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Beckley, Kuriger make tourney team

Youngstown State baseball student-athletes Nathan Beckley and Brayden Kuriger were each named to the 2025 Horizon League Baseball All-Tournament Team for their performance during the conference tournament, which concluded on Saturday from Nischwitz Stadium in Dayton.

Beckley, a redshirt sophomore utility player from Aliso Viejo, Calif., slashed .615/.600/1.462 with eight hits in 13 at bats over three games played during his first Horizon League Tournament. The Golden West College transfer recorded three doubles, one triple, two home runs, 10 RBIs, three runs scored, two stolen bases and 19 total bases while starting all three games at first base.

Beckley went 3-for-4 with a triple and a run scored in his HL Tournament debut against Oakland on Wednesday. He followed that by going 2-for-4 with a double, a home run and four RBIs in YSU's 13-8 elimination game victory over Purdue Fort Wayne on Wednesday night. Beckley concluded the tournament by going 3-for-5 with a double and a home run and matching his career high with six RBIs against Oakland on Thursday night. He hit a game-tying solo home run in the bottom of the ninth to force extra innings. Beckley also set a new YSU single-game HL Tournament record with his six RBIs against Oakland on Thursday.

Kuriger, a junior outfielder from Gonzales, La., slashed .500/.600/1.000 with six hits in 12 at bats over three games in his debut at the Horizon League Tournament. The Nicholls transfer compiled one double, one triple, one home run, four RBIs, seven runs scored, three walks, one stolen base and 12 total bases while starting all three games in left field.

Kuriger tripled and scored a run in the opening round against Oakland on Wednesday before going 1-for-3 with a two-run double, two walks and two runs scored on YSU's 13-8 victory over Purdue Fort Wayne on Wednesday night. He finished the tournament by going 4-for-5 with a home run, a walk, two RBIs and four runs scored against Oakland on Thursday night. Kuriger matched his season and career high with four hits in YSU's tournament finale on Thursday.

Andretti drivers penalized for mods

INDIANAPOLIS -- Indianapolis 500 runner-up Marcus Ericsson was penalized to the rear of the 33-car field along with Andretti Global teammate Kyle Kirkwood on Monday after their cars were found to have unapproved modifications in the post-race inspection that could have helped their aerodynamic efficiency.

Ericsson finished second to Alex Palou on Sunday when he was unable to make a winning pass in the closing laps. He now will be credited with a 31st-place finish while Kirkwood, who had finished sixth, has been relegated to 32nd.

IndyCar said the modifications made by Andretti Global were to the Energy Management System covers provided by Dallara, the company that provides the chassis for the series. The rulebook states that those parts must be used as supplied.

Ericsson and Kirkwood had to forfeit their prize money and championship points from their original finish, and instead will receive the money and points for their penalized finish. Each of the cars also was fined $100,000 and the competition managers for the teams have been suspended for the upcoming race on the streets of Detroit.

The No. 90 car of Callum Ilott also failed post-race technical inspection after it failed to meet the minimum endplate height and location specification. Prema Racing was handed the same penalties as Andretti Global, which means rather than 12th, Ilott will be credited with finishing last in "The Greatest Spectacle in Racing."

IndyCar's inspection process came under scrutiny a week before the race, when the Team Penske cars of two-time winner Josef Newgarden and Will Power were found to have had unapproved modifications to the rear shock-absorbing attenuator.

Newgarden and Power were unable to compete in the second round of qualifying, and instead had to start in the final row of the 11-row grid. Newgarden ended up having a fuel pump issue and finished 25th and Power finished 19th, though both of them will move up three spots following the penalties to Andretti Global and Prema Racing.

Pacers lift ban on Haliburton's father

INDIANAPOLIS -- Tyrese Haliburton's father will be allowed to attend Game 4 of the Eastern Conference finals, meaning his ban from attending Indiana Pacers games following an on-court confrontation with Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo earlier in the playoffs has ended.

John Haliburton is expected to be seated in a suite Tuesday night when the Pacers host the New York Knicks, in hopes of avoiding a repeat of what happened in Game 5 against the Bucks.

John Haliburton has not attended any of the Pacers' eight games -- home or road -- since running onto the court and yelling in Antetokounmpo's face after his son made a last-second layup in overtime to send the Bucks home in the first round for the third straight year.

Instead, John Haliburton has been seen in a local Indianapolis bar celebrating his son's feats, such as making a buzzer-beating shot to force overtime in Game 1 against the Knicks -- a game Indiana won at New York.

Tyrese Haliburton was not made available to reporters on Monday, when the Pacers confirmed their decision to lift the ban on his father.

"I think a father-son relationship is special," teammate Myles Turner said. "I grew up in a house where my father was a big part of my life, and this is a very special moment -- conference finals and you potentially move on. So I'm glad that a father can see his son play."

Game 6 would be in Indianapolis, if necessary.

Fever's Clark out at least 2 weeks

INDIANAPOLIS -- Indiana Fever star Caitlin Clark will be out at least two weeks with a left quad strain, the team announced Monday.

The Fever did not say when Clark suffered the injury. The team said further updates will be provided after she gets another evaluation.

Clark played 37:52 and had 18 points and 10 assists in a 90-88 loss to the New York Liberty on Saturday.

The Fever are 2-2 on the season and could be without Clark for at least the next four games.

Clark is averaging 19.0 points, 9.3 assists and 6.0 rebounds this season.

Capsules

Fossum named Horizon League POY

Indianapolis, Ind. — Youngstown State senior outfielder Kyle Fossum was named the Horizon League Player of the Year as one of four Penguins to collect postseason honors when the league office announced its postseason award winners and all-league teams on Tuesday.

Fossum was also voted as a member of the All-Horizon League First Team while senior right-hander Jacob Gehring (South Range) and senior second baseman Cole Smith were selected to the All-Horizon League Second Team. In addition, freshman infielder Jay Wrona was named to the Horizon League All-Freshman Team.

The Penguins had at least one player named to the All-Horizon League First Team for the fifth consecutive season. The Penguins have also had at least one player selected to the Horizon League All-Freshman Team in eight of the last nine seasons that postseason awards have been handed out.

Fossum becomes just the second player in YSU history and the first since Tom Clayton in 2010 to be named Horizon League Player of the Year. The Seattle, Wash., native is the first YSU outfielder to garner first-team all-league honors since Trey Bridis in 2018.

Fossum has put together one of the most prolific seasons at the plate in Youngstown State history. The senior leads the Horizon League in hits (79), home runs (22), slugging percentage (.787) and total bases (163) while ranking second in batting average (.382), OPS (1.281) and runs scored (60). He also ranks third in the league with a .494 on-base percentage, fifth with 18 doubles and 58 RBIs and sixth with 42 walks. Fossum holds national rankings of third in home runs, fifth in slugging percentage, sixth in total bases and 35th in hits. He batted .423 and slugged .902 with 52 hits, 14 doubles, 15 home runs and 36 RBIs over 30 games in Horizon League play. In Horizon League games only, he led all players in batting average, hits, runs scored and doubles. Fossum was twice named the Horizon League Batter of the Week during the 2025 season.

With two home runs in the series opener at Northern Kentucky on Thursday, Fossum matched the Horizon League's single-season home run record. He became just the third player in HL history to record 22 home runs in a campaign, joining Cleveland State's Jeff Haase in 2000 and NKU's Liam McFadden-Ackman in 2024. Fossum became YSU's single-season home run king with his 18th home run of the season at Purdue Fort Wayne on April 25. Fossum surpassed the previous single-season school record of 17 home runs, which was set by Andrew Kendrick in 2017.

Fossum surpassed another school record against Wright State on May 2 when he recorded his 138th total base of the season. He broke the previous single-season mark of 137 total bases, which was set by Mark Thomas back in 1999. Fossum is currently second on YSU's single-season list with 58 RBIs, needing two more to break Jacke Healey's mark of 59 in 2010. He is also second on YSU's single-season list with 60 runs scored, needing four more to surpass Healey's record of 63 in 2010.

Gehring was named Second-Team All-Horizon League to earn postseason honors for the second straight season. After collecting first-team honors as a junior in 2024, the senior right-hander returned to make 12 starts on the mound for the Penguins in 2025. Gehring ranks sixth in the Horizon League in innings pitched (61.1), seventh in strikeouts (56) and sixth in ERA (6.60). The Canfield, Ohio, native struck out a career-high nine batters over six innings against Purdue Fort Wayne on March 21. He registered seven strikeouts while matching his season high with seven innings pitched to earn his first win of the season in YSU's 4-3 victory at Oakland on April 4.

Smith earns second-team all-league recognition in his debut season as a Penguin. The Dothan, Ala., native and UT Martin transfer is batting .292 and slugging .497 with six home runs and 37 RBIs over 53 games played. Smith leads the Horizon League with 20 doubles while ranking seventh with 41 walks. He batted .340 and slugged .575 with 10 doubles, five home runs and 26 RBIs over 30 games played in Horizon League action.

Wrona was selected to the Horizon League All-Freshman Team after batting .315 with seven doubles, one triple, 13 RBIs, 27 walks and 24 runs scored over 39 games played and 33 starts in his debut collegiate campaign.

49ers sell minority share to families

EAGAN, Minn. -- The San Francisco 49ers announced that they have sold small shares in the team to three Bay Area families.

The Niners said the investments that give the new families a non-controlling minority interest in the team were approved by the NFL at league meetings on Tuesday.

The shares were purchased by the Deeter family, led by Byron and Allison Deeter; the Griffith family, led by Calla and Will Griffith; and the Khosla family, led by Neal and Vinod Khosla.

Sportico first reported the deal last week, saying it was for about 6% of the team and an $8.5 billion valuation.

Byron Deeter is a partner at Bessemer Venture Partners

Will Griffith is a partner at ICONIQ, a global investment firm.

Neal Khosla is the CEO and founder of Curai, an artificial intelligence-enabled primary care company.

The York family, led by team CEO Jed York, remain majority owners of the Niners and have full control of the team.

NBA announces All-Rookie teams

NEW YORK -- Stephon Castle gets one more accolade from his rookie season: The San Antonio guard was the only unanimous first-team selection on the All-Rookie team.

Castle -- the league's rookie of the year -- was the only player to get first team votes from all 100 members of the global panel of sportswriters and broadcasters who cast ballots to decide most of the NBA's annual awards.

He was joined on the first team by Atlanta's Zaccharie Risacher (who was one vote away from unanimous status), Memphis teammates Jaylen Wells and Zach Edey, and Washington's Alex Sarr.

The second-team selections were Miami's Kel'el Ware, Chicago's Matas Buzelis, New Orleans' Yves Missi, Portland's Donovan Clingan and Washington's Bub Carrington.

Edey (73 first-team votes, 27 second-team votes) joined Castle and Risacher as the only players to appear somewhere on all 100 ballots. Wells was on 99 ballots, Sarr was on 96 and Ware was on 94.

Utah's Isaiah Collier was one point shy of tying Carrington for the final spot on the second team.

Others receiving votes included Utah's Kyle Filipowski, Detroit's Ron Holland II, the Los Angeles Lakers' Dalton Knecht, Phoenix's Ryan Dunn, Philadelphia's Jared McCain, Golden State's Quinten Post, Toronto's Jamal Shead, Orlando's Tristan da Silva, Minnesota's Rob Dillingham, Philadelphia's Justin Edwards, Washington's Kyshawn George and Houston's Reed Sheppard.

Capsules

Curbstone to honor YSU HL champions

At Monday's luncheon meeting of The Curbstone Coaches at the Avion Banquet Center on Western Reserve Road in Beaver Township, they will honor the following Horizon League Champions:

¯ The 2024 Men's Cross Country Champions

¯ The 2025 Women's Indoor Track and Field Champions

¯ The 2025 Men's Indoor Track and Field Champions

¯ The 2025 Women's Individual Golf Medalist Neeranuch Prajunpanich

¯ The 2025 Women's Tennis Team Champions

¯ The 2025 Women's Outdoor Track and Field Champions

¯ The 2025 Men's Outdoor Track and Field Champions

The event begins at noon and the public is welcome to attend. For those arriving early, the buffet lines will open at 11:45 a.m.

Penguins drop meeting with Norse

Highland Heights, Ky. — Northern Kentucky scored the first six runs of the game and went on to defeat the Youngstown State baseball team 12-4 on Friday afternoon at the Bill Aker Baseball Complex.

The Norse plated three runs in the second and three more in the third to take a 6-0 lead before the Penguins scored twice in the top of the fourth. NKU went on to score four runs in the fourth to build a 10-2 advantage before YSU hit a pair of solo home runs in the fifth. The Norse added single runs in the sixth and seventh innings on their way to earning the series victory.

Youngstown State drops to 14-39 overall and 11-18 in Horizon League play while Northern Kentucky improves to 29-23 overall and 17-12 in league action.

Tommy Rover went 2-for-5 with a solo home run while Brayden Kuriger doubled, walked and hit a solo blast of his own. Nathan Beckley added a solo home run and Brady Shannon (Ursuline) delivered an RBI single for the Penguins, who were outhit by the Norse 13-8.

YSU starter Sloan Ulrich allowed 10 runs, four of which were earned, on nine hits over three innings. JJ Tylicki was responsible for two runs on three hits and five walks with five strikeouts over 3 2/3 innings while Colin Casteel came on to pitch 1 2/3 innings of scoreless relief.

The Penguins got on the board in the top of the fourth when Beckley hit a leadoff solo home run. Garrett Cutting reached with a bunt single, advanced to second on a groundout and scored on Shannon's RBI single to cut NKU's lead to 6-2.

The Norse answered with four runs on two hits in the bottom of the fourth to push their lead to 10-2. Brennan Rowe and Tyler Shaneyfelt drew back-to-back walks to begin the frame, and both baserunners scored on Miranda's single through the left side. After Tylicki replaced Ulrich on the mound for the Penguins, Sam Bond drove in a run with an RBI groundout and Miranda scored from third Williams stole second base.

Youngstown State reduced Northern Kentucky's lead to 10-4 in the top of the fifth as Rover and Kuriger hit back-to-back solo home runs.

NKU added a single run in the bottom of the sixth as Williams walked, stole second, advanced to third on a throwing error and scored on a two-out RBI single by Sparks. The Norse posted another single tally in the seventh as Shaneyfelt drew a leadoff walk, stole second, advanced to third on an error and scored when Bond reached on an error.

The Penguins and Norse will conclude their three-game Horizon League series today in the regular season finale for both teams. First pitch at the Bill Aker Baseball Complex is scheduled for 1 p.m.

Tatum out of hospital, rejoins Celtics

NEW YORK -- Celtics star Jayson Tatum won't be far from Madison Square Garden when Boston faces a must-win situation against the New York Knicks on Friday night as the defending champions attempt to force a deciding Game 7.

Tatum has been released from a New York hospital following season-ending surgery to repair the ruptured right Achilles tendon he suffered late in Boston's 121-113 loss to the Knicks in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference semifinals matchup.

The 27-year-old All-Star had the opportunity to meet with his teammates Thursday at the team's hotel for the first time since he was carried off the court with the injury. He had what the team said was successful surgery on Tuesday and has been recuperating in New York.

Tatum is facing around a nine-month recovery from his injury. When Kevin Durant tore his Achilles tendon during the 2019 NBA Finals, he wound up missing the entire 2019-20 season.

If the Celtics win on Friday night, Game 7 would be Monday night in Boston.

Bears focused on stadium in suburbs

CHICAGO -- The Chicago Bears seem to have shifted their attention for a new enclosed stadium back to the suburbs from the city's lakefront, citing "significant progress" with local leaders to build on a tract of land they own in Arlington Heights.

Bears President Kevin Warren said six weeks ago at the NFL meetings that the team was turning at least some of its focus from the Chicago lakefront to the suburbs. The latest statement seemed to take it a step farther.

Though the Bears finalized the purchase of a 326-acre property in Arlington Heights in February 2023, their main focus the past year had been on building an enclosed stadium next to their longtime home at Soldier Field. Their plan to transform Chicago's Museum Campus got a full endorsement from Mayor Brandon Johnson but a tepid reception from Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker and state legislators when it was announced in April 2024.

In September 2022, the Bears unveiled a nearly $5 billion plan for Arlington Heights that also called for restaurants, retail and more, when they were finalizing the purchase of that site 30 miles from Soldier Field. Their focus shifted toward the Chicago lakefront after Warren was hired as president two years ago to replace the retiring Ted Phillips.

There have also been talks with developers of a tract of land on the South Side about building a stadium and mixed-use development on the site of the old Michael Reese Hospital. But the team has rejected the 48.6-acre site in the past, saying it was too narrow and that commuter train tracks presented engineering challenges.

Since moving to Chicago in 1921, the Bears have never owned their stadium, whether playing at Wrigley Field from 1921 to 1970 or Soldier Field since then. The team hopes to start construction this year.

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YSU's Fossum ties HL home run record

Highland Heights, Ky. — Northern Kentucky scored nine runs in the bottom of the sixth inning to overcome a three-run deficit and defeat the Youngstown State baseball team 14-8 in the Horizon League series opener on Thursday afternoon at the Bill Aker Baseball Complex.

The Penguins took a quick lead with a pair of runs in the top of the first before the Norse countered with four runs in the home half of the inning to move ahead 4-2. YSU posted three runs in the top of the second to regain a 5-4 edge before NKU evened the score with a single tally in the home half of the inning. The Guins scored the next three runs to take an 8-5 lead before the Norse exploded to score nine runs in the sixth to gain control of the contest.

Kyle Fossum went 3-for-4 with a double, two home runs, four RBIs and three runs scored while matching the Horizon League's single-season home run record. The senior became just the third player in HL history to record 22 home runs in a campaign, joining Cleveland State's Jeff Haase in 2000 and Northern Kentucky's Liam McFadden-Ackman in 2024.

Eli Brown went 2-for-4 with a triple and two runs scored while Tommy Rover was 2-for-4 with two doubles and an RBI. Brady Shannon and Cole Smith each added solo home runs as the Penguins and Norse finished even in the hit column with 11 apiece.

YSU starter Mitchell Seymour allowed four runs on three hits while recording one out. Braden Gebhardt was responsible for one unearned run while scattering four hits and striking out six batters over 4.2 strong innings of relief. Harun Pelja and Tyler Heflin each surrendered three runs during NKU's nine-run sixth inning while Phil Brennaman allowed three runs on four hits with three punchouts over three innings on the mound.

The Penguins got on the board immediately with a pair of runs in the top of the first inning. Fossum hit a leadoff double and Rover followed with an RBI double to left center. Rover then scored from third when Garrett Cutting grounded into a double play to give YSU a 2-0 lead.

The Norse responded with four runs in the bottom half of the first to move in front. Tyler Shaneyfelt hit a leadoff solo home run to left field before Gabe Miranda hit a one-out solo homer to right field. Sam Bond walked, advanced to third on a double by Josh Williams and scored on an RBI single from Jake Paulick. Williams was able to score from third base after Paulick stole second to give NKU a 4-2 edge.

YSU regained a 5-4 lead with three runs in the top of the second inning. Shannon led off the inning with a solo home run to left field before Brown reached with a one-out single. Fossum followed with a towering two-run blast to left field to put the Penguins back in front.

The Norse erupted for nine runs on two hits and three errors in the bottom of the sixth to regain a 14-8 lead. After NKU scored three times to tie the game at 8-8, Paulick put the Norse in front with a two-run single. Shaneyfelt added a two-run single during NKU's rally, and he scored the final run of the inning when Mark Nowak reached on a fielding error.

YSU and Norse will continue their three-game Horizon League series today. First pitch is scheduled for 1 p.m.

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Thompson to speak to Curbstone

Matt Thompson, the Mahoning Valley Scrappers assistant general manager, 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.

For those arriving early, the buffet lines will open at 11:45 a.m.

Correction

In Friday's edition of The Vindicator, a Hubbard player was misidentified. A.J. Cheney was "Ben" in story on the Hubbard-Poland baseball game.

NCAA panel pitches hoops challenge

The NCAA Men's Basketball Rules Committee, in an effort to enhance the flow of games, has recommended that video reviews of out-of-bounds calls can only be initiated by a coach's challenge.

The NCAA announced Friday that the committee met this week in Indianapolis and addressed concerns about lengthy disruptions, particularly near the end of games.

In addition to recommending the use of coach's challenges, points of emphasis to improve flow will include directives to address delay-of-game tactics, limit time spent at the monitor, improve game administration efficiency and reduce physicality.

The NCAA Playing Rules Oversight Panel must approve proposals before they become official. The panel is scheduled to meet June 10.

Under the coach's challenge proposal, teams must have a timeout to request a video review challenge. If the challenge is successful, teams would be allowed to have one additional challenge for the rest of the game, including overtime. If the first challenge is unsuccessful, the team loses the ability to challenge the rest of the game.

Other than in the last two minutes of a game and in overtime, a coach's challenge also would be necessary to initiate a review of basket interference/goaltending and restricted arc plays. Recent data shows those reviews caused minimal game interruptions. Officials could not initiate video review on out-of-bounds calls at any point in a game.

Fans have complained about the disruption of game flow as the number of situations when video review can be used has increased over the last decade. Karl Hicks, committee chair and associate commissioner for basketball at the American Athletic Conference, said taking steps to improve flow was the priority of this year's meeting.

"Coach's challenges were deemed to be the most efficient way to accomplish this goal," Hicks said. "Data from the NCAA tournament and membership conferences showed a substantial number of reviews were on out-of-bounds plays. The committee looked at other basketball leagues around the world to see what the best solution would be for the NCAA, and the committee agreed with the NBA coach's challenge system and its one plus one process."

Officials still can initiate video reviews to check for timing mistakes, scoring errors, shot-clock violations, 2-point versus 3-point field goal attempts and flagrant fouls.

The committee also recommended a modification to the continuous motion rule where an offensive player who ends his dribble going toward the basket and absorbs contact from the defense could pivot or complete the step he is on and finish his shot attempt.

The committee also asked Division I conferences to create a joint working group to provide feedback on the potential change from halves to quarters.

Bettman encouraged by CBA talks

SUNRISE, Fla. -- The NHL is encouraged by the status of collective bargaining talks, Commissioner Gary Bettman said Friday, adding that he's optimistic a deal will be done long before the September 2026 expiration of the current deal between the league and its players.

Talks began in earnest earlier this year and given the current state of the game -- revenues soaring, the sport booming and some additional momentum that came out of the 4 Nations Face-Off event in February -- there was no reason to think the sides would encounter major snags.

"Sooner rather than later?" Bettman said, responding to a question about when he'd like to see a deal done. "I mean, we have plenty of time. We have the rest of this season and all of next season. But I don't envision it taking a year to get done.

"To the contrary, I think it'll get done sooner rather later," Bettman continued. "I don't have a timetable to give you. But I do think things are progressing nicely."

The current CBA does not expire until Sept. 15, 2026. There has been optimism that a new deal between the NHL and the NHL Players Association could be reached in the coming months, and Bettman's comments Friday before watching the Florida-Toronto Eastern Conference semifinal game did nothing to suggest otherwise.

The fact that there's a pleasant tone around talks of the negotiations is a major deviation from what has tripped the NHL up at times in the past, with some CBA talks ending with work stoppages -- including one that cost the league an entire season.

The league and union have already agreed on and revealed salary cap figures for each of the next three seasons, with the ceiling going up by record amounts every year.

"We're talking and we're getting together on a pretty regular basis," Bettman said. "I think the conversations are constructive. I think ultimately they'll be productive. And I think in terms of the relationship that the NHL has with the NHLPA, my relationship with (NHLPA head) Marty Walsh is in a very good place. And so, I remain very positive and optimistic that we're going to come together and get this done."

Vegas' Roy fined for cross-checking

NEW YORK -- Vegas Golden Knights forward Nicolas Roy was fined but not suspended Friday for cross-checking the Edmonton Oilers' Trent Frederic in the face in overtime of Game 2 of the second-round playoff series.

The NHL's Department of Player Safety announced the fine of $7,813, the maximum allowed under the collective bargaining agreement, after a disciplinary hearing with him. Roy was ejected with a five-minute match penalty for his two-handed stick to Frederic after a board battle with him 5 1/2 minutes into OT on Thursday night.

Vegas trails the best-of-seven series 2-0 with Game 3 Saturday night at Edmonton.

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YSU-Toledo baseball game postponed

Due to the threat of inclement weather, the Youngstown State baseball team's non-conference contest at Toledo, which was scheduled for this afternoon, has been moved to Wednesday at 3 p.m.

The game between the Penguins and Rockets at Scott Park will be streamed live on ESPN+ and live audio will be available at YSNLive.com. Live stats will be available through links posted on YSUsports.com, and fans can also follow @YSUBaseball on X for live updates.

Browns announce Johnson deal

CLEVELAND -- Diontae Johnson is making another stop in the AFC North.

The well-traveled wide receiver signed a one-year deal with Cleveland on Monday. The Browns are Johnson's third stop within the division in the last 14 months.

Johnson spent the first five seasons of his career in Pittsburgh, where he was a Pro Bowler in 2021. He was traded to Carolina in March 2024 before being sent to Baltimore in the middle of last season. Johnson played in just four games with the Ravens before being released and signing with Houston, where he appeared in a single game.

The 28-year-old Johnson had career lows in receptions (33) and yards (375) in 2024. He joins a Browns team that has a crowded quarterback room that includes Kenny Pickett -- a former teammate of Johnson's in Pittsburgh -- as well as veteran Joe Flacco and rookies Shedeur Sanders and Dillon Gabriel.

Ravens release Justin Tucker

OWINGS MILLS, Md. -- The Baltimore Ravens announced Monday they are releasing kicker Justin Tucker, months after reports that he was accused of inappropriate sexual behavior by massage therapists.

The Baltimore Banner has reported that over a dozen massage therapists have accused Tucker of inappropriate sexual behavior. The NFL said it would investigate, and the Ravens drafted kicker Tyler Loop late last month. On Sunday, coach John Harbaugh suggested a decision on Tucker might come before the NFL completed its inquiry.

"Every decision we make has to be based on football," Harbaugh said. "You've got a rookie kicker in here. You took him in the sixth round, early in the sixth round. He's a talented guy. Just from a football standpoint -- salary cap, all the different things that you just take into consideration -- whatever we decide to do over the next few weeks will be based on football."

Tucker has maintained he did not act inappropriately while receiving professional treatment.

"Sometimes football decisions are incredibly difficult, and this is one of those instances," Ravens general manager Eric DeCosta said in a statement issued by the club. "Considering our current roster, we have made the tough decision to release Justin Tucker."

A five-time All-Pro, the 35-year-old Tucker is considered one of the best kickers in NFL history. He holds the record for the longest kick at 66 yards, and his success rate of 89.1% on field goals is the best all-time among players with at least 100 attempts. He's played 13 seasons, all with Ravens.

However, last season was his worst as a pro. He missed a career-high eight field goal attempts, although he rebounded a bit down the stretch.

Then came the Banner's report in January that left his future in doubt.

"Justin created many significant and unforgettable moments in Ravens history," DeCosta said. "His reliability, focus, drive, resilience and extraordinary talent made him one of the league's best kickers for over a decade. We are grateful for Justin's many contributions while playing for the Ravens. We sincerely wish him and his family the very best in this next chapter of their lives."

Michigan suspends Moore for 2 games

ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- Michigan is expected to suspend coach Sherrone Moore for two games next season to address allegations that he failed to cooperate in the NCAA's sign-stealing investigation that rocked college football during the Wolverines' championship season under Jim Harbaugh in 2023, according to two people familiar with the situation.

Moore is expected to miss the Wolverines' third and fourth games -- home against Central Michigan on Sept. 13 and at Nebraska a week later --and all athletic-related duties during those weeks, they said.

The people spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity Monday because the school's proposed self-imposed sanction has not been announced. It has also not been finalized, according to a third person with knowledge of the situation, also speaking on condition of anonymity because the case is ongoing. ESPN was the first to report the expected suspension.

The NCAA investigation into impermissible in-person scouting and sign stealing by Michigan hung over the second half of the team's unbeaten season in 2023 and is still looming over college football's winningest program.

The NCAA does not have rules against stealing signs, but it does prohibit schools from sending scouts to the games of future opponents and using electronic equipment to record another team's signals. Records from other Big Ten schools showed former staffer Conor Stalions bought tickets to games involving future opponents, sending people to digitally record teams when they signaled plays.

Stalions initially was placed on leave by the school and later resigned. He did not participate in the investigation.

Last August, the NCAA alleged in a notice relating to its sign-stealing investigation that Moore violated rules as an assistant under Harbaugh, who served a three-game suspension in exchange for the Big Ten dropping its own investigation into the allegations after the two wound up in court.

Moore was accused of deleting text messages with Stalions before they were recovered and provided to the NCAA. Moore has said he has and will continue to cooperate with the NCAA's investigation.

Moore served a one-game suspension during the 2023 season related to recruiting infractions and filled in as head coach for four games last year when Harbaugh was punished by the school and the Big Ten.

The NCAA previously put Michigan on three years of probation, fined the school and implemented recruiting limits after reaching a negotiated resolution in a recruiting case and banned Harbaugh from coaching college football for four years.

Michigan opens the season on Aug. 30 at home against New Mexico State and at Oklahoma, where Moore was an offensive lineman.

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Gabriel to speak to Curbstone Coaches

Erin Gabriel, a former Poland High School and University of Tennessee softball pitching standout, 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. For those arriving early, the buffet lines will open at 11:45 a.m.

The annual Curbstone Coaches Hall of Fame Induction ceremony is set for Sunday at Mr. Anthony's in Boardman. The keynote speaker will be former Cleveland Browns stand out running back Greg Pruitt.

The doors will open at 4 p.m. The event will start at 6 p.m. For more information please call 3305066774.

YSU women's tennis falls to Michigan

ANN ARBOR, Mich. - The Youngstown State women's tennis team suffered a 4-0 setback to third-seeded Michigan on Friday afternoon at the Varsity Tennis Center.

The Penguins end the year at 14-8 while the Wolverines improve to 25-3 and will face Arizona State in the second round.

YSU battled with the Wolverines in doubles and singles.

In doubles, Michigan won 6-0 at No. 3, but the Guins hung tough at No. 1 and No. 2. Twice in both contests, the Wolverines won deuce points at key spots and eventually earned a 6-2 win at No. 1. At No. 2, YSU trailed 5-2 (40-15).

In singles, the Wolverines won in straight sets at No. 1, No. 2 and No. 6 to clinch the contest.

Against No. 5 Julia Fliegner, Julia Marko dropped a 6-1, 6-3 decision after grabbing the lead in the second set. At No. 2, Lili Minich dropped a 6-2, 6-0 contest to No. 25 Piper Charney. At No. 6, Yoana Dudova dropped her match 6-4, 6-0 and was tied 4-all in the first set.

At No. 3, Yeseniia Ovcharova played a 6-1, 5-4 contest against 41st-ranked Lily Jones. At No. 5, Ghada Dirninger took a first set lead in a 6-3, 5-0 contest. Loreno Cedeno was a in back-and-forth first set before falling 7-5. U-M took a 1-0 lead in the second set.

Rangers hire ex-Pens coach Sullivan

The New York Rangers have hired Mike Sullivan as coach, days after he and the Pittsburgh Penguins agreed to part ways.

General manager Chris Drury announced the move Friday, bringing in the organization's top candidate who was out of work for less than a full business week.

Sullivan replaces Peter Laviolette, who was fired after the Rangers missed the playoffs following a trip to the Eastern Conference final last year. Sullivan, who coached Pittsburgh to the Stanley Cup back to back in 2016 and '17, is tasked with trying to turn the Rangers back into an immediate contender.

Drury made the move to get Sullivan not long after receiving a multiyear contract extension of his own.

Sullivan, 57, spent four seasons as a Rangers assistant under then-coach and still close friend and confidant John Tortorella from 2009-13. He coached Drury during that time, and the two have worked together professionally through USA Hockey, most recently at the 4 Nations Face-Off in February, and are part of the U.S. contingent for the 2026 Milan Olympics.

Sullivan had been with the Penguins since getting hired midseason in December 2015 when Mike Johnston was fired months into his lackluster tenure. This is his third head-coaching job in the NHL after a short stint with the Boston Bruins in 2003-04 and '05-06 sandwiched around the lockout that wiped out an entire season.

Spurs' Popvich retires after 29 years

Gregg Popovich stepped down as coach of the San Antonio Spurs on Friday, ending a three-decade run that saw him lead the team to five NBA championships, become the league's all-time wins leader and earn induction into the Basketball Hall of Fame.

"While my love and passion for the game remain, I've decided it's time to step away as head coach," Popovich said.

He will remain as team president. Mitch Johnson, a Spurs assistant who filled in for Popovich for the season's final 77 games, becomes the team's head coach.

Popovich, 76, missed all but five games this season after having a stroke at the team's arena on Nov. 2. He has not spoken publicly since, though had addressed his team at least once and released a statement in late March saying that he hoped to return to coaching.

That won't be happening.

"I'm forever grateful to the wonderful players, coaches, staff and fans who allowed me to serve them as the Spurs head coach and am excited for the opportunity to continue to support the organization, community and city that are so meaningful to me," Popovich said.

Popovich's career ends with a record of 1,422-869, which includes the 77 games -- 32 wins and 45 losses -- that were coached by Johnson this season. He also won 170 playoff games with the Spurs, the most by any coach with one team and the third-most overall behind Phil Jackson's 229 and Pat Riley's 171.

Popovich was a three-time coach of the year, led the U.S. to a gold medal at the Tokyo Olympics and coached six Hall of Famers in San Antonio -- Ginobili, David Robinson, Tim Duncan, Tony Parker, Dominique Wilkins and Pau Gasol. He went up against 170 coaches in the NBA and there have been 303 coaching changes made in the league, including interim moves, during the Popovich era.

Popovich, in his role as general manager of the Spurs, made the move to fire coach Bob Hill and promote himself into that job on Dec. 10, 1996. The timing seemed, at best, awkward. The Spurs were 3-15 at that point, having played all 18 of those games without Robinson, who was just about to come back from injury. Popovich took over on the day that Robinson returned to the lineup.

The Spurs hadn't changed direction again since.

The fortunes changed -- Duncan was picked No. 1 overall in the 1997 draft -- but the direction under Popovich always stayed the same. The first championship came in 1999; others followed in 2003, 2005, 2007 and 2014. In his first 22 seasons as coach, the Spurs had 22 winning records, the first 20 of those seasons winning at least 60% of the time.

His decision to step away comes with the Spurs having just completed the second year of a rebuild around French star Victor Wembanyama, who arrived touted as the next San Antonio great and has done nothing to suggest he won't live up to that billing.