Category: News

Oneil Cruz’s most recent missile home run strikes top of right-field foul pole at 116.9 mph, hardest hit ball this season

(File Photo: Source for Photo: Pittsburgh Pirates’ Oneil Cruz celebrates his three-run home run with Brandon Lowe (5) in the ninth inning of a baseball game against the Texas Rangers Wednesday, April 22, 2026, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Pittsburgh Pirates star Oneil Cruz told Marcell Ozuna in the on-deck circle in the fifth inning Tuesday night that he would hit a home run, only to watch Texas center fielder Evan Carter make a spectacular, leaping catch over the fence in front of the visitors’ bullpen to rob him of a three-run blast.

Cruz had a similar exchange with Ozuna in the ninth inning Wednesday night before heading to the plate with two runners on, the Pirates having just pushed across a tie-breaking run. Cruz had struck out in three of his four previous at-bats.

No one could rob Cruz of this homer.

Cruz rocketed a cut fastball from Jalen Beeks left over the middle of the plate off the top of the right-field foul pole measured at 432 feet. The exit velocity of 116.9 mph made it the hardest-hit ball in the major leagues this season and second hardest ever at Globe Life Field, which opened in 2020. Houston’s Yordan Alvarez launched one 117 mph off José Ureña in August 2024.

Cruz has the record for the hardest-hit ball in the Statcast era, 122.9 mph off Milwaukee’s Logan Henderson on May 25, 2025.

He stood motionless in the batter’s box for a bit and followed the ball’s path, like a golfer watching his drive off the tee. He flapped his arms as he rounded the bases.

“I told him I was having a rough day, but that was the at-bat that I needed to do something,” Cruz said through an interpreter following the Pirates’ 8-4 win over the Rangers. “I said to him that I was going to hit a home run and he pulled me to the side and him me in the head really hard. And then I was on my way to hit.”

“That ball was killed,” Pirates manager Don Kelly said. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen a – Ozuna may have hit one like that back in Miami in ’15, But, like, to hit a ball like that off the top of the foul pole, that was unbelievable.

“He’s staying in the moment regardless of what happens prior in that game, what happened in the previous games.”

Asked if he’d seen a replay of the blast, Cruz said he had not.

“I saw it person. I don’t need to see it.”

Senator John Fetterman and Colleagues Introduce Hot Rotisserie Chicken Act allowing SNAP participants to purchase hot rotisserie chicken with their benefits

(File Photo of Senator John Fetterman)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Washington D.C.) U.S. Senator John Fetterman (D-PA) joined U.S. Senators Jim Justice (R-WV), Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), and Michael Bennet (D-CO) in Washington D.C. on Tuesday in introducing the Hot Rotisserie Chicken Act to allow Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) participants to purchase hot rotisserie chicken with their benefits. According to Senator Fetterman: “America’s best (and delicious) affordability play is Costco’s $4.99 rotisserie chicken. It’s one of my family’s favorites and I’m proud to join this bill with Senator Justice for all to try. SNAP funds would be well spent to feed our nation’s families who need it.” 

Various Sign Inspections this Week in Beaver and Lawrence Counties

(File Photo of Road Work Ahead Sign)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Beaver County, PA) PennDOT is announcing sign inspections on various roadways in Rochester, East Rochester, and New Brighton boroughs and Chippewa Township and Shenango, and Union townships in Lawrence County will occur today and tomorrow, weather permitting. From 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. each day, single-lane restrictions will occur as needed according to the following schedule:

Thursday, April 23rd
 

  • Route 422 in each direction at the I-376 interchange in Union Township 

Friday, April 24th
 

  • Route 18 in each direction between 5th Street and 2nd  Street in New Brighton Borough 
  • Route 422 in each direction at the Route 65 interchange toward E. Washington Street in Shenango Township 
  • Route 65 in the northbound direction at the Route 51/Route 68 exit toward Chippewa in Rochester and East Rochester boroughs 
  • Route 65 in the northbound direction at the East Rochester Monaca Bridge in East Rochester Borough 

Crews from Mackin Engineers & Consultants and the Sofis Rigging Company will conduct the inspection work. 

Passenger vehicle hits a PennDOT traffic control vehicle in Brighton Township

(Credit for Photo: Photo Courtesy of the Brighton Township Volunteer Fire Department, Station 63, Posted on Facebook on April 22nd, 2026)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Brighton Township, PA) Brighton Township Volunteer Fire Department, Station 63, responded to a motor vehicle collision on Interstate 376 Eastbound involving a passenger vehicle that struck the rear of a PennDOT traffic control vehicle on Tuesday. Crews worked to quickly secure the scene and implement traffic control measures upon arrival, which included lane closures to protect emergency personnel and motorists traveling through the area. Firefighters and EMS personnel assessed the incident and provided care and treatment to a patient involved in the crash. Crews remained on scene to ensure continued safety for responders and the public while working in coordination with partner agencies throughout the response. All lanes of Interstate 376 Eastbound were reopened and normal traffic flow resumed once the vehicles were removed from the roadway and conditions were deemed safe. 

State Senator Nick Miller to Introduce Legislation to Curb ATV and Dirt Bike Use on Urban Roadways

(File Photo: Source for Photo: This image provided by the Utah Highway Patrol shows a multi-vehicle, multi-fatality crash on US-6 near Price, Utah, Thursday, Sept. 26, 2024. (Utah Highway Patrol via AP)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Harrisburg, PA) State Senator Nick Miller (D-14) will introduce legislation to improve safety by incorporating ATVs and dirt bikes into the existing laws concerning evading police and reckless driving. Miller previously introduced similar legislation in the 2023-2024 session called Senate Bill 834. It will focus on urban areas while honoring local rules, permitting the use of ATVs on designated rural roads. This legislation strengthens the penalties for repeat offenders and addresses the growing group mentality that often drives riding behavior that is dangerous.  It builds on Act 92 of 2022, which is a bipartisan initiative passed by the General Assembly. This bill aims to improve public safety by reducing the improper use of motorbikes and ATVs on busy streets. It was prompted by an incident in July of 2022 on Interstate 78, where 40 vehicles were racing, leading to a multi-vehicle crash. In addition, an unmarked state attorney general’s office car, responding to transport an injured Allentown police detective in South Whitehall Township, was obstructed by dirt bike and ATV riders, despite its lights and sirens being activated.

Senator Camera Bartolotta: Senate Acts to Protect Fairness in Women’s Sports

(File Photo of Senator Camera Bartolotta)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Harrisburg, PA) Senator Camera Bartolotta (R-46) said in Harrisburg yesterday that the Senate has approved legislation to protect the safety and opportunities of female athletes by requiring scholastic sports teams to be designated based on biological sex. Senate Bill 1293 would require public schools and colleges to label sports teams as male, female or coed. The legislation states that only biological females can join teams designated for women. The bill would also allow students to take legal action if they are harmed by violations of this rule. The legislation will be sent to the House of Representatives. 

Office of Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday: Counterfeit NFL merchandise seized from Pittsburgh’s Strip District

(Credit for Photo: Photo Courtesy of the Pennsylvania Attorney General’s Office)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Pittsburgh, PA) According to the office of Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday, its agents seized counterfeit merchandise from Pittsburgh’s Strip District ahead of the 2026 NFL draft. The merchandise that was recently seized appeared to include blankets, hats, sunglasses and more. Sunday’s office confirms that it wants everyone to have a safe and draft experience while warning people that the spectacle event provides opportunities for “criminals and bad actors” to take advantage of people. Fans are encouraged to shop only at retail locations that are trusted and to be careful of deals that may seem too good to be true. 

Oneil Cruz’s 3-run homer off top of foul pole powers Pirates to 8-4 win over Rangers

(File Photo: Source for Photo: Pittsburgh Pirates’ Oneil Cruz (15) celebrates after hitting a three-run home run in the ninth inning of a baseball game against the Texas Rangers Wednesday, April 22, 2026, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Oneil Cruz had the hardest-hit homer in the majors this season, a three-run shot off the top of the right-field foul pole in the ninth inning that powered the Pittsburgh Pirates to an 8-4 win over the Texas Rangers on Wednesday night.

The Pirates took a 5-4 lead in the ninth when Nick Gonzales broke for the plate on pinch-hitter Jake Mangum’s one-out chopper to third base off Cole Winn (1-1). Josh Jung’s throw home pulled catcher Kyle Higashioka into foul territory, and Higashioka could not make the tag.

Cruz followed with his 116.9 mph liner that bounced off the top of the foul pole and into the stands. It was the second hardest-hit ball in the history of Globe Life Field, which opened in 2020.

Pittsburgh’s big ninth gave Gregory Soto (1-0) his first win as a Pirate, following his first blown save. The lefty reliever allowed Jake Burger’s two-run single in the eighth that tied the score at 4-all. Dennis Santana pitched a perfect ninth for his third save in four opportunities.

Bryan Reynolds’ fifth-inning single, which produced his 500th career RBI, was part of a three-run frame that gave the Pirates a 4-2 lead. Reynolds is tied with Bobby Bonilla for the most RBIs by a Pirates switch-hitter. He also scored Pittsburgh’s first run on Marcell Ozuna’s first-inning double.

Pirates starter Braxton Ashcraft set career highs with seven innings and 94 pitches, allowing Jung’s two-run homer in the second inning among four hits. Ashcraft grew up about 100 miles south of Globe Life Field near Waco.

Jung has an RBI in a career-best six consecutive games.

Texas starter Jack Leiter, who turned 26 on Tuesday, allowed four runs, three earned, in five innings. He hasn’t won since his first start this season, at Baltimore on March 30.

With a single and a walk, Pittsburgh’s Ryan O’Hearn has reached base in 20 of 22 games.

Up next

Rangers RHP Jacob deGrom (1-0, 2.29 ERA) will pitch on five days’ rest in Wednesday night’s series finale against Pirates rookie RHP Bubba Chandler (1-1, 3.15).

Old Economy Park pool liner, Big Knob Grange Maple Syrup Festival among topics discussed in most recent Commissioners’ work session

(File Photo of the Beaver County Courthouse)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Beaver, PA) Several topics were discussed at the Beaver County Commissioners’ work session this morning at the County Courthouse. One of them was when Dan Cole, the director of Public Works for the Commissioners, brought up some things like a old gas well on a property back by Economy Park. It was leaking, but the situation is being taken care of at this time. Cole also brought up the reminder that the ongoing movement of boxes with documents from the Wampum Mushroom Mines to a facility owned by St. Barnabas could be faster if grass could be cut. However, he said that his department is doing the best that they can in that instance. In other business, Beaver County Recration and Tourism Director Tony Caltury let the audience know about the third annual “Tap for Sap” Race event take place at Brady’s Run Park this Saturday. This is a 25k trail race with 300 participants. It will not have any road closures affecting it. After Caltury mentioned this, Commissioner Jack Manning questioned him about an update on the liner of the pool at Old Economy Park in Baden. The goal is to get a new liner installed because at the Commissioners’ work session on March 4th, 2026, Caltury noted that it was been determined that the liner of that pool is “no longer viable for the last couple of years.” According to Caltury, the first invoice for it has been submitted, and “we are waiting for the project manager to assign the timeline from there and then we’ll know when exactly it’s getting installed. I’ve been in contact with the YMCA as well.” As for the opening of the pool, Caltury noted of a possible Fourth of July start. Beaver County Solicitor Garen Fedeles mentioned twenty-four resolutions for tomorrow, which included money for demolition regarding a building in Beaver Falls. Manning also congratulated the work of those at the Big Knob Grange in Rochester after they hosted the Big Knob Grange Maple Syrup Festival this past weekend. It replaced the Beaver County Maple Syrup and Music Festival that was cancelled this year. Manning hopes that it can become a permanent event in the county after its initial success. He also congratulated the Cornerstone of Beaver County for their event at the Fez in Hopewell for their tenth anniversary of the work they have done to support those that do not have homes in Beaver County. He also let the audience know of an event at the Larry Bruno Foundation in Beaver Falls from 12 noon to 8 p.m. tonight with things like food trucks to celebrate the upcoming NFL draft that begins in Pittsburgh tomorrow through Saturday.

2026 NFL Draft is ready to take its place in Pittsburgh

(Credit for Photo: Photo Courtesy of Visit Pittsburgh)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Pittsburgh, PA) An estimated 500,000 to 700,000 fans are expected to attend the 2026 NFL Draft in Pittsburgh, which will take place from tomorrow through Saturday. The next generation of football stars will become professional football players in the National Football League (NFL) as all 32 of its teams will make their selections in the seven-round event. Round 1 will begin at 8 p.m. tomorrow, Rounds 2 and 3 will begin at 7 p.m. on Friday and Rounds 4-7 will begin at 12 noon on Saturday The NFL previously announced that the North Shore will host the event while both Acrisure Stadium and Point State Park will have elements of the city during the draft. The expected attendance for the event could make it the biggest event in the history of Pittsburgh for its visitors.