YSU’s Mikovich ties single-game hits record

YSU’s Mikovich ties single-game hits record

Wilmington, N.C.

Freshman Cali Mikovich tied a school record with four hits in a game and sophomore Caitlyn Minney pitched four scoreless innings of relief to lead the Youngstown State softball team to a 9-3 win over Norfolk State on Saturday morning.

The Penguins (3-5) also lost to UNC-Wilmington, 8-7, later in the day.

Mikovich (Austintown Fitch) went 6-for-7 on the day with a home run, a triple, two doubles and four RBIs while junior Miranda Castiglione went 5-for-6 with two doubles and three RBIs.

Mikovich had a home run, a triple and two singles in the opener and also drove in two runs and scored twice. Castiglione went 3-for-3 with a run-scoring double and freshman Stevie Taylor (South Range) went 2-for-4 with a triple.

Saints, Ingram agree on four-year deal

NEW ORLEANS

New Orleans Saints running back Mark Ingram has agreed to a four-year contract extension.

Ingram was due to become a free agent next week.

Ingram was one of two first-round picks by New Orleans in 2011, the other being defensive end Cameron Jordan.

Before last season began, the Saints chose not to exercise Ingram’s option for 2015. Then Ingram proceeded to have the best season of his career in 2014, rushing for 964 yards and nine touchdowns, to go with 145 yards receiving.

Hundreds pack funeral for Sox great Minoso

CHICAGO

Friends and family paid tribute Saturday to White Sox great Minnie Minoso at a funeral in Chicago, recalling the strength that enabled baseball’s first black Latino star to smile through the hurt of racial taunts as well as his genuine love for his fans.

In a message read out to the crowd, fellow Cuban and White Sox star Alexei Ramirez, who was away for a game, said Minoso’s courage paved the way for him and the younger generation of Latino ballplayers.

“Without Minnie, without his courage to leave Cuba for the major leagues, without his willingness to accept taunts and slights, none of us would be major leaguers,” he said. “... As I take the field today, a Cuban proudly wearing a White Sox jersey, I will do so thinking of Minnie. Thank you, my friend.”

Minoso died March 1. He was believed to be 90.

Dynamo beats Crew in MLS opener

HOUSTON

Giles Barnes scored in the 66th minute, Tyler Deric made five saves for the shutout and the Houston Dynamo beat the Columbus Crew 1-0 in Saturday’s MLS regular season opener for both teams.

It’s the first MLS win for Dynamo’s new coach Owen Coyle.

Kofi Sarkodie took a long forward pass from Raul Rodriguez and made a run on the right. He froze Waylon Francis with a stop move, and then fed Barnes at the penalty spot. Barnes’ shot settled past the outstretched hand of Steve Clark and just under the crossbar. Columbus’ Federico Higuain hit the crossbar in an effort to draw even five minutes later.

Shared Belief wins Santa Anita Handicap

ARCADIA, Calif.

Shared Belief collared pacesetter Moreno on the turn for home and went on to win the $1 million Santa Anita Handicap by 41/4 lengths Saturday.

The 5-year-old dark bay gelding ran 11/4 miles in 2:00.67 and paid $2.60, $2.20 and $2.10 as the 1-5 favorite of 26,134 fans.

Hall of Fame jockey Mike Smith earned a record third consecutive Big ‘Cap victory, having won the previous two years aboard Game On Dude.

Shared Belief improved to 10-1 in his career, the only blemish being a loss in the $5 million Breeders’ Cup Classic after a messy start last fall at Santa Anita. He finished fourth, losing by 33/4 lengths.

Moreno returned $4.80 and $4.20 in his first start since getting slammed hard out of the starting gate in the BC Classic.

Vindicator staff/wire reports