SPORTS DIGEST || Scrappers open homestand with win

Scrappers open homestand with win

NILEs

Ernie Clement scored on a groundout in the first inning, leading the Mahoning Valley Scrappers to a 5-2 win over the Batavia Muckdogs on Tuesday.

Clement scored on the play to give the Scrappers a 1-0 lead after he reached base on a walk, advanced to second on an error and then went to third on a balk.

After Mahoning Valley added three runs, the Muckdogs cut into the deficit in the top of the next frame when Lazaro Alonso hit an RBI double, scoring Mathew Brooks.

The Scrappers tacked on another run in the sixth when Will Benson hit a solo home run.

Springfield football tickets on sale

NEW MIDDLETOWN

Springfield’s athletic department is selling student tickets for $4 at the school today for Saturday night’s road game against South Range.

Niles’ Pico among leaders in senior open

DAYTON

Nile’s man Jack Pico is among the top 20 golfers in the 2017 Ohio Senior Amateur Championship. Pico sits in 19th place after the opening round of play after shooting a 76 at Dayton Country Club.

Canfield’s Esarco to appear in first televised game

Canfield graduate Jacob Esarco will be the first local to play college football on national television this season. Esarco will start at defensive tackle when Colgate plays Ca-Poly on Saturday on ESPU.

Esarco graduated from Canfield in 2016.

Metro Ice wins Warren AA baseball championship

It’s back to back championships for Metro Ice, as they defeat the Marlins by a score of 1-0, in a pitchers duel featuring Ice veteran Matt Schultz and the Marlins’ Tim Calhoun. Schultz allowed six hits but game up no runs, while Calhoun only surrendered two first inning singles and one run. Both struck out five.

Metro Ice captured the lead in the first inning. Chris DeScalzi drove in LCS MVP Derek Morrison when he singled in the first inning.

Marlins collected five hits. Bobby Dulay, Nick Morton and Joe Hardy each collected two hits for Marlins.

Ice and Marlins met in the championship for the second consectutive year, with Metro Ice prevailing both times. This is the 3rd League Championship in Ice history, winning their first in 2014.

‘Steel Valley Thunder’ finale set for Saturday

HARTFORD

Sharon Speedway has hit the homestretch with better weather and will look to complete the fifth straight “Steel Valley Thunder” program on Saturday night. This will be the final night of points with championships on the line in the Hovis Auto & Truck Supply Big-Block Modifieds, Gibson Insurance Agency Stock Cars, HTMA/Precise Racing Products RUSH Sportsman Modifieds, and Summit Racing Equipment Econo Mods. Kids bike races will be held at intermission. Race time is 7 p.m.

Steps taken after 17 horses die at track

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y.

Additional safety measures are being implemented at Saratoga Race Course after the deaths of 17 horses on the grounds so far this year.

The New York state Gaming Commission announced Monday the enhanced measures include more veterinarians at the track during training hours.

The agency says the steps are being taken along with the New York Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association and the New York Racing Association, which operates Saratoga, Belmont and Aqueduct.

The 17 horse deaths as of Monday are one more than the 2016 total. This year’s deaths include eight on the main track or turf course and at the Oklahoma Track, the training facility.

Staff/wire report