In his Sunday column, Pittsburgh Tribune-Review writer Dejan Kovacevic had a one-on-one interview with Pirates Manager Clint Hurdle. In the column, Kovacevic goes on to say how the team still has Hurdle's back despite the back-to-back late season collapses. In order to ensure that the players know that Hurdle has their back as well, he is doing something that very few - if any - other coaches/managers do it sports. "Near the end of this spring training, Hurdle will ask his players to vote on ... Read More
Archives for March 2013
Point Park wins conference tournament
Unranked all season, predicted to finish third in their conference, injuries and family emergencies were some of the obstacles the Point Park women’s basketball team dealt with, but in the end it was all worth the frustrations as the team has clinched its second straight trip to the national tournament. Here’s how it happened: The Pioneers went 2-1 in their final three games of the season but even the loss turned into a victory as it was against non-conference West Virginia Tech and on ... Read More
Superman returns to Pittsburgh Power
The man known as “Superman” is back to protect the citizens of the Steel City. P.J. Berry will return for his second season with the Pittsburgh Power. Berry is a dynamic and versatile playmaker who was a huge part of both the offense and special teams last year. Berry was named the first team All-Arena kick returner in 2011 and 2012, earned a spot on the All-Ironman team both years, and was the 2011 JLS Ironman of the Year. In a three year career, Berry has amassed 384 receptions for 4,227 ... Read More
LaSalle Too Much to Handle for Dukes
LaSalle ended Duquesne’s four-game winning streak at Tom Gola Arena with a 97-64 win. The last time LaSalle had a home win over Duquesne was 2006. The Explorers (20-7, 10-4) jumped on Duquesne early, getting out to a 15-3 lead in the opening minutes. They led by 97 at one point in the second half en route to posting the most points by a Duquesne opponent since a 111-100 Duquesne win over Fordham in 2010. Duquesne (8-20, 1-13) shot just 30 percent in the first half, which Ferry attributed ... Read More
Tray Woodall, Dante Taylor prepare for final Pitt home game
When the Pitt Panthers host the Villanova Wildcats Sunday afternoon at the Petersen Events Center, it won't represent the final game of the careers for Panthers' seniors Tray Woodall and Dante Taylor, but it will represent something of equal importance. Sunday afternoon is the final home game of the season for the Panthers, which means it is the final time Woodall and Taylor will get to play in front of the Oakland Zoo. "It will be emotional," said Woodall. "I said I wouldn't be one of ... Read More
Yinzers of the Week: PITT Seniors
For this week's edition of Yinzer of the Week, we've decided to change things up a bit. First, we're giving the award to two players rather than one. Second, we're compiling the stats for an entire career not just a week. Lastly, we're giving the award before the game is even played. Generally, we take a look at the teams in the Pittsburgh area and take a look at their records and the outstanding players of the week. The week runs from Saturday to Friday, with the winner announced on each ... Read More
With starting lineup set, Pirates look to fill bench positions
The Pittsburgh Pirates are going into this season with their starting lineup pretty much set in stone barring any injuries. They will have Russel Martin at catcher, Garret Jones at first base, Neil Walker at second base, Pedro Alvarez playing third, Clint Barmes at shortstop, Starling Marte, Andrew McCutchen, and Travis Snider patrolling the outfield. It has been said that Gabby Sanchez will get some time at first base. So that means he has solidified his spot on the bench so that only leaves ... Read More
Time to get defensive…again
The Pittsburgh Penguins are currently in a rut. While the standings may show otherwise with the team leading the division and second in the Eastern Conference, the team's recent performance has mirrored last April. To correct the issues from last season, one that concluded with 26 goals allowed in six games against the Flyers, Dan Bylsma preached a more defensive-minded game. His system would stay relatively the same, but the attention to detail and discipline needed to be ramped up, ... Read More
Six Pirates set to compete in World Baseball Classic
As the 2013 World Baseball Classic gets ready to take off, not only will baseball fans get an early start on watching meaningful games, but Pittsburgh Pirates fans will get an early look at some of their own against the world's best competition. The Bucs will be sending six players to compete for their respective countries, a number that has shrunk by two after Russell Martin and Ivan DeJesus pulled out of playing for their respective countries. Martin recently declined the option to ... Read More
Can the Steelers Fix their Running Game?
There has been a lot of talk about whether or not the Steelers can get their run game back on track next season. In 2012 the Steelers rushed the ball for a total of 1537 yards. That is their worst total since the dreaded 2003 season when the Steelers turned the offense over to Tommy Maddox and the passing game. During that 2003 seasons the Steelers amassed only 1488 rushing yards and were tied for last in the league in yards per attempt. What’s also a bit alarming is the correlation between ... Read More