YSN AND PACSN PARTNER TOGETHER TO SUPPLEMENT COVERAGE

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EAST PALESTINE, OH- Your Sports Network and the Presidents Athletic Conference Sports Network are teaming up to better serve the local sports scene moving forward.

Fans that have been accustomed to the great content, streams, and broadcasts on both networks will now have the opportunity to expand their horizons through amateur, high school, and college sports beginning this fall.

YSN, which covers youth and high school sports will now help present the broadcasts from PACSN to their loyal viewers, as contests from the Presidents Athletic Conference (Division III, NCAA) will be hyperlinked on the “Live” page of YSNLive.com throughout the year.

“As a former Division III athlete, I understand how important it is to so many to continue their academic and athletic careers beyond high school.  I feel that the PAC is one of the elite conferences in all of the NCAA, and am grateful that Joe (Onderko) and Randy (Gore) see the value of introducing their brands to our fans at YSN,” said YSN CEO/Founder DJ Yokley.

The PAC Sports Network began broadcasting in Fall 2011, designed to showcase athletics in the Presidents’ Athletic Conference. Over the years PACSN has streamed numerous live championship events in the PAC, including men’s and women’s basketball, men’s and women’s soccer, men’s and women’s lacrosse, women’s volleyball, baseball, and softball. Full-time PAC members in coverage include Allegheny, Bethany, Chatham, Franciscan, Geneva, Grove City, Saint Vincent, Thiel, Washington & Jefferson, Waynesburg, and Westminster. Affiliate members in football include Carnegie Mellon and Case Western Reserve. In addition to championship broadcasts, the PAC Sports Network also features the PAC Basketball Game of the Week, which includes a 30-game regular-season slate and full-week conference tournament coverage. 

“We’re extremely excited about our new partnership with YSN,” said PAC Sports Network Owner, Randy Gore. “With YSN’s presence and exceptional coverage of Eastern Ohio athletics, we’re proud to collaborate with DJ (Yokley) and introduce his outstanding sports network to our fanbase in the PAC and member schools.”  

The partnership will begin in the Fall of 2022 and promises to be fruitful for sports fans, and enthusiasts from around the world who appreciate top-level talent from across the country.

OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASE REGARDING AUSTINTOWN FITCH/YSN

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SCRAPPERS NAME MANAGER

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NILES, OH – Former MLB second baseman and 1998 World Series champion, Homer Bush will manage the Mahoning Valley Scrappers in the MLB Draft League during the 2022 season.

During his 7-year career in Major League Baseball, Bush recorded a .285 batting average with 176 runs scored and 363 extra-base hits, including 50 doubles,5 triples and 11 home runs in 162 games between the New York Yankees (1997-98, 2004), Toronto Blue Jays (1999-02), and Florida Marlins (2002).

Mahoning Valley will also see some familiar faces returning to their coaching staff this season. Vic Buttler, the head coach of Cerritos College in Norwalk, California, will be returning as the Scrappers hitting coach. Ron Mahay, who pitched in the MLB from 1995 to 2010, will be returning as head pitching coach with Craig Antush returning as assistant pitching coach.

Bush will not be the only new face managing an MLB Draft League team. Former Cincinnati Reds catcher and manager of the Double-A Portland Sea Dogs, Joe Oliver, will be managing the Frederick Keys. Dave Trembley, the former 2007 manager of the Baltimore Orioles, will manage the State College Spikes. Managing the Williamsport Crosscutters this season will be Jesse Litsch, a former pitcher for the Toronto Blue Jays. The Trenton Thunder will have Jeff Manto back for the 2022 season and West Virginia will have last season’s manager, Jedd Gyroko, returning as well.

The MLB Draft League features six founding members (Frederick Keys, Mahoning Valley Scrappers, State College Spikes, Trenton Thunder, West Virginia Black Bears, and Williamsport Crosscutters) and provides an unparalleled fan and development experience that features former Major Leaguers and professional players as managers and coaches. To view the 2022 MLB Draft League schedule, visit mlbdraftleague.com; each team’s schedule also is accessible via its website.

For more information on the MLB Draft League, visit MLBDraftLeague.com and follow @mlbdraftleague on Twitter and Instagram. For player-focused analytics updates, follow @draftleaguedata on Twitter.

The Mahoning Valley Scrappers are set to open the 2022 season at Eastwood Field on Thursday, June 2 against the West Virginia Black Bears. Opening Night will also feature fan favorites post-game fireworks and Buck Night. Scrappers ticket packages and sponsorship opportunities are on sale now. To stay up to date with the Scrappers in the off-season or for more information, visit mvscrappers.com or contact the front office at 330-505-0000.

VOTES ARE IN: BIG DOGS OF THE YEAR NAMED

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EAST PALESTINE, OH- After a week of votes, the tally is finally in for the 2022 Baird Brothers BIG Dog of the Year Winners.

In its first year ever up for voting, wrestling was quickly shown to be a popular sport among voters.  Although it would be Liberty that would show up in a big way to crown Dominic Leone this year’s winner!

For girls hoops, it’s always a tough draw- as voting numbers remain the highest in this category.  For Struthers’ Faith Stellato- she received a backing as good as her jumper and landed as the Queen of the Court in this years contest.

As for the gentlemen- Boardman’s Trey DePietro never blinked throughout his career, and the community backed him with the highest vote totals of any competitor this year to etch his name in Big Dogs History.

Congratulations to all our nominees throughout the season, and for their success on and off the floor.  We’re grateful to be able to help shine more light on student-athletes through this contest with the help of our friends at Baird Brothers.

SOUTH RANGE STATE SEMI MOVED TO SATURDAY

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CANFIELD, OH- The South Range Lady Raiders Softball Team and their fans will have to wait an extra day to see action this week.  The OHSAA announced with the rainouts they faced on Thursday, that a scheduled shift was in order.

With play suspended in the second inning of the Division I state semi, it forces everyone back a day, and due to conflict with South Range graduation at 10 am on Saturday morning, the Lady Raiders will be moved to 12:30 Saturday afternoon against Johnstown.

While we don’t know the plan of the two South Range seniors at this time, we wish to congratulate Bree Kohler and Jillian Strecansky on their graduations from South Range.  Jillian was also named Valedictorian for her stellar efforts in the classroom and will be attending Marietta college in the fall.

BASEBALL REGIONAL SEMI-FINAL GAMES POSTPONED

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EAST PALESTINE, OH- YSN has learned that the OHSAA Baseball Regional Semi-Final games that were part of the coverage plan on Thursday, June 3rd have been postponed until Friday.

Warren JFK vs. Columbia will play at 1:30 PM

Salem vs. Canfield will play at 2:00 PM

South Range vs. Gilmour Academy will play at 5 PM

These will be in addition to the South Range State Semi-Final Softball game that will take place at 10 AM Friday Morning.

You can tune in to all the playoff games tomorrow if you’re unable to make the game in person by purchasing our “Power Play Pass” for $9.99* tomorrow morning.

 

 

*Additional taxes and fees may apply

RHODES NAMED 2021 YSN BASEBALL PLAYER OF THE YEAR

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EAST PALESTINE, OH- Salem’s Lane Rhodes has been named 2021 Your Sports Network Baseball Player of the Year.

Rhodes has led his Quakers on both sides of the diamond to a 26-3 record and has Salem believing in the “Quaker 9” in 2021.  Rhodes’ selection is more than just numbers on a stat sheet, it’s what he’s done, and who he’s been for this team during his senior campaign.  However, make no mistake about it, The Quaker Captain has been nothing short of impressive along the way.

On the bump, Rhodes has posted a 7-0 record over his opposition, which includes 55.1 innings pitched, a .88 ERA, striking out 66 batters, and posting a pair of complete-game tournament victories at the time of publication.  Oh, and not to mention a no-hitter against his team’s top rival, West Branch.  Defensively, Rhodes also played all over the infield, and wherever he was needed with stints at third base, shortstop, and at first base as well.

Offensively, “Big Game Lane” showed up, and showed off to the tune of a .384 batting average, with 33 hits, with nearly half of those going for extra bases (12 doubles, 2 triples, and 1 home run.)  Rhodes also served as a table-setter in the 3-hole this season, scoring 33 times, driving in 20 runs, and stealing 11 bags along the way.

Again, although the stats are outstanding, it’s the intensity and leadership that Lane Rhodes provides that set him apart this season from each nominee.

While Lane looks to continue his Quaker career in Akron, his next steps will be toward Youngstown as he will join the roster of the YSU Penguins this Fall to continue his academic and athletic career.

Congratulations to Lane Rhodes for a great high school baseball career, and best of luck in all he does moving forward!

KOHLER NAMED 2021 YSN SOFTBALL PLAYER OF THE YEAR

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EAST PALESTINE, OH- South Range’s Bree Kohler has been named 2021 Your Sports Network Softball Player of the Year.

Kohler got it done at a high level this season on both sides of the diamond, defensively, Kohler ranked among the top slingers in the circle with a 17-2 record that accumulated 119.2 innings pitched and recorded one save on the year.  BK will eclipse the 200-strikeout mark this season before it’s over as she sits on 199 at the time of publication.  Combine that with only giving up 18 free passes on the campaign leads the senior standout to a 1.17 ERA with a WHIP of .752.

Offensively, Bree exploded as well with a .491 average from the dish.  From that, Kohler launched 12 home runs, and pushed across 62 RBI’s as well for the Lady Raiders, all the while crossing the dish 54 times herself.  Kohler’s OBP was at .504 on the campaign, while her slugging percentage and OPS were through the roof at 1.036 and 1.540, respectively.

Atop of all the major statistics lies the one that stood out the most among voters at YSN: Kohler was struck out once all season long (125 plate appearances.)

Bree will pursue her academic and athletic interests next season with Youngstown State University, a commitment she made her freshmen season.

Congratulations to South Range’s Bree Kohler, the 2021 YSN Softball Player of the Year.

MIKOS NAMED 2021 YSN PITCHER OF THE YEAR

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EAST PALESTINE, OH- South Range standout pitcher, Brandon Mikos, has been named 2021 Your Sports Network Baseball Pitcher of the Year.

Mikos, a senior, has put together quite the season for the Raiders pitching 56 innings and facing 198 batters to the tune of a 9-0 record.  Mikos also has gathered 104 strikeouts while walking only nine the entire season.  Only 25 hits have been scattered throughout the season, while only four have crossed the plate on the Raiders while Brandon Mikos in on the bump.  More impressively, Mikos has an ERA of .250 during his senior campaign.

Brandon looks to continue his athletic and academic careers at Youngstown State University, and join the Penguins in the Fall.

Congratulations to Brandon Mikos on a stellar career, and best of luck in all things moving forward!

CALLOW NAMED 2021 YSN SOFTBALL PITCHER OF THE YEAR

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EAST PALESTINE, OH- McDonald standout softball pitcher, Bri Callow has been awarded 2021 Your Sports Network Softball Pitcher of the Year.

The Lady Blue Devil senior compiled an unbelievable resume during her final campaign in McDonald’s.  Callow pitched 135.1 innings her senior season, racking up 308 strikeouts while walking only 11 batters the entire year.  Callow also drummed up a minuscule 1.10 ERA from the circle while dialing up five no-hitters and two perfect games in 2021.

Bri has chosen to continue her athletic and academic career at John Carroll University in the Fall.

Congratulations to Bri Callow for all her accomplishments throughout this year and collectively in her career on the diamond.  We wish her the best of luck in her future endeavors.