News & notes

 They finished championship month in Saratoga in style Wednesday, as both Saratoga Catholic and Saratoga Springs High were honored by the city's mayor, John Stafford, and given a parade. Stafford also did a coin toss with coaches Alphonse "Phonsey" Lambert & Andy Cuthbertson to see who'd get their mayoral proclamation first. Coupled with the Belmont Stakes Festival at the track, you can understand why it was "championship month" in Spa City.

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For some reason, NYRA is promoting next week's live racing separately from the rest of the summer meet, pushing a 4 day July 4 Racing Festival (July 3-6) as a much more special event.

Here's a thought. Next year, just start with the Belmont Festival in June, and go from there with the longest meet in Spa history. Shoot, I'm old enough to remember when it was just a 24 day meet back in the day.

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For the 2nd time in less than a week, the Tri-City Valleycats got a complete game pitching performance.

Easton Klein checked Ottawa on 4 hits, walked 1, and struck out 5 as Tri-City evened the series with a 7-0 win. Jake Reinisch, for the 2nd straight game, went 1-2 with 2 walks, this time adding 2 RBI with his 6th homer of the season.

The series concludes tonight before the 'Cats travel to Sussex County tomorrow.

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Bernie Williams left baseball behind after retiring after the 2007 season, but the former Yankee outfielder, who started his career with the Class AA Albany-Colonie Yankees in 1989, is returning to New York this weekend.

Williams and his jazz band will play at a festival in Millbrook, Dutchess County, where Williams will unveil his brand of wines, his latest hobby. The closest he's come playing in the 518 proper was at the Pruyn House in Latham in 2017 at a benefit for the Center For Disability Services.

Can we get him to play the Troy Music Hall? Just asking for a friend.

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DJ Jones had a tough act to follow when he succeeded Jamil Hood at Green Tech, but three sectional titles and a Class AAA state title later, Jones is moving on.

After 7 seasons as the head man at Green Tech, Jones will take on the dual roles of athletic director and men's varsity basketball coach at KIPP Capital Region, located on Northern Boulevard in Albany. Point guard Indavier Barnes is transferring to KIPP-CR to join Jones. KIPP-CR will be a Class C school as it is getting its feet wet in Section II.

Stay tuned.

News & notes

 Former RPI hockey coach Dave Smith has found a new job, and it may just bring him back to the 518 next season.

Smith was named coach & general manager of the Rapid City Rush, the ECHL affiliate of the Calgary Flames. Not sure if the Rush will see the Adirondack Thunder next season, but a visit to Glens Falls would give the Thunder something to promote.

Smith was dismissed by RPI in March after 7 seasons over an 8 year period (the 2020-1 season was cancelled due to the COVID pandemic).

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The Tri-City Valleycats are in a bit a rut.

The 'Cats have now lost four of their last five after dropping a 3-2 decision to Ottawa last night at Bruno Stadium. The last place Titans just happened to catch the 'Cats at just the wrong time for Tri-City, which is chasing Quebec for the North Division lead in the Atlantic Conference.

The series resumes tonight at 6:30 pm.

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Troy High men's basketball coach Jamil Hood is looking for a new star attraction.

That's because Stetson Merritt, after 3 varsity seasons, is leaving Troy and will transfer to the New Hampton School in New Hampshire. Merritt was the Flying Horses' leading scorer the last couple of seasons.

It's not the first time Troy has lost a star player to a prep school. Zach Radz transferred to one 10 years ago, and fell off the radar. Daniel Buie left for Gould Academy in Maine a couple of years later, and recently finished his college career.

Merritt, like ex-LaSalle player Davon Maloney, plays for the Albany City Rocks travel team, and those teams attract not only college scouts, but prep school scouts for underclassmen. As of now, Merritt is still on course to graduate in 2027.

Hearing rumors that Maloney's former running partner, Tre'Dell Faison, may be leaving LaSalle, too.. Stay tuned.

News & notes

 When racing resumes at Saratoga in 10 days, on July 3, one Hall of Fame trainer won't be working.

D. Wayne Lukas, 82, has passed his stable to one of his assistants after some recent health problems, per an article published in today's papers. Lukas was the leading trainer six times over a seven year period at the Old Spa, and won 15 Triple Crown races.

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The Tri-City Valleycats may need to hand out towels, water, & sunscreen for the first two games of their series with Ottawa, starting tomorrow night, with temperatures still in the 90's by game time both nights.

The 'Cats, however, dropped a 4-3 decision to Down East on Sunday, ending a 3-3 road trip.

News & notes

 After splitting the first four games of their series with the Down East Bird Dawgs, the Tri-City Valleycats got back down to business Saturday night.

Arlo Marynczak (Bethlehem/Siena) pitched a complete game with 12 strikeouts, as Tri-City's offense matched his K total in a 12-0 blowout.

Note that in the 3 wins in this series, Tri-City has piled up 44 runs against Down East's 3. The Bird Dawgs' 2 wins were closer games, including a walk-off on Friday. In all, the 'Cats have scored 58 runs in the 5 games to Down East's 19.

The series concludes today at 1:30 pm.

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Next victim?

The Albany Firebirds left no doubt who was the better team Saturday in their AF1 semi-final vs. Salina, blowing out the Liberty, 75-44.

Albany will find out who will challenge them for the Arena Crown next Saturday afternoon when Southwest Kansas & Nashville meet later today.

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Ana Gold & the Blaze are having a rough time in the AUSL.

The Blaze were blown out, 11-3, Saturday, by the Bandits in a game broadcast on MLB Network. Gold went 1-3 in the game. 

Just as unfortunate is the fact that the AUSL's itinerary doesn't include the northeast, and especially the 518, denying Gold (Ballston Spa/Duke) the opportunity to play in front of family & friends.

And we're hearing they'll settle on host cities for the teams next season, perhaps with hope of expansion. 

Give New York an AUSL franchise!

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If you're wondering why the Albany Times-Union hasn't been keeping track of 518 alums in the pros during baseball season, as they'd been doing in recent years, it's due to a lack of available space. Plus, flag football beat reporter Kyra Santicola was promoted to sports editor earlier this year, succeeding Bill Douglas, and probably hasn't gotten a chance to compile stats. If the charts don't start appearing soon, then we have to think it's now a lower priority. Stay tuned.

News & notes

 We reported earlier this week that LaSalle's Davon Maloney was transferring to the Newman School in Boston for next season.

While Maloney is playing for the Albany City Rocks this summer, he's getting more offers from Division 1 colleges. He'd already gotten feelers closer to home from Siena & UAlbany during high school season, but now we're hearing he's gotten offers from Drexel, Penn State, Monmouth, & Yale, which just got a commitment from Albany Academy's Jack Louridas last week. Maloney is in St. Louis this week for the Nike Elite 100 camp.

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The Tri-City Valleycats have gone on a scoring spree while playing the Down East Bird Dawgs.

The 'Cats have won the first two games of a 6 game series in dominating fashion, outscoring the Bird Dawgs, 30-5. OUCH!!!!! After a 10-3 win on Tuesday, Tri-City used a 9 run 7th inning to lock down Wednesday's game to the tune of 20-2.

The series continues tonight at 7.

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While we were concerned with Section II teams in state competition the last two weeks, individual efforts in track & field have netted some attention as well.

Columbia junior Ava Weiss won her 2nd straight state title in the 400 meter hurdles. Senior Jabari Holder swept the Class A & Federation titles in the triple jump with a career best 47 feet, 10 1/4 inches leap.

Weiss & Holder are in Philadelphia for the New Balance Nationals at Franklin Field, starting today.

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When the Albany Firebirds take the field vs. Salina on Saturday, they will be without lineman Harold Love, who was suspended for "unacceptable" penalties in the season finale vs. Washington last Saturday. Love racked up 3 personal fouls in the game, including 2 roughing the passer calls.

Again, if Albany wins, they'll host the Arena Crown on July 5.

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Bethlehem graduate Claire Hutton, currently with the Kansas City Current, has been called up to play some "friendlies" for the US National Women's soccer team. It is her fourth call-up this season, the last coming earlier this month. She'll be with KC teammates Michelle Cooper & Izzy Rodriguez for games vs. Ireland next Thursday, and June 29. Next Thursday's game is in Commerce City, Colorado, and the June 29 game is in Cincinnati. Both games are scheduled to air on Tru TV and Universo. TBS will carry the game in Colorado, while the game in Cincinnati will be on TNT. HBO Max & Peacock will stream both games. After that, the USWNT will play Canada in Washington at the Allstate Continental Clasico on July 2 (TNT/Tru TV/Universo/HBO Max/Peacock).

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Time now to complete our preview of LaSalle's fall 2025 sports calendar. The Cadets don't have tennis scheduled as of now for the women, and we'll skip cross country. That leaves soccer. 

August:

28: Women's home opener vs. Ravena. Men at Ravena.

30: Men's home opener vs. St. Joe's.

31: Men vs. CBA-Syracuse.

September:

2: Women @ Lansingburgh. Men vs. 'Burgh.

4: Women @ Mohonasen. Men vs. Mohon.

9: Women vs. Voorheesville. Men at Voorheesville.

11: Women @ Holy Trinity.

13: Women vs. Waterford.

15: Women vs. Berne-Knox-Westerlo.

16: Women vs. Academy of Holy Names.

18: Men @ Albany Academy. Women vs. Albany Academy.

23: Women vs. Schalmont. Men @ Schalmont.

25: Women @ Troy. Men vs. Troy.

30: Women @ Cohoes. Men vs. Cohoes.

October:

6: Women vs. Ichabod Crane. Men @ Ichabod Crane.

9: Women vs. Holy Trinity. (Senior Night)

14: Women @ Academy of Holy Names.

16: Men vs. Albany Academy. (Senior night).

Home games are played at Sutton Field.

News & notes

 The Albany Firebirds will host Salina on Saturday night in the AF1 semi-finals. Game time is 7 pm at MVP Arena.

The Liberty took Albany to overtime before losing last month. A win here, and the 'Birds will host the title game.

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CBA announced Monday that varsity men's lacrosse coach Richard Scully is stepping down after 23 seasons at the helm. Scully, per the Albany Times-Union, likely will continue as the freshman basketball coach.

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The dominoes are starting to fall at LaSalle, and we're not talking about coaches, either.

We're learning that standout sophomore Davon Maloney is transferring to the Newman School in Boston, in the hopes of enhancing his chances of earning a Division 1 scholarship. Word I'm hearing is that there may be more players in other Section II schools who will follow the same path.

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Speaking of LaSalle, as promised, here's their volleyball & women's swimming schedules for 2025.

Volleyball:

September:

4: Home opener vs. Ravena. Matches are played at McCormick Hall.

9: @ Lansingburgh.

11: @ Mohonasen.

16: Voorheesville.

18: @ Troy.

25: Academy of Holy Names.

29: Albany Academy.

October:

1: Duanesburg.

7: Schalmont.

9: @ Cohoes.

14: Ichabod Crane.

17: Notre Dame-Bishop Gibbons. (Senior Night)

21: @ Academy of Holy Names.

23: @ Albany Academy.

28: Sectional seedings are announced.

Swimming:

September:

12: Home opener vs. Emma Willard at Troy Boys & Girls Club.

26: Mohonasen.

October :

3: Academy of Holy Names.

10: Ravena/Greenville.

18: Colonial Council championships. Site TBA.

More dates for swimming figure to be announced later this summer.

Thursday: Soccer.

News & notes

 Niskayuna's loss is Albany Academy's gain.

It was reported over the weekend that Daniel Smalls is transferring to Albany Academy, a move meant to enhance his chances of gaining a Division 1 college scholarship.

In other Albany Academy news, sources are saying that Academy, which is already fielding football & hockey teams in the New England Prep School Athletic Council (NEPSAC) may be doing the same in basketball. The Cadets already have a hybrid schedule that enables them to play a larger number of non-league games aside from their commitments to the Colonial Council. We're waiting on confirmation.

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The Brockton Rox left town with a split of their four game series with the Tri-City Valleycats, rallying twice in the late innings to beat the 'Cats, 12-8, Sunday at Bruno Stadium in front of nearly 5000 fans.

Arlo Marynczak (Bethlehem/Siena), on 3 days rest, pitched six innings, and got a no-decision. Marynczak gave up four runs on four hits, walked four, and struck out two.

Jake Reinisch (Shenendehowa/Wake Forest) was 0-4 with a walk.

Derek Bender (Albany Academy/Coastal Carolina) was 1-3 with a walk, a home run, his 2nd in as many days, an RBI, and 3 runs scored. His collegiate alma mater advanced in the College World Series later in the night.

Ben Seiler (Albany Academy/Siena) made his return from the injured list, and pitched an inning in relief, allowing only a walk while striking out two.

Brett Young (Albany Academy/George Washington/Siena/VCU) did not play after starting the last three games.

The teams will play one more series in Brockton in August.

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All this week, we'll be posting fall sports schedules for LaSalle. Today, we start with golf. The men get a head start in August, while the women begin play in September.

Men:

August:

21: Home opener vs. Ravena @ Frear Park.

22: @ Schalmont.

26: Voorheesville.

28: Albany Academy.

29: "@" Catholic Central. As we noted when posting Troy's schedule, CCHS didn't field a men's golf team last season, so we'll see about this.

September:

2: Women's home opener vs. Academy of Holy Names, men vs. Troy.

4: Women vs. Albany Academy, men @ Mohonasen.

9: Men vs. Lansingburgh, women @ Catholic Central (@ Mill Road Acres).

11: Men @ Ichabod Crane, women @ Voorheesville.

16: Men @ Ravena, women vs. Mohonasen.

18: Men @ Schalmont, women @ Academy of Holy Names.

19: Men @ Albany Academy (Normanside Country Club).

22: Women @ Albany Academy.

24: Men vs. Catholic Central. (Senior Day)

25: Women vs. Catholic Central, men "@" Troy.

30: Men @ Voorheesville, women host Voorheesville  for Senior Day.

October:

3: Men's Colonial Council championships, site TBA.

7: Men's sectionals @ Halfmoon, women @ Mohonasen.

8: Women's Colonial Council championships, site TBA.

We will cover women's swimming & volleyball tomorrow.