March 16, 2025 8:14 am
BRADENTON, Fla. (AP) — Paul Skenes is going to start for the Pittsburgh Pirates on opening day. Pretty easy call for manager Derek Shelton. Skenes is coming off a dominant performance in his first season in the majors. The 22-year-old right-hander went 11-3 with a 1.96 ERA in 23 starts for Pittsburgh in 2024, winning the NL Rookie of the Year award. The Pirates posted a video on social media that showed Shelton informing Skenes of his decision. (Photo: AP)
March 16, 2025 7:00 am
Peters Township led by eight points through three quarters. Cathedral Prep got a pair of quick baskets from Seana Thrower to pull the Ramblers within four points. Natalie Wetzel then drifted through the paint, worked her way to the top of the key, and buried a three-pointer with under seven minutes to play, ending any comeback thoughts the District 10 champions may have had. Wetzel, a Miami (FL) recruit, was held scoreless through the opening quarter, but hit three treys, three of four free throws and a mid-range jumper for a game-hight 14-point afternoon. The Indians move to the semifinals and a second meeting with South Fayette, the team Peters Township beat in the WPIAL championship game two weeks ago. The Lions jumped in front of Hollidaysburg, 19-8, after one quarter and kept the game at arms’ length the rest of the day.
Nico Gidas hit six three-pointers, part of a game-high 22 points, and Tyler Robbins dunked home the game-winning points with 1.2 seconds to play in overtime as Upper St. Clair downed District 10 champion McDowell. The Panthers built a seven-point lead early in the fourth, only to see McDowell chip away and force overtime. Kaamil Jackson blocked a late McDowell shot, starting the coast-to-coast trip that ended with Robbins slam dunk. USC will face Philadelphia area powerhouse Roman Catholic next Saturday in the state semifinals. PIAA championship games are set for the Giant Center, March 27-29. Click for PIAA Brackets
Quarterfinals
Friday, March 14
6A Girls Upper St. Clair 51, Haverford 35
5A Boys Chartiers Valley 58, Johnstown 38
Saturday, March 15
5A Girls Peters Township 35, Cathedral Prep 25
5A Girls South Fayette 70, Hollidaysburg 52
6A Boys Upper St. Clair 51, McDowell 49 OT
March 15, 2025 5:40 am
The Pittsburgh Penguins are preparing for a St. Patrick’s Day celebration at PPG Paints Arena against the New Jersey Devils. The puck drops at 3:00 p.m.
March 15, 2025 5:39 am
In Bradenton, Tommy Pham extended his on-base streak to 11 games after drawing a walk in the fifth inning. Andrew McCutchen extended his on-base streak to six games after recording his ninth walk of the spring. The veteran is 4-11 with six walks during his on-base streak.
The Pirates host the Orioles tomorrow afternoon at 1:05 p.m. Carmen Mlodzinksi is expected to start for the Pirates.
March 14, 2025 4:41 am
PITTSBURGH (AP) — Ryan Graves scored 2:17 into the game and the Pittsburgh Penguins never trailed in a 5-3 win over the St. Louis Blues. Graves’ goal was his first of the season, and Conor Timmins flicked a shot over the stick-side shoulder of goaltender Jordan Binnington to give Pittsburgh a 2-0 lead almost 2 1/2 minutes into the second period. Connor Dewar, Bryan Rust and Rickard Rakell also scored for the Penguins. Zack Bolduc, Dylan Holloway and Alexey Toropchenko scored for the Blues. Binnington was pulled in the third period.
March 14, 2025 4:43 am
PITTSBURGH (AP) — DK Metcalf may never have a bigger week in his life. And the two-time Pro Bowl wide receiver knows it. On Sunday, Metcalf agreed to a trade from Seattle to Pittsburgh that included a new five-year contract worth $150 million. On Wednesday, Metcalf went even bigger, proposing to his longtime girlfriend, pop/R&B singer Normani, in front of family and friends in Houston. It’s a lot. So forgive Metcalf if he’s got more on his mind than who the next Steelers starting quarterback is going to be. Whatever happens — Aaron Rodgers, Russell Wilson, Mason Rudolph or someone else — he’s good with it.
March 14, 2025 2:48 am
PITTSBURGH (AP) — Mason Rudolph is back to where he once belonged. The veteran quarterback has reached an agreement to return to the Pittsburgh Steelers on a two-year deal, a person with knowledge of the deal told The Associated Press. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the deal has not yet been made public. The signing gives the Steelers at least one experienced quarterback on the roster after Pittsburgh declined to bring back Justin Fields, who signed a two-year deal with the New York Jets. Russell Wilson, who started Pittsburgh’s last 12 games in 2024, is meeting with other teams this week
March 14, 2025 4:45 am
WASHINGTON (AP) — John Feinstein, one of the country’s foremost sports writers and the author of numerous bestselling books, has died unexpectedly, according to his brother, Robert Feinstein. John Feinstein was 69. He died of natural causes at his brother’s home in McLean, Virginia. He was a full-time reporter for the Washington Post from 1977 to 1991 and a commentator for outlets such as NPR, ESPN and the Golf Channel. Feinstein was comfortable writing about all sports, but he was best-known for his connection to college basketball because of his groundbreaking book “A Season on the Brink.” He was an AP Top 25 men’s basketball poll voter for more than 20 years.
March 12, 2025 12:01 am
Trailing by seven entering the fourth quarter, Peters Township rallied past Thomas Jefferson to advance to Saturday’s PIAA quarterfinals. The Indians held TJ to just seven points in the final quarter, shutting out the Jaguars over the final three minutes. Meanwhile, the Peters offense found its rhythm, pulling even with 3:23 to play, thanks to a Bri Morreale three-pointers, her third of the game. Three minutes later, Morreale calmly drained a pair of free throws to set the final score. Peters Township will take on District 10 champion Cathedral Prep Saturday. South Fayette girls and Upper St. Clair boys also won Wednesday night to advance.
Tuesday was a rough night for the two Washington County basketball playoff teams in the PIAA second round. West York blew open a close game, outscoring Peters Township 46-20 in the middle quarters, as the Bulldogs eliminated the Indians from the 5A boys bracket. Upper St. Clair used turnovers and three-point shots to pull away from Canon-McMillan, eliminating the Big Macs from the 6A girls tournament. PIAA Finals are set for the Giant Center, March 27-29. Click for PIAA Brackets
Second Round
Wednesday, March 12
5A Girls Peters Township 57, Thomas Jefferson 53
5A Girls South Fayette 70, West York 41
6A Boys Upper St. Clair 50, Gov. Mifflin 38
Tuesday, March 11
5A Boys West York 75, Peters Township 49
6A Girls Upper St. Clair 46, Canon-McMillan 32
March 13, 2025 4:59 am
ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. (AP) — Safety Damar Hamlin is returning to Buffalo, and the Bills also continued restocking their their defensive front by agreeing to sign tackle Larry Ogunjobi. The Bills announced reaching an agreement to sign Hamlin to a one-year contract. A person with knowledge of the deal, meantime, confirmed Ogunjobi agreeing to a one-year contract that includes $8 million in guaranteed money. The person spoke to The Associated Press on the condition of anonymity because the agreement is not final until later in the day. NFL.com first reported the agreement. Hamlin returns to Buffalo after starting 14 games last season in continuing a remarkable comeback for a player who had a near-death experience two years ago
