News & notes

Three years after his twin brother, Ian, was drafted by Atlanta, Shenendehowa alumnus Ben Anderson, having finished his junior season at Binghamton, was selected Wednesday by the San Diego Padres, who are no strangers to Section II, having drafted pitcher Tim Stauffer a few years back.

Ian is currently pitching for the Braves' AA farm team in Mississippi, and could be a year or two away from the majors. Ben's journey begins later this month.
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State regional play began in softball & baseball on Thursday, and for the Section II teams that played, the theme was, well, taking no prisoners, as all five teams that played won in blowout fashion.

We'll start with baseball.

In Class A, Ballston Spa shut out Massena, 10-0, to advance to the quarterfinals, where they'll host Whitesboro at Shuttleworth Park in Amsterdam on Saturday at 12:30 pm. If the Scotties win, they will play the winner of a game between Clarke & Sayville at Union-Endicott High on June 14, with the title game the next day.

Over in Class B, Schuylerville blew away Northeastern Clinton, 11-1, and will host Ogdensburg Free Academy at the Plumeri Sports Complex Saturday at 1. A win here, and the Black Horses would play the winner of a game between Le Roy & Medina.

I should note that both Ballston Spa & Schuylerville were seeded second in their respective classes, as was Shenendehowa in Class AA.

They'll be playing a double-header at Plumeri for Section II fans on Saturday, as Class C champion Fort Plain shut down Norwood-Norfolk, 11-0. They'll host Ticonderoga on Saturday at 4.
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In softball, only two Section II teams saw action.

In Class B, Ichabod Crane crushed Ogdensburg Free Academy, 14-2. The Lady Riders will travel to SUNY-Plattsburgh tomorrow to play Plattsburgh High, even though it's a de facto home game for Plattsburgh.

Over in Class C, Chatham battered Ticonderoga by the same 14-2 score. Next stop is SUNY-Potsdam to play St. Lawrence Central.

Fort Ann, the D champ, plays today vs. Crown Point, while Colonie & Ballston Spa begin play tomorrow.
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A quick reminder that the 518 Futures All-Star Game will be played tomorrow at Bruno Stadium at 6 pm. Coupled with the Albany Empire playing another home game at Times-Union Center, the Troy Fighting Irish, who open their season at Lansingburgh High tomorrow vs. Ithaca, will be hard pressed to fill the bleachers, much less get any sort of attention from the press. Stay tuned.