WJPA Sports

West Covina, CA claimed the final berth in this year’s Printscape PONY League World Series, the crowning piece of PONY Baseball’s 75th Anniversary celebration. The three-time championship program is returning to the World Series for the first time since 2000. The West Zone champions join Hagerstown, MD (East), Bay County, MI (North) and Hidalgo, TX (South) as US zone qualifiers. South Hills and Washington County round out the domestic field with international squads coming from Taichung City (Taiwan), Navojoa (Mexico), Paderborn (Germany) and Guaynabo (Puerto Rico). Action in the 10-team bracket begins Friday afternoon when Hidalgo takes on Paderborn. Bay County and Guaynabo wrap up the opening-day doubleheader. Hear every game of the 2026 Printscape PONY League World Series on WJPA-AM (1450) and online.

CINCINNATI (AP) — Braxton Ashcraft gave up two hits over five innings, while a pair of bases-loaded walks during a three-run third helped the Pittsburgh Pirates snap a four-game losing streak with a 4-1 victory over the Cincinnati Reds. Steady rain was falling in the third inning when Reds left-hander Andrew Abbott issued four walks including two with the bases loaded to Brandon Lowe and Esmerlyn Valdez to help the Pirates take a 2-0 lead. Ashcraft (11-4) retired the first eight batters and didn’t allow a hit until Nathaniel Lowe’s single with one out in the fourth.

PITTSBURGH (AP) — The Pittsburgh Pirates are acquiring reliever Camilo Doval from the New York Yankees to boost their struggling bullpen. Pittsburgh is sending prospects Omar Alfonso and Luis Cruz to New York for Doval. The 29-year-old former All-Star provides a much-needed experienced arm as the Pirates compete for a National League wild-card spot. Pittsburgh’s bullpen has been an issue all season, with 20 blown saves contributing to their 55-56 record. Doval went 3-1 with a 4.54 ERA in 44 games this season for the Yankees. Pittsburgh hopes a new setting provides Doval with a fresh start.

PITTSBURGH — The Steelers have revealed the 2026 Hall of Honor class.  The team announced on Saturday morning that general manager Kevin Colbert, cornerback J.T. Thomas, and offensive lineman turned broadcaster Craig Wolfley are all Hall of Honor members.  Colbert was at the ceremony at the Fred Rogers Institute on the Saint Vincent College campus.  The 2026 Steelers Hall of Honor induction ceremony is scheduled for Friday, Sept. 25 at Acrisure Stadium, the weekend the Steelers host the Bengals.  Each inductee will receive a replica of a solid steel football, a model of the original given to Steelers founder Arthur J. Rooney Sr. by the United States Steel Corporation and United Steel Workers in 1982 on the team’s 50th season.  The Steelers’ Hall of Honor was established in 2017 to recognize former players, coaches, and front office personnel who were integral to the franchise’s success. To be considered, a player must be retired for at least three years and have played a minimum of three seasons for the Steelers. Former coaches and contributors had to make significant contributions to the team and community.  Previous inductees include Terry Bradshaw, Bill Cowher and Arthur J. Rooney Sr. Click here to find a full list of inductees.

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) — The Women’s Professional Baseball League has started its inaugural season. Mo’ne Davis and the Los Angeles Queens rallied for a wild 10-8 victory over Denae Benites and the New York Heights on opening day for the first women’s professional baseball league in the United States in almost 30 years. A steady rain delayed the start of the game at a soaked Robin Roberts Stadium, the 101-year-old home of the WPBL’s first season. But much of the crowd started lining up hours before the first pitch, hoping to grab a Davis bobblehead. The line for the main merchandise booth stretched all the way to the outfield along one side of the ballpark.