Category: Saturday Sports Slam

Hamlin wins 3rd Daytona 500; Newman hospitalized

Hamlin wins 3rd Daytona 500; Newman hospitalized
By JENNA FRYER AP Auto Racing Writer
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (AP) — Denny Hamlin won the Daytona 500 for the third time when he beat Ryan Blaney to the finish line in the second-closest finish in race history. The win for Joe Gibbs Racing came as Ryan Newman was wrecked as the leader and crossed the finish line with his car on its roof, engulfed in flames. The race was pushed back a day by rain for just the second time in 62 years and Hamlin won after two red flags and two overtimes. He’s the first back-to-back Daytona winner since Sterling Marlin in 1995.

Noah Gragson gives Earnhardt another win at Daytona

Noah Gragson gives Earnhardt another win at Daytona
By JENNA FRYER AP Auto Racing Writer
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (AP) — Noah Gragson wins his first career Xfinity Series race with a win under caution at Daytona International Speedway. The win was the third consecutive victory at Daytona for JR Motorsports, the team co-owned by Dale Earnhardt Jr. Gragson is in his second season driving a Chevrolet for JRM. He celebrated wildly on the frontstretch after the win. The race ended after a crash on the last lap of Saturday’s season opener.

FDU topples Robert Morris

Bishop leaps for game-winner FDU topples Robert Morris
MOON TOWNSHIP, Pa. (AP) — Fairleigh Dickinson’s last-gasp shot appeared to have been partially blocked, but Kaleb Bishop leapt for the putback and the Knights upset Northeast Conference leader Robert Morris 72-71.  Jahlil Jenkins finished with 21 points for the Knights, while Bishop scored 11 with six rebounds. AJ Bramah, who gave Robert Morris its final lead, led the Colonials with 17 points,

Mike Lysakowski Breaks Down Historical, Natural, & Team Aspects Of 2020 Daytona 500

History has been made, but will it affect the history that will be made?

Just as he did last week, Mike Lysakowski of Motorsports Aspects took the Saturday Sports Slam down to Daytona for a few minutes as Speedweeks 2020 reaches its apex with the 62nd running of the Daytona 500 at 2:30 on Sunday. Mike talked to Matt Drzik & Greg Benedetti about the history of the teams and drivers that have previously won the 500 (and the role it may play in Sunday’s race), the way the contrasting weather will have an effect on pit crews and their strategy, and who he has as his favorites in the “Great American Race”.

Lysakowski also updated on the local talents that ran everything from short track to Truck Series, in a recap of the two-week Speedweeks festivities–which Mike said could soon be limited to merely a Speedweek starting in 2021.

Reports with Mike Lysakowski are presented by Novak Auto Parts, Marbull’s Restaurant & Tavern, GNU’s Body Works, CJ Rombold Engine Builders, City Rescue Mission, & Beaver County Radio.

To listen to Mike’s Daytona 500 Preview on the Sports Slam, click on the player below!

Zucker’s two goals help Penguins beat Canadiens 4-1

Zucker’s two goals help Penguins beat Canadiens 4-1
By DAN SCIFO Associated Press
PITTSBURGH (AP) — Newly-acquired Jason Zucker scored his first two goals with the Pittsburgh Penguins during a 4-1 win over the Montreal Canadiens. Zucker scored his 15th and 16th of the season in a 1:42 span, with Montreal’s Tomas Tatar getting a goal in between. Zucker provided 2-0 and 3-1 leads and has nine goals in 12 career games against the Canadiens. Kris Letang scored a power-play goal against his hometown team and his 13th overall of the season, and Zach Aston-Reese added an empty-net goal. Penguins captain Sidney Crosby had three assists. Tatar scored his 21st of the season for Montreal

New college baseball wristband rule may thwart sign stealing

New college baseball wristband rule may thwart sign stealing
By ERIC OLSON AP Sports Writer
A new rule intended to help speed up the game also could thwart attempts to steal signs in college baseball. The NCAA will allow a pitcher to wear a wristband with a signal card when the season opens Friday. That will allow him and the catcher to look into the dugout to get pitch calls and eliminate the need for the catcher to relay the call with hand signs. Sign stealing has come to the fore since the Houston Astros were found to have used electronics to steal signs in 2017 and 2018.

Daytona 500 up for grabs!! President Trump Grand Marshall will give the command to start engines

Daytona 500 up for grabs as no clear theme has emerged
By JENNA FRYER AP Auto Racing Writer
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (AP) — Denny Hamlin will try to become the first driver in 25 years to win consecutive Daytona 500’s this weekend. But the race is full  unknowns. No clear favorite has emerge and events this week have featured different winnerst. Teams have yet to show if they will make manufacturer alliance.d President Donald Trump is scheduled to give the command to start engines at the start ofSunday’se race. The 62nd running of “The Great American Race” is up for grab to kick off NASCAR’s season.

Pirates pitcher Archer has a clear mind — and less hair

Pirates pitcher Archer has a clear mind — and less hair
By JOHN PERROTTO Associated Press
BRADENTON, Fla. (AP) — Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Chris Archer is 2 ½ pounds lighter than at the end of last season. The right-hander didn’t go on a winter diet, though. Instead, Archer cut off his trademark dreadlocks. Archer said it was time for a change. He feels the same way about his pitching. Archer was 3-9 with a 5.19 ERA in 23 starts last year. He was a two-time All-Star with the Tampa Bay Rays, yet has gone 6-12 with a 4.92 ERA in 33 starts since the Pirates acquired him in a trade in July 2018.

Logano, Byron win Daytona 500 qualifying races

Logano, Byron win Daytona 500 qualifying races
By JENNA FRYER AP Auto Racing Writer
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (AP) — Joey Logano and William Byron won the qualifying races that set the field for the Daytona 500. Logano’s victory in the first 150-mile race Thursday night earned him a spot in the second row for the season-opening Daytona 500. Byron will start on the second row.  Ricky Stenhouse Jr. and Alex Bowman are on the front row, which is set in time trials. Five drivers were racing Thursday night for two slots in the Daytona 500, and they went to Reed Sorenson and Timmy Hill. Sorenson was aided in the first race when Daniel Suarez was crashed by Ryan Blaney.

Lightning over Pens 2-1 in OT

Gourde lifts Lightning over Pens 2-1 in OT for 8th straight
By WILL GRAVES AP Sports Writer
Yanni Gourde’s wrist shot from in close 2:45 into overtime gave the streaking Tampa Bay Lightning a 2-1 victory over the Pittsburgh Penguins. The Lightning picked up their eighth straight win when Gourde took a cross-ice feed from Brayden Point and ripped the puck over Matt Murray’s right arm. Gourde’s seventh goal of the season created a mob scene near the Pittsburgh net as Tampa Bay improved to 20-2-1 since Dec. 23. Evgeni Malkin got his 18th goal for Pittsburgh and Murray finished with 36 saves but couldn’t get a piece of Gourde’s winner.