News & notes

 A week ago, 17 horses were killed in a barn fire at Saratoga Casino & Hotel.

On Sunday, the track will host a memorial service for all 17 horses. WTEN's Lydia Kulbida fills us in.

The Carolina Blaze dropped a 5-1 decision to the Chicago Bandits Monday afternoon. Ana Gold (Ballston Spa/Duke) was 0-2 with a walk, a HBP, and an RBI. After 2 days off, the Blaze return home to Duke University's ballpark to open a series with the Utah Talons on Thursday. The schedule:

Thursday at 7 pm (ESPN).

Friday at 6 pm (CBS Sports Network).

Saturday at 2 pm (ESPN).

Here's to hoping more Section II players join the AUSL.

News & notes

 The Carolina Blaze will try to close out their series with the Chicago Bandits today at 1 pm after last night's game was rained out. What we're not sure of is if the game will be televised.

The Mets return to WTEN after 2 weeks off (we think) on Friday to open a home series against the Philadelphia Phillies. First pitch is at 7:10 pm.

Over the last few days, the Tri-City ValleyCats have seen two more players leave for the big leagues.

Infielder Parker Coddou had his contract transferred to the Colorado Rockies, where he'll begin play in the minors. On Saturday, Shenendehowa grad Jake Reinisch had his contract transferred to the Athletics, pending a physical, leaving Aaron Whitley (Niskayuna) as the lone Section II alumnus on the roster.

On Sunday, the 'Cats won the rubber game of their series with Brockton, 15-8. David Glancy, Amani Larry, & Brayden Jobert homered for the 'Cats. Whitley went 3-5 with 2 RBI to raise his average to a team leading .392. Tommy Kretzler (Colonie) was held in check again, going 0-2 with 2 walks, but Derek Bender bounced back from an oh-fer of his own on Saturday by going 3-5 himself with an RBI & a run scored.

Tri-City returns home tomorrow to open a series with the NY Boulders. Game time is 6:30 pm.

News & notes

 The Tri-City ValleyCats might've finally solved their pitching problems.

Arlo Marynczak (Bethlehem/Siena) got his first start of the season Saturday at Brockton, and went 4 innings, giving up 2 runs on 3 hits while striking out 6. The bullpen did the rest, while the offense hit double figures yet again in a 12-5 rout of the Rox. 

Bryden Jobert & Josh Leslie homered for Tri-City. ValleyCats pitching shut down Derek Bender (Albany Academy/Coastal Carolina) for once, as he went 0-5, finishing with the dreaded golden sombrero (4 strikeouts). Tommy Kretzler (Colonie) was 0-3 with a sacrifice fly. Jake Reinisch & Aaron Whitley were given the night off, and likely will play in today's Father's Day matinee at 1 pm.

In the AUSL, the mercy rule is a little different than in high school or college softball. If you're up by 8 or more after 5 innings, they'll call the game.

That's exactly what happened on Saturday when Carolina shut out Chicago, 8-0. The Blaze scored three runs each in the 1st & 3rd innings, and that was enough. Ana Gold (Ballston Spa/Duke) was moved to the leadoff spot, and went 1-4 with a run scored. Rookie Karlya Pickens (Tennessee) went the full 5 to pick up the win.

The teams close the series tonight at 8 (MLB Network).

Former ValleyCat Chris Burgess made it to national television as a member of the Indianapolis Clowns as part of the 2026 Banana Ball World Tour, which brought the Clowns & Savannah Bananas to Cincinnati on Saturday night. The Bananas defeated Indy, 7-3.

The Albany Firebirds have proven mortal after all.

The 'Birds dropped their 2nd straight, 78-69, to Nashville on Saturday, as there were breakdowns on defense & special teams, enabling the Kats to avenge the Arena Crown loss a year. Now, revenge is on the 'Birds' side, as Nashville comes to Albany July 11, but before that, it'll be Beaumont seeking revenge as they welcome Albany in 2 weeks.

News & notes

 The final round of the College World Series is set, as North Carolina & Oklahoma will meet on Saturday in a best of 3 series to determine the national baseball champion.

Oklahoma punched its ticket by beating Georgia for the 2nd time in 3 days, 11-4, on Wednesday. Mike O'Shaughnessy (CBA) didn't start for Georgia, but was a defensive replacement late in what would be his final college game. Now, it's just a question of if he'll be drafted next month.

Jeff Hoffman (Shaker) lost his closer's job with the Toronto Blue Jays due to recent struggles, but looked like he was back to form last night with a scoreless inning vs. Boston, as the Blue Jays defeated the Red Sox, 3-0. Tommy Kahnle didn't get in the game for Boston, but pitched on Tuesday, giving up a run on 2 hits. Hoffman has appeared in both games so far, an inning apiece, clean as a sheet.

It took just over 4 hours before the Tri-City ValleyCats defeated Quebec, 13-12, on Wednesday night. Kai Moody, Jake Reinisch, & Brayden Jobert homered for Tri-City, as Chad Gartland, newly acquired from Down East, picked up the win in relief after blowing the save in the 9th inning.

The teams will close out the series tonight at 6:50 pm.

The Carolina Blaze dropped a 4-3 decision to Chicago Wednesday night in Rosemont, Illinois. Ana Gold (Ballston Spa/Duke) went 1-4 with an RBI. Her average has dropped to .235 amidst a current slump. After 2 days off, the series resumes Saturday at noon (ESPN2), and, then, they'll be under the lights on Sunday night (MLB Network, 8 pm.).

Suddenly, the Albany Firebirds have one less game on their schedule.

The folding of the Oregon Lightning has created a void in the AF1 schedule for the rest of the season. A game for Albany vs. Kentucky has been cancelled, and now Albany has one home game left, vs. Beaumont, next month.

News & notes

 The Tri-City ValleyCats have given up 32 runs in their last two games. At least they tried to keep up on Tuesday night.

Quebec got the better of the 'Cats again, 13-12, even though their own pitching staff was battered. Jake Reinisch (Shenendehowa/Wake Forest) crushed his 5th homer, a moonshot to left that left the park in a matter of seconds, based on reports.

The teams will continue the series tonight, weather permitting, at 6:50 pm.

In other 'Cats news, pitcher Logan Jones was claimed off waivers by the Florence (KY) Y'alls, and will likely see his former team soon.

Georgia eliminated Texas, 2-0. Tuesday night at the College World Series, and will get a rematch with Oklahoma tonight (7 pm, ESPN). Mike O'Shaughnessy (CBA) was 0-1 with 2 walks, as he has been slumping.

Mickey Mouse has forced RPI & Union to move the Mayor's Cup out of Albany for 2027.

Well, not really.

The 2027 Mayor's Cup will be contested January 23 at Harding Mazzotti Arena in Glens Falls due to a scheduling conflict with the Disney on Ice tour, which, due to scheduling reroutes of their own, can only come to Albany on the 23rd at MVP Arena. According to MVP Arena GM Bob Belber, he was contacted by promoter Feld Entertainment in December about the scheduling. Both schools were offered the opportunity to play the games three weeks earlier, on January 2, but both declined. Officials from Glens Falls and Warren County will join Mayors Mike McCarthy & Carmella Mantello in attending the games. No word on if Albany Mayor Dorcey Applyrs will join in as of press time.

Here's an idea. For those of us plebians who can't make the pilgrimage to Glens Falls, why not have the game broadcast on TV, sponsored, of course, by Harding Mazzotti? Can't hurt.

LaSalle 2026-7 hockey schedule released

 It's mid-June, and LaSalle has finalized its 2026-7 hockey schedule. There are, as of press time, 2 open dates at Knickerbacker Arena, meaning coach Tim Flanigan is looking to schedule some teams from outside Section II to fill those dates.

The lineup:

December:

4: @ Plattsburgh.

5: vs. Beekmantown @ Plattsburgh State.

9: @ Saratoga.

12: Home opener vs. opponent TBA.

18-19: Hawks tournament at M & T Bank Mohawk Harbor Center. Mohawk Valley & Iroquois Arlen are the out-of-section opponents. LaSalle will play Iroquois Arlen on the 18th, and Mohawk Valley on the 19th.

23: @ Adirondack.

January:

2: Shenendehowa.

8: CBA.

9: @ CD Jets.

15: Burnt Hills-Ballston Spa.

16: Cadets For Vets vs. CD Jets.

22: @ CBA.

23: @ Guilderville.

29: Bethlehem.

30: Queensbury.

February:

5: @ Hawks.

6: @ Bethlehem.

12: TBA.

13: Senior Night vs. Guilderville.

Dates are subject to change due to weather or other factors.

News & notes

 17 horses are dead following an overnight barn fire near the Saratoga Casino & Raceway. The fire started around 2:30 am this morning, and is still under investigation.

As a result, today's matinee card has been cancelled.

Niskayuna has found its next varsity football coach.

Pete Furey was hired over the weekend to succeed Brian Grasdorf, who stepped down over the winter. Furey's father, John, has been coaching for more than 2 decades, and we wouldn't be surprised to see the elder Furey on the Nisky sideline this fall.

Georgia will look to avoid being eliminated from the College World Series tonight (7 pm, ESPN) after losing to Oklahoma, 4-3, on Monday. Mike O'Shaughnessy (CBA) went 0-3, striking out twice.

If Georgia defeats Texas tonight, they could see the Sooners again in an instant rematch tomorrow night.

A year ago, the now-Carolina Blaze couldn't buy a win in the Athletes Unlimited Softball League.

Now, however, they're 4-1 after sweeping the Texas Volts, 6-5, in 9 innings on Monday. Ana Gold (Ballston Spa/Duke) went 1-5 with 2 RBI and a run scored. The Blaze will hit the road on Wednesday to open a series vs. the Chicago Bandits (6 pm, CBS Sports Network, Spectrum channel 315).