SPORTS digest

Richner, Schneider win at speedway

HARTFORD

Rick Richner, Chris Schneider, Jacob Rucker, Rocky kigel, Josh Ferry and Joe Campbell were winners Saturday night at Sharon Speedway.

Richner battled his way by three-time winner, Jimmy Weller III, in the second half of the 20-lap non-stop feature and went on for his first win since July 18, 2015 in the Hovis Auto & Truck Supply-sponsored division.

Schneider led all 20 laps and survived six cautions for the win in the Gibson Insurance Agency event.

Eucker led all 15 laps of the Summit Racing Equipment feature and was never challenged for the popular win.

Kugel picked up his victory in a former Tom Glenn Big-Block Modified car. Kugel led all but the opening lap for his second Lyden/Red Line Oil RUSH Sportsman Modified of the season.

Spikes shut out Scrappers, 5-0

NILES

The Mahoning Valley Scrappers hit into three doubleplays in Sunday’s 5-0 loss to the State College Spikes at Eastwood Field.

The Spikes jumped on Scrappers’ starter Tanner Tully for two runs in the first inning.

The Scrappers brought the tying run to the plate every inning between the first and fifth innings, but stranded six on base.

The Scrappers (29-31) and Spikes (41-20) will conclude their series on today at 7:05 p.m.

Brady Aiken, a 2015 high draft pick of the Cleveland Indians, will get the start for Mahoning Valley.

Fitch girls soccer team edges Green in opener

AUSTINTOWN

Brittany McFall scored two goals, Jackie Muccio added another and Tiffany Aliberti had two assists to lead the Fitch girls soccer team past Green 3-2 on Saturday.

It was the season opener for both teams.

Lauren Dolak also had an assist for the Falcons. Fitch goalkeepers Megan Bartley and Jocelyn Gabriel each had two saves.

Delaney Stecz scored both goals for Green.

Green goalkeeper Kiley Bush made five saves.

Green won the JV match, 1-0.

West Branch splits volleyball matches

BELOIT

Grace Heath scored 12 points with six aces as the West branch volleyball team defeated United by scores of 25-13, 18-25 and 25-18. Whitney Wallace made eight kills.

In a second match, West Branch fell to Southeast by scores of 29-27, 25-11. Natalie Zuchowski made eight kills, Wallace scored six points and Elise Wallace made three blocks.

IRL race postponed

LONG POND, Pa.

With rain pelting the garage roof at Pocono Raceway and knowing he’d have to wait another day to race, Mikhail Aleshin just shrugged.

No big deal for the first Russian-born driver to win an IndyCar pole.

“Just one more day sitting on the pole,” Aleshin said Sunday. “That’s life. I just want to win this race. For me, it doesn’t matter if it’s going to be today, tomorrow, or next month. I’m still on the pole.”

IndyCar officials acted quickly Sunday and postponed the race at the triangular 2.5-mile track until noon today because of persistent mid-afternoon rain.

Kerber loses chance to become No. 1

MASON

The final step up to No. 1 was simply too big for Angelique Kerber — this time, anyway.

The world’s second-ranked player wasted a chance to end Serena Williams’ long run at the top. She fell behind at the outset, repeatedly missed routine shots and fell to Karolina Pliskova 6-3, 6-1 in the championship match Sunday at the Western & Southern Open.

On the men’s side, Andy Murray also ran out of steam in the title match. He fell to Marin Cilic 6-4, 7-5, ending his career-best winning streak at 22 matches.

Staff/wire report