LOCAL
Poland girls champs
BUCYRUS — Kasie Serich (2-0) pitched a complete game three-hitter with 13 strikeouts and she hit a pair of singles leading the Poland All-Stars over Elyria, 8-1, Thursday for the Little League girls 11-12 year old state softball title.
Everybody in the Poland starting lineup had at least one hit. Kalie Benson hit a double and single and drove in four runs, while Meridth Testa and Emily Chandler each hit a pair of singles.
Poland advances to Joplin, Missouri for the regional tournament, July 30-Aug. 5.
Chaney frosh begin
YOUNGSTOWN — The Chaney high freshman football team begins practice July 24 at 4 p.m. at the high school. Players should report to coach Joe Donatella.
Burnside fighters win
GIRARD — Keith Burnside-trained fighters Jake Giuriceo and Stephanie Sahli, both of Struthers, registered wins during an amateur fight show at the Avon Oaks Ballroom recently.
The 22-year-old Giuriceo (5-2) beat Canton's James Russell (2-1) with a second-round knockout during a 154-pound encounter.
Sahli, a past KO Drugs champion, won her post-high school amateur debut by beating Alicia DeFrank of Girard by decision in a female bout at 130 pounds. The 19-year-old Sahli was named "fighter of the night" following the 12-bout program.
Datish signs
FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. — Former Howland High and Ohio State standout lineman Doug Datish signed with the Atlanta Falcons recently.
Datish, a sixth-round draft pick as a center, agreed to a four-year contract.
Datish was an all-Big Ten pick as Ohio State's center.
Pavlik, Thunder gather
YOUNGSTOWN — Kelly Pavlik and Mahoning Valley Thunder players will meet with fans at Jillian's in the Southern Park Mall on July 23.
The "Meet and Greet" session is from 6 p.m. until 7:30 p.m. Refreshments and soft drinks will be available. Admission is free with the purchase of a ticket to the Thunder's final home game of the regular season which will be held on July 28. Tickets are $18.50 each with $4 benefiting the United Way.
Dykes inks letter
SOUTH EUCLID — The Notre Dame College women's basketball program announced the signing of a National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) letter of intent with Liberty's Michelle Dykes.
Dykes was a standout guard at Liberty High School, from which she graduated in 2007. The 5-foot-7 Dykes averaged 15.8 points and 8.3 rebounds per game in leading the Leopards to a 15-7 overall record as a senior in 2006-07. As Liberty's MVP, Dykes was named first-team all-conference and was a nominee for Trumbull County Player of the Year.
"Michelle is a fine addition to our incoming freshman class," said Notre Dame head coach Dick Deasy. "She works hard, has god instincts for the game and can be a factor defensively."
As a senior, Dykes led the Leopards with 73 steals. She also led the team in scoring and rebounds. At Liberty, she also participated in soccer and softball.
The daughter of Randy and Rochelle Dykes plans to major in nursing.
Tennis winners
BOARDMAN — Champions in five different divisions were decided during the Youngstown Junior Tennis League "B" tournament which was held at Boardman Tennis & Swim Club.
Cory Groner and Jimmy Boniface of Poland Swim Club won boys' 10- and 12-year-old divisions, respectively, while Tippecanoe Country Club's McKenzie Reese and Elaina DeRose won girls' 10- and 12-year-old classes, respectively.
Nick Lockshaw of Boardman Tennis & Swim captured the 14-under title.
REGION
Steelers trim roster
PITTSBURGH — The Pittsburgh Steelers released wide receiver Gerran Walker and long snapper Jared Retkofsky on Thursday.
Both rookies were signed earlier this year. Retkofsky signed as an undrafted rookie from TCU. Walker, who played at Lehigh, signed as a free agent in February.
All players are to report to training camp Monday at St. Vincent College in Latrobe.
Staff/wire reports
Friday, July 20, 2007
LOCAL
Poland girls champs
BUCYRUS — Kasie Serich (2-0) pitched a complete game three-hitter with 13 strikeouts and she hit a pair of singles leading the Poland All-Stars over Elyria, 8-1, Thursday for the Little League girls 11-12 year old state softball title.
Everybody in the Poland starting lineup had at least one hit. Kalie Benson hit a double and single and drove in four runs, while Meridth Testa and Emily Chandler each hit a pair of singles.
Poland advances to Joplin, Missouri for the regional tournament, July 30-Aug. 5.
Chaney frosh begin
YOUNGSTOWN — The Chaney high freshman football team begins practice July 24 at 4 p.m. at the high school. Players should report to coach Joe Donatella.
Burnside fighters win
GIRARD — Keith Burnside-trained fighters Jake Giuriceo and Stephanie Sahli, both of Struthers, registered wins during an amateur fight show at the Avon Oaks Ballroom recently.
The 22-year-old Giuriceo (5-2) beat Canton's James Russell (2-1) with a second-round knockout during a 154-pound encounter.
Sahli, a past KO Drugs champion, won her post-high school amateur debut by beating Alicia DeFrank of Girard by decision in a female bout at 130 pounds. The 19-year-old Sahli was named "fighter of the night" following the 12-bout program.
Datish signs
FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. — Former Howland High and Ohio State standout lineman Doug Datish signed with the Atlanta Falcons recently.
Datish, a sixth-round draft pick as a center, agreed to a four-year contract.
Datish was an all-Big Ten pick as Ohio State's center.
Pavlik, Thunder gather
YOUNGSTOWN — Kelly Pavlik and Mahoning Valley Thunder players will meet with fans at Jillian's in the Southern Park Mall on July 23.
The "Meet and Greet" session is from 6 p.m. until 7:30 p.m. Refreshments and soft drinks will be available. Admission is free with the purchase of a ticket to the Thunder's final home game of the regular season which will be held on July 28. Tickets are $18.50 each with $4 benefiting the United Way.
Dykes inks letter
SOUTH EUCLID — The Notre Dame College women's basketball program announced the signing of a National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) letter of intent with Liberty's Michelle Dykes.
Dykes was a standout guard at Liberty High School, from which she graduated in 2007. The 5-foot-7 Dykes averaged 15.8 points and 8.3 rebounds per game in leading the Leopards to a 15-7 overall record as a senior in 2006-07. As Liberty's MVP, Dykes was named first-team all-conference and was a nominee for Trumbull County Player of the Year.
"Michelle is a fine addition to our incoming freshman class," said Notre Dame head coach Dick Deasy. "She works hard, has god instincts for the game and can be a factor defensively."
As a senior, Dykes led the Leopards with 73 steals. She also led the team in scoring and rebounds. At Liberty, she also participated in soccer and softball.
The daughter of Randy and Rochelle Dykes plans to major in nursing.
Tennis winners
BOARDMAN — Champions in five different divisions were decided during the Youngstown Junior Tennis League "B" tournament which was held at Boardman Tennis & Swim Club.
Cory Groner and Jimmy Boniface of Poland Swim Club won boys' 10- and 12-year-old divisions, respectively, while Tippecanoe Country Club's McKenzie Reese and Elaina DeRose won girls' 10- and 12-year-old classes, respectively.
Nick Lockshaw of Boardman Tennis & Swim captured the 14-under title.
REGION
Steelers trim roster
PITTSBURGH — The Pittsburgh Steelers released wide receiver Gerran Walker and long snapper Jared Retkofsky on Thursday.
Both rookies were signed earlier this year. Retkofsky signed as an undrafted rookie from TCU. Walker, who played at Lehigh, signed as a free agent in February.
All players are to report to training camp Monday at St. Vincent College in Latrobe.
Staff/wire reports
Friday, July 20, 2007
Kasie Serich (2-0) pitched a complete game three-hitter with 13 strikeouts and she hit a pair of singles leading the...
