WJPA Sports

Weather held off long enough for Hidalgo, TX to beat Paderborn, Germany, 6-2, in the opening game of Printscape PONY League World Series. Guaynabo, Puerto Rico and Bay County, MI weren’t as fortunate as lightning forced the game to be suspended after three innings. Hear every game of the 2026 Printscape PONY League World Series on WJPA-AM (1450) and online.

Rogan Gonzalez tripled in the game’s first run in the bottom of the first, then added an RBI ground out in the third, putting Hidalgo in front to stay. The South Zone squad added two more runs int he third, thanks to run-scoring hits from Ivan Alanis and Diego Puente. In the Paderborn fourth, Joschua Butt singled home Felix Blesing to pull the European team to within 5-2. Germany loaded the bases in the sixth with one out before Alanis took over on the mound and slammed the door, saving the win for Oziel Garcia. Alanis & Josiah Ruiz each had three hits for the winners.

In the second game, Guaynabo broke a scoreless tie with four runs in the third, all with two outs. Jaidan Velez walked, moved to third on a James Feliciano single and scored on Anthony Roman’s base hit. Sergio Pagan then lofted a three-run home run to right to make it 4-0. Bay County ran into an out at third in the second inning, and a pair of strike outs left a runner stranded at third in the third. Before play started in the fourth, lightning was spotted in the area and the players were sent back to the dugouts. About 30 minutes later, with more weather issues expected, officials suspended the game to Saturday. Action will resume at 11:00 am following the Pony Champions League game.

Friday
Hidalgo, TX 6, Paderborn, Germany 2
Guaynabo, Puerto Rico 4, Bay County MI 0 (suspended, end of 3)

Saturday
9:30 am PONY Champions League game
11:00 am Guaynabo, PR vs. Bay County, MI (resumption)
12:00 n West Covina, CA vs. Hagerstown, MD
2:30 pm Navojoa, Mexico vs. South Hills, PA
5:00 pm Hidalgo, TX vs. Washington County PA

PITTSBURGH (AP) — Marcus Semien hit a three-run homer, rookie Zac Thornton pitched five scoreless innings and the New York Mets matched a season high with their fourth straight win by beating the Pittsburgh Pirates 6-4. Semien’s second homer in two games and 14th of the season, a drive to left-center off Carmen Mlodzinski, capped a four-run third that put the Mets ahead 5-0. New York, last in the NL East, swept a three-game series in Cleveland before busing to Pittsburgh on Thursday night. Thornton allowed four hits while striking out three and walking two. The left-hander remained in the game following a 36-minute rain delay in the top of the third.

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (AP) — Chiefs coach Andy Reid says quarterback Patrick Mahomes is unlikely to play in their preseason opener against the Rams next week. Mahomes, who had knee surgery in December, might skip the entire exhibition slate even though he’s been ahead of schedule in rehab and cleared for unrestricted practice. Reid suggests Mahomes doesn’t need the preseason work but might play a few snaps against Tampa Bay. The Chiefs have other quarterbacks needing experience, including Justin Fields and Garrett Nussmeier. Several players are dealing with minor injuries, but Reid downplays their severity. The team continues to prepare with practices this weekend.