Sports category, Page 2033
Steelers’ offseason plan? There may have been clues at the NFL Combine.
The NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis has come and gone. Our Joe Rutter — TribLive Steelers beat writer — was on hand covering all sorts of Steelers angles. He joined me on 105.9 the X Monday afternoon and we touched on most of them. First and foremost, these are uncharted...
Jeff Capel, other ACC coaches defend conference from detractors
Via the RPI or the NET, the ACC’s ranking among conferences is sixth. Only four of its teams are projected to earn NCAA Tournament berths. By most measures, it is a down year for the ACC, but several conference coaches are coming to the league’s defense in emphatic fashion. “It’s...
Tim Benz: Ways to fix the Penguins and end their 6-game slide
Penguins fans certainly have spent a lot of time in recent days trying to figure out what’s wrong with their favorite hockey team. I know I have. I imagine those fans came to the same conclusion I did. Everything is wrong. Nothing is right. And that’s not an overreaction. Look...
Mars’ Michael Carmody faces 2-game suspension for WPIAL championship actionsVideo
Mars senior Michael Carmody, one of Western Pennsylvania’s top athletes, faces a possible two-game WPIAL suspension for his actions in the Class 5A boys basketball championship. The WPIAL scheduled a hearing for Wednesday. The 6-foot-6, 290-pound Notre Dame football recruit was called for an intentional foul in the third quarter...
Westmoreland campus clippings: Saint Vincent’s Lafko named PAC player of year
Saint Vincent’s Jenna Lafko was lauded for a terrific junior season as she was named the Presidents’ Athletic Conference Women’s Basketball Player of the Year. Lafko averaged 13.8 points and 4.6 rebounds, and led the Bearcats (19-7) in assists (95) and steals (78). Junior Madison Kollar (Latrobe) joined Lafko as...
Penguins defensemen Brian Dumoulin, John Marino close to returningVideo
The Pittsburgh Penguins’ practice Monday looked different. Mainly because of the venue. Because of a charity function, they had a rare practice at PPG Paints Arena instead of their facility in Cranberry. Another notable difference? A full complement of defensemen. Veteran Brian Dumoulin and rookie John Marino participated without restrictions...
Duquesne knows VCU’s Siegel Center is ‘tough environment’ to play
When Duquesne visits VCU on Tuesday night in its next-to-last regular-season game, the Dukes likely will be playing in front of a packed house at Siegel Center in Richmond, Va. That’s not such a big deal in college basketball, except in this case, it would mark the 151st consecutive sellout...
Derry grad, Penn State softball standout Chelsea Bisi out for season
Chelsea Bisi was hoping for an encore at Penn State, a follow-up to a breakthrough softball season that saw her clear the fences with an effortless swing as she produced offense just about every game. Bisi hit 13 home runs and earned a spot on the All-Big Ten Conference Freshman...
Penguins will try to shake off losing streak at home against Senators
Justin Schultz is no stranger to the occasional multi-game losing streak. Having been a member of some dreadful Edmonton Oilers teams during the previous decade, it could be argued he endured a four-season losing streak with that franchise. The veteran defenseman appears to have a pragmatic approach to the Penguins’...
Former Pitt tight ends Grant Carrigan, Jason Collier improve depth on offensive line
Pitt bolstered its numbers on the offensive line on the first day of spring drills Monday when two growing men, Grant Carrigan and Jason Collier, shifted from tight end. “Grant came to me (about making the shift),” coach Pat Narduzzi said. “It was like, `Hey, I’m a blocking tight end....
Pitt’s Kenny Pickett approaches senior season with confidence
His eyes never dropped. His chin remained elevated. His words were direct and confident. If Kenny Pickett is feeling pressure as he approaches the last of his three seasons as Pitt’s starting quarterback, he wasn’t showing it Monday after the first day of spring drills. With seven starters returning on...
Belle Vernon’s Robert Spekis makes instant impact for Nova Southeastern swim team
Nova Southeastern swimming coach Ben Hewitt thought Belle Vernon alum Robert Spekis showed promise but was stunned when Spekis recently won at the Sunshine State Conference championship meet. Spekis, a freshman, took first place in the men’s 100-yard breaststroke in a Division II B-standard 54.13 seconds. “I was definitely surprised...
Kevin Gorman: Pitt safeties Paris Ford, Damar Hamlin return to finish businessVideo
Paris Ford and Damar Hamlin left their television on the NFL Network all week, watching the scouting combine without wondering whether they should have been in Indianapolis. It’s no coincidence Pitt’s starting safeties bypassed the opportunity to turn pro, so Ford and Hamlin were all smiles Monday that they are...
Dambrot: Time is now for Dukes to play better if they want to talk about March Madness
A strange idea was floating around Duquesne on Monday. Some people on campus were talking about March Madness. Madness on the Bluff? Who would have thought the Dukes, picked to finish eighth in the Atlantic 10, would be challenging for first- and second-round byes next week in the A-10 Tournament?...
With Fontana win, Alex Bowman makes case to keep Hendrick rideVideo
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — There is a strong crop of drivers headed into free agency this summer, and Alex Bowman hardly has been at the top of the list. Brad Keselowski is a former Cup Series champion. Kyle Larson is considered the future of NASCAR, and Ryan Blaney is poised for...
Jose Bautista attempting an MLB comeback as a 2-way player
Former slugger Jose Bautista is eyeing a comeback to the major leagues albeit in a different way. Bautista, 39, who once was a promising third base prospect for the Pittsburgh Pirates, has been trying to return to baseball as a two-way player, ESPN’s Jeff Passan reported. The Dominican Republic native,...
Pirates catcher Susac hoping to finally live up to once-lofty projections
BRADENTON, Fla. — It wasn’t a big deal when the Pittsburgh Pirates signed Andrew Susac to a minor league contract Jan 31. In fact, it barely rated more than a mention. Yet, there was a time when Susac was a pretty big deal. That makes his presence in an organization...
After rehabbing with Pirates the past 13 months, pitcher Tom Koehler retires
Veteran pitcher Tom Koehler announced his retirement Monday, 2 ½ years after throwing his final regular-season pitch and 13 months after joining the Pittsburgh Pirates organization. The 33-year-old right-hander pitched for six seasons for the Miami Marlins and Toronto Blue Jays before shoulder injuries struck during 2018 spring training while...
Mitch Keller’s spring ERA up to 7.50, Pirates shut out by Blue Jays
For the second consecutive outing, prized young pitcher Mitch Keller allowed a multiple-run inning during a Grapefruit League outing. Monday, Keller allowed two extra-base hits, including a Danny Jansen home run, during the Pittsburgh Pirates’ 4-0 loss to the Toronto Blue Jays in Dunedin, Fla. The 23-year-old expected to settle...
Breaking down the PSAC basketball playoffs
The Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference basketball playoffs will tip off today as teams built toward a trip to the NCAA Division II Tournament. Here are the tournament schedules and a breakdown of each bracket: Men First round West 1-IUP (25-2) — Bye 2-Mercyhurst (19-7) — Bye 5-Gannon (14-12) at 4-Cal...
Pitt finds ‘winning is hard’ as it heads into regular-season finale on 6-game skid
Before he fielded a question Monday during the final weekly ACC men’s basketball coaches teleconference of the season, Georgia Tech coach Josh Pastner praised Pitt’s effort and energy level. “I’m a big fan of Pitt’s team,” said Pastner, whose Yellow Jackets host the Panthers on Wednesday for Pitt’s regular-season finale....
Pirates address spring training health concerns after 2 coronavirus cases found in Florida
The Pittsburgh Pirates on Monday advised fans, players and staff at spring training “to listen to and rely upon the advice and guidance of the public health experts” after two adults tested positive for coronavirus in Hillsborough and Manatee counties. The Pirates’ spring training stadium, LECOM Park, and minor-league complex...
Penguins forward Dominik Simon sidelined long termVideo
Penguins forward Dominik Simon will be sidelined on a “week-to-week” basis because of an undisclosed injury according to coach Mike Sullivan. Simon was injured during Saturday’s 5-0 road loss to the San Jose Sharks. At 11:59 of the third period, Simon was engaged in a puck battle with Sharks defenseman...
Kansas unanimous No. 1 in week of AP Top 25 upheaval
A string of losses to unranked opponents led to upheaval in the AP Top 25 this week. Kansas kept winning, strengthening its grip on No. 1. The Jayhawks were the unanimous choice for the top spot in the Associated Press men’s college basketball poll released Monday, receiving all 64 votes...
Penguins assign Zach Trotman to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton
The Penguins have assigned defenseman Zach Trotman to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton of the American Hockey League. Trotman, 29, has appeared in eight NHL games this season and has no points. In 23 AHL games, he has 11 points (three goals, eight assists). He has been recalled from Wilkes-Barre/Scranton twice this season. Trotman’s...
