SPORTS digest

Auburn bests Scrappers in 10-inning finale

Auburn, N.Y.

Jake Alu drove in the game-winning run and the Auburn Doubledays beat the Mahoning Valley Scrappers 3-2 in their series finale on Tuesday night.

Alu drove in J.T. Arruda with out in the bottom of the 10th inning after the Scrappers (34-35) tied the game in the ninth.

Bryan Lavastida homered off Rafael Gomez with two outs in the top of the ninth inning to tie the game at 2. It was his second home run of the season.

Wilmer Perez got the Doubledays (26-43) on the board with a double in the fifth. Jake Randa added an RBI groundout in the sixth.

Johnathan Rodriguez’s fifth home run cut the lead to 2-1 in the seventh.

Serafino Brito (3-1) allowed one unearned run on one hit and two walks in 21/3 innings of relief for the Scrappers.

Rafael Gomez (2-6) allowed two runs on three hits and two walks in six innings of relief.

The Scrappers will return to Eastwood Field for a six-game homestand to complete the season. They will host the State College Spikes on Wednesday. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m.

YSU athletics offers senior ticket package

Youngstown

The Youngstown State University Athletic Department in conjunction with Ohio Living Park Vista will present 2019-20 “Senior” ticket prices for YSU home football and basketball games. This partnership allows area seniors to receive special pricing for YSU home events.

The Ohio Living Park Vista Senior ticket prices will guarantee each Penguins fan (60 and older) the opportunity to purchase a reserved game ticket for $10 to any regular-season game throughout the 2019-20 season. Normal ticket prices can range from $12-$22 for individual game football and basketball tickets.

The football team will open a seven-game home schedule on Sept. 7 against Howard in a 2 p.m. kickoff. The basketball teams will tip-off their campaigns in November.

For additional YSU ticket information, please contact the YSU Athletic Ticket Office at (330) 941-1978.

IUPUI coach resigns after DUI arrest

INDIANAPOLIS

IUPUI men’s basketball coach Jason Gardner has resigned following his arrest on drunken driving charges in suburban Hamilton County.

IUPUI spokesman Ed Holdaway says it was a mutual decision between Gardner and the university Tuesday.

Gardner was lodged in the Hamilton County Jail over the weekend and released early Tuesday on his own recognizance. He arrested early Sunday by the Fishers Police Department after being found asleep behind the wheel at an intersection.

Gardner was entering his sixth season at IUPUI’s head coach and has a 64-93 career record.

Venezuela wants out of US baseball ban

CARACAS, Venezuela

Venezuelan officials say they’re fighting a ban by Major League Baseball that blocks its players from the South American country’s winter league under strict U.S. sanctions against the socialist government.

The Venezuelan Professional Baseball League on Tuesday said it’s asking the U.S. Treasury for an exception. Major League Baseball announced last week that its players are banned from the Venezuelan Winter League, citing the economic sanctions.

Eight teams in the Venezuelan league say the MLB’s ban was made against their interests and the nation’s passion for baseball.

U.S. officials in early August announced a new, broad round of economic measures blocking companies and individuals from doing business with Venezuela’s socialist President Nicolas Maduro.

Venezuela’s state-owned oil company, known as PDVSA, has been a major sponsor of the nation’s professional baseball league.

The Venezuelan Winter League is one many that major league players use to hone their skills in the offseason.

Staff/wire report