Steelers sign former Seahawks wide receiver Levi Wentz

(Credit for Photo: Photo Courtesy of Lindsey Wasson)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Pittsburgh, PA) The Pittsburgh Steelers announced yesterday that the team signed wide receiver Levi Wentz to a one-year contract. 

Wentz originally signed with the Seattle Seahawks as an undrafted free agent after the 2026 NFL Draft and he was waived by the Seahawks on June 8th. 

Wentz played at Old Dominion, Albany and Kansas during his college football career. 

He had 16 receptions for 258 yards and two touchdowns in 12 games at Kansas in 2025. 

Nick Kurtz and Jeff McNeil power the Athletics to an 11-2 victory over the struggling Pirates

(File Photo: Source for Photo: Athletics’ Tyler Soderstrom, left, Lawrence Butler (4), and Henry Bolte celebrate the Athletics win over the Pittsburgh Pirates in a baseball game Monday, June 15, 2026, in West Sacramento, Calif. (AP Photo/Scott Marshall)

WEST SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — Nick Kurtz hit two homers and drove in five runs, Jeff McNeil also went deep and knocked in four, and the Athletics beat the scuffling Pittsburgh Pirates 11-2 on Monday night.

J.T. Ginn pitched six strong innings for the A’s, who returned to their regular temporary home in California after going 4-2 on a homestand at their Triple-A affiliate in Las Vegas, where the big league club plans to move into a new stadium in 2028.

McNeil went 3 for 4 and snapped an 0-for-20 slump with an RBI single in the second. Kurtz followed with an opposite-field homer to left for a 3-0 lead and finished 3 for 5.

McNeil hit his third homer to make it 5-1 in the fourth and added an RBI single in the seventh before Kurtz followed with a three-run shot to left. Eight of Kurtz’s 18 home runs have come in June.

Lawrence Butler sparked the five-run seventh with an RBI double after Zack Gelof reached on a two-out error by second baseman Brandon Lowe.

Ginn (5-3) allowed just an unearned run and six hits with two walks, throwing 98 pitches.

Kurtz had the first of three straight singles to load the bases in the first before Jared Jones (1-1) came back to strike out the side. Henry Bolte hit a one-out double before McNeil drove him in during a three-run second.

Jones permitted five runs and eight hits over four innings in his fourth start this season.

Tyler Soderstrom singled in front of Jacob Wilson’s ground-rule double to begin the fifth against Pirates reliever Carmen Mlodzinski. Gelof upped the majors’ longest current hitting streak to 19 games with an RBI single for a 6-1 lead.

Jake Mangum had an RBI single in the fourth for the Pirates, and Endy Rodríguez went 3 for 3 with a solo homer in the eighth.

The Athletics (36-36) moved within a half-game of the first-place Mariners in the AL West.

Pittsburgh (36-37) has lost eight of 10. The Pirates are 9-19 all-time against the A’s.

Up next

Pirates RHP Mitch Keller (5-4, 5.14 ERA) starts Tuesday opposite Athletics RHP Jack Perkins (2-3, 6.25).

Steelers Announce 2026 Events & Game Themes

(File Photo of the Pittsburgh Steelers Logo)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Pittsburgh, PA) The Pittsburgh Steelers unveiled their 2026 season event calendar and game themes today, which features an exciting lineup of entertainment, experiences that are family-friendly and initiatives focused on the community that are designed to enhance the experience for fans throughout the season.

The upcoming schedule for the Steelers features opening this year’s NFL season at home, a home game held on Black Friday for the first time ever, and Acrisure Stadium hosting a Sunday night game.

According to a release from the Pittsburgh Steelers, here is the event calendar and game themes for the upcoming season.

Wednesday, July 29th – Monday, August 17th Steelers Training Camp 2026
• The Steelers invite fans to attend training camp at Saint Vincent College this summer.
• Presented by FedEX, fans will have the chance to take home prizes and giveaways, participate
in fan activities including football drills, take advantage of photo ops with Steelers legends,
get gear directly from the team at the Pro Shop tent and more.
• Fans can find a schedule listing all dates that practice will be open to the public and reserve
tickets here.

Thursday, August 13th vs. Green Bay Packers (Preseason)
• The Steelers invite fans to ‘Play Football,’ a game celebrating youth football and half-time
activities highlighting local athletes.
• Fans can learn more and purchase tickets to the game here.

Friday, August 21st vs. New York Jets (Preseason)
• The Steelers invite fans to ‘Family Day,’ a chance for the whole family to enjoy football, kids’
activities, and fun and witness the team in action before the regular season begins.
• As part of Family Day, fans are encouraged to bring the whole family to enjoy football, food
trucks, and activities around Acrisure Stadium. The Play Football game will celebrate young
athletes of all ages, from beginners to high school players, with activities throughout the
evening and halftime recognition of local athletes.
• Fans can learn more and purchase tickets to the game here.

Sunday, September 13th vs. Atlanta Falcons

• The Steelers welcome fans back to Acrisure Stadium for the ‘Home Opener.’
• Steelers Run Walk will be held on Monday, September 7th at Acrisure Stadium. The annual race
benefits the Art Rooney Scholarship Fund and the Chuck Noll Foundation for Brain Injury
Research. Fans can learn more here.
• Celebrate the start of football at the Kickoff and Rib Festival at Acrisure Stadium, presented
by I.C. Light, September 3rd-7th. Admission is free, and you can enjoy national rib vendors, football,
music, and other fun activities. Stay tuned for more fun activities planned for Kickoff
Weekend! Fans can find information on the Kickoff and Rib Festival here.
• Fans can learn more and purchase tickets to the game here.

Sunday, September 27th vs. Cincinnati Bengals

• The Steelers will celebrate the 2026 Hall of Honor Class with a halftime on-field
presentation.
• The Hall of Honor Dinner, a Steelers Charities event, will be held on Friday, September 25th, when
the team officially inducts this year’s Hall of Honor class during a special ceremony at
Acrisure Stadium. The 2026 Hall of Honor Class will be announced during training camp. A
limited number of tickets to the dinner are available for purchase here.
• Fans can learn more and purchase tickets to the game here.

Sunday, October 11th vs. Indianapolis Colts

• The ‘Crucial Catch: Intercept Cancer’ game supports the fight against cancer through early
detection and risk reduction. This is highlighted by NFL teams during October. There will be no shortage of support throughout Acrisure Stadium, with on-field stencils and goal post
wraps among the featured items supporting Crucial Catch. Players and coaches will also
show their support with sideline apparel visible.
• Before the Steelers take the field on Sunday, they will be hitting the runway for the team’s
annual Steelers Charities event, Steelers Style, which will be held on Friday, October 9th.
• This is the team’s largest philanthropic event benefiting UPMC Sports Medicine Concussion
Program, Cancer Bridges & the Chuck Noll Foundation. Fans can learn more and request
ticket information here.
• Fans can learn more and purchase tickets to the game here.

Sunday, November 1st vs. Cleveland Browns

• The Steelers will kick-off Halloween week by hosting their annual Spooktacular, a family-
friendly activity for youth to participate in a trick-or-treat experience at Acrisure Stadium taking place on Tuesday, October 20th. Learn more & check back for future event details here.
• The ‘Salute to Service’ game is the Steelers representation of the yearly commitment to
honor, empower, and connect with service members, veterans, and their families. Since the
inception of the NFL’s Salute to Service initiative, the Steelers have honored veterans at the
annual game and celebrated those who continue to serve in all branches of the armed forces.
• Fans can learn more and purchase tickets to the game here.

Sunday, December 6th vs. Houston Texans

• ‘Alumni Weekend,’ brings back former players, coaches, and staff members to Pittsburgh to be
recognized and celebrated during weekend activities. This year’s theme is Celebrating the 90s.
The Alumni Weekend Dinner, a Steelers Charities event, where former Steelers share
iconic behind-the-scenes stories from their time with the team, will be held on
Saturday, December 5th. The event benefits the UPMC Sports Medicine Concussion
Program. A limited number of tickets are available for purchase here.

• As part of the NFL’s My Cause My Cleats initiative, Steelers players will wear custom-
designed cleats against the Texans to highlight causes and charities important to them. Now in its 10th year, the league-wide program gives players the opportunity to raise awareness and
support for nonprofits, with players also able to auction their cleats afterward to benefit their
selected organizations. Fans may bid on player cleats at NFL.com/Auction.
• Fans can learn more and purchase tickets to the game here.

Sunday, December 20th vs. Baltimore Ravens

• ‘Inspire Change,’ the NFL’s social justice campaign, highlights and rewards those who are
making a difference and allows fans to learn about the incredible work they are doing to make
the region better.
• Fans can learn more and purchase tickets to the game here.

Date TBD vs. Carolina Panthers

• The ‘Thank You Fans’ game is an opportunity for the organization to show their gratitude for
all the support during the season and year-round from Steelers Nation. There will be
giveaways and a lot of excitement for fans in attendance as the team celebrates the holidays
and says thank you.
• Fans can learn more and purchase tickets to the game here.
Individual tickets for the 2026 season are available here.
Stay tuned for more information on our 2026 Themes and Events Calendar as additional details
are released here.

Penguins acquire forward Oliver Okuliar from the Florida Panthers in exchange for defenseman Emil Pieniniemi

(Credit for Photo: Photo Courtesy of Bildbyrån)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Pittsburgh, PA) Pittsburgh Penguins President of Hockey Operations and General Manager Kyle Dubas announced on Saturday that the Penguins have acquired forward Oliver Okuliar from the Florida Panthers in exchange for defenseman Emil Pieniniemi.

Okuliar is now an unsigned restricted free agent and the 6-foot-2, 190-pound forward spent the 2025-26 year with Skellefteå AIK of the Swedish Hockey League (SHL).

He appeared in 46 games and had statistics of 15 goals, 14 assists and 29 points as well as being plus-17. Okuliar helped his team to the league’s best regular-season record.

Okuliar finished tied for first in the SHL in goals (6) and was second overall in points (13) in 15 postseason games in the SHL playoffs on the way to a SHL Championship.

He is from Trencin, Slovakia and represented his home country at the 2026 Milano-Cortina Winter Olympic Games in Italy.

Beaver County Sports Hall of Fame inducts its 2026 class

(File Photo of the Beaver County Radio Sports Report Logo)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Aliquippa, PA) The Beaver County Sports Hall of Fame inducted ten members of its 2026 class on Saturday at The Club at Shadow Lakes in Aliquippa. 

According to a report from the Beaver County Times, this year’s class was as follows:

Jim Cantamessa (Blackhawk, Basketball), Shane Douglas (New Brighton, Pro Wrestling), Clayton Hamilton (Baseball, Blackhawk), Christa Harmotto Dietzen (Hopewell, Volleyball), Joe Klimchak (Center, Sports Media), Tim Moore (Freedom Area, Coaching), Anthony Piroli (Aliquippa, Strength Coach), Mark Ridgley (New Brighton, Coaching), Mike Sirianni (Hopewell, Coaching), Terry Smith (Aliquippa, Coaching)

Blackhawk softball loses to Valley View 13-8 in 2026 PIAA Class 4A state championship game

(File Photo of the Blackhawk School District Logo)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(University Park, PA) Blackhawk softball lost to Valley View 13-8 in the 2026 PIAA Class 4A championship game on Friday at Beard Field, part of Nittany Lion Softball Park in University Park. The Valley View Cougars of Archbald won back-to-back state titles with their victory. The Lady Cougars of Blackhawk have been in the Class 4A softball state championship game for the last two years, but lost in both appearances.

Meyer outduels Skenes, allows one run in six innings as Marlins top Pirates 4-2

(File Photo: Source for Photo: Miami Marlins starting pitcher Max Meyer (23) throws to the Pittsburgh Pirates during the first inning of a baseball game, Sunday, June 14, 2026, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Philip G. Pavely)

PITTSBURGH (AP) — Max Meyer allowed one run in six innings, stranding nine runners in the Miami Marlins’ 4-2 victory over Paul Skenes and the Pittsburgh Pirates on Sunday.

Meyer (7-0) gave up six hits, walked three and hit a batter, but he struck out nine.

Skenes (6-6), who fell to 0-4 in six starts since last winning on May 12, gave up home runs to Heriberto Hernández and Joe Mack in the second inning. The Pirates ace set a career high with 23 swings and misses and struck out 10, including the side in the fourth and sixth. He gave up four hits with one walk in six innings.

Miami, which took two of three games from Pittsburgh, has won seven of eight and 10 of 12 in June.

Hernández opened the scoring by sending a Skenes fastball 403 feet into the left-field bleachers. Mack drove a changeup 424 feet to center, putting the Marlins ahead 2-0.

The Pirates started the fourth with three straight singles, capped by Jake Mangum driving in Nick Gonzales. Meyer retired the next three batters, including strikeouts of Jared Triolo and Spencer Horwitz.

Meyer hit Tyler Callihan with a pitch to load the bases with two outs the following inning. Mangum then sent a sharp liner to right-center, but centerfielder Jakob Marsee charged for a diving catch to rob a likely go-ahead double.

Pittsburgh had two runners in scoring position with two outs in the seventh before Calvin Faucher ended the threat with a strikeout of Callihan. It left on 11 total runners.

Kyle Stowers and Xavier Edwards pushed the lead to 4-1 with a pair of RBI singles off Brandan Bidois in the eighth.

Pete Fairbanks, who picked up his ninth save, struck out two in the ninth before surrendering a two-out homer to Bryan Reynolds.

Up next

Marlins: RHP Ryan Gusto (0-1, 6.00 ERA) takes the mound Monday to begin a three-game series in Philadelphia opposite Phillies RHP Zack Wheeler (5-1, 2.22 ERA).

Pirates: RHP Jared Jones (1-0, 4.73 ERA) starts Monday to open a three-game set at the Athletics against RHP J.T. Ginn (4-3, 3.15 ERA).

Spencer Horwitz hit by pitch with the bases loaded to lift the Pirates past the Marlins, 3-2

(File Photo: Source for Photo: Pittsburgh Pirates’ Spencer Horwitz reacts after being hit by a pitch from Miami Marlins’ Anthony Bender with bases loaded during the eighth inning of a baseball game in Pittsburgh, Saturday, June 13, 2026. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

PITTSBURGH (AP) — Spencer Horwitz was hit by a pitch from Anthony Bender with the bases loaded in the eighth inning to bring in the go-ahead run and give the Pittsburgh Pirates a 3-2 win over Miami on Saturday, ending the Marlins’ six-game win streak.

Bender (1-1) struck out the first two batters of the inning before surrendering singles to Tyler Callihan and Jake Mangum and walking Jared Triolo. On the first pitch following a mound visit, Bender hit Horwitz with a 97 mph sinker to bring home Callihan.

The Marlins, who had won nine of 10 in June, got a leadoff single from Otto Lopez and a walk to Xavier Edwards in their half of the eighth, but Yohan Ramírez (4-2) struck out the next three batters.

Gregory Soto gave up a leadoff single to Esteury Ruiz in the ninth before retiring three straight for his 10th save.

Ryan O’Hearn put Pittsburgh ahead in the first with a one-out single off Lake Bachar through the right side of the infield.

Liam Hicks tied it on a line-drive single with two outs in the third, but Bryan Reynolds gave the Pirates’ a 2-1 lead in the bottom half with an RBI double into the gap in left-center.

Reynolds robbed Heriberto Hernández of a potential tying home run the following inning. Hernández had a called third strike overturned on a successful ABS challenge before sending the next pitch deep to left, backing Reynolds to the wall for a leaping grab.

Hernández tied it 2-all by dropping a single into left field with two outs in the sixth after Mason Montgomery relieved rookie right-hander Bubba Chandler, who allowed two runs on three hits with six strikeouts and one walk in 5 2/3 innings.

Up next

Pirates RHP Paul Skenes (6-5, 2.84 ERA), looking for his first win since May 12, takes the mound in the series finale Sunday against Marlins RHP Max Meyer (6-0, 2.85).

Marlins beat the Pirates 8-3

(File Photo: Source for Photo: Miami Marlins’ Owen Caissie celebrates as he stands on second base after driving in two runs with a double off Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Wilber Dotel during the seventh inning of a baseball game in Pittsburgh, Friday, June 12, 2026. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

PITTSBURGH (AP) — Owen Caissie had a two-run double to cap a four-run seventh inning and the Miami Marlins beat the Pittsburgh Pirates 8-3 on Friday night for their sixth straight victory.

Sandy Alcantara (6-4) won for the third time in three starts in June, working eight innings. He gave up three runs on five hits while striking out seven and walking one.

Tied at 2 going into the seventh, the Marlins scored four runs off reliever Wilber Dotel (1-2). Xavier Edwards brought home the go-ahead run with a sacrifice fly, Heriberto Hernandez had an RBI single and Caissie broke it open with his double off the fence in center.

Liam Hicks added a two-run home run in the eighth off Antoine Kelly, who was making his major league debut, to make it 8-2. Hicks finished 3 for 4 with a double and three runs.

Endy Rodriguez homered and doubled for the Pirates, who lost for the sixth in seven games. Brandon Lowe went deep in the bottom of the eighth after the Pirates had fallen behind by six runs.

The Pirates opened the scoring in the third when Rodriguez hit a leadoff double and scored on Jared Triolo’s single.

The Marlins moved in front 2-1 in the fifth. Otto Lopez drove in one run with a groundout and Kyle Stowers followed with an RBI single. Rodriguez homered in the bottom of the inning to tie it.

Pirates starter Braxon Ashcraft allowed two runs in five innings.

Up next

Pirates rookie RHP Bubba Chandler (2-7. 4.91 ERA) was set to start Saturday. The Marlins had not announced a starter.

Ohtani homers, leaves game with left knee inflammation in Dodgers’ 8-6 win over Pirates

(File Photo: Source for Photo: Los Angeles Dodgers’ Shohei Ohtani (17) watches his solo home run off Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Mitch Keller during the third inning of a baseball game in Pittsburgh, Thursday, June 11, 2026. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

PITTSBURGH (AP) — Dodgers two-way star Shohei Ohtani hit his 13th homer of the season before leaving the game due to left knee inflammation and Los Angeles beat the Pittsburgh Pirates 8-6 on Thursday night.

The reigning NL MVP hit a solo homer in the third inning. He also had a single and walked twice, reaching base in all four of his plate appearances before being lifted for a pinch hitter in the seventh inning.

It was not immediately clear when Ohtani began feeling discomfort in the knee.

Dodgers starter Justin Wrobleski left the game in the fifth inning with a left hamstring contusion. The left-hander was hit by a line drive off the bat of Bryan Reynolds. The ball ricocheted off Wrobleski to first baseman Freddie Freeman. Wrobleski collided with Reynolds while taking Freeman’s toss at first base.

Andy Pages also had two hits for the NL West-leading Dodgers, who took two of three in the series. Kyle Tucker hit a two-run single, and Miguel Rojas drove in two more runs.

Pirates rookie Rafael Flores Jr. hit his first MLB home run, and Brandon Lowe also went deep. Flores, Nick Gonzales and Spencer Horwitz had two hits apiece.

Wrobleski allowed four runs in 4 2/3 innings. Mitch Keller (5-4) was tagged for five runs in four innings.

Jack Dreyer (3-1) pitched a scoreless seventh inning and Tanner Scott got the last four outs for his seventh save.

Up next

Dodgers: RHP Roki Sasaki (4-3, 4.03 ERA) pitches against White Sox LHP Anthony Kay (5-1, 4.40) on Friday night in Chicago.

Pirates: Host Miami on Friday night with RHP Braxton Ashcraft (5-3, 3.28 ERA) facing Marlins RHP Sandy Alcantara (5-4, 4.33).