SPORTS DIGEST || YSU football’s ‘Meet the Penguins’ set for Aug. 4

YSU football’s ‘Meet the Penguins’ set for Aug. 4

YOUNGSTOWN

Youngstown State football fans can get a great chance to get to know the members of the 2018 YSU football team at the “Meet the Penguins” special event on Saturday, Aug. 4 at Stambaugh Stadium.

The free event is set for 1:30 p.m. to 3 p.m., when fans can get autographs, photos and interact with the members of the 2018 Penguins. The squad will take its 2018 team photo during the event.

Parking is free in the Hollywood Gaming/Penguin Club M-70 Tailgate Lot across from Stambaugh Stadium.

Fans can try on a YSU uniform, clock their 40-yard dash time, kick field goals and toss footballs around with the Penguins. Pete the Penguin and members of the YSU spirit squad will also be in attendance.

Additionally, the first 100 fans in attendance will receive a free YSU Derek Rivers/Avery Moss dual bobblehead. Both Rivers and Moss were selected in the NFL Draft after helping lead the Penguins to the National Championship Game during the 2016 campaign.

The YSU Athletic Ticket Office will be open from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. for those interested in buying season tickets for the upcoming campaign. Tickets for individual games also will be on sale.

For more information contact the YSU Athletic Ticket Office at 330-941-1YSU.

Ailynn Merling joins YSU coaching staff

YOUNGSTOWN

Former Youngstown State women’s golfer Aislynn Merling has joined the Penguins’ coaching staff, Head Coach Nate Miklos announced on Tuesday. Merling was a standout with the program from 2011-12 to 2014-15.

During her four-year YSU career, Merling played in every round of every tournament and saw action in a school-record 99 rounds. She was a three-time tournament medalist, recorded 23 top-10 finishes and was her team’s top finisher 21 times.

As a senior in 2015, she helped lead the Penguins to their third Horizon League Championship and was named to the league’s all-tournament team after a fifth-place finish. During her final season, she earned 10 top-10 finishes in 13 tournaments while golfing in a school-record 30 rounds.

“We are very excited that Aislynn is returning to the program as an assistant coach,” Miklos said. “She and fellow assistant coach Emily Robertson (Dixon) each played critical roles in leading our team to the Horizon League Championship in 2015. We couldn’t be more excited to have both of them as part of our staff as we move into the next chapter of Penguin golf.”

The YSU women’s golf team will begin its 2018-19 season by hosting the fifth annual Roseann Schwartz Invitational at Mill Creek Park Golf Course in Boardman, Ohio, on Sept. 3-4.

Poland/Canfield team wins regional crown

SOUTH HOLLAND, ILL.

The Poland/Canfield Junior League softball team beat St. Clair 10-0 on Tuesday to win the Little League Central Region championship.

Mia Opalik and Elena Scavina combined to throw a perfect game. Opalik pitched four innings and struck out four and Scavina collected a strikeout while getting the final three outs. Bridget Kelly hit a two-run double.

Poland/Canfield advances to play in the Junior League World Series in Kirkland, Wash. The tournament begins Sunday. Poland-Canfield is the reigning Junior League softball champions.

“The girls are so excited to be able to do this because it’s an all-new team of players,” coach David Wolfe said. “None of them went last year, so it’s a big deal for them.”

Boardman 13-14 team loses in nine innings

PAINESVILLE

The Boardman Junior League baseball team fell to Maumee 6-4 in nine innings on Tuesday in a state tournament game.

No other details were reported.

Boardman will play Loveland Little League at 5 p.m. today in an elimination game. The winner will play Maumee in the championship on Thursday.

Staff/Wire reports