J-M’s Hughes signs with Geneva volleyball

J-M’s Hughes signs with Geneva volleyball

NORTH JACKSON

Jackson-Milton senior Erica Hughes signed a letter of intent this week to continue her volleyball career at Geneva College in Beaver Falls, Pa. A four-year letter winner for the Blujays, she ranks fourth in Ohio in career kills with 1,657 and was the Vindicator’s volleyball player of the year last year and district player of the year in Division IV.

Hughes was all-District first team and Inter Tri-County League first team for four years. She has maintained a 4.0 GPA through high school and plans to major in occupational therapy at Geneva.

Umpires’ OHSAA meeting set Sunday

YOUNGSTOWN

The Youngstown Metro Umpire Association will hold an OHSAA baseball/softball meeting Sunday at 1:15 p.m. at St. Nicholas Activity Center, 3801 Shady Run Road. Umpires must attend at least four meetings to meet state requirements. Call John Mang at 330-502-6665 for more information.

YSU softball drops season opener, 7-3

Spartanburg, S.C.

Seniors Sarah Ingalls and Haley Knight and freshman Katie Smallcomb each had run-scoring singles, but the Youngstown State softball team fell to Towson, 7-3, Friday in the Penguins’ 2014 season opener at the USC--Upstate Tournament.

Seniors Courtney Ewing and Samantha Snogdrass and sophomore Miranda Castiglione also had singles for the Penguins. Senior pitcher Casey Crozier struck out four in three innings pitched, but suffered the loss. She now 373 career strikeouts and needs just 14 more to break the YSU career strikeout record.

The Penguins face USC-Upstate at 12:30 p.m. today and North Carolina Central at 6:30.

YSU’s Grace third in shot put at major meet

New York

Youngstown State senior Bobby Grace finished third in the shot put with a throw of 18.75 meters Friday at the 14th annual Armory Collegiate Invitational at the New Balance Track and Field Center. He finished just 0.82 meters from first place against some of the top throwers in the nation at the meet which attracts more than 100 schools. Teammate Connor Neu is scheduled to participate in the weight throw today at the same meet.

Davis replaces Bryant for All-Star game

NEW YORK

New Orleans forward Anthony Davis was chosen Friday to replace the injured Kobe Bryant in the NBA All-Star game that will be played in his home city. “It’s a great opportunity for me. I’m excited to play in the game,” said Davis, who was nearly chosen as a reserve, but missed by one spot in voting by Western Conference head coaches, a person with knowledge of the details told The Associated Press on condition of anonymity.

Davis is averaging 20.5 points, 10.5 rebounds and a league-leading 3.3 blocks for the Pelicans.

Staff reports/Associated Press