SPORTS digest

YSU baseball team falls in Chicago

CHICAGO

The Youngstown State baseball team lost 8-5 to Illinois-Chicago in what turned into a home run derby on Saturday at Curtis Granderson Stadium. The Penguins and Flames each hit three home runs in the regular-season finale for both squads.

A pair of three-run home runs by UIC’s Dominic Smith proved to be the difference as the Flames earned the series sweep. The junior outfielder hit his blasts in the third and fifth innings to quell multiple YSU comeback attempts.

Smith went 2-for-3 with the two homers, two runs scored and seven RBIs.

Trey Bridis led the Penguins offensively with two home runs of his own, a pair of solo shots to left field. It marked the second time this month the senior hit two home runs in the same game. Andrew Kendrick also hit a solo home run and drove in two runs while Drew Dickerson recorded a pair of singles.

Scrappers’ Thompson is Curbstone speaker

BEAVER TOWNSHIP

Matt Thompson, Mahoning Valley Scrappers assistant manager of sales, will be the guest speaker at Monday’s luncheon meeting of The Curbstone Coaches at the Avion Banquet Center on Western Reserve Road in Beaver Township.

The event begins at noon and the public is welcome to attend.

Browns send CB Taylor to Cardinals for pick

CLEVELAND

Jamar Taylor’s trade to Arizona is official.

Cleveland traded another of their starting cornerbacks to the Cardinals on Saturday for a sixth-round draft pick in 2020. The teams agreed to the swap on Friday and had to work out final details before it was announced.

The Browns previously shopped Taylor and finally worked out a deal with the Cardinals, who will likely start him opposite star Patrick Peterson.

Taylor’s departure seemed destined when the Browns signed several defensive backs in free agency and selected Ohio State cornerback Denzel Ward with the No. 4 overall pick in the draft.

Taylor started 15 games last season on the other side of the field from Jason McCourty, who was traded to New England in March for a 2018 seventh-round pick.

The 27-year-old Taylor was acquired by the Browns in 2016 from Miami. He had three interceptions in 2017.

Manziel not missing his shot with Hamilton

HAMILTON, Ontario

Heisman Trophy winner Johnny Manziel is heading to the Canadian Football League, looking to salvage his football career after a turbulent and unsuccessful stay with the Cleveland Browns.

The quarterback signed with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats and appeared at a news conference Saturday, ending months of speculation on his possible path back to the game.

“Made the decision today to sign my contract with the CFL and further my football career after a long break,” Manziel wrote on Twitter earlier in the day. “Very grateful for everyone that’s been supporting me along the way. I believe this is the best opportunity for me moving forward and I’m eager for what the future holds.”

His last game came at the end of the 2015 season. He now comes to a team coached by June Jones, a former NFL and college coach. Players report to training camp this weekend.

In 2016, a domestic assault charge against Manziel in Dallas was dismissed after he took an anger management course and participated in the NFL’s substance-abuse program. In a recent interview, he said he’s been diagnosed with bipolar disorder and has stopped drinking.

The CFL has a policy on violence against women. The league said in a statement that in December it began a process to determine if Manziel could join the league.

The league said it informed Manziel and the Tiger-Cats it would approve his signing.

Staff/wire report