SPORTS DIGEST || Benson HRs power Scrappers over Bears

Benson HRs power Scrappers over Bears

NILES

Will Benson homered twice, driving in three runs and scoring a pair as the Mahoning Valley Scrappers topped the West Virginia Black Bears 4-1 on Saturday night.

Austen Wade doubled twice and singled for Mahoning Valley (36-26). West Virginia fell to 35-29.

Mahoning Valley started the scoring in the second inning when Benson hit a two-run home run.

After Mahoning Valley added a run in the third on a single by Oscar Gonzalez, the Black Bears cut into the deficit in the sixth inning when Tristan Gray hit a solo home run.

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

Mahoning Valley left-hander Francisco Perez (4-4) picked up a quality start and the win after allowing one run on five hits over six innings. West Virginia starter Scooter Hightower (3-1) took the loss in the New York-Penn League game after giving up three runs and six hits over five innings. Riley Echols retired the side in order for his second save of the season.

Soul wins second straight Arena Bowl

PHILADELPHIA

The Philadelphia Soul defeated the Tampa Bay Storm 44-40 in the Arena Bowl on Saturday night.

Boardman High School graduate and former Duquesne defensive lineman Zach Zidian is a member of the Soul, which won its second straight Arena Bowl title.

In just his second game in the Arena Football League, Darius Prince caught two touchdown passes and made three tackles on special teams to earn MVP honors. Mykel Benson ran for two TDs to earn Offensive Player of the Game honors, while James Romain picked up the Defensive Player of the Game award.

Poland football tickets on sale for Week 2

POLAND

Tickets for Poland’s Week 2 home football game against Niles on Friday go on sale on Monday.

Tickets can be bought at the school athletic office from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. and at Trolio’s T-Shirts from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Adult tickets cost $6 and student tickets cost $4. All tickets at the gate cost $6. For more information, call 330-757-7021.

IOC not worried about North Korea

BEIJING

International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach said Saturday he sees “no reason for any immediate concern” about tensions on the Korean Peninsula affecting next year’s Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang, South Korea.

Bach told The Associated Press in Beijing that the IOC was monitoring developments but was buoyed by the support of governments and national Olympic committees.

Security challenges posed by the escalating tensions over North Korea’s nuclear weapons program are expected to be assessed at an IOC meeting in Lima, Peru in September — five months before the Winter Games are staged 80 kilometers (50 miles) across the border from the North.

Texas to face Japan in LLWS title game

SOUTH WILLIAMSPORT, PA.

Mark Requena hit a two-run, go-ahead home run in the sixth inning and Lufkin, Texas, overcame a five-run deficit to beat Greenville, N.C., 6-5 on Saturday and earn a spot in the Little League World Series championship.

Greenville was previously undefeated in the tournament, having given up just one run and one hit in three games — both to Lufkin, on Wednesday — before things changed in a hurry Saturday. Pinch hitter Clayton Wigley’s two-run homer to center started the rally for Lufkin in the fourth inning.

Lufkin will face Japan, which cruised through the international bracket and shut out Mexico 5-0 earlier Saturday, in today’s championship.

Staff/wire report