Waino, O’Neill Lift Cards Over Pirates In Pujols’ Return

(AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
By STEVE OVERBEY Associated Press
ST. LOUIS (AP) — Adam Wainwright pitched six scoreless innings, Tyler O’Neill hit a three-run homer and drove in a career-high five, and the St. Louis Cardinals celebrated Albert Pujols’ return with a 9-0 season-opening win over the Pittsburgh Pirates. Yadier Molina threw out a runner trying to steal second in the first game of his final big league season, and Nolan Arenado and Tommy Edman also homered for the Cardinals, who won the managerial debut of 35-year-old Oliver Marmol. Paul Goldschmidt drew four straight walks, the first player to do that on opening day since Manny Ramírez in 2002. The Pirates had just six hits and lost budding star Ke’Bryan Hayes to left forearm spasms in the first inning.

AP Source: Pirates, 3B Ke’Bryan Hayes Agree on 8-year Deal

(AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)

AP Source: Pirates, 3B Ke’Bryan Hayes agree on 8-year deal
By WILL (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)GRAVES AP Sports Writer
The Pittsburgh Pirates are building around third baseman Ke’Bryan Hayes. A person with knowledge of the agreement tells The Associated Press the Pirates and Hayes have come to terms on a new eight-year, $70 million deal with the 25-year-old Hayes pending a physical. The person spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because a formal announcement isn’t expected until the team’s home opener on April 12. Hayes batted third in Pittsburgh’s season-opening 9-0 loss at St. Louis on Thursday but exited with left forearm spasms in the first inning. He was limited to 96 games last year due to a left wrist injury.

Shesterkin Stops 30 as Rangers Again Beat Penguins 3-0

(AP Photo/Bebeto Matthews)
By ALLAN KREDA Associated Press
NEW YORK (AP) — Frank Vatrano and Artemi Panarin scored in the second period, Igor Shesterkin stopped 30 shots for his fourth shutout of the season and the New York Rangers beat the Pittsburgh Penguins 3-0. Dryden Hunt added an empty-net goal in the final minute and Mika Zibanejad had two assists for New York, which is 6-1-1 in its last eight games — including three victories against Pittsburgh. Tristan Jarry had 21 saves for Pittsburgh, which has lost four of five and is 2-5-1 in its last eight.

Avalanche Beat Penguins 6-4 for Win No. 50, Clinch Playoff Spot

(AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)
By DAN SCIFO Associated Press
PITTSBURGH (AP) — Nathan MacKinnon scored two goals and the Colorado Avalanche clinched a playoff spot with a 6-4 win against the Pittsburgh Penguin. The Avalanche became the first NHL team to 50 wins this season. J.T. Compher, Darren Helm, Josh Manson and Artturi Lehkonen also scored for Colorado. Darcy Kuemper stopped 41 shots. Bryan Rust, Evan Rodrigues, Jake Guentzel and Mike Matheson all scored for the Penguins. Tristan Jarry made 26 saves for Pittsburgh, which has lost five of its last seven games.

Jayhawks Rally, Rock North Carolina 72-69 to Win NCAA title

(AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Kansas finished off the biggest comeback in national championship history Monday night, getting a big game from David McCormack, crucial shots from Remy Martin and surviving a potential game-tying 3-pointer by Caleb Love at the buzzer for a 72-69 victory over North Carolina in the Superdome. The senior-laden Jayhawks trailed 40-25 at halftime before rallying to win their fourth national championship, and the second for coach Bill Self, on the same floor where they lost to Kentucky in the national title game a decade ago.

Malkin Scores in OT, Penguins Beat Wild 4-3

(AP Photo/Jim Mone)
By BRIAN HALL Associated Press
ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — Evgeni Malkin scored 3:57 into overtime and Rickard Rakell had two goals as the Pittsburgh Penguins halted Minnesota’s seven-game winning streak with a 4-3 victory over the Wild. Jake Guentzel added his 32nd goal of the season for Pittsburgh. Rakell has three goals in six games since being acquired from the Anaheim Ducks for three players and a second-round draft choice. Penguins goalie Casey DeSmith made 28 saves. Pittsburgh moved one point behind the New York Rangers for second in the Metropolitan Division. First-place Carolina is six points ahead of the Penguins. Kirill Kaprizov scored his 38th goal for Minnesota to tie the franchise record for points in a season with 83. Matt Dumba and Frederick Gaudreau also scored for the Wild. Cam Talbot stopped 35 shots.

Kreider Scores 45th Goal, Rangers Hold off Penguins 3-2

(AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)
By WILL GRAVES AP Sports Writer
PITTSBURGH (AP) — Frank Vatrano and Braden Schneider scored less than five minutes apart in the second period, and the New York Rangers beat the Pittsburgh Penguins 3-2. Chris Kreider added his 45th goal in the third as the Rangers topped Pittsburgh for the second time in five days. Igor Shesterskin made 22 saves, including a stop on Penguins forward Jake Guentzel in the final seconds. Sidney Crosby scored his 25th goal and Brian Boyle got his ninth for the Penguins. Tristan Jarry made 23 saves but fell to 6-2 in his last eight starts, with both losses coming to New York.

Pirates SS Prospect Oneil Cruz To Start Season at Triple-A

(AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar, File)
BRADENTON, Fla. (AP) — Pittsburgh Pirates prospect Oneil Cruz will start the season in the minors. The team has optioned the towering 6-foot-7 shortstop to Triple-A Indianapolis in hopes of getting him more experience. The 23-year-old Cruz had put together a solid spring training, going 5 for 15 with two home runs in Grapefruit League play. Pirates manager Derek Shelton said the team believes Cruz needs a little seasoning before being called up for good. Cruz hit his first major league home run last October in a brief big league cameo.

Pitt’s Pat Narduzzi Signs New Contract Fresh Off ACC Title

(AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)
PITTSBURGH (AP) — Pittsburgh and football coach Pat Narduzzi have agreed on a new contract that will keep Narduzzi with the Panthers through at least 2030. The deal comes three months after Narduzzi led Pitt to its first Atlantic Coast Conference championship on its way to an 11-3 record and a No. 13 ranking in the final AP Top 25 poll, the program’s highest postseason ranking since 1982. Narduzzi is 53-37 in seven seasons with the Panthers. His 53 wins rank fourth all-time in program history.

CCBC Players of the Game 3/24/22


Quaker Valley: Markus Frank
Neumann Goretti: Aamir Hurst
You can see all of the past CCBC Players of the Game for High School Sports by clicking on the CCBC Logo Below: