Article by Gino Ferretti for Pittsburgh Sporting News No Red Bull, no Miller Lite, no Mountain Dew. Pirates fans needed nothing to jolt themselves out of their seats, and into the sea of cheers that spread around PNC Park for Gregory Polanco, last night. They got all the energy they needed when he glided across the infield diamond, toward right field for the first time. They'll always remember their first taste of El Coffee. The Pirates got to debut their big bazooka on Military ... Read More
Is John Hynes the favorite to be next Penguins coach?
After firing Dan Bylsma, new Pittsburgh Penguins general manager Jim Rutherford has made it clear that he won't start interviewing head coaching candidates until next week. But there already may be a favorite for the job. Rutherford identified current Wilkes-Barre/Scranton head coach John Hynes as a candidate and did confirm that Hynes will interview for the job next week. The 39-year old Hynes is one of the first candidates identified by Rutherford after posting a 186-102-20 record in ... Read More
What to expect from Gregory Polanco?
It took an appendectomy to Pittsburgh Pirates second baseman Neil Walker for it to finally happen, but the wait is finally over for prized prospect Gregory Polanco and Pirates' fans as Polanco will make his long awaited MLB debut on Tuesday against the Chicago Cubs. Since we now know that the Pirates won't wait until 2018 to promote Polanco, the only question remaining is what we should expect from him? It's always difficult predicting the fate of young players, but having gotten the ... Read More
Wild Things take two of three from Rockford
The Washington Wild Things took home another series win Sunday, splitting a doubleheader with the Rockford Aviators. Washington won the first game, 12-7, but dropped the second one, 4-3. The doubleheader began with a bang for Washington, which scored six of its 12 runs in the opening inning. Stewart Ijames got things started with a bases loaded two RBI-single. Carter Bell, William Beckwith and Garrett Rau all drove in runs to take a quick 6-0 lead. Rockford would add runs in the first, ... Read More
PSN Video Cast: Brycen Spratling joins the fun, Polanco Watch
And we are LIVE! Join the crew as they have special guest Brycen Spratling of Pitt joining the show before he heads out to compete in Eugene, Oregon. The guys will name their player of the week, talk about the changes that the Penguins have made, Gregory Polanco's arrival, Big Ben's contract and more! Tweet your questions to get them answered on air! ... Read More
Pirate of the Week: Jordy Mercer
The Pittsburgh Pirates are trying to get back on track and they're on their way, winning three-of-five games this past week. All three wins have something in common: Jordy Mercery hit the ball. Mercer hit .409 this past week with two home runs, five RBIs and just two strikeouts. He also scored seven runs during the Pirates five games last week. In the three Pirates' wins, Mercer combined for eight hits in 14 at-bats for a .571 average, driving in all five of his RBIs and hitting both home ... Read More
Altavilla headlines PSAC players selected in MLB Draft
Two players from the PSAC West were drafted over the course of the MLB Draft which took place this past weekend. Leading the way by a landslide was Mercyhurst pitcher Dan Altavilla. Altavilla became the first Division II player taken and the highest Mercyhurst player ever drafted when the Seattle Mariners took the right-hander in the 5th round, 141st overall. He also became the highest selected draft pick from the PSAC since 1995. Altavilla went 9-1 over the 2014 season, including five ... Read More
Report: Pens to hire Jim Rutherford as next GM
The Pittsburgh Penguins search for a general manager appears to be over and to the delight of many Pens fans, it won’t be Pierre McGuire steeping into the seat vacated by Ray Shero’s firing. Instead, according to Bob McKenzie from TSN, the Penguins have hired former Carolina Hurricanes general manager Jim Rutherford to head up the front office. He will try and right the ship of a team that has underperformed miserably during the postseason the past five years. Rutherford, 65, was ... Read More
Wild Things continue road success with sweep of Traverse City
The Washington Wild Things continued their road dominance, taking down Traverse City, 5-4, Thursday night to earn the sweep at Wuerfel Park. The Wild Things (13-5) showed that they aren't just a team which can put runs up in bunches but a finesse team which can win ballgames with defense and pitching. Starter Scott Dunn (2-1) showed that, going 7.2 strong innings, allowing no runs on seven hits while striking out six Beach Bum batters to gain his second win of the season. Offensively, ... Read More
Pittsburgh Power must avoid trap vs. Voodoo
"Article by Melvin Moten for Pittsburgh Sporting News" Game Preview: Pittsburgh Power vs. New Orleans Voodoo. Saturday, June 7, Consol Energy Center Kickoff: 5:00 p.m. The Ron James Edition Pittsburgh Power have to be feeling good about things. Their heavy-handed defense and efficient-to-explosive offense proved more than enough to drag the division rival Cleveland Gladiators from their undefeated perch. Time to enjoy victories is short in the AFL however, and the 8-3 Power ... Read More