SPORTS DIGEST || Poland’s Gabriel fires another perfect game

Poland’s Gabriel fires another perfect game

KNOXVILLE, Tenn.

Poland High School graduate Erin Gabriel threw her second career perfect game on Tuesday to lift 17th-ranked Tennessee (22-8) to a 10-0 run-rule victory over Jacksonville at Sherri Parker Lee Stadium.

Gabriel was on her game from the start, striking out the first batter she faced and cruising from there to record the 14th perfect game in the history of Tennessee softball.

The senior right-hander threw her first perfect game almost exactly one year ago in a 10-0 win over ETSU on March 24. This was also the third-career no-hitter for Gabriel, who threw her first no-no in a 6-0 victory over Illinois State on March 10 of last year.

She recorded seven punchouts to surpass the 100-strikeout mark for the season and improve to 12-3.

Eight gymnasts place in state championship

NILES

Eight high school gymnasts placed this past weekend at the USA Women’s Gymnastics Ohio State Championships, including one winner. The championship was held at the Mayor Ralph A, Infante Wellness Center.

Canfield’s Mya Kasten took first place in the all-around and uneven bars competing at Level 9 competition. Elsewhere in Level 9, Salem’s Lauren Manski took fifth in the all-around, Canfield’s Ashley Jones placed seventh in the all-around and Boardman’s Jackie Harker and Megan Harker tied for 11th in the all-around.

At Level 10, Cardinal Mooney’s Gabrielle Williams took second in the all-around. Canfield’s Anna Warhol and Jamie Sklenar took seventh and 10th, respectively, in the all-around.

Up next us the regionals, which happen on April 8-10 in Bourbonnais, Ill. The gymnasts are seeking a shot at Junior Olympic bids.

YSU softball sweeps St. Bonaventure

St. Bonaventure, N.Y.

Youngstown State cranked out 25 hits and swept a softball doubleheader from St. Bonaventure, 12-4, and 9-5, on Wednesday afternoon at Joyce Field.

YSU (10-11) has won three straight. In the opener, the Penguins used a 15-hit attack en route to a 12-4 win. Senior Miranda Castiglione went 3-for-5 with two home runs, three runs scored and five RBIs. Sophomore Cali Mikovich went 3-for-5 with a home run and drove in three runs.

Junior Sarah Dowd and senior Katie Smallcomb each had two hits. The Penguins used a six-run seventh inning to expand a tight 6-4 lead into an insurmountable 12-4 lead. In the inning, Dowd drove in a pair of runs with a double to right-center field, Mikovich drilled a run-scoring single to right field and Castiglione belted a three-run blast to right field to seal the victory.

Freshman Paige Geanangel picked up her third win of the season striking out three in four innings. In the nightcap, a nine-run second inning was all the Penguins needed in the 9-5 win.

The Penguins open Horizon League play against Valparaiso in a three-game series this weekend at the YSU Softball Field. First pitch on Friday is at 3 p.m.

NT Williams signs with San Francisco 49ers

SANTA CLARA, Calif.

Free agent nose tackle Ian Williams signed a one-year contract Wednesday with the San Francisco 49ers that could pay him up to $6 million.

On March 9, Williams reached agreement on a five-year deal that was restructured once his doctors in Miami shared findings about an undisclosed injury with the 49ers medical staff. His status is unclear heading into the team’s first offseason program under new coach Chip Kelly.

Williams began 2013 as starting nose tackle, then sustained a season-ending lower leg injury in a Week 2 loss that year on a cut block by Seattle right guard J.R. Sweezy. Williams underwent four surgeries near the ankle — having screws and plates put in and then removed — and began the 2014 training camp on the physically unable to perform list following an offseason setback.

The 26-year-old defensive lineman broke his leg in a Week 10 game during the 2014 season and wound up on injured reserve for the second straight year.

Staff/wire reports