Bill Beckner stories, Page 123

They say the first game of the season can be a good or bad omen for baseball teams. It can set the tone for what lies ahead. Franklin Regional liked what it saw in its first game of 2021 — its first in nearly two years because of the coronavirus...

Austin Butler had to rediscover the recruiting process when his four years of college basketball ended at Holy Cross because he could not continue his academic career in Worcester, Mass. The former Latrobe star entered the NCAA transfer portal and got more than a few nibbles on the line. About...

Things are happening fast for Belle Vernon freshman Quinton Martin. Really fast. Then again, he likes it that way. That is how he plays football. “It’s been super crazy, this whole experience,” Martin said. “But I’m handling it pretty well.” Power-5 interest continues to swirl around the 6-foot-3, 180-pound Martin,...

When the season schedule was distributed to baseball players at Seton Hill, there was a glaring omission: opponents. It was not an oversight. It was on purpose. “The times and dates are there but no opponents,” coach Marc Marizzaldi said. “It might say ‘Seton Hill vs. … doesn’t matter’ or...

Anthony Kobus doesn’t want to blink and miss his two daughters’ youth and high school athletic careers. “It’s time to take a break for my family,” said Kobus, who resigned as the girls head basketball coach at Franklin Regional this week after three seasons. His oldest daughter, Ava, is a...

Saint Vincent pulled in some accolades after another successful and albeit, shortened, season in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference. Senior guard Carlee Kilgus was named PAC Defensive Player of the Year, and Jimmy Petruska, in his 11th year at SVC, was tabbed conference coach of the year. Kilgus averaged 11.8...

Jeannette could be losing two of its best football players. The Birch brothers, Brad and Brett, appear to be on the move to a new school. Jeannette Superintendent Matt Jones confirmed the district received a request from Gateway for the Birches’ records to facilitate their enrollment there. The process could...

It looks like a classic case of expectation vs. execution for Norwin this baseball season. If one catches up to the other, watch out. The No. 1-ranked Knights are loaded with college-level talent — a compound of Division I, II and III recruits. A dozen players are committed to play...

This installment of the Norwin softball team has coach Brian Mesich scratching his head — and scratching his lineup card often with an eraser. It’s like he know the answers to a crossword puzzle, but they won’t fit in the little squares. “I couldn’t name a starting lineup right now,”...

Junior Devin Judy can bring the heat, and the hard-throwing pitcher from Gannon is raking in the awards as a result. Judy, a Belle Vernon graduate, received a pair of accolades after a strong outing against nationally ranked Mercyhurst. The right-hander was named the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association Atlantic...

While he is hyper-focused on winning, Spencer Lee doesn’t always envision a final score when he faces opponents on the wrestling mat. He just competes, and his margin slowly expands. Lee’s matches often end in one-sided fashion because he has a way of toying with opponents and piling on bonus...

Mt. Pleasant’s six-man senior baseball class will likely not be sending anyone to play at the college level. But that doesn’t mean the Vikings will lack talent specific to the sport. In fact, it could be quite the opposite. This group is strong and athletic and plays multiple sports. It’s...

Mt. Pleasant softball is not mincing words when it comes to its end game this season. “For these seniors, the goal is championship or bust,” coach Chris Brunson said. “It has to be. These girls were seventh- and eighth-graders when we were winning championships. They want their turn at it.”...

Seton Hill senior Derek Orndorff made some magic in right-center field last week, and the nation got to catch a glimpse of it. Orndorff made a spectacular running catch in the top of the second inning in the Griffins’ game last Friday against IUP. The play made No. 4 on...

The Mt. Pleasant baseball team will honor the memory of former teammate Dom Giallonardo by wearing his No. 2 on the side of their new caps. “We let our seniors design our hats each year,” coach Chris Firmstone said. “They wanted to do something to remember Dom.” Giallonardo, who graduated...

In a rather unassuming Friday afternoon baseball game in Greensburg, Seton Hill senior Derek Orndorff made some magic in right center field. And the nation got to catch a glimpse of it. Orndorff made a spectacular running catch in the top of the second inning in the undefeated Griffins’ game...

Through eight games, sophomore shortstop and Norwin alum Owen Sabol was hitting .346 with 10 runs and five RBIs for the nationally ranked Seton Hill baseball team. The Griffins (7-0) remained perfect with a come-from-behind 8-7 win at Ashland as Sabol hit his first home run of the season. Seton...

Penn-Trafford will officially dedicate its bench monument to late standout pitcher Maclean Maund on Monday in a short ceremony before the baseball team’s season-opening game against Connellsville. It also will be the Warriors’ first game on the new turf infield in Harrison City. Maund was killed in a vehicle accident...

Another day, another surprising announcement from one of college wrestling’s most celebrated lightweights. Iowa senior Spencer Lee, fresh off a third NCAA championship that he won while competing with two torn ACLs, made it known Friday he will not compete at the U.S. Olympic Trials next month. “It is not...

Say what you want about 7-on-7 football competitions and their merit. College coaches are tuned in to them and are using them to gauge young talent. Players may be in T-shirts and shorts but they can still display hands and speed. Freshmen players are among those getting noticed, including a...

Zach Kokoska was on the path to becoming a pitcher in college. No, really. “I was a left-hander who could throw 90 (mph),” the former Latrobe standout said. “Coaches jumped all over that.” But when he began to hit for power and average, that ship quickly sailed. When he left...

Defense was a big part of Saint Vincent’s run to a conference championship. Coaching had a little to do with it, too. Both were exemplified by a key senior and the Bearcats’ unfettered leader on the sidelines. The Presidents’ Athletic Conference recognized both with postseason awards Wednesday. Saint Vincent guard...

The dance goes on for Bryce Butler. A sophomore guard at West Liberty, Butler has helped the Hilltoppers (18-4) reach the Elite Eight of the NCAA Division II men’s basketball tournament. The Latrobe alum had four points and six rebounds in a 78-61 win over Hillsdale. The 6-foot-5, 200-pound Butler...