Bryan Reynolds, Pirates, finalize $106.75M, 8-year deal
April 26, 2023 3:57 am
Email the Sports Director bgregg@wjpa.com
WJPA Sports Archive
HS Softball Stretch Drive Tuesday (4/25)
April 25, 2023 12:05 am
WPIAL high school softball teams have two weeks left to finish section play. Area teams have between three and six games left on schedule. WJPA’s Stretch Drive coverage began Tuesday afternoon and will continue with the biggest, most important games on-air and online. Wednesday, Trinity hosts Upper St. Clair on WJPA-AM (1450) or Listen Here! Airtime is 6:20 pm.
Following is a team-by-team rundown of the Washington County softball teams:
6A Canon-McMillan–The Big Macs have a one-game lead in the battle for the last two playoff spots over Pine-Richland and Mt. Lebanon. Canon-McMillan beat each of them the first time through and will meet them again over the final two weeks.
5A Trinity, Peters Township–The Hillers have clinched a playoff spot and can claim a share of the section title with a win Wednesday against Upper St. Clair. We’ll have that game for you on WJPA-AM (1450) and online. The Indians are in last place and must beat Bethel Park Wednesday to stay alive.
4A Ringgold–The Rams are winless and will be eliminated with any further losses.
3A McGuffey–The Highlanders are a half-game out of second place and in control of their own playoff destiny. McGuffey has games with the two bottom teams in the section before taking on section leader Waynesburg to close the regular season.
2A Charleroi, Burgettstown, Bentworth, Ft. Cherry–The Cougars have survived a pair of losses to Burgettstown to stay within one game of OLSH for first place. Burgettstown and Bentworth meet Friday for the second time with the winner taking control of a playoff spot. Ft. Cherry plays both of the leaders and likely needs to win out.
1A Chartiers-Houston, California–The Bucs have clinched a spot and are tied with West Greene, two games out of first place. California needs to win out and get some help to qualify.
Eliminated from playoff chase: Avella, Beth-Center, Wash High
Tuesday’s scores:
Ft. Cherry 10, Wash High 0
OLSH 15, Burgettstown 0
Chartiers-Houston 16, Avella 0
HS Baseball Stretch Drive Tuesday (4/25)
April 25, 2023 12:01 am
The high school baseball season sprints toward the finish line with about half the teams targeting a May 4th end date. The other half will play one additional week. WJPA’s Stretch Drive coverage began Tuesday afternoon and will continue with the biggest, most important games on-air and online. Following is a team-by-team rundown of the Washington County baseball teams:
6A Canon-McMillan–The Big Macs are alone atop the section again with four games left. Canon-McMillan visits Baldwin Thursday, then wraps up the regular season with a three-game series with Central Catholic next week.
5A Peters Township, Trinity–The Indians moved into sole possession of third place with Wednesday’s win over Upper St. Clair. The Indians face last-place Connellsville in a home-and-home set next week, needing one win to clinch a playoff spot. The Hillers are tied with Upper St. Clair for the last playoff berth, one game better than Connellsville. Trinity faces section leader Bethel Park for two while Upper St. Clair takes on second-place South Fayette to wrap up the season next week. Trinity & USC split their regular season series.
4A Ringgold–The Rams swept Laurel Highlands to move into a three-way tie with the Mustangs and Belle Vernon. Ringgold takes on last-place Albert Gallatin for two games next week.
3A McGuffey–The Highlanders sit in third place, one game up on Waynesburg. McGuffey has two against first-place Yough next week before closing the season May 8-9 against Waynesburg.
2A Chartiers-Houston, Burgettstown, Charleroi, Bentworth, Beth-Center, Wash High–The Bucs, Blue Devils and Cougars have all clinched playoff spots. Bentworth sits in fourth place, one game better than Frazier and Beth-Center. The Bearcats finish section play Monday/Tuesday with a home-and-home against B-C. A Bentworth win clinches a playoff spot. B-C has a pair of games against Wash High May 8-9 but have to win at least one against Bentworth to stay alive. Wash High has to win out and get some help.
1A Avella, California, Ft. Cherry–The Eagles fell out of first place with back-to-back losses to Carmichaels. Californai is tied for first with the Mikes. Avella is now tied for third with up-and-coming Fort Cherry. Avella finishes section play May 1-2 against California. Ft. Cherry has last-place Mapletown for two next week followed by a pair against Jeff-Morgan May 8-9.
Tuesday’s scores:
Canon-McMillan 6, Baldwin 5
Peters Township 10, Upper St. Clair 3
South Fayette 8, Trinity 2
Ringgold 4, Laurel Highlands 1
Brownsville 5, McGuffey 3
Burgettstown 11, Bentworth 1
Chartiers-Houston 15, Wash High 5
Charleroi 11, Frazier 1
Carmichaels 8, Avella 3
Ft. Cherry 4, West Greene 3
Pirates Blow 5-Run Lead; Win Streak Snapped By Dodgers
April 26, 2023 3:55 am
PITTSBURGH (AP) — Chris Taylor hit a go-ahead, three-run home run in the eighth inning to help the Los Angeles Dodgers overcome a five-run deficit and rally to an 8-7 win over the Pittsburgh Pirates. Taylor took a sinker from Colin Holderman (0-1) deep to left for his fifth homer of the season. He singled his previous two at-bats and reached on an error in the second. Yency Almonte (2-0) struck out two in a scoreless seventh for the win and Shelby Miller sent the side down in order in the ninth for his first save in the majors. It ended the Pirates’ seven-game winning streak, their longest since an 11-game run in 2018.
AP Source: Bryan Reynolds Is Staying With The Pirates
April 25, 2023 12:37 pm
PITTSBURGH (AP) — Bryan Reynolds is sticking with the Pittsburgh Pirates. The veteran outfielder and the club have agreed to an eight-year deal worth $106.75 million. That’s according to three people with knowledge of the agreement who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the deal was not official pending a physical. The contract is the richest in the history of the Pirates and gives the club another cornerstone to build around as it tries to emerge from four straight last-place finishes in the NL Central.
AP Source: Jets Agree To Deal To Acquire Aaron Rodgers
April 25, 2023 3:48 am
Aaron Rodgers is leaving behind his brilliant legacy in Green Bay and heading to the bright lights and massive expectations of the Big Apple. The New York Jets agreed on a deal to acquire the four-time NFL MVP from the Packers, according to a person with knowledge of the trade who spoke to The Associated Press on the condition of anonymity because the teams have not officially announced the deal. The Jets will also receive the No. 15 overall pick and a fifth-rounder this year from the Packers, according to another person with knowledge of the trade. In exchange, Green Bay will get the 13th overall selection, a second-rounder, a sixth-rounder and a conditional 2024 second-round pick.
NFL Draft Back To Being All About QBs At The Top
April 25, 2023 3:50 am
Quarterbacks are back on top in the NFL draft. A year after the first 19 picks were non-QBs and Kenny Pickett was the only signal-caller selected in the first round, this draft class is loaded with potential franchise players. Bryce Young and C.J. Stroud have been the center of attention since before last year’s draft even took place. They could become the ninth pair of QBs selected 1-2 in the Super Bowl era. Anthony Richardson and Will Levis should make it four QBs in the top 15, which has happened only five times previously. If they all go in the top 10, it’ll be the second time ever. Then there’s Hendon Hooker, who may end up being a late first-round pick despite his age and knee injury.
Pirates Win 7th Straight; In First Place In NL Central
April 24, 2023 4:03 am
PITTSBURGH (AP) — Vince Velasquez struck out 10 in seven innings, and the Pittsburgh Pirates beat Hunter Greene and the Cincinnati Reds 2-0 for their seventh consecutive victory. It was the most strikeouts for Velasquez since May 10, 2018, when he had 12 for the Phillies against the Giants. He allowed two hits and walked two. The Pirates improved to 16-7 for the franchise’s best start since its last division title in 1992. David Bednar struck out two in the ninth for his eighth save, finishing a four-hitter.
NFL Draft Guide;Who Will Go No. 1?
April 24, 2023 10:45 am
The NFL never really stops so the offseason continues with the draft starting on Thursday night. The Carolina Panthers have the No. 1 overall pick and a lot of the hype surrounds the quarterbacks. Alabama’s Bryce Young, Ohio State’s C.J. Stroud, Kentucky’s Will Levis and Florida’s Anthony Richardson are among the coveted prospects. The other top athletes include edge rushers such as Alabama’s Will Anderson Jr. and Texas Tech’s Tyree Wilson. The first round begins Thursday at 8 p.m. Eastern. The second and third rounds are on Friday starting at 7 p.m. Eastern. The fourth through seventh rounds are Saturday starting at 12 p.m.
Pirates Run Winning Streak To 6 With 2-1 Victory Over Reds
April 23, 2023 8:05 am
PITTSBURGH (AP) — Ke’Bryan Hayes hit a key triple and Rich Hill got through five innings for the win as the streaking Pittsburgh Pirates extended their winning streak to six games with a 2-1 victory over the Cincinnati Reds. The Pirates raised their record to 15-7 for their best start since 1992, the last time they won a division title. It is also Pittsburgh’s longest winning streak since an 11-game run in 2018. Bryan Reynolds had two doubles and a sacrifice fly, while Hayes and Tucupita Marcano added two hits each for the Pirates. The Reds have lost five games in a row.