Vindicator offers bracket challenge

March 15, 2015 at 12:00a.m.

Sports fans are invited to participate in The Vindicator’s college basketball Bracket Challenge. Visit the website vindy.collegebasketball.upickem.net for details.

Mikovich’s homer lifts YSU softball

MACON, GA.

Freshman Cali Mikovich (Austintown Fitch) belted a walkoff home run to lead off the bottom of the seventh inning, helping the Youngstown State softball team defeat Alabama A&M on Saturday.

The Penguins dropped an 11-0 decision to Mercer later in the day.

Sophomore Sarah Dowd went 2-for-3 with a run scored and drove in another while freshmen Stevie Taylor (South Range) and Kelly Thompson-Cappadocio each went 2-for-3 for the Penguins (7-12).

Senior Kayla Haslett struck out three in 32/3 innings to pick up the win.

Against Mercer, the Penguins were limited to just one hit, a single by Brittney Moffatt.

YSU baseball team splits doubleheader

Westfield, IND.

Matt Sullivan hit a three-run homer and Youngstown State got strong pitching from Jeremy Quinlan (Brookfield) and Joe King to earn a doubleheader split with Milwaukee at Grand Park.

The Penguins (3-6) topped the Panthers (9-4) 5-3 in the nightcap after dropping the opener 6-5.

Quinlan held the Panthers to two runs on six hits and a walk in six innings to earn his second victory of the season, King did not allow an earned run and yielded just one hit in three innings to record his first career save.

Sullivan’s homer down the right-field line brought in Jonny Miller and Brent Gillespie in the fourth inning.

Ex-YSU coach Boldon leads Ohio to NCAAs

CLEVELAND

Kiyanna Black scored 25 and Ohio ended Eastern Michigan’s touching tournament run, inspired by the tragic death of one of its players, to win the Mid-American Conference Tournament championship 60-44 on Saturday.

The top-seeded Bobcats (27-4) earned their third conference title and NCAA Tournament bid — the school’s first since 1995. Ohio, which went just 9-21 last season, is coached by former YSU women’s coach Bob Boldon.

Black made four 3-pointers in a three-minute span in the second half, helping Ohio open a 10-point lead.

Caparanis to speak at Curbstone luncheon

AUSTINTOWN

Veteran Trumbull County sportscaster and Curbstone Coaches Hall of Fame member John “Cappy” Caparanis will be the guest speaker Monday at the Curbstone Coaches’ weekly luncheon at Lucianno’s Banquet Center in The Wedgewood Plaza. The event begins at noon and is open to the public.

Poland will sell SVSM game tickets

POLAND

The Poland High athletic department sell tickets to Thursday’s Poland-Akron St. Vincent-St. Mary regional tournament basketball game beginning Tuesday. The game will be at the Canton Civic Center.

Hours for ticket sales at the school are 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Tuesday and Wednesday, and 8 a.m. to noon Thursday.

Al Rosen dies; was AL MVP in ’53

CLEVELAND

Al Rosen, the muscular third baseman for the Cleveland Indians who won the 1953 AL MVP and later worked in the front offices of several teams, died Friday. He was 91.

Rosen was a member on the Indians’ 1948 title team, the last Cleveland squad to win the World Series.

Rosen played his entire career with Cleveland from 1947-56. Although he was a member of the ‘48 team, he played only five games that season and got one at-bat in the win over the Boston Braves.

Staff/wire report