SPORTS DIGEST || Fitch golfer to continue at Notre Dame College

Fitch golfer to continue at Notre Dame College

AUSTINTOWN

Austintown Fitch senior Rachel Williamson has made a verbal commitment to continue her golf career at Notre Dame College in South Euclid.

Williamson was a four-year letter winner for the Falcons, leading the team in scoring each year, along with setting several school records including low average and low round.

She was first-team All-American Conference for three years and advanced to the district tournament twice during her high school career.

She plans on studying pediatric speech pathology.

Promotions scheduled for YSU hoops games

YOUNGSTOWN

The first 500 students in the Beeghly Center student section Thursday for the Youngstown State men’s basketball game against Green Bay will be given a free t-shirt and can register to win a year’s worth of Chick-Fil-A. The event is part of the February Five promotion put together by the YSU athletic department, YSU’s Student Activities, the Student Government Association and Housing & Residence Life groups.

Other events in the February Five include a rally towel giveaway Feb. 20 for the game against Milwaukee; the SGA’s Beach Night Funfest Feb. 27 in conjunction with the women’s basketball game against UIC; a concert tonight featuring Briar Rabbit and Korby Lenker in the Hub in Kilcawley Center; and a Black Heritage Festival open mic night Feb. 25. For more information, go to web.ysu.edu/studentactivities or follow @YSU_Activities on Twitter.

Fun Zone is new to Game of Hope event

YOUNGSTOWN

The Hope Foundation of the Mahoning Valley will present its 10th annual Game of Hope Charity Basketball Classic and the new “Roth, a Sodexo Company: Kids Fun Zone” on Feb. 22 at Youngstown State University’s Beeghly Center. Doors open at 2 p.m. with the Kids Fun Zone and tipoff is scheduled for 4 p.m. All proceeds from the event go to The Hope Foundation, which raises money for chronically/terminally ill children so that they may have the experiences generally afforded to healthy children The event is open to the public and tickets are $5 for adults and $3 for kids 12 and under.

Detective John Gocala Jr. of the Boardman Police Department will coach Team Hope and Austintown Township trustee Jim Davis will coach Team Aspire. As in past years, both teams are comprised of local community leaders, dignitaries and media members from the area with the game set to be taped and broadcast on various cable outlets throughout the area in March.

Oswalt retiring after 13 seasons in majors

HOUSTON

Roy Oswalt retired from baseball on Tuesday after winning 163 games and making three All-Star teams in 13 major league seasons. The pitcher’s agent, Bob Garber, confirmed the decision and said Oswalt would go to work for his agency, RMG Baseball. Oswalt will be vice president of baseball operations.

The 36-year-old right-hander had a 163-102 career record with a 3.36 ERA. Oswalt won 20 games in consecutive seasons (2004-05) with the Houston Astros and was the 2005 NL championship series MVP. He pitched his first nine-plus seasons for the Astros (2001-10) and then played for Philadelphia (2010-11), Texas (2012) and the Rockies (2013).

CFL players fined for posts about Sam

TORONTO

The Canadian Football League fined two players Tuesday for making inappropriate comments about openly gay NFL prospect Michael Sam. Montreal Alouettes wide receiver Arland Bruce and Winnipeg Blue Bombers defensive tackle Bryant Turner Jr. were penalized undisclosed amounts for postings on social media.

“The comments made by these players are extremely disappointing and do not represent the CFL’s views or the views of the vast majority of our players,” CFL Commissioner Mark Cohon said in a statement.

Staff reports/Associated Press