On Sunday, the track will host the first Northeast Small Car Classic.

Xcel Modifieds, 600 Winged Sprints, 270 Sprints and Mini Sprint/Sidewinder will all compete in 25-lap features while Slingshots will compete in a 20-lap feature.

Gates open at 2:30 p.m. with hot laps beginning at 4:15 p.m. and racing scheduled to start at 5 p.m. General admission is $8 with children ages 10 and under admitted free.

Of course, the weekend at Penn Can begins tonight at 7:15 with Modifieds, Late Models, Crate Sportsman, Street Stocks and Four-Cylinder Stocks on the program.

Only two weeks remain in the regular season and the points battles are tight in all divisions.

In Modifieds, Mike Gular of Green Lane leads with 759 points. Kevin Hartnett from Perkasie is second with 748 points and Carbondale's Brett Tonkin is third with 742 points.

Tracy Gregory of Dalton leads the Late Model division with 832 points.

Montrose's Dave Zona is second with 794 points.

Mike Nagel Jr. from Susquehanna tops the Crate Sportsman division with 970 points. Grant Hilfiger from Henryville is second with 928 points and Montrose's Adam MacGeorge third with 908 points.

Butch Green of Newark Valley, N.Y., holds a six-point advantage over Susquehanna's Shane Wolf Sr., 962-956, for the top spot in Street Stock. Shane Wolf Jr. of Susquehanna is lurking in third with 942 points.

New Milford's Andy Brigham holds a commanding 120-point lead over Joe Warner, also of New Milford, in Four-Cylinder Stock.

Goin' Greene

Last week at Penn Can, Darwin Greene of Susquehanna notched his second career Modified victory, holding off Mike Schane of Hamlin.

Zona picked up his fourth Late Model feature win, while Nagel Jr. notched his seventh feature win in Crate Sportsman. Green won for the fifth time in Street Stock. Warner took his third straight checkered flag in Four-Cylinder Stock and fifth of the season.

Down to the wire

Nick Petrilak of Greenfield Township continued his strong season at Five Mile Point Speedway, winning the 20-lap Sportsman feature last Saturday night at the Kirkwood, N.Y., track.

Petrilak passed Charlie Hendrickson for the lead on lap 11, then held off Throop's Jeff Crambo for his division-leading sixth victory of the season. Mike Loney of Taylor wound up fourth.

Heading into Saturday's Championship Night, just 62 points separates the top five drivers in the Sportsman division. Justin Holland of White Lake, N.Y., leads with 940 points. Chris Wood from Binghamton, N.Y., is second with 939 points. Loney is third with 936 points, Petrilak fourth with 914 and Crambo fifth with 878.

Among the other feature winners last Saturday at Five Mile Point was Stewart Friesen of Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, Canada, who won his ninth Modified feature. Kevin Bates of Lake Ariel was the top local finisher in third. Nick Rochinski from Dickson City was sixth, Old Forge's Bobby Puckett seventh and Frank Yankowski from Throop 10th.

Championship Night at Five Mile Point begins Saturday at 6 p.m. Final points races will be held for the Modifieds, Sportsman, Street Stocks, IMCA Modifieds and Lightning Cats. The Modified feature will be a 50-lapper paying $2500 to the winner. Rain date is Monday.

Contact the writer: swalsh@timesshamrock.com

GOLF - Scott Greens Golf Club will host the fall junior match play series starting Sept. 11. The series is open to boys and girls in seventh and eighth grade, junior varsity and high school players. The series will be held Saturdays through Oct. 30 with a shotgun start at 9 a.m. Cost is $20. To register, call the clubhouse, 254-6979, or visit www.Scottgreensgolfclub.com.

- The sixth annual Mid Valley girls golf classic will be Sept. 14 at 4 p.m. at Scott Greens Golf Club. The event is open to all area high school girls on both varsity and junior varsity levels. Cost is $20. To register, players or high school coaches must call 383-1894 by Sept. 13.

LITTLE LEAGUE - The Taylor Little League will meet Sept. 12 at 6:30 p.m. at the Taylor Little League field house.

OPEN HOUSE - The Birchwood Tennis and Fitness Club will hold an open house Sept. 25 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Additional information: call the club at 586-4030 or visit www.birchwoodtennis.com.

SWIMMING - The Valley View Barra-Cougars swim team (ages 5-14) will hold sign-ups on Sept. 13 and 14 and 21 and 22 from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. in the Valley View High School pool area. Additional information: Sharon, 351-6003, or visit www.barracougars.com.

In Thursday night's game, the Yankees continued to steam ahead to the playoffs while dashing any hopes the Bisons had for a postseason run.

With the Yankees' 9-2 victory, Buffalo was officially eliminated from wild card contention.

Yankees starter Kei Igawa earned the victory, his first decision since a loss Aug. 28 against the Bisons in Moosic.

The left-hander, the franchise leader with 32 wins, threw 6⅓ innings during which he allowed just three hits, holding Buffalo scoreless.

However, the Yankees gave Dillon Gee a hard time on the mound. After two scoreless innings, Scranton/Wilkes-Barre's bats let loose.

In the third, Brandon Laird and Eric Bruntlett led off with back-to-back singles. Gee hit Kevin Russo with a pitch to load the bases, and Jesus Montero cleared them with a three-run double that put the Yankees on the board.

Jorge Vazquez doubled with two outs to score Montero, who reached third on a passed ball.

Bruntlett went deep in the fourth inning to score Chad Huffman and Brandon Laird - who started the inning with back-to-back singles - to put the Yankees up 7-0. Bruntlett and Laird finished 3 for 4 and Colin Curtis added two more hits. The right-fielder, who has a hitting streak of 15 games, surpasses the previous long streaks of the season - 12 games by both Russo, from April 28-May 16, and Vazquez, June 19-July 1.

The surge of offense chased Gee, and with Adam Pettyjohn on the mound in the fifth, Juan Miranda had a solo shot of his own, his 15th of the season, to extend the Yankees' lead to eight.

With one out in the seventh inning, Igawa's night ended and George Kontos came in to pitch for Scranton/Wilkes-Barre for the first time since he went on the DL for Tommy John surgery last July.

In 17 games with Double-A Trenton, he allowed 30 hits in 32 innings, posting a 3.38 ERA.

Against Buffalo on Thursday, Kontos recorded his first four outs on just nine pitches before giving up a single to Russ Adams.

Kontos surrendered a leadoff walk in the ninth to Valentino Pascucci, who scored on Mike Cervenak's groundout to make it 9-1.

Another run scored when J.R. House singled with two outs to plate Kirk Nieuwenhuis, who doubled.

But Kontos ended the threat when he got Justin Turner to line out to Reid Gorecki on the first pitch he saw.

Contact the writer: sports@timesshamrock.com

Most of all, he had plenty of fans believing he could step in immediately and live up to that reputation.

He's a senior now, though, and for the first time in a career that didn't go quite as smoothly as he originally hoped, Colasanti has a chance to make the impact he wanted back in 2007.

For the first time in a Penn State uniform, Colasanti will start Saturday's season opener against Youngstown State at Beaver Stadium.

"I've been waiting three years for this opportunity," Colasanti said this week. "It's my goal finally coming true."

That's what makes Colasanti a microcosm of Penn State's relatively inexperienced but unquestionably talented linebacking corps.

Colasanti is the man in the middle of a linebacking corps that will have to replace another in a long line of productive crews that have come through Happy Valley in the last decade. Seniors Sean Lee and Josh Hull graduated.

Navorro Bowman opted to leave school with a season of eligibility on the table to pursue a professional career.

All were selected in April's NFL Draft, and combined, they left their 2010 replacements at Penn State with 295 tackles, 26½ tackles for loss, seven sacks and five interceptions to replace.

Although none of the players slated to step in for the terrific 2009 trio has started more than a handful of games in their careers, the Nittany Lions don't seem concerned about their chances to fill the void more than respectably.

"I think we have five, maybe six, kids who are good athletes and can be good linebackers," coach Joe Paterno said. "A couple of them are a little behind where they have to be in order to handle some situations they'll see. But I think the linebacker situation is one of our stronger spots."

On the depth chart, the 6-foot-2, 241-pound Colasanti is the starter in the middle, flanked by senior Bani Gbadyu and Nate Stupar - two athletic outside linebackers who have shown flashes of brilliance throughout their careers as backups.

Still, the Lions are likely to go with a rotation of at least five - and perhaps six - linebackers, both to give youngsters some playing time and replace the production lost with Lee, Bowman and Hull.

Redshirt sophomore Michael Mauti, who missed all of last season with a torn ACL that Paterno said has not hindered him at all in practice, and converted safety Gerald Hodges have been among the more impressive youngsters in camp.

Redshirt sophomore Michael Yancich has never played a down for the Nittany Lions, but the coaching staff likes his ability in the middle. And Colasanti raved about true freshmen Mike Hull and Khairi Fortt, linebackers who were among the most highly regarded prospects in the 2010 recruiting class.

"The depth there is very good," guard Stefen Wisniewski said. "That's really a strength to have. Combine them with the great defensive line that we've got, and I'd expect our front seven to be really tough."

Colasanti expects nothing different, and he knows that as he stands in the middle, it starts with him.

This is an opportunity he has waited for, an elusive chance that has frustrated him for years. And with so many question marks dotting the offense, Colasanti said 2010 is not the time for the defense to allow inexperience to weaken it.

"The defense is going to try to pick up the team," Colasanti said. "I feel it is going to be coming from both sides. But the defense is looking forward to going out there, being intense and leading the team."

Traditionally, that intensity and leadership on the defensive side of the ball at Penn State has started with the linebackers.

Contact the writer: dcollins@timesshamrock.com

North Pocono at Dunmore

Scranton Prep at Lakeland

Riverside at West Scranton

Carbondale at Lackawanna Trail

Wyoming Area at Western Wayne

Wallenpaupack at Honesdale

Nanticoke at Montrose

Scranton at Wyoming Valley West

Mid Valley at GAR

Old Forge at Lake-Lehman

Abington Heights at Hazleton Area

Valley View at East Stroudsburg North

El Toro (Calif.) vs. Delaware Valley (at Boston)

Games begin at 7 p.m.

So often the play of linemen is overshadowed by a running back, quarterback or wide receiver who steals the show statistically.

But in this crossover battle of highly ranked preseason teams, the success of each will depend on which controls the line.

Dunmore enters the game led by some highly regarded and powerful linemen. While trying to get back to full strength after two physical scrimmages, the Bucks will be led by Football Bowl Subdivision recruit Paul Gaughan, big 300-pound defensive lineman Joey Sabia and tackle Mike Giorgio.

"Our key is to stay focused," said Giorgio, a 245-pound senior. "We worked really hard. We just have to do our assignments and we will be fine.

"Everyone is really pumped up. I've been pumped up since the first day that I found out that we were playing them."

North Pocono will be countering with an equally big and strong front.

Vince Ocasio is a 280-pound tackle, Peter Calderone, a 300-pound senior, is beginning to receive some recruiting attention and A.J. Giombetti, a 215-pound senior, is a returning starter at center.

"We feel our biggest concern is getting movement off the ball," Ocasio said. "They have great defensive linemen, and we know that, we have seen them on film. We know we have to penetrate at the point of attack and we have to get them off the ball.

"We have to make sure that we go into this game focused."

While both teams are experienced and strong on the lines, they are bringing along young backfields.

Dunmore is trying to replace four-year starting tailback Michael Perry, fullback Frank Santarsiero and quarterback Dave Olivetti.

A stable of backs, including quarterback Jordan Dempsey, will try to ease the transition.

"We have been excited the entire offseason knowing that we were going to play a powerhouse like North Pocono," Dempsey said. "We have to keep our running game going as we always have. We have to try to outlast them."

North Pocono lost tailback Nick Batzel, fullback Frank Butash and quarterback Matt Smith to graduation.

Jack Williams is expected to be at quarterback, All-Region linebacker Greg Sporko should take over at fullback and 220-pound senior Marquill Eggleston is expected to make a big impact at the tailback spot for the Trojans.

Contact the writer: jbfawcett@timesshamrock.com

North Pocono at Dunmore

- When: Tonight, 7

- Where: Veterans Memorial Stadium

- Coaches: North Pocono, Jason Sepkowski. Dunmore, Jack Henzes.

- Chalk talk: Dunmore is ranked No. 1 in the state in Class A by The Harrisburg Patriot-News. North Pocono is a "team to watch" in AAA.

On Friday, though, fans got a reminder of just how great a 2010 Laird had.

The 22-year-old third baseman was named the Most Valuable Player and Rookie of the Year in the Eastern League, rewarding the staggering numbers he posted in his first season at Double-A Trenton.

He hit .291 with 23 homers, 90 RBIs and 71 runs scored before being promoted to Triple-A on Aug. 2. At that point, he was leading the Eastern League in both RBIs and total bases (214).

The award is a fitting cap to what was a dynamic debut season in Double-A.

Twice in 2010, Laird tied Trenton's franchise record for RBIs in a game, piling up seven on May 16 and June 24. On May 26, he became just the second Trenton player to hit for the cycle, finishing it off with a two-run, walk-off home run to beat Erie, 7-6.

In July, he was named to the Eastern League All-Star team as the starting third baseman for the Eastern Division.

In 26 games with the Triple-A Yankees, Laird is hitting .218 with two homers and nine RBIs.

Contact the writer: dcollins@timesshamrock.com

ab r h bi ab r h bi

Gorecki cf 5 0 0 0 Feliciano rf 5 0 2 0

Russo 2b 4 1 1 1 Turner 2b 5 0 1 0

Montero c 4 1 1 3 Adams ss 4 0 1 0

Hammock c 1 0 0 0 Evans 1b 4 0 0 0

Miranda 1b 5 1 1 1 Pascucci dh 3 1 1 1

Vazquez dh 3 0 1 1 Nwnhs cf 4 0 0 0

Curtis rf 3 0 0 0 Cervenak 3b 3 0 0 1

Huffman lf 4 1 2 0 Green lf 3 0 0 0

Laird 3b 4 2 3 0 House c 4 0 1 1

Bruntlett ss 4 3 3 3

Totals 37 9 12 9 Totals 35 2 7 2

Yankees 004 311 000 - 9

Buffalo 000 000 002 - 2

E: Laird. 2B: Montero, Vazquez, Laird, Nieuwenhuis. HR: Bruntlett, Miranda.

Yankees IP H R ER BB K

Igawa, W, 3-4 6.1 3 0 0 2 3

Kontos 2.2 4 2 2 1 2

Buffalo IP H R ER BB K

Gee, L, 13-8 4 7 7 7 1 4

Pettyjohn 2 4 2 2 1 1

Green 1 1 0 0 0 0

Cordero 1 0 0 0 0 1

Brazoban 1 0 0 0 0 2

HBP: Russo (by Gee), Curtis (by Green). T: 2:42 (:16 delay). A: 15,539.

How they scored

Yankees third: Gee pitching. Laird singled. Bruntlett singled. Russo hit by pitch. Montero doubled, Laird, Bruntlett and Russo scored. Vazquez doubled, Montero scored. Yankees 4, Buffalo 0.

Yankees fourth: Huffman singled. Laird singled. Bruntlett homered, Huffman and Laird scored. Yankees 7, Buffalo 0.

Yankees fifth: Pettyjohn pitching. Miranda homered. Yankees 8, Buffalo 0.

Yankees sixth: Laird doubled. Bruntlett singled. Gorecki reached on fielder's choice, Laird out at third. Russo singled, Bruntlett scored. Yankees 9, Buffalo 0.

Buffalo ninth: Kontos pitching. Pascucci walked. Nieuwenhuis doubled. Cervenak grounded out, Pascucci scored. House singled, Nieuwenhuis scored. Yankees 9, Buffalo 2.

Inside pitch

Player of the game: C Jesus Montero had just one hit Thursday night, but it was a three-run double that put the Yankees on the board in the third inning.

Turning point: In the top of the fourth, Eric Bruntlett homered to score Chad Huffman and Brandon Laird, and Juan Miranda had a solo shot in the fifth to blaze a trail for the Yankees.

Highlight: Returning for his first pitching appearance with the Yankees since last year, George Kontos allowed two runs on four hits, striking out two and walking one.

Big picture: The Yankees ended Buffalo's run at the playoffs with their barrage of offense and continue to perform well hesading into the offseason.

Today's game

Pawtucket (64-75) vs. Yankees (83-55), 7:05 p.m., PNC Field

Radio: Mike Vander Woude calls the action on The Game, 1280, 1340, 1400 and 1590 AM.

Scouting report

The Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees return to PNC Field for a two-game stand against Pawtucket, starting tonight at 7:05.

Pitching probables

Today: Pawtucket RHP Adam Mills (5-9, 4.06) vs. Yankees RHP D.J. Mitchell (1-0, 2.48).

Saturday: Pawtucket LHP Rich Hill (3-0, 3.23) vs. Yankees RHP David Phelps (3-2, 3.32).

PawSox patter

RF Bubba Bell leads Pawtucket with a .298 batting average. Through his last 10 games, he is 8 for 37 with one homer and three RBIs. He also drew four walks. ... On Aug. 31, CF Josh Reddick was named the IL Batter of the Week, having finished leading the league in batting average (.500), hits (17), home runs (5), RBI (12), doubles (4) and slugging percentage (1.059). ... Before Wednesday's loss to Lehigh Valley, the PawSox had an eight-game winning streak. ... With the expansion of rosters Wednesday, Dustin Richardson and Robert Manuel were called up to Boston, along with rehabbing big leaguers Jarrod Saltalamacchia and Eric Patterson.

International League

North

W L Pct. GB

z-SWB (Yankees) 84 55 .604 -

Syracuse (Nationals) 74 65 .532 10

Buffalo (Mets) 73 67 .521 11.5

Pawtucket (Red Sox) 65 75 .464 19.5

Lehigh Valley (Phils) 56 84 .400 28.5

Rochester (Twins) 48 92 .343 36.5

South

W L Pct. GB

z-Durham (Rays) 86 53 .619 -

Gwinnett (Braves) 70 69 .504 16

Charlotte (White Sox) 65 75 .464 21.5

Norfolk (Orioles) 65 75 .464 21.5

West

W L Pct. GB

Columbus (Indians) 79 61 .564 -

Louisville (Reds) 77 62 .554 1.5

Indianapolis (Pirates) 69 71 .493 10

Toledo (Tigers) 66 73 .475 12.5

z-clinched playoff spot

Thursday's Games

Columbus 8, Toledo 0

Indianapolis 7, Louisville 5

Scranton/Wilkes-Barre 9, Buffalo 2

Syracuse 7, Rochester 3

Pawtucket 2, Lehigh Valley 1

Gwinnett 7, Durham 6

Norfolk 4, Charlotte 1, 13 innings

Today's Games

Toledo at Columbus, 7:05 p.m.

Gwinnett at Durham, 7:05 p.m.

Pawtucket at Yankees, 7:05 p.m.

Syracuse at Rochester, 7:05 p.m.

Buffalo at Lehigh Valley, 7:05 p.m.

Charlotte at Norfolk, 7:15 p.m.

Louisville at Indianapolis, 7:15 p.m.

Saturday's Games

Louisville at Indianapolis, 6 p.m.

Buffalo at Lehigh Valley, 6:35 p.m.

Columbus at Toledo, 7 p.m.

Norfolk at Durham, 7:05 p.m.

Syracuse at Rochester, 7:05 p.m.

Pawtucket at Yankees, 7:05 p.m.

Gwinnett at Charlotte, 7:15 p.m.

Sunday's Games

Norfolk at Durham, 5:05 p.m.

Yankees at Lehigh Valley, 5:35 p.m.

Columbus at Toledo, 6 p.m.

Indianapolis at Louisville, 6:05 p.m.

Syracuse at Pawtucket, 6:05 p.m.

Buffalo at Rochester, 7:05 p.m.

Gwinnett at Charlotte, 7:15 p.m.

Maria Salerno and Holly Wagner won singles matches for West Scranton.

Singles: Maria Salerno (WS) over Liz Sposito, 7-5, 6-4; Holly Wagner (WS) over Emily Pocius, 7-5, 7-5; Rachel Sposito (NP) over Gaylen Haggerty, 6-2, 6-1.

Doubles: Gwen Wandalowski-Nicole Zientek (NP) over Marisa Messina-Leyna Fabbri, 6-2, 6-2; Carly Reilly-Cara Perrotti (NP) over Meghan Fletcher-Liz Graziano, 6-2, 6-4.

Records: NP 2-3, WS 0-6.

Abington Heights 5 Honesdale 0

At Honesdale, Courtney Ostrowski, Alexa Abdalla and Allie Pusateri each won their singles matches in straight sets to lead Abington Heights.

Singles: Courtney Ostrowski over Abriana Nolan, 6-4, 7-5; Alexa Abdalla over Benita Pursch, 6-2, 6-4; Allie Pusateri over Maggie Walsh, 6-0, 6-2.

Doubles: Morgan Fayocavitz-Brittany Kazmierski over Natalie Hoff-Brittany Kriner, 6-3, 6-0; Mary Chuff-Liz Archibald over Jalena Gibbs-Norah Cliff, 6-1, 6-1.

Records: AH 5-0, HON 3-2

Wallenpaupack 4 Delaware Valley 1

At Delaware Valley, Sarah Lehman-Haley Ackerman and Paige Hiller-Steph Halas won their doubles matches in straight sets to lead Wallenpaupack.

Dana Hunt had the sole Delaware Valley victory in singles.

Singles: Annette Deutsch (WAL) over Kelly Capello, 6-4, 6-1; Rosy Tamam (WAL) over Melinda Dennis, 6-2, 6-3; Dana Hunt (DV) over Kristen Nalesnik, 6-2, 6-1.

Doubles: Sarah Lehman-Haley Ackerman (WAL) over Jenna Pike-Brianna Plaxe, 6-2, 6-4; Paige Hiller-Steph Halas (WAL) over Carly Bensley-Michelle McKean, 6-4, 6-2.

Records: WAL 4-1, DV 3-2.

Scranton Prep 5, Dunmore 0

At Dunmore, Kendra Croker, Emily Walsh and Mara Silvon won their singles matches in straight sets to lead Scranton Prep.

Singles: Kendra Croker over Ashley Zona, 6-3, 6-0; Emily Walsh over Sam Kreis, 6-0, 6-0; Mara Silvon over Maria Lawrence, 6-1, 6-1.

Doubles: Elizabeth Hyers-Grace Reilly over Chrissy Cuddey-Abbey Aronica, 6-3, 6-1; Annie Tressler-Caroline Comerford over Jennifer Comstock-Brittany Schlesser, 6-1, 6-1.

Records: SP 5-0, DUN 1-3.

Valley View 4, Holy Cross 1

At Holy Cross, Sarah Calabro and Amanda Perry won their singles matches in straight sets to lead Valley View. Maria Fortese won No. 3 singles for Holy Cross.

Singles: Sarah Calabro (VV) over Maria Mahon, 6-0, 6-0; Amanda Perry (VV) over Shaun Duffy, 6-0, 6-1; Maria Fortese (HC) over Jessica Lochie, 6-2, 3-6, 6-2.

Doubles: Liz Aniska-Elena Stambone (VV) over Katie Auth-Giana Rogari, 6-2, 6-0; Abby Bartkowski-Gina Chieffalo (VV) over Emily Hughes-Lindsey Greenwood, 6-0, 6-3.

Records: VV 4-1, HC 0-3.

Riverside 5, Western Wayne 0

At Riverside, Vanessa Donatello won her singles match in straight sets and the Lady Vikes swept the doubles matches to get the victory.

Singles: Vanessa Donatello over Christina Piccolo, 6-0, 6-0; Liz O'Hearn by forfeit; Elizabeth Cannon by forfeit.

Doubles: Nina Hurley-Jamie Dando over Brianna Vinton-Sarah Lutat, 7-5, 7-5; Taryn Lucas-Katie Aniska over Kim Finkle-Lizzie Caruth, 6-0, 6-0.

Records: RIV 4-0, WW 0-5.

Mid Valley 3, Elk Lake 2

At Elk Lake, Jessie Brudnicki won her singles match and Mid Valley swept the doubles matches to get the victory. Cindy Good and Hunter Cole picked up singles victories for Elk Lake.

Singles: Cindy Good (EL) over Julie May, 6-1, 6-0; Hunter Cole (EL) over Marsha Troiani, 6-1, 7-5; Jessie Brudnicki (MV) over Lindsey Shingler, 7-5, 3-6, 6-2.

Doubles: Heidi Yanoski-Delaney Reynolds (MV) over Kileen Sisson-Lydia Watkins, 6-4, 6-1; Kari Urhanowski-Danielle Maro (MV) over Megan Phillips-Leanna Noble, 6-7 (8), 6-0, 6-1.

Records: MV 2-3, EL 1-2.

Boys soccer

At Blue Ridge, Jeff Cosklo scored his second goal of the game with 5:59 remaining in the second overtime to give Carbondale the 4-3 victory over Blue Ridge. Jeff Frias added a goal and an assist for the Chargers. Jacob James had two goals for Blue Ridge.

Carbondale (1-0) 2 2 0 1 - 4

Blue Ridge (0-1) 0 3 0 0 - 3

CAR - Phil Mosolino 14:37

CAR - Jeff Frias (Zack Kovaleski) 19:36

BR - Jacob James 52:01

BR - James (Nick Bales) 62:12

CAR - Jeff Cosklo (Frias) 74:36

BR - Billy Rupakus (Eric Giangrieco) 78:50

CAR - Cosklo (Brian Boyle) 94:01

Shots-corners: CAR 16-9, BR 8-2.

Saves: Jeremy Gagas (CAR) 5; Tama Galu-Edgar (BR) 12.

The senior made seven birdies, including a string of six straight, to lift the Comets over Dunmore, 8-1, on the front nine of Glen Oak Country Club on Thursday in a Lackawanna League Southern Division match.

"I don't think anybody expects it," Abington Heights coach Mike Williams said. "When someone shoots 6 under, it's amazing. He's been doing it consistently.

"It's been an incredible run."

Meyer birdied the par-5 first, parred No. 2, then birdied every hole until he slipped up on the par-3 ninth, making his only bogey.

In 36 holes of league play, Meyer is 17-under par.

Individuals: Erik Meyer over Ryan Revta, 5 and 3; Jamie Egan over Nick Senofonte, 3 and 2; Dave Mecca over John Keating, 4 and 3; Alex Altier over Brice Finnerty, 1 up; Eric Montella over David Lopatka, 3 and 2; Egan May (DUN) over Dalton Coldwater, 2 and 1.

Better-ball: Meyer-Egan over Revta-Senofonte, 5 and 3; Mecca-Altier over Keating-Finnerty, 3 and 2; Montella-Coldwarter over Lopatka-May, 2 up.

Records: AH 4-0, DUN 1-3.

Holy Cross 7, Riverside 2

At Sleepy Hollow, Dominick Mancinelli and Scott Kearney won their last hole with pars to sweep all three points in the first group in Holy Cross' victory.

Individuals: Dominick Mancinelli (HC) over Matt Plishka, 1 up; Scott Kearney (HC) over Mike king, 2 up; Joey Baurys (HC) over Carl Pugliese, 2 up; Cole Surridge (RIV) over J.J. Ruby, 1 up; Selena Cerra (HC) over Matt Williams, 4 and 3; Nico Munley (RIV) over Emily Okrepkie, 2 and 1.

Better-ball: Mancinelli-Kearney (HC) over Plishka-King, 1 up; Baurys-Ruby (HC) over Pugliese-Surridge, 2 up; Cerra-Okrepkie (HC) over Williams-Munley, 4 and 3.

Records: HC 3-1, RIV 1-3.

Scranton Prep 7½ Delaware Valley 1½

At Scranton Muni, Jack Knowles birdied three holes as Scranton Prep handed Delaware Valley its first loss of the season. Kyle Williams posted a victory over Cody Cox in a matchup of two of the scholastic scene's premier players.

Individuals: Kyle Williams (SP) over Cody Cox, 2 and 1; Joe Chaudhari (SP) over Matt Wisniewski, 3 and 2; David Pompey (SP) over Eric Reiher, 3 and 2; Nick Johnson (SP) split Dustin Hines; Jason Sandonato (DV) over Ryan Brown, 1-up; Jack Knowles (SP) over Ian Walech, 5 and 3.

Better-ball: Williams-Chaudhari (SP) over Cox-Wisniewski, 3 and 1; Pompey-Johnson (SP) over Reiher-Hines, 3 and 2; Sandonato-Knowles (SP) over Brown-Walech, 4 and 3.

Records: SP 4-0, DV 3-1.

North Pocono 8½, Old Forge ½

At Scranton Muni, Mark Paradise had a bogey-free round and birdied twice to shoot 34 and lead North Pocono to its fourth straight victory.

Michael Long led Old Forge with two birdies.

Individuals: Ken Sames (NP) over Michael Long, 2 and 1; Kerry Connor (NP) split Tony Goodall; Matt Bartkowski (NP) over Corey Palma, 5 and 4; Anthony Knight (NP) over Brian Palma, 3 and 2; Mark Paradise (NP) over Tim McGrath, 5 and 3; Amanda Reach (NP) over Mario Martinelli, 3 and 2.

Better-ball: Sames-Connor (NP) over Long-Goodall, 1-up; Bartkowski-Knight (NP) over Palma-Palma, 4 and 3; Paradise-Reach (NP) over McGrath-Martinelli, 5 and 3.

Records: NP 4-0, OF 1-3.

Valley View 5, West Scranton 4

At Pine Hills, Gary Geldhof hit an 8-foot putt for par on the last hole of his match and tied the better ball to lift Valley View over West Scranton.

Individuals: Joey Zorechak (VV) over Tommy Dodd, 5 and 4; Mason Payonk (WS) over Max Cornell, 2 and 1; John Kearney (WS) over Travis Troiani, 2 and 1; Jim Sagona (WS) split with Tyler Motisko; Gary Geldhof (VV) over Matt Langan, 1 up; Stephen Patrick (VV) over Kyle Saldonis, 2 and 1.

Better-ball: Zorechak-Payonk (VV) over Dodd-Cornell, 1-up; Kearney-Sagona (WS) over Troiani-Motisko, 5 and 3; Geldhof-Patrick (VV) split with Langan-Saldonis.

Records: VV 1-3, WS 0-4.

Scranton 6½, Mid Valley 2½

At Scott Greens, Ricky Ettinger shot 1-over par to lead Scranton.

Individuals: Randy Ettinger (S) over Chris Ottone, 1-up; Carmen Dellia (MV) and Kevin Burke (S) split; Ricky Ettinger (S) over George Battle, 4 and 3; Matt Mierzejwski (MV) and Steve Sack (S) split; Tyler Nolan (MV) over Tim Fisch, 1-up; Jon Devine (S) and Drew Phillips (MV) split.

Better-ball: Ra. Ettinger-Burke (S) over Ottone-Dellia, 5 and 3; Ri. Ettinger-Sack (S) over Battle-Mierzejewski, 3 and 2; Fisch-Devine (SCR) over Nolan-Phillips, 1-up.

Records: SCR 2-2, MV 0-4.

Mountain View 7½ Susquehanna 1 ½

At Golden Oaks, Tyler Salak shot a 1-under 34 to help lift Mountain View over Susquehanna in a Northern Division matchup.

Individuals: Tyler Salak (MV) over Dylan Hanes, 5 and 4; Chad Wescott (MV) over Mike Frye, 5 and 4; Nick Sabuacak (MV) over Casey Squires, 3 and 2; Adam Klees (MV) split with Vince Matta; Mark Snyder (MV) over Steve Frye, 6 and 3; Andrew Burdick (SUS) over Tyler Albert, 5 and 4.

Better-ball: Salak-Wescott (MV) over Hanes-Frye, 5 and 4; Sabuacak -Klees (MV) over Squires and Matta, 2-up; Snyder-Albert (MV) over Frye-Burdick, 3 and 2.

Records: MV 1-3, SUS 0-4.

Wallenpaupack 9, Elk Lake 0

At Cricket Hill, Brad Harsche led Wallenpaupack with two birdies in his match. Despite the loss, Elk Lake's Ricky Guiton had three birdies.

Individuals: Brad Harsche over Ricky Guiton, 2-up; Alex Jackson over Marshall McCarty, 4 and 3; Kane Kellogg over Adam Phillips, 3 and 2; Chris Cassel over Tim Marbaker, 5 and 4; Kyle Jackson over Pete McGee, 4 and 3; Eric Miller over Nick Marbaker, 4 and 3.

Better-ball: Harsche-Jackson over Guiton-McCarty, 3 and 2; Kellogg-Cassel over Phillips-Marbaker, 3 and 2; Jackson-Miller over McGee-Marbaker, 4 and 3.

Records: WAL 3-1, EL 0-4.

Western Wayne 5½ Lakeland 3½

At Red Maples, Kevin Botjer came from two holes behind to win his match in Western Wayne's victory. Evan Decker and Bob Dyer also made key birdies in the final two holes to help secure the better-ball victory for their teams.

Corey Teeple remained undefeated with his individual victory.

Individuals: Kevin Botjer (WW) over Mike Brennan, 1-up; Evan Decker (WW) split with Greg Reeves; Corey Teeple (WW) over Fred Tolerico, 3 and 2; Mike Thomas (L) over Zach Call, 3 and 2; Bob Dyer (WW) over Taylor Reeves, 1-up; Kevin Karabin (WW) over Sean Price, 2 and 1.

Better-ball: Botjer-Decker (WW) over Brennan-Reeves, 2-up; Tolerico-Thomas (LAK) over Teeple-Call, 1-up; Reeves-Price (L) over Dyer-Karabin, 1-up.

Records: WW 3-0, LAK 2-2.

Honesdale 9, Forest City 0

At Honesdale Golf Club, Cody Dirlam birdied the par-3 fourth and added four pars while Eric Fritz birdied the par-5 fifth and Bridget Simons added five pars to lead the Hornets.

Individuals: Dylan Gavin over Seth Thomas, 4 and 3; Bridget Simons over Vince DeLucy, 4 and 3; Mitch Daniels over Dom Sparks, 3 and 2; Cody Dirlam over Brian Nebzydoski, 5 and 4; Mike Kussoff over Nick Luchonok, 4 and 3; Eric Fritz over Kevin Powell, 5 and 4.

Better-ball: Gavin-Simons over Thomas-DeLucy, 4 and 3; Daniels-Dirlam over Sparks-Nebzydoski, 5 and 4; Kussoff-Fritz over Luchonok-Powell, 4 and 3.

Records: HON 3-1, FC 2-2.

Lackawanna Trail 7½ Carbondale 1½

At Panorama, Andy Dietrick, Don Demarest, Dalton Mecke, David Boslough and Michael Kilmer won their individual matches to lead Lackawanna Trail.

Individuals: Andy Dietrick (LT) over Mike McGraw, 2-up; Don Demarest (LT) over Cody Mazza, 3 and 2; Dalton Mecke (LT) over Eric Wallis, 4 and 2; Joe Cassaro (C) over Brandon Foster, 4 and 3; David Boslough (LT) over Tom Ruddy, 5 and 3; Michael Kilmer (LT) over Roseanna Muzzara, 3 and 2.

Better-ball: Dietrick-Demarest (LT) over McGraw-Mazza, 2 and 1; Mecke-Foster (LT) and Wallis-Cassaro (CAR) split; Boslough-Kilmer (LT) over Ruddy-Muzzara, 5 and 3.

Records: LT 3-1, CAR 1-2.

Montrose 9, Blue Ridge 0

At the Montrose Country Club, Cole Wheaton, Billy Stranburg and Jordan Smith won their singles matches to lead the Meteors.

Individuals: Cole Wheaton over Mike Gaghney, 5 and 3; Nathan Lake by forfeit; Billy Stranburg over Austin French, 5 and 3; Katie Clark by forfeit; Jordan Smith over Van Heppler, 5 and 4; Tommy Krupinski by forfeit.

Better-ball: Wheaton-Lake over Gaghney, 5 and 4; Stranburg-Clark over French, 5 and 3; Smith-Krupinski over Heppler, 5 and 4.

Records: MONT 4-0, BR 0-2.

Western Wayne

A big, bruising fullback Rosensweet is a national powerlifting champion in the bench press. At 225 pounds, he will be counted on to be both a strong lead blocker and a force running in between the tackles for the Wildcats as they get ready to host District 2 Class AA favorite Wyoming Area. This is a big challenge for the Western Wayne, which is heading into the 2010 season as a team that could challenge for the postseason.

Jesse Wilson-Kellogg

Scranton

Unquestionably Scranton has talented players. The biggest question marks for the Knights will be along the offensive and defensive lines. Facing an always strong team in Wyoming Valley West, Wilson-Kellogg, a 198-pound returning starter will be a key player protecting standout quarterback Joe McCarthy. Wilson-Kellogg will also play an imporant role in keeping WVW quarterback Eugene Lewis in the pocket.

Andrew Pirritano

West Scranton

A returning starter in the secondary, the senior will be among the Invaders' defense called upon to slow Riverside's high-powered offense at Scranton Memorial Stadium. Riverside has had one of the most prolofic passing games over the last four seasons, averaging 160 yards per game during that stretch. Last season, West Scranton gave up 86.2 yards passing per game.

A slightly built 5-foot-6, 130-pound junior, he had played at Jessup High School, but when it merged with Archbald and Blakely to form Valley View, Cappellini felt his size would not allow him to compete against much bigger and stronger athletes.

It's a decision, he regrets, but turned into a driving motivation.

Determined to never allow an aspiring athlete to sell themselves short, the longtime physical education teacher at Valley View, and a certified physical trainer, has spent years inspiring Cougar football players to get strong and play hard.

That spirit resonates throughout the 2010 team that is expected to challenge in the Lackawanna Football Conference Division I, thanks in large part to the time the player spent in the weight room.

"I could not compete because of my size," Cappellini said. "That frustrated me. That is what pushed me into physical education. I don't want another kid to not gain something because of their size.

"I have always had a goal to help kids achieve."

Pumping Iron

When George Howanitz took over as the head coach at Valley View, one of his first calls went to Cappellini.

During Howanitz's playing days at Valley View that included a run to the PIAA Class AA championship in 1992, Cappellini made a lasting impression as the team's strength coach.

"I know how much he cares about the program and the kids," Howanitz said. "Our weight program was in a bit of a disarray before he got back here."

In that first season in 2007, Valley View players sometimes found themselves being overmatched physically, especially along the line of scrimmage.

With his passion fueling his coaching, Cappellini encouraged players to get into the weight room. Once there, to improve strength, the players had to get to work and actually move the iron plates.

That isn't always easy.

"You have to have a kid buy into it," the 56-year-old Cappellini said. "I think enthusiasm from the strength coach with the backing from the head coach like George is the way to get them to trust you. You have to be updated with equipment, and the kids, if you set a good example, will buy into the program."

Through his program, which stresses individual workouts and attention in coordination with team athletic trainer Will Stang, the players have become as dedicated as their mentor.

But it is his personal attention that keeps them coming back.

"He's always trying to foster us into becoming a family," said junior Michael Galantini, whose bench press improved 35 pounds this offseason. "This is our brotherhood and the guys you will be playing with on Friday nights. He tells you, lifting isn't easy, but one of the things that kicks in is when we actually start seeing the results."

A Cougar commitment

Valley View has made great strides this offseason.

"He really pushed us to put up big weight and get us physically strong," 220-pound junior linebacker Nyeem Wartman said. "He wants to see us achieve."

Now after two scrimmages the Cougars are realizing how important it was to be committed to the plan Cappellini outlined for them.

"He is always on our case to work hard," junior Matt Wolfel said. "I went from being a scrawny 140-pound kid ... I have put on 20 pounds of muscle. He has really impacted our lives, also. He will always ask us about school and he is always checking up on us, making sure we are doing all the right things and making good, smart decisions.

"He really cares."

Because of Cappellini's program and the players' dedication, the Cougars are ready to make a leap back into championship contention.

"We do have athletic kids," said Cappellini, who is retiring as a teacher after this year. "This group are kids who I have trained since they were freshmen and eighth graders have really been great. I think we started a good trend here.

"I hope it continues."

Contact the writer: jbfawcett@timesshamrock.com

Some, likely most, had a restless night's sleep, tossing and turning, trying desperately to relax on their journey to dawn. In their minds they had visions of what would be reality in only a matter of hours.

Those who have begun the academic year are proudly sporting the game jerseys they worked so hard to earn. They will walk through crowded hallways, chatting with friends, facing questions about how ready they will be for their starring roles in an evening of school pride.

Soon the stadium lights will turn on, the band will strike up a booming tune, and the cheerleaders will rile up the crowds gathered for the much-anticipated kickoff to the 2010 high school football season.

This is the night the kids have waited for since the final whistle of 2009.

Players who have bottled up their energy will be staring into the emptiness of their lockers, secluded in their own worlds. Side-by-side with their friends - their teammates - they will prepare both mentally and emotionally for the night and the opportunity to play a game they are devoted to.

As the fans - family, friends, classmates and longtime members of the community - get charged up, players will break through works of art that cheerleaders painted so diligently with careful brush strokes.

A surge of energy will engulf them as they remove their helmets for the echoing sound of the National Anthem.

Some may even shed a tear.

From there, the butterflies that have whisked at their stomachs all day will fade away. Intensity becomes piercing and their concentration becomes focused.

After the ball is booted into the fading sunlight, there will be plays that bring a roar to the fans, powerful open-field hits, mad dashes across manicured fields and edge-of- the-seat finishes.

Players who have committed themselves to working out, lifting weights and conditioning their bodies through the intense heat of a sweltering summer for this night, will give their absolute best efforts in victory and defeat.

These are the boys of fall.

They are teenagers who unite communities, passionate about their sports. Their play can put a halt to business in the most bustling of districts, and become the topic of late-night discussion.

They are sons and brothers, nephews and grandsons.

They are the ones fans cheer, the ones people decorate their homes and storefronts is support of.

This is their moment of a lifetime. This is high school football.

JOBY FAWCETT covers high school football for The Times-Tribune. Reach him at jbfawcett@timesshamrock.com

- In the only previous meeting between the schools, the Nittany Lions scored four times in the final 9:51 of the first half to post a 37-3 win on Sept. 16, 2006.

- Penguins tackle Andrew Radakovich was a member of the Penn State team in 2008, when he redshirted. As a starter last season, he was named to the Missouri Valley Conference's all-newcomer team.

- Youngstown State head coach Eric Wolford, right, will be making his debut. He was a running backs coach at South Carolina in 2009, and an offensive line coach at Illinois before that.

Ever seen a college game where the quarterbacks combined to take 0 snaps as a starter? YSU going with Kurt Hess, a redshirt freshman.

EDGE: Penn State

Running back

Penguins' leading returning rusher is sophomore Jamaine Cook, who gained 111 yards last season. Penn State has Evan Royster, who is primed to become the Nittany Lions' all-time leading rusher.

EDGE: Penn State

Wide Receiver

YSU has a good one in Dominique Barnes. But Penn State is as deep as anyone in the Big Ten at receiver.

EDGE: Penn State

Offensive line

Lots of questions for Penn State, but Penguins have just as many. Paterno is happy with how his group is progressing.

EDGE: Penn State

Defensive line

Few teams will be able to man up physically with what Penn State can do up front this season, potentially.

EDGE: Penn State

Linebacker

Both teams lost a slew of starters here after last season. But at least Penn State can reload with six more talented athletes.

EDGE: Penn State

Secondary

Penguins safety Andre Elliott is a terrific player who can make plays in coverage or on the blitz. But PSU has too much here.

EDGE: Penn State

Special teams

At least potentially, PSU has some gamebreakers in the return game, thought the kicking game is still a question.

EDGE: Penn State

LB Chris Colasanti: No doubt, the once-heralded recruit's career hasn't gone as smoothly as he once thought it would. But Colasanti, after three years of waiting, has finally earned a chance to start in the middle of Penn State's linebacking corps. He was always considered a hard-hitting, instinctual player. And now, he has a chance to show it.

DT Torrance Nicholson: He started just one game last season, but if there's one player that can give the rebuilt Penn State offensive line trouble Saturday, it's Nicholson. He's a solid run-stopper at 6-foot-2, 290 pounds, and he's quick enough to get into the gaps. Last season, even in limited action, he had at least one tackle in every game.

WR Dominique Barnes: Barnes is Youngstown State's top home-run threat. He caught 60 passes for 762 yards, and his eight touchdowns were tops in the Missouri Valley Football Conference. He's also the Penguins' top kickoff returner, as he averaged 20 yards per return in 2009. The Nittany Lions defense will have to keep track of him all day.

All the same, Devon Still is just about sick of hearing it.

So Saturday, when the massive 6-foot-5, 304-pound tackle lines up across from the undersized Younstown State line, he wants it to be known the Jared Odrick era is over.

And a new one is beginning.

"I'm really tired of the comparisons," Still said. "I understand it's a good comparison to have. But I just want to go out and show people what I can do."

Few around Happy Valley debate Odrick's greatness. He was a dominant force along the defensive front for the past two seasons, helping the Lions rank near the top of the nation in total defense both years. He was so good, the Miami Dolphins took him in the first round of the 2010 NFL Draft.

But those who have watched him work since he turned down a scholarship offer from Ohio State to come to Penn State as part of the 2007 recruiting class say Still can be just as effective a player as the All-American Odrick.

"They're actually very similar players," senior linebacker Chris Colasanti said. "Their speed and strength, they're very comparable there. Their ability to take on the double team, to get off the ball and to get to the running back, also very similar.

"It's going to be great to see Still out there in front of me, keeping offensive linemen off of me."

The only weakness in Still's game has been his ability to be out there.

As a true freshman in 2007, a torn left ACL forced him to take a redshirt. The next year he broke his ankle. He didn't actually get into a game until the regular season finale against Michigan State after that.

Health wasn't a factor in 2009, though. Serving as Odrick's top backup at nose guard, Still recorded 19 tackles and registered two sacks, drawing rave reviews from linemen who realized they couldn't relax just because Odrick was on the sideline.

"I think Still is a good football player," coach Joe Paterno said. "I think he played well last year. He just got overshadowed a bit by the kid who went in the first round (Odrick).

"He works hard. But he's got to stay healthy."

A starter again for the first time since high school, Still insists that despite his reputation, he still has plenty to prove.

"It has been a long time," Still said. "I really want to explode off the ball. If I get off the ball faster than I did last year, I can create havoc in the backfield."

Contact the writer: dcollins@timesshamrock.com

Robert Bolden will start Saturday when the Nittany Lions open the 2010 season against Youngstown State at Beaver Stadium.

Bolden beat out former West Scranton star Matt McGloin and sophomore Kevin Newsome, but Paterno said during his weekly press conference Tuesday that all three of his quarterbacks will likely see action against the Penguins.

"Based on what we have seen to this point, Bolden has a slight edge right now," Paterno said in a statement. "But we are confident all three quarterbacks are ready to go and hope to give them an opportunity to play until we settle on the one that gives us the best chance to win."

With those words, the competition rages on.

Paterno listed Bolden as "1-A" on the depth chart, with McGloin as "1-B" and Newsome as "1-C." He noted all three still had the chance to win the starting job on a regular basis based on their performances starting Saturday.

Efforts to reach McGloin were unsuccessful Wednesday.

Bolden didn't arrive on campus until the summer session began, leaving him behind both McGloin and Newsome - as well as fellow true freshman Paul Jones, who enrolled in January - in practice repetitions. But from the start of preseason practice, reports Bolden had begun to separate himself from the pack began to become more prevalent.

"The offense just clicked for him early," wide receiver Derek Moye said Wednesday morning. "It goes back to something (former Penn State quarterback Daryll Clark) told me last year: He's very smart.

"He's such a fluid athlete, and you can tell in his throwing motion and how well he runs."

Despite playing in a run-oriented offense in high school, Bolden was a four-star prospect coming out of St. Mary's Preparatory School in Orchard Lake, Mich., earlier this year. Scout.com ranked him as the No. 8 quarterback in the nation coming out of high school last year. Jones, incidentally, was ranked No. 3.

But Jones ran into what Paterno called "a bad start, academically," and the combination of Bolden's strong arm and quick feet helped push him past McGloin and Newsome in one of the most talked-about quarterback competitions in recent Penn State history.

"He has done a great job," Moye said of Bolden. "He's mature, a lot more than a freshman. But I wouldn't say he has done better than anyone could have imagined. He came in with such high expectations."

Contact the writer: dcollins@timesshamrock.com

Clearly though, he has separated himself from the pack.

The 20-year-old phenom was one of three Yankees named to the IL's postseason all-star team, which was announced Tuesday. Shortstop Eduardo Nunez and closer Jonathan Albaladejo also were honored, giving the Yankees a league-high-tying three representatives among the 12 players chosen.

Despite hitting just .252 with seven home runs at the all-star break, Montero's second half was one to remember. He hit .350 after the break, drilled 11 homers and wound up leading the Yankees in both home runs and RBIs.

To boot, he was also the youngest player named to the team.

At 23, Nunez had a breakout season both with the bat and glove for the Yankees. He leads the Yanks with 134 hits and 23 stolen bases, and he made a mark with his stellar defensive work before making his major league debut in New York on Aug. 19.

Meanwhile, Albaladejo had perhaps the greatest season any relief pitcher in the International League has ever experienced.

He set a league saves record with 43 and his ERA has been below 2.00 since April 13.

The Yankees, however, were shut out of the major awards.

Durham third baseman Dan Johnson was named the MVP.

The Bulls also landed the Most Valuable Pitcher award. Right-hander Jeremy Hellickson went 12-3 with a 2.45 ERA and 123 strikeouts.

Gwinnett slugger Freddie Freeman was named the league's Rookie of the Year, while Durham's Charlie Montoyo - a former Red Barons infielder - earned Manager of the Year honors.

Contact the writer: dcollins@timesshamrock.com