Jerry DiPaola stories, Page 86
Pitt’s Pat Narduzzi seeks, expects improvement on offense
If you want to start an argument with Pat Narduzzi (OK, maybe just a polite disagreement), question Pitt’s offensive line and how it performed in 2020. He is a bit sensitive to criticism of the unit that might be more important to Pitt’s hopes for an ACC Coastal championship than...
Pirates’ Gregory Polanco declares: ‘I never want to leave Pittsburgh’
With so many newly acquired, young players running around the minors and some finding their way into the big-league dugout, no one knows for sure what the Pittsburgh Pirates will look like a year from now. Gregory Polanco only knows he wants to be a part of it. “I never...
Gregory Polanco breaks up no-hitter; Pirates go on to defeat first-place Brewers in 10 innings
The Pittsburgh Pirates’ 8-5 victory in 10 innings Tuesday night against a vastly superior Milwaukee Brewers’ team had so many tense, game-changing moments, perhaps you didn’t notice it took 4 hours, 6 minutes to complete. But how could you miss the most obvious element? Whenever the game was on the...
Pirates’ Shea Spitzbarth thought of being a fireman; now he puts out MLB fires
Shea Spitzbarth was shagging fly balls during batting practice Monday in Milwaukee’s American Family Field when he heard a familiar voice holler, “Spitz.” He’s been hearing that name all his life, but to hear it in a major-league outfield while he was wearing a major-league jersey (one that says Pirates)...
Back to normal, Duquesne picked tied for 2nd in NEC preseason poll
After an unprecedented, but successful, spring season, Duquesne was picked to finish in a tie for second with Central Connecticut in the Northeast Conference preseason coaches’ poll released Tuesday. The Dukes received two first-place votes while preseason favorite and defending champion Sacred Heart appeared on four of the seven ballots....
Bryse Wilson impresses in debut, but Brewers belt Pirates bullpen in 6-2 victory
The Pittsburgh Pirates’ three-game series in Milwaukee means little in the National League Central standings, with the Brewers in first place by 7½ games. But it matters to the Pirates who are using three starting pitchers — Bryse Wilson on Monday night, Max Kranick on Tuesday and Steven Brault on...
Steven Brault recovered, will pitch Wednesday against Brewers, but Pirates lose Chad Kuhl to covid injured list
On the day the Pittsburgh Pirates welcomed back their best pitcher from 2020, a rotation regular through most of 2021 must sit down. Manager Derek Shelton said Monday that Steven Brault, who has missed the entire season with a left lat strain (latissimus dorsi muscle in his back), will pitch...
Mitch Keller faces double trouble, loss to Phillies in return from Triple-A
Mitch Keller is back, and for one Sunday afternoon, the walks didn’t accompany him to PNC Park. But the Philadelphia Phillies (52-53) had little trouble with pitches in the strike zone, smashing five doubles among the eight hits and four runs Keller (3-8) allowed in five innings. Relief pitcher Cody...
Pirates notebook: Bryse Wilson back in the spotlight, will start Monday in MiwaukeeVideo
Bryse Wilson has been here before. Yes, literally, in PNC Park. It was there one of the newest members of the Pittsburgh Pirates made his major league debut Aug. 20, 2018, for the Atlanta Braves against his present employer. He was the winning pitcher in a 1-0 Braves victory, working...
Former Pitt forward Justin Champagnie isn’t drafted, but agrees to free-agent contract with NBA’s Raptors
Former Pitt forward Justin Champagnie wasn’t among the 60 players chosen in the two-round NBA Draft that ended at 12:50 a.m. Friday morning, but he got busy and found a home in the league, anyway. Champagnie said in a text message to the Tribune-Review that he agreed to a two-way...
After committing to Penn State, Perry’s Tyreese Fearbry decides to re-open his recruitment
After verbally committing to Penn State on the Fourth of July, Perry four-star rush end Tyreese Fearby has decided to re-open his recruitment, he announced Thursday on his Twitter account. I will be de-committing from penn state until further notice @RivalsFriedman @Rivalsfbcamps @Evolve2tenths @coachcsanders @210ths @2_10thsRob @CoachWhiteFB @The__Hunt— Tyreese Fearbry...
Penn State receives commitment from Texas athlete Cristian Driver, son of ex-NFL wide receiver
Penn State reached into another U.S. state and received a verbal commitment Thursday from Cristian Driver, a four-star athlete from Argyle, Texas. COMMITTED #WeAre pic.twitter.com/6GiXtKpVo3— CD (@CristianDriver_) July 29, 2021 Driver, who plays wide receiver and defensive back, is the son of former NFL wide receiver Donald Driver, who played...
Pitt’s Deslin Alexandre, Cal Adomitis named to Wuerffel watch list
Two Pitt players have been honored for their off-the-field feats that match what they already have accomplished on the field. Seniors Cal Adomitis and Deslin Alexandre were named Thursday to the watch list for the Wuerffel Trophy, annually presented to the college football player who is unsurpassed in his community...
Pitt punter Kirk Christodoulou named to Ray Guy watch list
Pittsburgh senior punter Kirk Christodoulou, a Ray Guy Award semifinalist and second team All-American by Pro Football Focus in 2020, has been named to the Guy preseason watch list. Christodoulou, a native of Melbourne, Australia, has been Pitt’s regular punter since 2018, and is coming off his best season a...
Justin Champagnie could be 1st Pitt player drafted by NBA team since 2014
These are the moments that drove Justin Champagnie from a place he loves. The NBA Draft is Thursday night, and the former Pitt sophomore forward is among those players under serious consideration to be one of the 60 who are chosen. The 30-team NBA conducts only two rounds. If he...
Robert Morris football returns to the fall, picked to finish last in Big South
After a season that was postponed, moved to the spring and shortened to three games, Robert Morris will enter a 2021 campaign that returns to its normal spot on the calendar in the fall. The Colonials lost all three games but return 21 starters (11 on defense). Included in the...
Pitt’s Kenny Pickett approaches name recognition opportunities by paying them forward
When the NCAA loosened restrictions on athletes profiting from their names and reputations, Kenny Pickett said he planned to proceed cautiously. I love this community! Excited to announce I have teamed up with @PGTTrucking & @Ithen_USA to form "Pickett’s Partners" & on Aug. 9 we will donate 200 t-shirts to...
NCAA clears Robert Morris transfers Rasheem Dunn, Ferron Flavors Jr. to play in 2021-22
Two Robert Morris men’s basketball players who have transferred multiple times have been granted waivers from the NCAA to play this season for the Colonials, a school spokesman confirmed Tuesday. Point guard Rasheem Dunn and shooting guard Ferron Flavors Jr. will play for Robert Morris in their final seasons of...
Pitt defensive tackle Calijah Kancey named to Nagurski watch list
Pitt sophomore defensive tackle Calijah Kancey received more preseason recognition Tuesday when he was named to the watch list for the Bronko Nagurski Trophy, given to the nation’s top defensive player by the Football Writers Association of America. Kancey was previously named to the watch list for the Chuck Bednarik...
8 Clemson players named to Preseason All-ACC team; Pitt shut out
Clemson is one of 14 teams in the ACC, but eight Tigers players comprise 30% of the 27-man All-ACC preseason football team, announced Tuesday by the conference. Also, North Carolina quarterback Sam Howell was voted the favorite to win ACC Player of the Year in an overwhelming vote of confidence...
Lonnie White Jr. shows ‘my love for the game,’ passes up Penn State football to sign with Pirates
Lonnie White Jr. could have been a Penn State wide receiver, perhaps one day assuming a prominent role for one of the top college football teams in the nation while playing in front of crowds numbering more than 100,000. But he chose professional baseball and its much smaller crowds and...
Penn State adds cornerback Camron Miller to nation’s No. 2 recruiting class
Penn State added the 22nd prospect to the nation’s No. 2 recruiting class Monday when Camron Miller, a cornerback from Jacksonville, Fla., pledged to enroll next year. Miller (6-foot, 180 pounds) has several Power 5 offers, including from Notre Dame, Miami, Ole Miss, Virginia, West Virginia and Virginia Tech. He...
What’s next? Pirates must play 63 games this season without Adam Frazier
The Pittsburgh Pirates continue to meet their own expectations in the process of rebuilding the minor league system with young players. But that’s only part of the journey toward what really matters: eventual playoff contention. Three young prospects with specific skills — Tucupita Marcano (sharp batting eye), Jack Suwinski (Double-A...
Pitt picked to finish fourth in ACC Coastal
Despite the return of fifth-year senior quarterback Kenny Pickett and 14 other starters from 2020, Pitt was picked to finish fourth in the seven-team ACC Coastal, according to a preseason poll of 147 media voters. The Panthers did receive one first-place vote, however. North Carolina, the preseason choice to win...
With strong Venezuelan roots, Tucupita Marcano one-third of Pirates’ return in Adam Frazier trade
The Pirates acquired three players from the San Diego Padres in the Adam Frazier trade Sunday — all with zero or minimal major-league experience. The closest to the majors is infielder/outfielder Tucupita Marcano. That’s because he played in 25 games for the Padres this season. He was named for the...
