SPORTS digest

Hubbard-Girard playoff tickets on sale

Hubbard

Tickets for the Hubbard-Girard football regional final on Saturday at 7 p.m. at Niles are on sale at Eagle Wear until Saturday at 1 p.m. during store hours and Friday at Hubbard High School from 10 a.m.-1:30 p.m.

Tickets cost $8 in advance and $9 at the gate.

Wiggins named MVFC O-lineman of the Week

Youngstown

Youngstown State senior offensive lineman Gavin Wiggins was named the MVFC Offensive Lineman of the Week for his performance against UNI on Saturday.

Wiggins made his first career start at left tackle in the Penguins’ 31-10 win over UNI at Stambaugh Stadium.

YSU concludes the season Saturday at Illinois State. Kickoff at Hancock Stadium is set for 1 p.m.

Penn State Beaver wins first game over Titans

MONACA, Pa.

The Westminster College women’s basketball team opened the 2018-19 campaign with Monday’s 52-47 loss to non-conference opponent Penn State Beaver on the road.

Emily Fromknecht recorded a game-high 15 points and a team-best eight rebounds and three steals for Westminster (0-1).

Jackie Mathews registered 10 points, five rebounds and two steals and Aliya Gage scored seven points and seven rebounds.

Alexis Cross, a Columbiana graduate, scored eight points and grabbed four rebounds in her debut with Penn State Beaver.

Former NASCAR star David Pearson, 83, dies

SPARTANBURG, S.C.

David Pearson, a NASCAR pioneer and longtime rival of Richard Petty, has died. He was 83.

Pearson died Monday, The Wood Brothers racing team said, but details were not immediately available.

Pearson was a three-time Cup champion and his 105 career victories trail only Petty’s 200 on NASCAR’s all-time list.

Initially nicknamed “The Fox” for his calculated attack on the race track, the moniker evolved into “The Silver Fox” as Pearson aged. His career paralleled Petty’s and the two combined for 63 finishes in which the two finished first and second to each other.

Ohtani, Acuna named Rookies of Year

NEW YORK

Atlanta Braves outfielder Ronald Acuna Jr. was an overwhelming pick for National League Rookie of the Year, easily beating Washington outfielder Juan Soto.

The 20-year-old Acuna received 27 first-place votes and three seconds for 144 points from the Baseball Writers’ Association of America in balloting announced Monday.

Los Angeles Angels two-way star Shohei Ohtani was voted American League Rookie of the Year after becoming the first player since Babe Ruth with 10 homers and four pitching wins in the same season.

Ohtani received 25 first-place votes and four seconds for 137 points.

NHL, retired players reach lawsuit settlement

The NHL and attorneys for retired players say a tentative settlement has been reached in a lawsuit brought against the league over head injuries.

The lawsuit, consolidated in federal court in Minnesota and by far the biggest facing the league, involved more than 100 former players who accused the NHL of failing to better prevent head trauma or warn players of risks while promoting violent play that led to their injuries.

The NHL said it does not acknowledge any liability for any of the players’ claims. A spokesman said there would be no comment until after the opt-in period of 75 days for players.

Attorneys for the retired players say the settlement includes a cash payment for players who choose to participate; neurological testing and assessment for players paid for by the league; an administrative fund to pay for the costs and up to $75,000 in medical treatment for players who test positive on two or more tests.

Staff/wire report