Tampa Bay Rays have traded utilityman Sean Rodriguez to the Pittsburgh Pirates for a player to be named and cash.

Rodriguez played every position except pitcher and catcher for the Rays during the past five seasons. He has a .225 career average and appeared in 96 games this year, batting .211 with 12 homers and 41 RBIs.

Tampa Bay designated the 29-year-old for assignment last week, clearing roster room to sign free agent reliever Ernesto Frieri.

Rodriguez would be eligible for salary arbitration if he remains on the roster past Tuesday and has not signed.

Pittsburgh designated first baseman Gaby Sanchez for assignment. Sanchez hit .229 with seven homers and 33 RBIs. Pedro Alvarez is likely to move from third base to first next season.

The Pirates also agreed to minor league contracts with outfielder Gorkys Hernandez, infielder Deibinson Romero and catcher Sebastian Valle, and invited the three to big league spring training.

Staff/Wire reports