SPORTS DIGEST || Boardman’s Pikunas wins, sets Akron marks

Boardman’s Pikunas wins, sets Akron marks

YORKTOWN, IND.

Freshman Jacinta Pikunas won her first collegiate tournament and set three program records as the University of Akron women’s golf team concluded the Ball State Cardinal Classic in Yorktown, Ind., with a third-place finish.

Pikunas finished at 6-under 201 in the 54-hole tournament and now owns the lowest 18-hole score (6-under 66), lowest 36-hole score (6-under 138) and lowest 54-hole total (6-under 210) in program history.

Pikunas is a 2017 Boardman High School graduate.

The Zips climbed eight spots on the leaderboard on Tuesday with Pikunas’ even-par 72 and Abbie Pearce’s 1-under 71 to finish in third place with a 19-over 883.

Danielle Nicholson finished tied for 12th place and Pearce finished tied for 20th place.

Former Grove City coach Longnecker dies

GROVE CITY, PA.

Former Grove City College coach and faculty member Jim Longnecker died Saturday at the age of 84 after an extended illness.

Longnecker spent 40 seasons as Grove City College’s head men’s swimming and diving coach from 1957 to 1997. He guided the College to 40 consecutive winning seasons, including six undefeated campaigns.

With a 366-93 (.797) record at retirement, he stood as the winningest active swim coach in NCAA Division III and among the top five in all NCAA classifications.

Longnecker directed the men’s track and field teams for 40 years, accumulating a career record of 224-53-1 (.808). In 12 seasons as cross country coach (1960-1971), his teams amassed a 97-31 (.758) record. Overall, Longnecker compiled a 687-177-1 (.795) mark as a head coach at the College.

A memorial service is scheduled for 2 p.m. on Sunday in Harbison Chapel on campus. A reception will follow in Rathburn Hall.

Orioles minor leaguer dies after auto accident

BALTIMORE

Miguel Gonzalez, a minor league pitcher in the Baltimore Orioles organization, has died of injuries he sustained in a car accident in the Dominican Republic last weekend.

The 21-year-old Gonzalez was signed as a non-drafted free agent in 2014 and pitched for the Orioles in the Dominican Summer League for the past three seasons.

The Orioles said the accident occurred Saturday night. The team held a moment of silence in Gonzalez’s behalf before its home game Monday night against Boston.

Orioles executive vice president of baseball operations Dan Duquette said: “Our organization is deeply saddened. Miguel was beloved by his teammates and coaches in the Dominican Republic.”

Cardinal Mooney ticket sales begin today

YOUNGSTOWN

Tickets for the Cardinal Mooney-Boardman football game at Spartan Stadium on Friday night will be on sale starting today and will end Friday at 2 p.m. and can be picked up at the Cardinals’ Nest. Adult tickets cost $6 and student tickets cost $4.

Penguins fall to Sabres in OT in preseason

University Park, Pa.

Jack Eichel’s goal 25 seconds into overtime lifted Buffalo to a 4-3 exhibition victory.

Jason Pominville scored twice for the Sabres. Matt Tennyson also scored, and Chad Johnson made 14 saves.

Jay McClement, Zach Aston-Reese and Olli Maatta scored for the Penguins.

Blue Jackets drop 5-3 decision to Blackhawks

COLUMBUS

Nick Schmaltz and Cody Franson each had a goal and an assist, powering the Blackhawks to a 5-3 win. Laurent Dauphin, Jan Rutta and Vinnie Hinostroza also scored for Chicago.

Seth Jones scored both goals for the Blue Jackets.

Staff and wire reports