SPORTS DIGEST || Mooney grad leads Pitt baseball past YSU

Mooney grad leads Pitt basebal past YSU

PITTSBURGH

Boo Vazquez (Cardinal Mooney) launched two home runs – his first career multi-homer game – and finished 3-for-5 with four runs batted in to help Pitt (12-19) take down Youngstown State (8-18), 12-1, and end a seven game skid.

Completing the season sweep of the Penguins, the Panthers have now won 24 of the last 25 contests against Youngstown State dating back to 1999. Pitt won the first game of the season 8-4 in Niles. Five of the last seven games in the series have also seen Pitt score in double figures.

Vazquez surpassed the 100-career RBI plateau and now ranks 20th on Pitt’s all-time list with 102. Vazquez’s three runs scored matched a personal-best.

Sam Mersing (3-1) earned the win. The righty took a no-hitter into the fifth inning for the second time this season and went a career-long 6.0 innings allowing only one run on three hits while striking out five.

Kevin Hix had a RBI single for YSU.

Raiders re-sign YSU’s Ross

ALAMEDA, Calif.

The Oakland Raiders have re-signed 10 of their own free agents, including Youngstown State graduate Brandian Ross, a safety who was a restricted free agent.

Ross played in 13 games last season for Oakland, making 10 starts with 55 tackles, two interceptions and a forced fumble.

Restricted free agent receivers Rod Streater and Andre Holmes and Larry Asante; and punter Marquette King all signed their contracts.

Oakland also signed exclusive rights free agent defensive end Denico Autry, tight end Brian Leonhardt, tackle Matt McCants, fullback Jamize Olawale and cornerback Neiko Thorpe.

Penguin Club to host pre-game event

Youngstown

The Youngstown State Penguin Club and O’Charley’s Restaurant will be hosting a Pre-Game Party prior the Red-White Spring football game on April 17. The price of the event also includes a game ticket. The event starts at 6 p.m. and will be indoors at Stambaugh Stadium Gym C. For Penguin Club members, the cost is $15 while non-member price is $17.

The game will kickoff at 7:30 p.m.

During the evening, members of the YSU football coaching staff will be in attendance to visit with fans. All guests receive a complimentary game ticket. The deadline for the event is Monday.

Former Browns players coming to Niles

Members of the 1980 Cleveland Browns team also known as the “Kardiac Kids” will be coming to Eastwood Mall for a free meet-and-greet book signing event on April 25 from 2-5 p.m. Fans are invited to meet Don Cockroft, Sam Rutigliano and Gregg Pruitt at Firebirds Wood Fired Grill.

Guests are encouraged to request only one autograph per person, per player. Fans who purchase a copy of Cockroft’s book, “The 1980 Kardiac Kids – Our Untold Stories” will receive an extra autograph. Those who wish to reduce their wait-time in line will be able to do so with a free fast-pass wristband, available starting April 11 from 2-5 p.m. at Firebirds.

Derby girls holding first home game

salem

The Little Steel Derby Girls’ Lawless Rollers will be taking the track against the Royal City Roller Girls on Saturday.

The match will be held at LSDG’s home rink, the Salem Fun Factory located at 520 East Pershing St. This is the first time that Little Steel has hosted the team in a sanctioned game for rankings through the Women’s Flat Track Derby Association (WFTDA). Doors open to the game at 5 p.m., with the game beginning at 6.

Pre-sale tickets are $10, but general admission tickets will be sold at the door for $15. Children ages 10 and younger are free, and senior and military discounts are available. There will be a 50-50 raffle, concessions and kid-friendly activities.

Staff/wire reports