Tuesday, June 16, 2015
Ex-Penguin Beal makes PGA Tour of Canada
Former Youngstown State men’s golfer Ross Beal (2004-08) has qualified for the Mackenzie Tour, the PGA Tour of Canada.
Beal had a strong debut placing second at the PC Financial Open at the end of May. He qualified for the tour finishing second with a 22-under par score of 266 at the PGA Tour Canada Q School in Florida in late April.
At the PC Financial Open held May 28-31 at Point Grey Golf and Country Club in Vancouver, he was one of five golfers to reach a playoff. Beal and two others were eliminated after the first hole, but in his first event, the Uniontown native picked up $11,500.
Alouettes suspend Sam; retain CFL rights
MONTREAL
The Montreal Alouettes suspended defensive end Michael Sam on Monday, a move that frees a roster spot while allowing the Alouettes to retain Sam’s CFL rights.
Sam left the Alouettes’ training camp for personal reasons last week after being given special permission to return home to Texas. His departure came three weeks after he became the first openly gay player to sign in the CFL.
The 25-year-old Sam was selected in the seventh round of the 2014 NFL draft by the Rams, becoming the first openly gay player chosen by an NFL team. He was later cut by the Rams and from the Dallas Cowboys’ practice squad.
San Diego Padres fire manager Bud Black
SAN DIEGO
The San Diego Padres fired longtime manager Bud Black on Monday after hovering around .500 with a roster that was overhauled in the offseason.
The team said that it was immediately beginning a search for an interim manager to take over for the rest of the season.
Bench coach Dave Roberts was tapped to serve as manager when the Padres host Oakland on Monday night.
Pirates sign top pick Kevin Newman
PITTSBURGH
The Pittsburgh Pirates top pick in last week’s draft is ready to get to work.
The team announced Monday it has signed former Arizona shortstop Kevin Newman to a contract. The Pirates selected Newman with the 19th overall pick in the first-year player draft. Newman will begin his professional career next week with the West Virginia Black Bears of the New York-Penn League.
The 21-year-old Newman was a first-team Pac-12 selection this spring after hitting .370 with 19 doubles, two home runs and 22 stolen bases for the Wildcats.
Pittsburgh general manager Neal Huntington says the team is planning for Newman to stay at shortstop for now. The Pirates have several shortstop prospects in their system, including 2014 first-round pick Cole Tucker.
Canada wins group despite draw vs. Dutch
MONTREAL
Substitute Kirsten Van De Ven scored in the 87th minute and the Netherlands earned a 1-1 draw with host Canada at the Women’s World Cup on Monday.
Canada still finished first in Group A with a win and two draws and will begin single-game knockout play Sunday in Vancouver against an opponent still to be determined. China was second in the group and the Netherlands, with a win a loss and a draw, was third.
Ashley Lawrence scored early for Canada, but the Dutch were a threat all night with their counterattacking game and got the equalizer with three minutes left in regular time.
A crowd of 45,420 at Olympic Stadium saw coach John Herdman make four lineup changes looking for offense from a Canadian team whose only goal in the opening two games was on a penalty.
McDonald Sideliners to meet on Sunday
The McDonald Sideliners will meet on Sunday at 7 p.m. at the high school.
Anyone interested in becoming a member is welcome.
Staff/wire reports