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Buckeyes search for elite running backs

COLUMBUS — Ohio State running backs coach Carlos Locklyn likes what he has seen from OSU’s ball carriers in spring practice despite two of its best runners, sophomores Bo Jackson and Isaiah West, being sidelined by shoulder surgeries to repair injuries from last season. And he expects to like it even more when Jackson and West return for the regular season in September. “So they’re out? We’re going to be just fine. And when they come back we’re going to be even better. Instead of having just those two guys we’re going to have five or six (running backs),” Locklyn ...

Braves stick it to Guardians

ATLANTA (AP) — Matt Olson gave Atlanta the lead with a long two-run homer off Slade Cecconi in a six-run sixth inning and the Braves beat the Cleveland Guardians 11-5 on Friday night in a matchup of first-place teams. The Guardians led 2-1 before Ronald Acuna Jr. hit a tying homer off Cecconi in the sixth. Following a single by Drake Baldwin, Olson pulled the 441-foot homer off the top of the Chop House restaurant roof in right field for a 4-2 lead. The blast was Olson’s fourth of the season. With Cleveland right-hander Matt Festa on the mound, Dominic Smith had a run-scoring ...

Masters’ gnome becomes a hot commodity at Augusta

AUGUSTA, Ga. (AP) — John James arrived at Augusta National an hour before the gates opened to patrons for the 90th Masters — all for the purpose of securing a 13 1/2-inch tall gnome. “Had to have one,” said James, who was attending the Masters from Wyckoff, New Jersey. “It’s a novelty.” This is the 10th and perhaps final year Augusta National will sell the limited edition gnome, which features the traditional old man with a white beard in colorful golf attire. Each year’s gnome is different, with the 2026 edition featuring the character dressed in khaki pants with a ...

CORRECTION

In Thursday’s edition, POP! Art Books Culture in Boardman was inadvertently omitted from the list of bookstores participating a “bookstore crawl” across the Mahoning Valley.

McIlory shows why he is the champ

AUGUSTA, Ga. (AP) — Rory McIlroy began his title defense in the Masters with a tee shot that rolled next to a spectator’s seat. Another one was in the trees. His tee shot on the seventh hole went into the 17th fairway. The prevailing thought was not concern, not the slightest bit of panic. He’s the Masters champion. That brought a measure of patience and a load of freedom. “I just trusted that eventually I’ll start to make some good swings. So that was a little different,” McIlroy said after opening with a 5-under 67, his best start at Augusta National in 15 years, to ...

AROUND THE HORN

West Branch blanks Salem BELOIT — The West Branch tennis team didn’t drop a set in spoiling Salem’s season opener with a 5-0 victory Thursday. The Warriors improve to 3-1 overall and 2-0 in the Eastern Buckeye Conference. They will host New Philadelphia on Monday. West Branch 5, Salem 0 FIRST SINGLES: Austin Hawk (WB) def. Avery Yerkey, 6-0, 6-0. SECOND SINGLES: Damon Edward (WB) def. Ty Tomkinson, 6-3, 6-1. THIRD SINGLES: Cameron McCartney (WB) def. Max Hammers, 6-1, 6-4. FIRST DOUBLES: Jeremy Augustein-Connor Loper (WB) def. Ryan Folger-Trevor Bails, 6-0, ...