Sports category, Page 411
Despite tough 3-game test, Duquesne looks to replicate last year’s late-season surge
Because last season for the men’s basketball team at Duquesne ended with such exhilarating high notes in March, it’s easy to forget where they were at the end of February. Exactly where they are this season. A year ago, Duquesne’s last game in February was a win over La Salle...
No shortage of quarterbacks trying to catch attention of Steelers, other NFL teams at combine
INDIANAPOLIS — Because they don’t have any of their quarterbacks from the 2024 season under contract, the Pittsburgh Steelers have used the offseason to heavily scout the prospects. The process began at the Shrine and Senior Bowl all-star events and continued this week at the NFL Combine. General manager Omar...
Slumping Pitt aims to manufacture late-season momentum vs. ranked Louisville
Three more regular-season games remain for Pitt before the ACC Tournament, and the slumping Panthers (who are 4-10 since Jan. 7) will need as strong of a showing as possible if any postseason aspirations are to be kept on life support. Next week, contests against N.C. State and Boston College...
Jack Suwinski searches for consistency, finding a new place in Pirates’ lineup after down year
BRADENTON, Fla. — After answering the best season of his career with the worst, Jack Suwinski lost not only his spot in the starting lineup for the Pittsburgh Pirates but any guarantees on the major league roster. That was humbling for the 26-year-old outfielder, who led the Pirates with 26...
Tim Benz: After Alex Nedeljkovic’s meltdown, Penguins were able to ‘shush’ negative thoughtsVideo
At least for one night, the Pittsburgh Penguins got to shush all the negativity. Ironically, on Max Talbot “Shhhhh!” bobblehead doll night, the Penguins pretty much replicated the script of that memorable incident from the 2009 playoffs. On Thursday, they stormed back from the same score against the same opponent,...
First Call: Another round of Brandon Aiyuk trade rumors; Roman Wilson was ‘at no point’ NFL game ready for Steelers
Get ready for another round of Brandon Aiyuk trade drama. We give you some more texture to Roman Wilson’s lack of participation during the 2024 Pittsburgh Steelers season. You’ll be introduced to a potential Steelers draft prospect with a local connection. Plus, we preview the Penguins’ busy weekend and update...
Solid relief appearance offers Penguins goalie Joel Blomqvist a dose of confidenceVideo
Given his rookie status, with only 13 games of NHL experience heading into Thursday evening, it seems appropriate for netminder Joel Blomqvist to receive some patience and understanding from the Pittsburgh Penguins management and fans alike. Certainly more than what should be granted to veterans Tristan Jarry or Alex Nedeljkovic....
Belle Vernon rewards retiring coach with school’s 1st WPIAL title since 1978
A retirement party at Petersen Events Center for one of the WPIAL’s winningest boys basketball coaches might seem a bit outlandish. Yet three weeks after Joe Salvino shared his retirement plans, he and his Belle Vernon players were there to celebrate. North Catholic tried to crash the party, but the...
Penguins rally past Flyers after goalie Alex Nedeljkovic’s outburst over being pulled
Pittsburgh Penguins goaltender Alex Nedeljkovic has a pretty predictable pattern. In the event of a loss, he blames himself. In the event of a win, he credits his teammates. That approach has made him one of the most popular individuals in the team’s dressing room. “We know how hard he...
Robert Morris men win, clinch their 1st Horizon League regular-season titleVideo
After four agonizing seasons in the Horizon League, Andy Toole finally is back on top. And the longtime Robert Morris men’s basketball coach is hoping for even more. “We’ll enjoy this tonight and then we’ll be back to work (Friday) trying to figure out what we’ve got to do to...
Erica Gribble pours in 31 points to lead Greensburg Central Catholic girls to 7th WPIAL titleVideo
Taking a break from her scoring barrage, Erica Gribble zipped a wide, cross-court pass down the baseline to a waiting Jayla Peterson in the far corner. Peterson calmly drained a 3-pointer to tie the score with 1 minute, 35 seconds remaining. Seconds later, Peterson completed a three-point play to give...
Feisty Penguins forward Michael Bunting out following appendix removal
Whatever the Pittsburgh Penguins hope to accomplish with the remainder of their season, they’ll have to do it without the services of forward Michael Bunting for the foreseeable future. The vexing, gritty net-front presence will be sidelined indefinitely following surgery to remove his appendix. Further details of his ordeal were...
Jake Knapp shoots 15th sub-60 round in PGA Tour history
PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla. — Jake Knapp knew he was on the verge of something special early Thursday, with a run of five straight birdies to open his round at the Cognizant Classic. In the end, he joined one of golf’s most elite clubs. Knapp — the 99th-ranked player in...
Florida Gator battles Florida gator, Billy Horschel prevails at PGA National
PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla. — A Gator took on a gator. Billy Horschel won. Let’s explain: Horschel played his college golf for the Florida Gators, so he knows plenty about the wildlife that gets seen on courses in the Sunshine State — including, yes, alligators. And when a gator made...
NASCAR stars enjoy immersive Mexico City visit ahead of first international Cup Series raceVideo
MEXICO CITY — Daniel Suarez led a quartet of NASCAR stars through the streets of Mexico City, after midnight, in search of a nightcap after a full day of showcasing his native country to his fellow competitors. NASCAR will hold its first points-paying international Cup Series race in modern history...
Long champions of social justice, Black athletes say their voices are needed now more than everVideo
For WNBA veteran Natasha Cloud, speaking up about social justice is just as important as winning basketball games. Cloud has had a successful nine-year pro career that includes a WNBA championship and being the career-assists leader for her former Washington Mystics. She also has used her platform for social justice...
Heisman Trophy winner and 2-way star Travis Hunter says he won’t work out at the NFL combineVideo
INDIANAPOLIS — Heisman Trophy winner Travis Hunter insists he’s a different kind of player. He’s just waiting until March to put on his dazzling show for NFL scouts. The two-way star said Thursday he does not intend to work out with the defensive backs Friday or the receivers Saturday at...
Penguins recall Emil Bemstrom from AHL, activate Boko Imama from IR
The Pittsburgh Penguins made several roster transactions Thursday night ahead of their game against the Philadelphia Flyers at PPG Paints Arena. Forward Emil Bemstrom was recalled from Wilkes-Barre/Scranton of the American Hockey League. Bemstrom’s gear was spotted at the Penguins’ Cranberry practice facility Thursday morning, and coach Mike Sullivan had...
Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce plans to play next season rather than retire
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce plans to play next season rather than retire. The 35-year-old Kelce had been mulling whether to return for a 13th season. But the four-time All-Pro made his feelings clear in a text to Pat McAfee that the host read...
Pitt TE Gavin Bartholomew looking to use NFL Combine as hair-raising chance to impress scouts
INDIANAPOLIS — Gavin Bartholomew doesn’t have the best stats among tight ends at the NFL Combine. He doesn’t have the top pedigree, either, among the 21 prospects at his position invited to attend the annual event. But the four-year starter from Pitt excels in one easy-to-detect area. Bartholomew arguably has...
Top prospect Bubba Chandler shows signs of maturity on mound as Pirates pound Twins
FORT MYERS, Fla. — Bubba Chandler wanted to make quick work of the Minnesota Twins, so the Pittsburgh Pirates right-hander wasn’t happy when his called third strike on the inside corner against Willi Castro was overturned by a challenge in spring training’s experimental automated ball-strike system. “I never had a...
North Allegheny leads WPIAL Class 3A swimming after Day 1; Mt. Lebanon’s Sylvia Roy sets record in 4-peat
The North Allegheny girls, winners of 16 straight WPIAL swimming titles, and the two-time defending champion NA boys are the leading the pack in the Class 3A championships after the first day of competition at Pitt’s Trees Pool. The girls have 250 points, while the boys are at 233.5 points....
Matt Gorski hopes home runs, playing 1st base help to make a lasting impression on Pirates
BRADENTON, Fla. — All of Matt Gorski’s hits in spring training games had been home runs, so Derek Shelton was surprised when the Pittsburgh Pirates outfielder had to settle for a sacrifice fly. When a 400-foot shot fell short of clearing the center-field fence, the Pirates manager made the case...
Penguins forward Michael Bunting sidelined following appendix removal
Pittsburgh Penguins forward Michael Bunting will be sidelined indefinitely after undergoing surgery to remove his appendix. Coach Mike Sullivan announced Bunting’s status Thursday morning in advance of a home contest against the rival Philadelphia Flyers. No further details were provided on Bunting’s status. In 58 games this season, Bunting has...
Mark Madden: Remembering Gene Hackman — Norman Dale vs. Jimmy McGinty
The death of heralded actor Gene Hackman begs the question: Who was the superior coach, Norman Dale in “Hoosiers” or Jimmy McGinty in “The Replacements”? Neither had much with which to work. Dale’s talent was thin beyond Jimmy Chitwood, who provided Hickory High School with a deadly scoring touch and...
