Category: Sports

Hayes homers, Pirates 2-hit Cubs 5-3 on chilly opening day

Hayes homers, Pirates 2-hit Cubs 5-3 on chilly opening day
By JAY COHEN AP Baseball Writer
CHICAGO (AP) — Ke’Bryan Hayes hit a two-run homer and Pittsburgh’s relievers dominated in a two-hitter, helping the Pirates beat the Chicago Cubs 5-3 on a chilly opening day. The gametime temperature at Wrigley Field was 36 degrees, and the flags at the iconic ballpark rippled in the breeze for much of the sunny afternoon. A crowd of 10,343 dressed in winter jackets, hooded sweatshirts and hats for the return of fans to Wrigley after they were kept out last summer because of the pandemic. Anthony Rizzo, Joc Pederson and Willson Contreras each hit a sacrifice fly for Chicago, but that was it for the reigning NL Central champions.

Hall of Fame coach Roy Williams retiring after 33-year run

Hall of Fame coach Roy Williams retiring after 33-year run
By AARON BEARD AP Basketball Writer
North Carolina says Hall of Fame basketball coach Roy Williams is retiring. The decision comes two weeks after Williams closed his 18th season with the Tar Heels and 33rd season as a head coach overall going back to his time at Kansas. Williams won 903 games in a career that included three national championships with the Tar Heels in 2005, 2009 and 2017. UNC lost to Wisconsin in the first round of the NCAA Tournament in his final game.

Kuhl’s the rule; Pirates name Chad Kuhl opening day starter

Kuhl’s the rule; Pirates name Chad Kuhl opening day starter
PITTSBURGH (AP) — Chad Kuhl will be the opening day starter for the Pittsburgh Pirates. The assignment comes more than two years after the right-hander underwent Tommy John surgery. Kuhl did not pitch at all in 2019. He returned in 2020 and went 2-3 with a 4.27 ERA in 11 games. The 28-year-old called the assignment a blessing. Kuhl is the fifth opening day starter for the Pirates in the last five years.

DeSmith stars in relief, Penguins edge Islanders 2-1

DeSmith stars in relief, Penguins edge Islanders 2-1
By WILL GRAVES AP Sports Writer
PITTSBURGH (AP) — Casey DeSmith made 19 saves after starter Tristan Jarry’s mysterious exit and the Pittsburgh Penguins held off the New York Islanders 2-1. Jarry left after the first period and DeSmith filled in by holding the Islanders at bay as Pittsburgh pulled even with New York in the East Division. Jared McCann scored his eighth goal of the season and Anthony Angello collected the first power-play goal of his career for the Penguins. Matt Martin scored his seventh of the season for the Islanders and Semyon Varlamov made 20 saves but couldn’t stop New York from getting swept during its final two-game set in Pittsburgh.

Geneva Loses Season Opener against Westminster

The Geneva Golden Tornadoes and the Westminster Titans added another chapter in their rivalry. The game started out looking like it was going to be a good one after both teams scored on their first drive of the game. But, after that the Titans began to control the game, it started when the Golden Tornadoes fumbled on their side of the field and the Titans went and scored. The Titans took a commanding lead into the half up 45-7, despite the score the Golden Tornadoes did not stop fighting. Late in the second half the Golden Tornadoes eventually scored two touchdowns, to make the score 52-21. The Golden Tornadoes will play again Thursday April 1 against W&J.

You can listen to the postgame report here:

AUDIO: Geneva Football Ready To Kick Off Season Unlike Any Other

The snow is gone, the flowers are blooming, and spring is in the air. In the sports world, that means it’s time for…college football?!

Strange as it may be, the football season begins for the Geneva College Golden Tornadoes on March 26, several months after the season was supposed to begin before the pandemic cancelled the majority of sports activity in 2020. The team kicks off its reduced spring season tonight against Westminster at Reeves Field beginning at 7:30 (pregame at 7:00 on Beaver County Radio).

Before the game, head coach Geno DeMarco sat down with Matt Drzik to talk about his 28th season as the sideline general of the Golden Tornadoes, a season he knows is going to be unlike any other. Coach DeMarco talked about the players he sees as key components to victory in the shortened five-game season, the motivation for players to even play such a short schedule on the verge of the end of the semester, the connection that Geneva College has and hopes to maintain with Beaver County talent, and the perseverance that comes with enduring not just a football season…but one within the confines of a ongoing global crisis.

To listen to the full interview, click on the player below!

Midland Sports HOF To Award Scholarships; Cancels 2021 Induction Ceremony

The Midland Sports Hall of Fame will award a $1,000 scholarship to a college-bound graduating senior boy or girl in 2021. An applicant must be a current resident of the Borough of Midland or the child, grandchild, or great grandchild of a graduate of Midland High School to be qualified. Current Midland residents will be given priority. A qualified student need not be involved in athletics to apply.

To be considered, a student must fully complete the application found on the Beaver County Foundation’s website and write a personal essay about “Life In Midland, PA”. For submission, follow the directions on the Beaver County Foundation website. Applications that do not accompany essays will not be considered. The deadline to apply is May 1, 2021. For more information, e-mail inquiries to midlandleopards@comcast.net.

For health and safety reasons due to the continuing COVID-19 pandemic, the Midland Sports Hall of Fame will not be inducting a hall of fame class for the second consecutive summer. The Executive Committee hopes to resume activities leading into 2022. Even so, the scholarship will be awarded. The 2020 winners were Sean Tanner of Lincoln Park Performing Arts Charter School who is currently attending Kent State University and Olivia Hohenshel of Western Beaver High School who is currently attending Robert Morris University.