Clippers, Devils in Niles

NILES — Columbiana and Lisbon will finish the summer baseball season this afternoon at Eastwood Field, home of the Mahoning Valley Scrappers. First pitch is scheduled at 5:30 p.m.

Admission is $5 for adults and $3 for children. There will be a waiver for players and fans to sign when arriving at the ballpark.

Dolphins pick up Shaheen

MIAMI (AP) — Tight end Adam Shaheen was traded to the Miami Dolphins by the Chicago Bears on Saturday for a conditional late-round draft pick.

Shaheen was slowed by injuries in his three seasons with the Bears, starting games and catching four touchdown passes. His roster spot with the team in 2020 was in jeopardy. In Miami, he’ll compete with Mike Gesicki and Durham Smythe.

Chicago took Shaheen in the second round of the 2017 draft.

Shaheen, who was an NCAA Division II All-American at Ashland (Ohio) University, has 26 catches for 249 yards and four touchdowns in 27 career NFL games.

Oklahoma will play Aug. 29

NORMAN, Okla. (AP) — Oklahoma has moved its football opener against Missouri State up a week to Saturday, Aug. 29.

The Sooners said the NCAA approved a waiver request from both schools to change the date to allow more schedule flexibility amid the coronavirus pandemic. Oklahoma is set to face Tennessee in another home game Sept. 12, then travel to Army for a Sept. 26 contest.

“It provides us a more gradual approach to safely manage the conditions of these unprecedented times,” athletic director Joe Castiglione said in a statement.

Two Browns on COVID-19 list

CLEVELAND (AP) — Cleveland Browns running back Dontrell Hilliard and safety Jovante Moffatt were placed on the NFL’s reserve/COVID-19 list before training camp opened.

The team announced the moves on Sunday night. Cleveland’s veterans are scheduled to report Tuesday to the training facility in Berea, Ohio.

Hilliard has played in 25 games for Cleveland since joining as an undrafted free agent in 2018. Last season, he rushed 49 yards with two touchdowns and led the team in kickoff return yardage (421).

Moffatt signed as undrafted free agent out of Middle Tennessee State on May 5.

The team said the reserve/COVID list is for players who have tested positive for coronavirus or are being “quarantined after having been in close contact with an infected person or persons.” The team is not permitted to comment further than the player’s roster status.

Youngstown schools eliminate Shepas’ position

YOUNGSTOWN — Rick Shepas began a journey three years ago as the Youngstown City Schools deputy chief of physical development and athletics, hired by former YCS CEO Krish Mohip in July of 2017.

Chaney and East High Schools began to flourish athletically, and Shepas also spearheaded the return of the Steel Valley Conference with East, Chaney, Cardinal Mooney and Ursuline.

Shepas was given notice recently that his job and his salary of more than $110,000 was being dissolved due to financial cuts in the school system. He was informed through an email.

Shepas, a Youngstown State University Athletics Hall of Famer, was a football coach at Waynesburg University, Seneca Valley (Pa.), Poland and Massillon High Schools prior to coming to YCS.

“Was my privilege to serve the young men and women of the Youngstown City Schools,” Shepas said. “We accomplished great things in a short time with a bright future ahead. I am grateful for the opportunity. Love and respect for all the coaches who worked tirelessly to change the culture and atmosphere of the athletic department. “Bright future. Wish everyone the best.”

So what’s in the future for Shepas?

“I still have prime value,” he said. “Good things ahead I’m sure.”

Wisconsin faces $100 million loss

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — University of Wisconsin athletic director Barry Alvarez says the school’s athletic department faces a potential $100 million loss of revenue in its $140 million budget due to challenges brought about by the pandemic.

Alvarez wrote that in an open letter to “fellow Badgers” that appeared on the Wisconsin athletic department’s website.

“The reality is that this financial crisis threatens our ability to sustain the success we’ve celebrated,” Alvarez wrote. “It threatens our pride in what we’ve built. It threatens our position in college athletics.”

Alvarez added that “I believe we will reach a monumental crossroads in the coming days.”

His letter follows a Wisconsin State-Journal repor t that the athletic department could lose more than $100 million if there’s no football season. According to that report, Wisconsin would lose between $60 million and $70 million if the football team played a Big Ten-only schedule while all other sports continued.

Arizona State swimming done for season

TEMPE, Ariz. (AP) – Arizona State’s entire swimming and diving teams will redshirt for the 2020-21 season to avoid the risk of missing two straight national championships.

Sun Devils coach Bob Bowman announced the teams will focus on preparing for the 2021-22 season and Olympic aspirations.

The 2020 NCAA championships were canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic and the athletes were not granted an extra year of eligibility.

Bowman, Olympic swimmer Michael Phelps’ personal coach, said Arizona State’s aquatic facilities have been closed during the pandemic. The swimming and diving season typically runs from September through March.

Maurice Petty helped build dynasty

KANSAS CITY, Kan. (AP) — Maurice Petty, part of a stock car racing dynasty that includes father Lee and brother Richard and the first engine builder to be inducted into the NASCAR Hall of Fame, died Saturday. He was 81.

While other family members were acclaimed for their ability behind the wheel, Maurice Petty earned the nickname “The Chief” for his ability to turn a wrench. He helped his family win 198 races and seven championships in NASCAR’s premier series, and he also built engines that carried Hall of Famer Buddy Baker, Jim Paschal and Pete Hamilton to victory.

Maurice Petty made 26 starts in the NASCAR Cup Series from 1960-64, finishing in the top 5 seven times with 16 top-10 runs. But he quickly decided to focus on what happened under the hood rather than what happened behind the wheel.

Thompson’s celebration was delayed

BLAINE, Minn. (AP) — Without a gallery around him on the 18th green, Michael Thompson settled for a subdued victory celebration at the 3M Open with a FaceTime call home to his wife and children in Georgia. The tears came from him and his wife as soon as they saw each other on the screen.

Thompson birdied two of the last three holes Sunday for a 4-under 67 and a two-stroke victory, finishing off his second PGA Tour win seven years after his first.

“It is a little sad that there wasn’t anybody out there to cheer on some of the great shots that I hit toward the end, but I know everybody who’s rooting for me at least was watching and screaming at their TV,” Thompson said. “This is definitely a win for everybody who supported me throughout the years. It doesn’t diminish the excitement.”