SPORTS digest

YSU softball team drops series finale

YOUNGSTOWN

The Youngstown State softball team scored early but dropped the three-game series finale to Wright State, 4-2, on Wednesday at the Covelli Sports Complex.

Senior Lexi Zappitelli went 2-for-4 with a double and a run batted in while junior Tatum Christy had a run-scoring single for the Penguins (21-22, 9-4 Horizon League).

The Penguins jumped out in front early scoring twice in the bottom half of the first inning. Sophomore Yazmine Romero tripled and scored on Zappitelli’s double down the left-field line. Christy ripped a two-out single through the right side to plate Zappitelli.

Wright State (18-26, 5-10) knotted the game with a two-run home run in the top of the second inning and added runs in the top of the third and fourth innings to seal the victory.

The Penguins left seven runners on base and hit into two double plays.

Prospects AAU team wins tournament

The Prospects eighth-grade AAU basketball team has won four tournaments: the Wooster Shootout Championship, 6-0; the East Ohio silver championship, 4-1; the Rubber City Classic Championship, 6-0: and Columbus Mid Ohio silver championship, 4-1.

The team coaches are John Cardiero, Mike Palmer and Lee Maniors.

Players are Thomas Cardiero (Girard), Anthony Lucente (Lowellville), Patrick Valent (Warren JFK), Vinny Ballone (Lowellville), Hayden Wait (Mineral Ridge), Gianni Maley (Austintown Fitch), Mike Palmer (Austintown Fitch), Bobby Alejars (Girard) and David Manios (Howland).

Shenango volleyball name Frank assistant

Sharon, Pa.

Andrew Frank has been named the assistant coach of the Penn State Shenango women’s volleyball program.

Frank coached at Neshannock. He had a 103-38 record in eight seasons with Neshannock, leading to two PIAA state tournament appearances.

The Farrell, Pa., native attended Penn State, where he played club volleyball.

Ohio State QB Baldwin intends to transfer

COLUMBUS

An Ohio State spokesman confirmed that quarterback Matthew Baldwin intends to transfer.

The redshirt freshman has entered his name into the NCAA transfer portal, the school said Thursday.

Baldwin competed in spring practice with Justin Fields, a highly touted Georgia transfer who is the favorite to win the starting job this fall. The Texan spent much of last season rehabbing from a knee injury suffered in his last high school game in 2017.

Baldwin is the second Ohio State quarterback to transfer since coach Ryan Day got Fields to transfer to join the Buckeyes. Tate Martell, who was the backup to star Dwayne Haskins Jr. last season, left Ohio State and quickly joined Miami.

Graduate transfer Chris Chugunov is the only backup QB on the roster now.

Seattle NHL arena experiences setbacks

SEATTLE

The arena for Seattle’s new NHL franchise won’t be completed until late spring or summer of 2021 but that shouldn’t have any impact on the expansion team’s first season.

Team President Tod Leiweke said Thursday the delay could affect some other plans for the franchise, including the hopes of hosting the 2021 NHL draft. After being awarded the league’s 32nd team last December, Seattle officials were hoping to have the building open by early spring 2021, but design delays and a change in general contractors has delayed the project.

Leiweke said the new contractor has been provided with incentives to try to have the arena ready by June 1, 2021, in the hope of having the building host the team’s expansion draft, the NHL draft and a full home slate for the WNBA’s Seattle Storm.

Staff/wire report