Sports briefs
Zeremenko drafted by pro league
Former Pitt softball players Giorgiana Zeremenko and McKayla Taylor were selected in the inaugural American Softball Association Draft Wednesday evening, becoming the first Panthers in program history to be drafted to play professional softball.
Zeremenko, a graduate of Canon-McMillan High School, was taken by the E1 Pro Ballers as the 19th overall pick in the draft (fifth round, third pick), and Taylor was selected by Outkast as the 58th overall pick (first on-call round, second pick). As an on-call selection, Taylor will potentially be one of five athletes called up if a member of the team is unable to play.
The ASBA is the newest pro league in women’s softball, joining the National Pro Fastpitch league. The 2018 ASBA season will run from the middle of June through the end of July, beginning June 15, with all games being played in Mobile, Ala. The league is comprised of four teams – Moh-BEEL! USA, Outkast, E1 Pro Ballers and Future 1s – that will compete for a chance to play in the ASBA Championship, July 27-31.
“I’m very excited to get to Mobile and start the next chapter of my career,” said Zeremenko. “I’m so thankful for my family, teammates, friends and coaches that have given me endless support and have helped me get where I am today. I’d also like to thank everyone from the ASBA and the E1 Pro Ballers for presenting this opportunity. I’m truly blessed to be where I am.”
Legion baseball
Dalton Riggenbach threw a three-hit shutout as Jefferson-Morgan evened its record with a 4-0 victory over Carmichaels in the Fayette American Legion Baseball League Thursday.
Riggenbach struck out five as J-M improved to 2-2. He was backed by a big game from Anthony Dellapenna, who belted a home run, double and drove in three runs. Tyler Zelenick also doubled for the winners and Ike Dean had two singles.
Carmichaels’ record fell to 0-5.
Pony baseball
Winning pitcher Aiden Metts did a little of everything Thursday, hitting a triple, double and driving in three runs to power Marthinsen & Salvitti to a 9-5 victory over Ace Sporting Goods 9-5 in a battle of the top two teams in the Washington Pony League.
Metts went 2-for-3 and pitched three scoreless innings for first-place Marthinsen & Salvitti.
Ace had its record drop to 6-5.
Owens to skip
Hall induction
Terrell Owens always likes being the center of attention. His decision to skip the induction ceremony for the Pro Football Hall of Fame in August will keep him far from the spotlight.
Owens was voted into the hall in February after being denied in his first two years of eligibility. His announcement Thursday is unprecedented by an enshrinee.
In a statement released Thursday by his publicist, Owens said: “While I am incredibly appreciative of this opportunity, I have made the decision to publicly decline my invitation to attend the induction ceremony in Canton.
In the majors
Anthony Rizzo hit a solo homer and added a second RBI with a sacrifice fly to lead the Chicago Cubs past the Philadelphia Phillies 4-3 Thursday.
- Jesse Winker hit a two-run homer in the 13th inning, completing the Cincinnati Reds’ late rally to a 7-5 victory that averted a sweep by the Colorado Rockies.
- Miles Mikolas rebounded from his first loss of the season to pitch three-hit ball over seven innings and lead the St. Louis Cardinals over the Miami Marlins 4-1.