Yankee start times
The Pulaski Yankees today announced the start times for all home games at Motor Mile Field at Calfee Park for the 2019 season. All games will begin at 6:30 p.m. with the exception of an 11 a.m. first pitch on Field Trip Day on August 20.
The change to the Yankees’ standard start time comes as a result of a motion passed at the 2018 Baseball Winter Meetings in Las Vegas stating all Appalachian League games will be scheduled to start no later than 6:30 p.m.
On Tuesday August 20, the Yankees will host Field Trip Day at Calfee Park, inviting local sixth grade classes from schools in Pulaski County, Montgomery County, Wythe County, Floyd County, and the City of Radford to an 11 a.m. game against the Johnson City Cardinals.
Gates will open one hour prior to first pitch at 5:30 p.m. throughout the season and 10 a.m. on Field Trip Day. Doubleheaders, when necessary, will begin at 5:30 p.m. with gates opening at 5 p.m.
Jones Big South POY
Thanks to his late game heroics in back-to-back overtime games, Radford’s Carlik Jones has been tabbed Big South Men’s Basketball Player of the Week for the second time this season, the conference office announced.
The redshirt sophomore from Cincinnati, Ohio is now averaging 33.7 minutes, 16.3 points, 5.1 rebounds, 5.9 assists and 1.6 steals per game all while shooting 49.3-percent from the field.
Dunn new to Hokie staff
Following a third successive trip to the NCAA Tournament in 2018, Virginia Tech men’s soccer head coach Mike Brizendine has added Josh Dunn to the program’s staff Wednesday afternoon. Dunn comes to Blacksburg from North Florida where he has served for the past eight seasons.
Dunn played a key role in the resurgence of North Florida men’s soccer program that has seen 13 players receive all-conference honors, nine players garner NSCAA All-Region accolades and five players named to the Atlantic Sun All-Freshman Team in just the last five seasons. In his first season as Associate Head Coach in 2015, the Ospreys won the program’s first ever Atlantic Sun Conference Championship and appeared in the school’s first NCAA Tournament. UNF’s staff was awarded the 2015 A-Sun Coaching Staff of the Year after the program’s first 10-win season in 15 years.
Dunn also served as the Director of Coaching for the Team America Soccer Club for three years.
Nolan honored nationally
After turning in an impressive showing at the plate this past weekend in Charleston, South Carolina, Virginia Tech softball’s Caitlyn Nolan has been named the Louisville Slugger/NFCA DI National Player of the Week on Tuesday.
The senior was a key reason in the Hokies’ 5-0 start to the season at the Cougar Classic, marking only the fourth time in school history. Nolan slashed a .714 batting average, nine RBIs, two home runs, three doubles and three walks back in her home state.
Nolan got a hit in every game, including at least two in the first four contests. She also swiped three steals on the base paths.
Rivers co-player of week
Radford redshirt junior forward Lydia Rivers (Kinston, N.C.) has been named the Big South Conference Women’s Basketball Co-Players of the Week for games played Feb. 4-10, it was announced today by the Conference office.
Rivers posted a pair of double-doubles last week, as she helped the Highlanders maintain first place in the conference standings with two key league wins. On Tuesday, the forward was one of five Radford players to score in double figures with 14 points and a team-high 15 rebounds to help fend off Gardner-Webb, 79-69. She later led the Highlanders with 17 points and 16 rebounds, including four boards in overtime, to guide Radford to an 84-79 2OT triumph at High Point on Saturday. She closed the stretch 12-for-24 from the field and averaged 15.5 points with 15.5 rebounds.
Rec center hosts health fair
The Christiansburg Recreation Center will be hosting the NRV Community Health Fair from 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 21.
The health fair will feature a variety of local healthcare groups, free health screenings, refreshments and prizes.
Lifeguard training
A Certified Lifeguard Training Class will be offered beginning Monday, Feb. 18. Classes meet for one week, Monday through Friday, 4-9 p.m. at the Blacksburg Aquatic Center.
Lifeguard candidates will learn the skills and knowledge needed to prevent and respond to aquatic emergencies. Students must attend all class sessions, demonstrate competency in all required skills and activities, demonstrate competency in the three final skill scenarios and correctly answer 80% of the questions on the final written exam.
This class is open to those 15 years and older. The fee for the class is $215 for town residents and $225 for non-residents.
For more information, contact Charles Horton at 443-1122. To register, visit www.blacksburg.gov/recreation.