SPORTS DIGEST || Scrappers can’t overcome mistakes

Scrappers can’t overcome mistakes

niles

Three Mahoning Valley Scrappers errors proved costly on Saturday night in a 6-4 loss to the West Virginia Black Bears at Eastwood Field. The three unearned runs allowed on the errors proved to be the difference as the Scrappers ninth inning rally came up just short.

Brady Aiken started and took a no decision in five innings of work. He allowed one earned run on three hits. Aiken didn’t walk a batter and struck out five. Randy Valladares (2-3) took the loss in one inning of relief.

Niles coach pleads not guilty to drug charge

warren

Brian Talkington, a soccer coach for the Niles school district, pleaded not guilty to a drug charge after being arrested this week.

Talkington was charged with drug possession after police allegedly found a small amount of marijuana and three oxycodone pills in his pockets after a traffic stop.

He is free on bond and is set to appear in Warren Municipal court next month.

Solo takes indefinite leave from Reign

Hope Solo has taken an indefinite leave from the Seattle Reign of the National Women’s Soccer League, less than a week after being suspended for six months by the U.S. national team for disparaging remarks about Sweden.

The move was announced Saturday by the Reign, saying that the Olympic goaltender has been granted personal leave. The team did not say how long Solo would be away.

It’s been a rough time for the record-breaking goalkeeper. On Wednesday, she was suspended after calling the Swedes “cowards” for their defensive style of play after the U.S. was ousted by Sweden in the quarterfinals of the Rio Games.

The Reign announced Solo’s leave hours before Saturday’s match against the Portland Thorns, after previously indicating that she and U.S. teammate Megan Rapinoe would be available to play. Seattle signed goalkeeper Andi Tostanoski to replace Solo.

New York wins U.S. Little League title

williamsport, pa.

Jack Hopko broke a scoreless tie with an RBI single in the bottom of the fourth and Michael Mancini struck out 11 for Endwell, New York in a 4-2 victory over Goodlettsville, Tennessee, in the U.S. final.

The Mid-Atlantic champs will try to win their first title against international winner South Korea on Sunday. South Korea beat Panama 7-2 earlier Saturday in the international final.

“I don’t think I can describe it, maybe the boys can,” New York manager Scott Rush said. “Just an unbelievable feeling.”

New York players Mancini, Hopko, Billy Dundon and Jude Abbadessa appeared in the postgame media room and all used the same word — “Amazing.”

It was Mancini’s pitching that inspired his teammates, shut down Goodlettsville and earned him praise from the opposing manager and a standing ovation from Endwell fans who packed the first-base side of Lamade Stadium when he exited in the fifth.

YSU volleyball team falls in Fort Wayne

FORT WAYNE, IND.

The Youngstown State volleyball team dropped a pair of matches at the Fort Wayne Invitational Sponsored by Hyatt Place on Saturday, falling in straight sets to the host Mastodons (25-22, 25-18, 25-22) and losing in five sets to Murray State (25-17, 15-25, 26-28, 25-19, 15-8).

Lori Vanbeek posted a career-high 18 kills against the Racers, and she added nine against the Mastodons. Sam Brown registered double digits in kills in both matches, finishing with 11 against Fort Wayne and 14 against Murray State. Dana Borsz reached a new career high in digs with 22 in the five-setter against Murray State.

YSU will host to Duquesne in its Beeghly Center opener on Tuesday at 7 p.m. It will be the first athletic contest played on the new Rosselli Court, which was refurbished and redesigned over the summer.

Staff/wire reports