×

Capsules

Curbstone Coaches idle on Monday

In observance of the Easter holiday, the Curbstone Coaches will be idle on Monday. They will reconvene next on April 13 when they will honor Beaver Local High School Ohio Division II state wrestling 157-pound champion Jake Hughes.

YSU softball tops Robert Morris

MOON TOWNSHIP, Pa. — The Penguins scored three runs in the top of the 10th inning to break a 4-4 stalemate and lifted the Youngstown State softball team to a 7-4 win over Robert Morris on Friday afternoon at the North Athletic Complex.

Sophomore Ayla Ray (Fitch) reached on an error and two runs scored, and junior Selah Moyer added a run-scoring single that plated Ray with the third run of the inning for the Penguins, who improve to 18-12 overall and 6-1 in the Horizon League and extend their lead over the Colonials (16-9, 4-3 Horizon League) to two games.

Junior Lydia Wilkerson, who went 2-for-4, led off the top of the 10th with a single up the middle and Tai Turner doubled to right-center field, moving pinch-runner Tatum Werley to third. Following a strikeout, Ray’s ground ball to the right side of the infield was muffed by the second baseman and Werley and Turner scored. Moyer drove in Ray in the next at-bat.

Freshman Kennedy Kimball, who tied a career high with 12 strikeouts, retired the side in order in the bottom of half of the frame to earn her fifth conference win and improve to 5-0 in league action.

YSU jumped out to an early 1-0 lead on Bella Meyer’s (Champion) one-out double to center field that plated Bree Kohler.

Robert Morris knotted the game at 1 in the bottom of the fourth on a solo home run by Aglaia Rudd.

A run-scoring single up the middle by Wilkerson and a sacrifice fly from Turner broke the tie and gave the Penguins a 3-1 lead.

The Penguins extended their advantage to 4-1 on Emma Gilkerson’s sacrifice fly that scored Leila Staszak, who led off the inning with a single down the left-field line.

Youngstown State and Robert Morris conclude the series with a doubleheader today. First pitch is set for 1 p.m. at the North Athletic Complex.

Penguins earn sweep vs. Milwaukee

FRANKLIN, Wis. — The Youngstown State baseball team earned the Horizon League series win by sweeping a doubleheader at Milwaukee on Friday at Franklin Field.

The Penguins rallied from a three-run deficit in each game on Friday to collect their first series victory of the season and improve to 3-5 in Horizon League play. YSU opened the series with a 5-3 win in game one before charging back for a 7-4 victory in the nightcap.

GAME 1

Youngstown State scored five runs over the final three innings to rally from 3-0 deficit and defeat Milwaukee 5-3 in game one of Friday’s Horizon League doubleheader at Franklin Field.

Alex Jang went 3-for-5 at the plate with a triple and a run scored from the leadoff spot while Nathan Beckley had two hits and drove in three runs from the cleanup spot in YSU’s lineup. Garrett Cutting, Brayden Kuriger and Misael Uriepero added two hits apiece as the Penguins outhit the Panthers, 13-8.

YSU starter Braden Gebhardt (Howland) allowed three runs on six hits with five strikeouts and two walks over six innings to earn his second victory of the season. Braedon Davis, Jake Ferretti, Tyler Heflin and Bryce Palms combined to toss two scoreless innings of relief before Sumner Estes worked a scoreless ninth to collect his first save.

The Penguins rallied with four runs on three hits and two Milwaukee errors in the top of the seventh inning to take a 4-3 lead. Beckley’s two-out, two-run single and an ensuing error in the outfield allowed three runs to score before Cutting’s RBI single plated Beckley to give YSU the one-run advantage.

Youngstown State added an insurance run in the top of the ninth as Uriepero singled, advanced to second on a base hit from Luke Rossi and scored on Beckley’s RBI single to center field.

GAME 2

Youngstown State scored in five consecutive innings to overcome a three-run deficit and defeat Milwaukee 7-4 to complete the doubleheader sweep.

Ryan Schummer went 3-for-4 at the plate while Beckley doubled and drove in two runs. Kuriger singled, walked and scored twice while Brady Shannon (Ursuline) homered and drove in a pair of runs for the Penguins.

YSU starter Jack Messmore earned his first win of the season after allowing four runs on eight hits with three strikeouts while matching his season high of 6 1/3 innings pitched.

The Penguins got on the scoreboard with a single tally in the top of the second inning. Kuriger was hit by a pitch, advanced to third on Schummer’s single and scored on a sacrifice fly from Shannon.

Youngstown State cut Milwaukee’s lead to 4-2 with another single run in the top of the third. Rossi reached with a two-out single and Beckley followed with an RBI double to left field. The Penguins pushed across another single run in the top of the fourth when Shannon belted his seventh home run of the season.

YSU evened the score at 4 by scoring one run for the fourth straight inning in the top of the fifth. Uriepero hit a leadoff single, stole second and scored from third on a sacrifice fly from Beckley.

The Penguins took their first lead with two runs in the top of the sixth. Kuriger walked and scored on a wild pitch while Schummer singled and scored when Jang reached on a fielder’s choice to give YSU a 6-4 advantage.

Scrappers tickets go on sale Friday

NILES — Mahoning Valley Scrappers single game tickets will go on sale Friday at 10am. Tickets will be available at www.mvscrappers.com, by calling 3305050000 or at the Chevy All-Stars Box Office. Single game ticket prices start at $7.

The Scrappers will play 42 home games during the 2026 season from June through August, beginning with Opening Night at 7 17 Credit Union Field at Eastwood on June 2 at 7:05pm.

Popular Friday Fireworks Nights and Thursday Buck Nights will return. The Scrappers will host the Canada 18U National Team Series on June 19-21. A full promotional schedule for the 2026 season will be announced soon, and ticket packages are on sale now.

For more information, visit www.mvscrappers.com.

Capsules

Massucci, Sheely on NFCA watch list

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Slippery Rock University softball outfielders Alyssa Massucci (Howland) and Alyssa Sheely (Ursuline) have been named to the National Fastpitch Coaches Association Division II Player of the Year watchlist, the organization announced Wednesday.

Massucci and Sheely are two of three Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference Western Division players to make the 2026 watchlist. Additionally, the duo are two of six players from the conference as a whole to be named to the watchlist. SRU was the only team in the Atlantic Region to have two position players nominated for the award.

Sheely, a senior from New Middletown, Ohio, has a team-leading .481 batting average (26-of-54) with 24 RBIs, 14 runs, two home runs and five doubles. The right fielder has a .685 slugging percentage and a .508 on-base percentage in 17 games played (16 starts).

Occupying the other corner outfield position, Massucci, a sophomore from Warren, Ohio, is hitting .424 (28-of-66) with 17 runs, 14 RBIs, three home runs and a team-leading seven doubles. In 21 games played (20 starts), Massucci is slugging .727 with a .435 on-base percentage.

Across the PSAC, Sheely ranks third in batting average, sixth in on-base percentage , sixth in OPS (1.193), eighth in RBIs and 10th in slugging percentage, while Massucci sits sixth in slugging percentage, ninth in batting average and 10th in OPS (1.162).

Voted on by the NFCA’s Division II All-American Committee, the Player of the Year and NFCA/Portolite Pitcher of the Year will be announced on May 27.

YSU bowlers earn C-USA honors

YOUNGSTOWN — Youngstown State bowler Amy Chrzanowski has been voted the Conference USA Newcomer of the Year, and Liv Baskin has been named to the conference’s All-Rookie Team for the 2025-26 season. The conference office announced the postseason awards and all-conference teams on Wednesday.

Chrzanowski, a junior transfer from Fairleigh Dickinson, is YSU’s first bowler to be named a conference newcomer of the year in its eight seasons as an affiliate member of the Southland Conference or Conference USA. Baskin is the third Penguin to be named to a conference rookie team, joining Southland selections Jade Cote (2021-22) and Hope Bunk (2022-23).

Chrzanowski has been a key part of the lineup in her first season as a Penguin, ranking second on the team with 1,018 total frames and leading the team in fill percentage and single-pin spare percentage. The native of Colonie, N.Y., averages a team-high 199.41 per game in traditional play with a team-best 19 games over 200, and she averages 19.69 pins per frame in Baker play. Chrzanowski placed 15th individually at two tournaments in the fall, and she was named to the All-Tournament Team after placing fifth at the Big Red Invitational in February. Her 1,330 set at Nebraska’s event was the second-highest total for a six-game tournament in program history.

Baskin is one of six freshmen on YSU’s roster, and she earned All-Rookie accolades after ranking second on the team in Baker scoring average at 19.77. She has placed in the top 25 individually at three tournaments, and she was the Penguins’ top finisher in 17th place at the Music City Classic with a five-game set of 1,046. Baskin, a native of Elk Mound, Wis., averages 194.82 in traditional play for the year, and she’s improved to 199.10 over her last 15 games.

Youngstown State continues its season Friday at the NCAA Regional in Lansing, Mich.

Jackets add Aston-Reese to roster

COLUMBUS — The Columbus Blue Jackets added forward Zach Aston-Reese to the roster on emergency recall from the Cleveland Monsters, the team’s American Hockey League affiliate, club President of Hockey Operations and General Manager Don Waddell announced Wednesday.

Aston-Reese, 31, has collected one goal and four assists for five points with 12 penalty minutes in 26 contests with the Blue Jackets this season. He has notched 49-53-102 and 165 PIM in 415 career NHL appearances with the Blue Jackets, Detroit Red Wings, Toronto Maple Leafs, Anaheim Ducks and Pittsburgh Penguins since making his league debut in 2017-18. He has recorded 7-15-22 and 39 PIM in 105 games with Columbus since being claimed off waivers from the Vegas Golden Knights on Oct. 7, 2024.

The Blue Jackets return to action tonight at the Carolina Hurricanes. Puck drop from Lenovo Center is 7 p.m.

ODNR to host hatchery open houses

COLUMBUS — The Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Wildlife is hosting open houses this spring at state fish hatcheries where visitors can learn about fish production. Hatchery open houses are free of charge and provide time for visitors to see fish up close before they are stocked into one of Ohio’s many public lakes and rivers.

Each hatchery open house is an America 250 event. Visitors will learn about the importance of fish habitat, the of aquatic wildlife conservation, and how it intertwines with the history of America.

The Division of Wildlife operates six state fish hatcheries, which raised and stocked 36 million fish in 2025. Sport fish species raised for stocking in public waters include cold-water fish (rainbow trout, steelhead, and brown trout), cool-water fish (saugeye, walleye, yellow perch, and muskellunge), and warm-water fish (hybrid-striped bass, channel catfish, blue catfish, and bluegill). These hatcheries enhance many of the fishing opportunities that anglers enjoy.

Hatchery open houses are scheduled from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at each location:

Saturday: Hebron State Fish Hatchery, 10517 Canal Rd SE, Hebron, 43025; Senecaville State Fish Hatchery, 57199 Seneca Dam Rd, Senecaville, 43780

April 11: Castalia State Fish Hatchery, 7018 Homegardner Rd, Castalia, 44824

April 18: Kincaid State Fish Hatchery, 7487 St. Rt. 124, Latham, 45646

April 25: London State Fish Hatchery, 2470 Roberts Mill Rd, London, 43140

During each open house, Division of Wildlife staff will give tours and answer questions about fish production and fisheries management. Guests may learn about these hatcheries, view fish eggs and fry in production buildings, and watch older fish in ponds or raceways. Family-friendly activities and displays including an archery trailer and BB gun range will be available at some locations.

Capsules

Penguins come up short vs. Zips

AKRON — Akron hit a walk-off single in the bottom of the ninth inning to defeat the Youngstown State baseball team 11-10 in a high-scoring non-league contest on Tuesday afternoon at Skeeles Field.

The Penguins were ahead 2-0 after the first inning and 7-3 after scoring five runs in the top of the third. The Zips answered with a five-run bottom of the third to take an 8-7 lead before YSU countered with two runs in the top of the fourth to regain a 9-8 edge. The score remained the same until Akron pushed across a pair of runs in the seventh move back in front 10-9. The Guins plated a single run in the top of the ninth to even the score before Brennan Morgan’s RBI single in the bottom half of the inning lifted the Zips to the walk-off victory.

Nathan Beckley went 3-for-5 at the plate with an RBI double, a walk and a run scored while Brayden Kuriger finished 2-for-5 with two doubles, two RBIs, a walk, two runs scored and two stolen bases. Alex Jang recorded two hits including a double, two RBIs and a stolen base while Luke Rossi singled, doubled, drove in a run and scored twice. Ryan Schummer added two hits as the Penguins posted new season highs as a team with 10 runs and 14 hits offensively.

YSU starter Aidan Dorsch allowed two runs on two hits in his lone inning on the mound before Aidan English (South Range) was responsible for one run in one inning as the first six YSU relievers to appear in the contest. Sloan Ulrich surrendered five runs in the third before Kale Wemer and Griffin Almond each came on to toss two scoreless innings of relief. Lane Rhodes (Salem) permitted two runs in two innings of work while Mikey Rodriques suffered the loss after allowing the winning run in the ninth.

The Penguins grabbed the early lead with two runs on three doubles in the top of the first inning. Jang hit a leadoff double, advanced to third on a sacrifice bunt from Misael Uriepero and scored on Rossi’s RBI double. Beckley followed with an RBI double of his own to plate Rossi and give YSU a 2-0 advantage.

After the Zips took a 3-2 lead with three runs in the bottom of the second inning, YSU exploded for five runs on five hits in the top of the third to move ahead 7-3. The rally was highlighted by back-to-back run-scoring doubles from Brady Shannon (Ursuline) and Kuriger before a two-out, two-run single from Jang.

Akron responded immediately in the bottom of the third by loading the bases with a single and two walks. Atticus Huffstutler followed with a grand slam to right field which knotted the score at 7-7. Tucker Biehl walked and scored on Gabe Mathison’s bunt single later in the frame to give the Zips an 8-7 lead.

The lead changed hands again in the top of the fourth as the Penguins scored twice to regain a 9-8 advantage. Kuriger hit a two-out double and scored on Schummer’s RBI single while Teddy Ruffner walked and scored when Ryan DiLullo (Poland) reached on an error.

Akron got back-to-back two-out singles from Brody Chrisman and Blake Bowen in the home half of the seventh inning. Bowen swiped second base to put two runners in scoring positions before Morgan delivered a two-run single up the middle to give the Zips a 10-9 lead.

Uriepero drew a leadoff walk, advanced to third on a single from Beckley and scored on Shannon’s RBI groundout in the top of the ninth to even the score at 10 runs piece heading into the bottom half of the inning.

In the home half of the ninth, Mathison drew a leadoff single, Chrisman followed with a single and Bowen was intentionally walked to load the bases. Morgan proceeded to hit an 0-1 pitch from Rodriques up the middle to send Mathison home for the winning run.

Garrett Groce, Nathan Currah and Floyd McKenna combined to limit YSU to one run on four hits over the final five innings.

The Penguins are scheduled to begin a three-game Horizon League series at Milwaukee on Friday with a doubleheader beginning at 1 p.m.

YSU softball doubleheader canceled

YOUNGSTOWN — Due to inclement weather forecasted for today, the Youngstown State-Bowling Green softball doubleheader was canceled. The games will not be made up.

YSU visits Robert Morris for a three-game Horizon League showdown on Friday and Saturday in Moon Township, Pa.

CSU’s women’s coach headed to TSU

CLEVELAND — The Cleveland State Athletic Department announced that women’s basketball head coach Chris Kielsmeier stepped down from his position to accept the same role at Texas State. A national search for Cleveland State’s next head coach will begin immediately.

“I want to thank Coach Kielsmeier for his leadership and commitment to our women’s basketball program during his eight seasons at Cleveland State,”CSU Vice President and Director of Athletics Kelsie Gory Harkey said. “We are grateful for Coach Kielsmeier’s dedication to setting the standard of excellence for our program and the impact he made on our student-athletes during his eight seasons at Cleveland State. Our goal is to continue the tradition that has been built here, and we remain committed to providing a transformational student-athlete experience for all of our women’s basketball players.”

Kielsmeier has been at Cleveland State since the 2018-19 campaign, leading the Vikings to six 20-win seasons, six postseason appearances, Horizon League Tournament (2023) and Regular Season (2023-24) championships, and the program’s first-ever postseason title (2021 WBI). During his tenure, the Vikings have claimed 11 major postseason honors and 28 All-League accolades.

Steph Curry returns to scrimmaging

SAN FRANCISCO — Coach Steve Kerr still believes Stephen Curry could return to the Golden State Warriors before the regular season ends after missing two months with a right knee injury.

The 38-year-old Curry won’t play in a home game Wednesday night against San Antonio and isn’t expected to return in the back-to-back Thursday versus Cleveland.

That would leave five games remaining in the regular season, and Curry is highly unlikely to play on consecutive nights for the Warriors, who are headed for the play-in tournament. He has missed the last 25 games since playing against Detroit on Jan. 30.

Kerr said Tuesday’s session was all drill work both offensively and defensively, “half-speed.”

After a 116-93 loss at Denver on Sunday night, the Warriors dropped to 13-23 this season without Curry — including 9-16 during this stretch with him sidelined by patellofemoral pain syndrome.

Starting at $3.23/week.

Subscribe Today