News & notes

 The Tri-City Valleycats and the Trois Rivieres Aigles (3 Rivers Eagles in English) split the first two games of their series, as today's game was the 1st matinee of the season for the 'Cats, marking the return of Education Day.

After a night where the two teams did their best to recreate the high scoring slugfest between the Mets & Colorado on Sunday, with the Aigles winning, 12-11, Tri-City came back today, with Cito Culver pounding two of the 'Cats' 3 homers, to beat Trois Rivieres, 9-2.

The teams finish their series tomorrow with former major leaguer Darryl Strawberry in the house.

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Troy High now knows who their softball team will play in the first state regional game on Thursday.

The school's calendar page on Aktivate was updated to show the Lady Horses will meet Jamesville-DeWitt Thursday in East Syracuse. 1st pitch is scheduled for 5 pm.

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The Albany Patroons took the first steps toward the TBL title by routing Reading Tuesday at the Armory, 111-96. Arsenio Arrington led Albany with 26 points.

Tomorrow, the Pats will open a best of 3 with Northeast Division champ Atlantic City. Games 2 and, if needed, 3, will be in Atlantic City.

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Regional play in women's lacrosse has gotten off to a bad start for Section II.

Tuesday at Schuylerville, the host Black Horses were routed by Bronxville for the 2nd straight year, 18-2. In the nightcap, Suffern defeated Saratoga, 9-7, so the Class A (Saratoga) & D (Schuylerville) champions have been eliminated. The B & C regionals take place today.

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Local wrestling fans will recall Vik Dalicious and Hale Collins, from the Poughkeepsie-Middletown area, as mainstays of local promotions in the last decade.

On Tuesday's NWA Powerr, The Now (Collins & Dalicious) qualified for the 2023 Jim Crockett Memorial Cup tag team tournament. The pay-per-view is coming up soon, so let's hope The Now makes New York proud.

News & notes

 The Tri-City Valleycats return home to Bruno Stadium tonight to host Trois Rivieres, from whom they took 2 of 3 in Canada earlier this month. 1st pitch is at 6:30 pm. The 'Cats are coming off winning their first road series of the season, taking 2 of 3 from the Washington Wild Things over the weekend.

Bring your sunscreen.

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After Shenendehowa won the Class AA baseball title Sunday in a 3-1 win over Saratoga, the state regional schedules for baseball, softball, & lacrosse have been finalized. Here we go.

Keep in mind that as of press time, most of the opponents for Section II teams were not finalized.

Baseball:

Class AA:

Shen vs. Liverpool at Onondaga Community College, Saturday at 3.

Class A:

Columbia vs. either Franklin Academy or the winner of New Hartford vs. Jamesville-Dewitt at Onondaga CC, 6 pm.

Class B:

Ichabod Crane vs. Salmon River, Thursday at 6:30 at Park Terrace Elementary.

Class C:

Chatham vs. Ticonderoga or Canton, site & time to be finalized. The game is set for either St. Lawrence University or SUNY-Plattsburgh

Class D:

Hartford-Fort Edward vs. Lake Placid, Thursday at 4 at SUNY-Plattsburgh.

Men's lacrosse:

Class A:

Shen vs. Monroe-Woodbury, Wednesday at 4:30 at Middletown High.

Class B:

Niskayuna vs. Warrick, Wednesday at 6:30 at Middletown High.

Class C:

Burnt Hills vs. Our Lady of Lourdes, Wednesday at 4:30 at O'Neill High.

Class D:

Schuylerville at O'Neill, Wednesday at 6:30.

Women's lacrosse:

Class A:

Saratoga vs. Suffern at Schuylerville, tonight at 7:30 pm.

Class B:

Bethlehem vs. Yorktown at Schuylerville, Wednesday at 7:30.

Class C:

Queensbury vs. John Jay-Cross River at Schuylerville, Wednesday at 5.

Class D:

Bronxville at Schuylerville, today at 5.

Softball:

Class AA:

Shen vs. Baldwinsville or Liverpool, Saturday at 5 at Carrier Park, East Syracuse.

Class A:

Troy High vs. Central Square or Jamesville-DeWitt, Thursday at 5 at Carrier Park.

Class B:

Ichabod Crane vs. Canton or Saranac, Saturday at 4:30 at Luther Forest.

Class C:

Chatham vs. St Lawrence, Wednesday at 4:30 at Luther Forest.

Class D:

Salem vs. opponent to be named, Saturday at 4:30 at Luther Forest.

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The Albany Patroons will open their playoff schedule tonight at the Washington Avenue Armory vs. Reading, bent on revenge against the Rebels after the visitors upset Albany a few weeks back. Start time is 7 pm.

Another coach bites the dust.......

 I've said all along that Antonio Brown is a neophyte as a sports owner. It certainly shows.

The Albany Empire have lost 5 in a row after blowing a 3rd quarter lead and falling to Fayetteville, 47-29, on Saturday. 24 hours later, Pete Porcelli was dismissed as head coach.

Not even the late George Steinbrenner was this impulsive.

With a bye week this week giving Brown two weeks to find a coach, it's going to be even harder to find someone who can stick beyond a week.

Damon Ware lasted three games.

Tom Menas returned, lost two games, and resigned.

Pete Porcelli lasted a week.

If Brown is still looking for a solution to his problems with the team, he needs only look in the mirror.

Yeah, it's his fault. Would Cam Newton actually agree to come to Albany for mere peanuts, given Brown's behavior? Somehow, I doubt it. The Empire, when they travel to Orlando for their next game, will have their 4th coach in 7 games. The once proud franchise is now a laughingstock because they let Brown, with his CTE issues and God knows what else, con them into buying them.

Minority owners Steve & Charlotte Von Schiller didn't have a say in the decision to dump Porcelli, a respected coach who has been a success in Section 2 football. Porcelli, for his part, has to be disappointed that Brown gave him a short leash. Brown's father, "Touchdown" Eddie Brown, is the GM, but did he do anything to try to control his son's impulses? Apparently, no. A Steelers fan site says that Brown's claims of playing on Saturday (and not playing) were a publicity stunt. It seemed to work in that regard, but Brown's not going to be happy unless the Empire can regain its winning ways. No coach in the league, past or present, or anywhere in the 518, is going to want to work for him after this.

The solution, then, is for Brown to forget about playing. Have his father take over as coach. Eddie Brown was a respected star in the 90's, but that star has been dimmed because of his son's inability to run the team.

The for sale sign will be up come July, after the Empire fails to make the playoffs. I shan't be surprised if Brown pulls a Bob John Ray and disappears after the season, after the league is forced to take the team from him, which I think could happen. And it has to.

News & notes

 In the end, it was late paperwork that kept Antonio Brown off the field Saturday night at MVP Arena.

Interest in the 7 time Pro Bowl receiver suiting up for the Albany Empire had the desired effect with an increase in attendance, but the league office didn't get the results of Brown's physical in time, and thus Brown was ruled inactive for the game vs.Fayetteville. The Mustangs sent the Empire to their 5th straight loss, 47-29.

Brown is also claiming that former Heisman Trophy winner Cam Newton will sign with the Empire, but that hasn't happened yet, either. Albany has another bye week before traveling to Orlando to play the Predators in a rematch of the season opener June 9. Don't count on Brown being there, due to the legal issues he's facing in the Sunshine State.

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After disposing of Syracuse at the Armory, the Albany Patroons will host a 1-game playoff on Tuesday, right back at the Armory. We'll know tomorrow who the opponent will be. Tip time is 7 pm.

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The rubber game of the series between the Tri-City Valleycats & Washington Wild Things is underway as we speak. Last night's game felt like they were playing at Coors Field, as the Wild Things won in 10, 13-12.

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Saturday's sectional scoreboard:

Baseball

Class D:

Hartford-Fort Edward 5, Fort Ann 1.

Class C/CC:

Chatham 3, Duanesburg 2.

News & notes

 For the first time since the best of 3 format was adopted, the Section II Class AA title will need a 3rd & deciding game Sunday night at Bruno Stadium.

That's because Shenendehowa forced that 3rd game by routing Saratoga, 10-2. Jason Clawson, son of Shen football coach Brian Clawson, led the way with 4 RBIs on a double and a 3 run triple in the home 6th that put the game away. Christian Mello, pitching on 3 days rest for Saratoga, was the hard luck loser. In all likelihood, the Blue Streaks will go to Michael Mack, also on 3 days rest, tomorrow night.

The game started about a half hour late due to the Class A title game between Albany Academy & Columbia going 10 innings before the Blue Devils scored 3 runs in the top of the 10th to upset the top seeded Cadets, 5-2.

Two more men's lacrosse titles were decided at Schuylerville on Friday. Not surprisingly, Shenendehowa was in the thick of that, too.

The Plainsmen took the Class A title home, beating Suburban Council rival Shaker, 8-7. Host Schuylerville won the Class D title, defeating Stillwater-Mechanicville, representing the Wasaren League, 13-4.

State regional pairings will be announced before the end of the weekend.

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The Tri-City Valleycats defeated the Washington Wild Things, 6-4, Friday night. The series continues tonight.

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The Albany Patroons blew away the Tri-State Admirals, 136-99, Friday at the Armory. The regular season finale is tonight vs. Syracuse in the rubber game of the season series between the two rivals, who have each won a game on the road. Game time is 7 pm, opposite the Albany Empire-Fayetteville Mustangs game down the hill at MVP Arena.

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When Troy High holds its commencement next month, the final farewells for senior star athletes such as Michael DiNardo & Olivia DeCitise, they'll also be saying goodbye to assistant principal Matthew Robinson, who is leaving to be the head man at Ballston Spa. Robinson reached an agreement last month to take the Ballston Spa job, as revealed on the school's Twitter account. Former women's basketball coach Ryan Meikle got on the job training as an assistant principal this season, so maybe Troy was planning ahead, just in case.

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We have to close with some sad news this morning.

Paul Bishop founded, if you will, Hudson Valley Community College's women's basketball program in 1971, and was its head coach for 28 seasons (1971-99), leading the Lady Vikings to a national junior college title in 1993. Bishop also launched the Lady Vikings' volleyball program, and was inducted into the HVCC Hall of Fame and the National Junior College Hall of Fame in 2003 and '04, respectively. He won over 350 games as a basketball coach, and over 270 in volleyball from 1971-88, winning 3 league titles.

On Tuesday, Bishop passed away at 88 while on vacation in his native North Carolina. He & his family had moved to Troy following a stint in the Army. A wake will be held Tuesday at Bryce Funeral Home on Pawling Avenue, and donations are being accepted at Joseph's House on Ferry Street. Most of us who live in downtown, and didn't know about Bishop's coaching career, became familiar with him as a bartender at a number of Troy clubs, including the Rolls Touring Company.

Rest in peace.

News & notes

 The Tri-City Valleycats are on their way to Washington. Pennsylvania, that is, for this weekend's series with the Wild Things. Tri-City won 2 of 3 from Washington in Troy, and will be looking to regain some momentum. First pitch is at 7:05 pm. If you can access the Wild Things' radio feed on mixlr.com, you can save on a subscription to FloBaseball......!

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The Albany Patroons return to the Washington Avenue Armory tonight to close the season with back-to-back home games vs. Tri-State and Syracuse. The Pats have already clinched a playoff spot, but winning the Northeast division would be a cherry on top. Tip-off is at 7, going head-to-head with game 2 of the Class AA championship series between Saratoga & Shenendehowa at Bruno Stadium.

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It's official. Antonio Brown signed a player contract with the Albany Empire, and will be in the lineup for Saturday's game vs. Fayetteville. As owner, Brown is figuring that the combination of himself at receiver and former Firebird Pete Porcelli as coach should bring a few extra fans.

It hasn't occurred to him, however, that part of the reason for declining attendance isn't so much him and his diva antics, but the fact that some nights, the Pats are also in town, and right now, they're the bigger draw in Albany.

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After renewing the Albany Cup series in basketball, Siena & UAlbany will hook it up in baseball next year. The schools have agreed to a mid-week game, either at Siena's Connors Field or at UAlbany, in 2024. 

My take: Why not play the game at the Joe? Sure, attendance for college games, be it UAlbany or HVCC, has been sparse due to lack of promotion or fan interest, but promote this as the Albany Cup for baseball, and you might have something.....!

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RPI AD Lee McElroy is retiring at the end of next month, one year after the retirement of school president Shirley Jackson.

Dr. McElroy previously served as AD at UAlbany before moving across the river.

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The rest of Thursday's sectional action:

Men's lacrosse:

Class B:

Niskayuna 9, Ballston Spa 3.

Class C:

Burnt Hills 14, South Glens Falls 10.

Women's lacrosse:

Class B: 

Bethlehem 12, Niskayuna 6.

Class C:

Queensbury 9, Burnt Hills 7.

Baseball:

Class C:

Duanesburg 6, Warrensburg 2.

Class CC:

Chatham 10, Hoosick Falls 1.

It'll be Duanesburg vs. Chatham Saturday at Bruno Stadium. 1st pitch is at 7 pm.

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I misspoke yesterday in saying state play would be in 2 weeks. Regionals come first, and start June 1.

Class A champion Troy travels to East Syracuse on June 1 to play the Section III winner. First pitch will be at 5 pm.

Class B champ Ichabod Crane will play in East Syracuse June 3.

Class C winner Chatham already knows who's next. They'll meet St. Lawrence next week. Date, site, & time to be announced.

Class D champ Salem returns to Luther Forest to play the Section VII champion June 3 at 4:30.

Class AA winner Shenendehowa's next foe will be announced later.

5 sectional champions are crowned in softball

 For four teams at Luther Forest Sports Complex in Malta and one at Moreau Recreation, it was a happy bus ride home after today's sectional final action in softball. The day started with 5 #1 seeds. It ended with 3 advancing to state play.

Class D:

Salem 4, Argyle 2. Both teams play in the Adirondack League, which can also be referred to as the Rodney Dangerfield league, because the only place where scores are regularly published is the Post-Star out of Glens Falls. Adirondack League scores only appear in the Times-Union when space allows it.

Class C:

Chatham 6, Greenwich 1.

Class B: 

Ichabod Crane 9, Glens Falls 4. The Riders swept the B titles in baseball & softball.

Class AA:

Shenendehowa 7, Colonie 6. The Plainswomen survived a late surge by the Garnet Raiders, who scored 4 runs in the bottom of the 7th.

Saving the best for last:

Class A:

Troy 6, South Glens Falls 2. Back-to-back titles for Sean Geisel's Flying Horses.

Prior to the game, senior ace Olivia DeCitise was named Suburban Council MVP. Then, she went out and did business as usual. The Bulldogs got her for single runs in the 5th & 6th, but by the bottom of the 6th, Troy had built up a 6-1 lead. DeCitise, Section 2 softball's answer to Shohei Ohtani of late, belted her 8th home run of the season to get the scoring started in the top of the 2nd

State play begins in 2 weeks on June 9.

News & notes

 Troy High has found another use for Ed Picken Memorial Field.

The school announced last week that they will hold a special Senior Night outdoors on the field next Friday, June 2, ahead of the annual Senior Prom, set for June 10. Tickets for Senior Night will be $5, and there is an assortment of games and activities, intended not just for the seniors, but their families, it would appear. 

Back when I was a student, the senior class would have a dinner and talent show the first Saturday in June ahead of finals. Apparently, the talent show has given way to this new attraction.

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This morning, the Tri-City Valleycats will seek to win their series vs. Windy City, after shutting out the Thunderbolts, 3-0, on Wednesday. Dwayne Marshall picked up the win for the 'Cats, who return home on  May 30.

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A correction from the women's lacrosse schedule posted yesterday. The Class B title game between Niskayuna and Bethlehem will take place today at Schuylerville, followed by the Class C title game.

Wednesday's sectional scoreboard:

Women's lacrosse:

Class A final:

Saratoga 8, Shaker 5. The Blue Streaks were led by Carly Wise, who had a hat trick. Saratoga will face the Section 1 champion, right back at Schuylerville, Tuesday at 7:30 pm.

Class D final:

Schuylerville 11, Cohoes 10.

Baseball:

Class AA:

Saratoga 3, Shenendehowa 2. The Blue Streaks lead the best of 3 series, 1-0, and could close out the Plainsmen Friday night.

Class B:

Ichabod Crane 6, Cohoes 4.

Today's doubleheader has the Class CC & C finals, with the winners meeting Saturday at 7 pm.

News & notes

 Well, that didn't take long.

After 1 practice with new coach Pete Porcelli, Albany Empire QB Jonathan Bane, according to the Albany Times-Union, reportedly is requesting his release. As of press time, it hasn't been granted, but what might've contributed to Bane's request was the report that Antonio Brown has reached out to veteran NFL QB and yogurt salesman Cam Newton, whose 2nd tour of duty in Carolina didn't pan out.

Newton, the 2010 Heisman Trophy winner out of Auburn, would only be signed as another means of getting more NFL fans into MVP Arena to boost attendance, which has been down this season. Of course, you can pin that on the circus that follows Brown around.

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The Tri-City Valleycats' road trip got off to a bad start Tuesday.

Playing a trio of mid-morning (Central time) matinees vs. the Windy City Thunderbolts, the 'Cats fell into an early 7-0 hole, and almost came all the way back, only to fall short, as the T-Bolts won, 7-6.

The two teams meet again today at 11:35 am (ET).

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Tuesday's softball sectional scoreboard:

Class AA:

Colonie 4, Saratoga 2.

Shenendehowa 9, Guilderland 6 (9 innings).

Class A:

Troy 5, Burnt Hills 0.

South Glens Falls 5, Averill Park 4.

Class B:

Ichabod Crane 10, Mechanicville 2.

Glens Falls 16, Tamarac 4 (6 innings).

Class C:

Chatham 10, Berne-Knox-Westerlo 9.

Greenwich 14, Stillwater 3.

Class D:

Salem 7, Fort Ann 6.

Argyle 12, Germantown 2.

All of the finals, except the Class D title game, are at Luther Forest on Thursday. Salem & Argyle will play at Moreau Recreation.

Tonight's women's lacrosse finals at Schuylerville. Check with your schools, including Schuylerville, to see if the games will be played due to inclement weather forecast for today:

Class A: Saratoga vs. Shaker.

Class B: Niskayuna vs. Bethlehem.

Class D: Schuylerville vs. Cohoes.

The Class D game goes on first---weather permitting----at 5:30, with the others to follow at 7:30 pm. 

Also, despite the confident assurance of a Section II rep I spoke to on Monday, weather does threaten today's doubleheader at Bruno Stadium. The Class B title game vs. Ichabod Crane & Cohoes is scheduled for a 4 pm first pitch, followed by game 1 between Shenendehowa  & Saratoga for the Class AA title. Check with your schools. Going to the Valleycats' website will not be of any help.

News & notes

It'll be an all-Colonial Council final in Class B baseball, scheduled for Wednesday at 4 pm (weather permitting) at Bruno Stadium.

Ichabod Crane shut out Mechanicville (Wasaren League), 7-0, and Cohoes bested Broadalbin-Perth (Foothills Council), 7-4, to advance to the title game.

In other action:

Class CC:

Chatham 4, Maple Hill 1.

Hoosick Falls 11, Granville 4.

Class C:

Duanesburg 4, Saratoga Catholic 1.

Warrensburg 5, Galway 2.

Class D: 

Fort Ann 3, Mekeel Christian 1.

Hartford-Fort Edward 4, Argyle 1.

Men's lacrosse:

Class B:

Niskayuna 18, Columbia 1.

Ballston Spa 13, Queensbury 1.

The title game is at Shaker on Thursday.

Class C:

South Glens Falls 17, Averill Park 4.

Burnt Hills 14, Scotia-Glenville 2.

The title game will also be at Shaker on Thursday.

Class D:

Schuylerville 15, Johnstown 6.

Stillwater-Mechanicville 10, Tamarac-Hoosick Falls 4.

The title game is at Shaker on Friday.

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This might not be a surprise, but Antonio Brown leading with his mouth didn't get him his 1st choice for head coach of the Albany Empire.

After claiming Sunday night that LaSalle football coach John Audino would be the next coach of the Empire, Brown was turned down by Audino, who told reporters that his responsibilities at LaSalle take up a majority of his time.

Fortunately, he has an assistant that knows a little something about the Arena game.

Pete Porcelli, who was one of the original Albany Firebirds in 1990, played 7 seasons for Albany, including a stint when Brown's father, "Touchdown" Eddie Brown, was a star receiver for the 'Birds. Porcelli was also an assistant with the the Conquest in AF2 in 2002 before beginning a successful career as a high school coach, with a resume that includes stops at Lansingburgh, Watervliet, and Hoosic Valley, where he won a sectional title a few years back. 

I get the feeling that Eddie Brown might've put the bug in his son's ear to talk to Porcelli, who will debut at Empire coach Saturday vs. Fayetteville, ostensibly with Antonio Brown lining up as a receiver. Knowing that he's hired a former teammate and friend of his father's may have Antonio on his best behavior on game night, and that's what the Empire needs.

No room for upsets (Class AA semi-finals, 5/22)

 Championship week in Section II began today with doubleheaders in all six classes, at five different venues.

The downside to the early game being at 4 pm is that parents have to leave work early, and fight the rush hour traffic to reach the game site, in this case Bruno Stadium. And, so, it was that the first half of the Monday doubleheader, between Niskayuna & Saratoga, had a sparse crowd that slightly grew as the game progressed.

It started as a pitchers duel between Saratoga's Christian Mello and Niskayuna's Billy Canale. It would be a case of who'd blink first, and, in the 4th inning, it was Canale, who had only allowed a walk and hit two more batters through the first three innings.

In the home 4th, Patrick McKinley led off with a single, the Blue Streaks' 1st hit of the game. Coach Andy Cuthbertson inserted pinch runner Lou Longobardo to run for McKinley. Longobardo stole second, and, one out later, scored on a single by Drew Adams, who, in turn, stole second himself. After a walk to Jack Rigabar, Orion Lansing plated Adams with a base knock, making it 2-0 Saratoga.

Niskayuna answered back in the 5th. Sam Booth led off with a single, and, after a single by Tyler Toth and a 1-out single by Cameron Grasso, Jacob Pirrone-Salisbury hit a sacrifice fly to bring home Booth. Saratoga responded in their half of the inning. Camden Rhude led off with a triple off Zach Mravija, who'd relieved Canale in the 4th. Michael Mack added an insurance run with a 1 out single, plating Rhude.

After a leadoff walk to Sardella to start the 7th, Mello was lifted for Trevor Duthaler, who induced a double play grounder out of Grasso, and got Pirrone-Salisbury to fly to center to end the game.

Mello picked up the win, going 6+ innings, allowing a run on 4 hits while walking 3 and striking out 2. Canale went 3 1/3, giving up 2 runs on 2 hits. He walked two and hit two with no strikeouts. In fact, Pirrone-Salisbury, who pitched the 6th, chalked up 3 K's, stranding two runners in scoring position.

Top-seeded Shenendehowa took on Bethlehem in the nightcap, just two weeks after the two teams had their regular season meeting in Delmar, with Shen winning, 6-3.

The first inning for Shen on defense could be best described thus:

Salati, Salati, baloney.

The Plainsmen defense committed three errors behind starter Nino Salati, leading to an unearned run, as Danny Battista singled to drive in the run. In the 3rd, the Eagles added two more to take a 3-0 lead. Salati was lifted after 4 innings, as was Bethlehem starter RJ Johnston, who gave up 2 runs in the home 4th, clearly tiring. With 1 out, Austin Caldwell singled, moved to 2nd on a passed ball, then scored on a single by Brendan Gonzalez, who, in turn, scored on a hit by Brad Curtis.

In the 6th, with Jim Sparks on the mound for Bethlehem, Shen erupted for four runs to take the lead. With 1 out, Ryan Cronin doubled. Evan Kochansky reached on a fielder's choice. Ian Oeschlaeger, batting for Blake Mello, reached on an error, loading the bases. Thomas Hall singled, bringing home Cronin with the tying run. A double by Ethan Farina brought home Kochansky and pinch runner Amaar Bhusri. Caldwell was intentionally walked for the second straight inning, his 3rd free pass of the game. Gonzales brought home Hall with a sacrifice fly.

Manager Greg Christodulu brought in closer RJ Ensel in the 7th, and all Ensel did was retire the side in order with 2 strikeouts to close a 6-3 win, not quite a repeat of what happened in their earlier meeting, but the Plainsmen now move on to face Saratoga Wednesday (weather permitting) at 7 pm.

In Class A, it'll be Albany Academy and Columbia meeting for the title Friday at 4. The Blue Devils blew out Queensbury, 10-2, while Academy dispatched Burnt Hills, 2-1.

News & notes

 Less than 24 hours after the worst loss in team history, Albany Empire coach Tom Menas' 2nd go-round ends after just 2 games.

It's clear that Antonio Brown has ruined the franchise. A four game losing streak (and counting), longest in team history. He brought Menas back after the rebellion that cost him coach Damon Ware and several players, including QB Sam Castronova, who burned his former team on the field in a 79-34 blowout in Jacksonville on Saturday, and two way player Trevon Shorts, who helped West Texas beat Albany at MVP Arena two weeks earlier. 

Menas acknowledged Sunday that his vision doesn't gibe with whatever Brown's vision is, and resigned, rather than risk being fired a 2nd time. This ain't George Steinbrenner vs. Billy Martin back in the 70's & 80's by any stretch.

WNYT reports that Brown is claiming he will hire LaSalle football coach John Audino, who has gradually turned that program around in 5 seasons there, but Audino told WNYT he hasn't been contacted. Clearly, Brown is grasping at straws, looking for someone who can turn the team around, not realizing that any coach he hires has to deal with Brown's diva behavior. Previous owner Mike Kwanek, now in Jacksonville, didn't use social media after losses the way Brown does.

Will Audino take the gig? I hope not. Brown is looking at him because of more than 2 decades of success at Union, and the good reputation Audino has. Brown had told reporters previously he would suit up for the Empire's next home game, set for this Saturday at MVP Arena, but if he thinks he can put extra butts in the seats based on his own reputation as a 7 time Pro Bowler in the NFL, he's wrong. He's toxic, and he needs to go. The National Arena League may need to step in and resolve the issues he has with minority owners Steve & Charlotte Von Schiller, who still own 5% of the Empire, though Brown has claimed otherwise.

Antonio Brown came to Albany on the run from Florida law enforcement (child support and a lawsuit from a jeweler), and weaseled his way into ownership of the Empire. I don't think he finishes 2023 in Albany, but, rather, in a Florida courtroom, followed by one in Albany.

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In happier local sports news, the Tri-City Valleycats snapped a 5 game losing streak Sunday in sweeping the Washington Wild Things, 4-0 & 9-5. Under minor league rules, each doubleheader game is 7 innings minimum. Coincidentally, as the 'Cats begin a 6 game road trip tomorrow, high school baseball, which also goes 7 innings a game, takes over Bruno Stadium today, starting with the Class AA semi-finals. Today's schedule:

7 pm: Bethlehem vs. Shenendehowa.

4 pm: Saratoga vs. Niskayuna.

The winners will play a best-of-3 series set to begin Wednesday, but rain is in the forecast for Wednesday, so who knows?

News & notes

 Saturday's game between the Tri-City Valleycats & Washington Wild Things was rained out. The two teams will play a single admission doubleheader this afternoon, starting at 3 pm at Bruno Stadium. Tri-City is looking to end a 5 game losing streak.

At least ownership isn't so paranoid as to make sudden changes without any real reason, unlike a certain team across the river..........

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The Albany Empire's losing streak reached 4 on Saturday, as the Empire suffered a very embarrassing loss to Jacksonville, 79-34. Sam Castronova haunted his former team, and the newest Empire QB, Jonathan Bane, threw 2 TD passes, but also 3 interceptions.

According to Abagail Rubel of the Albany Times-Union, that didn't sit well with Antonio Brown.

Brown, on Twitter, dropped hints that he might dump coach Tom Menas again after a disastrous showing vs. the Sharks. Brown, who said during the week he might suit up for the Empire next week at home, might take things a step further, and be a owner-player-coach. Can't say I didn't warn you about that, because I wouldn't put it past him.

And for all the talk about Brown denying his natural born citizenship, claiming to be a foreign born? Balderdash. Too many concussions as a player may have given him CTE, but he could also be bi-polar, to explain his bizarre behavior.

On the plus side, Brown resolved a debt owed to a local restaurant that alleged the team stiffed them on a bill for $700, according to WRGB.

None of this would be happening if Brown hadn't come to Albany dodging legal issues in his home state of Florida. Just sayin'. Stay tuned.

News & notes

 UAlbany's baseball season is over.

The Great Danes salvaged the final game of an otherwise forgettable 2023 campaign, shutting out New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT), 8-0, today in a game that had its start time moved up to 11 am on Senior Day, due likely to rain in the forecast later this afternoon.

NJIT freshman infielder Austin Francis (Troy High) played the last two games, going 2-6 with a walk and 2 runs scored.

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Siena's baseball season is over, too, after getting swept by Quinnipiac, 12-11 & 7-0, on Friday Siena limps home 14-41.

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Troy High alumnus Eric Beaulac, toeing the rubber for the first time in 9 years, pitched a perfect 1st inning Friday for the Tri-City Valleycats.

It went downhill from there.

The Washington Wild Things ravaged the Tri-City bullpen, and handed the 'Cats their 5th straight loss, 9-6. The two teams meet again tonight at 6:30. Weather permitting.

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Those of you expecting to see the Mets vs. Cleveland this afternoon on WCWN (Spectrum channel 1212) will have to wait a day. The game was postponed due to rain after the storm hit NYC overnight. They'll play a split doubleheader tomorrow due to the series finale being ESPN's Sunday game of the week.

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The Montreal Toundra are happy they won't have to play the Albany Patroons again this season.

Albany blew away the Toundra, 136-95, on Friday at the Armory, sweeping the season series between the two clubs, 6-0. 

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Friday's sectional scoreboard:

Baseball:

Class AA:

Shenendehowa 4, Ballston Spa 0.

Saratoga 6, CBA 0.

Niskayuna 7, Guilderland 0. Parker Aikens pitched a no-hitter.

Bethlehem 5, Colonie 4.

Monday at Bruno Stadium:

Bethlehem vs. Shen.

Saratoga vs. Niskayuna.

Class A:

Columbia 10, Mohonasen 0 (6 innings).

Burnt Hills 14, Amsterdam 0 (5 innings).

Albany Academy 3, LaSalle 2.

Queensbury 1, Averill Park 0. The defending champs are eliminated.

Monday in Guilderland:

Columbia vs. Queensbury.

Burnt Hills vs. Albany Academy.

Class B:

Mechanicville 10, Ravena 3.

Cohoes 9, Coxsackie-Athens 0.

Ichabod Crane 7, Tamarac 0.

Broadalbin-Perth 11, Schuylerville 1.

Monday in Amsterdam:

Broadalbin-Perth vs. Cohoes.

Mechanicville vs. Ichabod Crane.

Class CC:

Hoosick Falls 11, Canajoharie 0 (5 innings).

Chatham 11, Stillwater 2.

Maple Hill 8, Lake George 3.

Granville 5, Greenwich 3.

Monday in Saratoga:

Granville vs. Hoosick Falls.

Chatham vs. Maple Hill.

Class C:

Duanesburg 10, Fort Plain 0 (6 innings).

Galway 6, Hadley-Luzerne 0.

Warrensburg 9, Berne-Knox-Westerlo 0.

Saratoga Catholic 8, Waterford 1.

Monday in Gloversville:

Galway vs. Warrensburg.

Duanesburg vs. Saratoga Catholic.

Class D:

Argyle 12, North Warren 3.

Mekeel Christian vs. Germantown was not reported in time for press time.

Monday in Gloversville:

Argyle vs. Hartford-Fort Edward.

Fort Ann vs. Mekeel-Germantown winner.

Men's lacrosse:

Class A quarterfinals:

CBA 8, Bethlehem 5.

Class B quarterfinals:

Columbia 10, LaSalle 7.

Class C:

Averill Park 10, Glens Falls 8.

Women's lacrosse:

Class C quarterfinals:

Queensbury 20, Glens Falls 0.

News & notes

 The Tri-City Valleycats return home to Bruno Stadium tonight for a quick 3 game series vs. the Washington (PA) Wild Things before turning over the ballpark to Section II for next week's sectional finals and Class AA semi-finals.

The 'Cats return home on a 4 game losing streak after getting swept by Sussex County, 9-2, on Thursday. Troy High grad Eric Beaulac will pitch one inning for Leukemia research in tonight's game.

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For the 2nd straight week, the 'Cats will be vying for fan attention with the Albany Patroons, who will host Montreal at the Washington Avenue Armory in the 2nd half of a home & home series that started with Albany beating Montreal on Sunday. As was the case last week, Tri-City gets a half hour headstart, as first pitch is at 6:30 as opposed to the Pats & Toundra tipping off just after 7 pm.

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Thursday's softball sectional scoreboard:

Class AA:

Saratoga 1, Ballston Spa 0.

Colonie 13, Albany 1 (6 innings).

Shenendehowa 1, Shaker 0.

Guilderland 10, Niskayuna 3.

Tuesday at Schalmont:

Saratoga vs. Colonie.

Shen vs. Guilderland.

Class A:

Averill Park 6, Hudson Falls 5.

South Glens Falls 6, Columbia 1.

Troy 12, Scotia-Glenville 0 (6 innings). Olivia DeCitise fanned 14 and hit 2 homers. Katie Pryor added a grand slam.

Burnt Hills 6, Queensbury 3.

Tuesday at Luther Forest:

Averill Park vs. South Glens Falls.

Burnt Hills vs. Troy. The Lady Horses will look for another receipt.

Class B:

Ichabod Crane 8, Holy Trinity 5.

Mechanicville 7, Schuylerville 4.

Glens Falls 12, Fonda-Fultonville 0 (5 innings).

Tamarac 25, Coxsackie-Athens 14.

Tuesday at Luther Forest:

Glens Falls vs. Tamarac.

Mechanicville vs. Ichabod Crane.

Class C:

Chatham 3, Hoosick Falls 2.

Berne-Knox-Westerlo 7, Hoosic Valley 6.

Greenwich 9, Warrensburg 2.

Stillwater 3, Whitehall 1.

Tuesday at Moreau Recreation:

Berne-Knox-Westerlo vs. Chatham.

Stillwater vs. Greenwich.

Class D:

Fort Ann 8, Hartford-Fort Edward 3. 

Tuesday at Moreau:

Fort Ann vs. Salem.

Germantown vs. Argyle.

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Lacrosse season is over for the Troy varsity. As expected, Troy was blown out by Ballston Spa, 21-1, on Thursday. Troy had just 1 win on the season, and will need to work on defense for next season.

News & notes

 The other shoe is about to drop for the Albany Empire.

Mercurial majority owner Antonio Brown told reporters on Wednesday that he plans to add himself to the active roster and suit up for the Empire's next home game on May 27.

Albany has dropped 3 straight since winning their opener, and will travel to Jacksonville on Saturday. Given the legal issues Brown is facing in Florida, I doubt he'll be there for the game, and that's why he's waiting until the following week to make his Arena debut. Attendance reportedly is down from last season, mostly due to the Brown circus, and the thought is that the 7 time Pro Bowler could raise attendance just by playing. 

I can't say I didn't warn you this would happen, because I did. I'll believe it if I see Brown on the field at MVP Arena in 9 days.

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UAlbany is hosting early round action in the NCAA men's lacrosse tournament this weekend. It'll be a homecoming of sorts for Michigan coach Kevin Conry, who was an assistant at Siena some years back. ESPNU will have their cameras at Casey Stadium Saturday when Michigan takes on Duke at 2:30 pm.

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Speaking of UAlbany & Siena, the annual Albany Cup basketball game between the two schools was supposed to be played at SEFCU Arena this year, but controversial Albany AD Mark Benson threw cold water on that by announcing Wednesday that the game will be played at MVP Arena as a Siena home game due to "concerns" about the ongoing renovation at SEFCU Arena, which apparently has taken longer than expected.

And you wonder why people are calling for Benson----and coach Dwayne Killings----to be bounced after a less than stellar 2022-23 season. Benson's not that sharp after all.

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Wednesday's sectional scoreboard:

Baseball:

Class AA 1st round:

Ballston Spa 9, Shaker 8.

Class A 1st round:

Mohonasen 9, South Glens Falls 6. The Mighty Warriors are looking to get back to the A title game.

LaSalle 11, Scotia-Glenville 4.

Class B 1st round:

Ichabod Crane 3, Hudson 1.

Cohoes 4, Catskill 0.

Ravena 11, Johnstown 3.

Schuylerville 5, Fonda-Fultonville 3.

Tamarac 12, Taconic Hills 10.

Coxsackie-Athens 11, Glens Falls 1.

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Troy High flag football update:

We've had to hunt around for recent scores because nothing gets reported, and e-mail requests to Troy AD Paul Reinisch have gone unanswered two weeks in a row. Anyway, with 1 game left, the Lady Horses are 4-5 on a 3 game losing streak. Troy won its 1st road game in completing a season sweep over Plattsburgh on May 8. Since then, however, the going has gotten rougher.

May 12: Rhinebeck collected a receipt, shutting out Troy, 32-0. Ouch!

May 13: Kingston, which has owned Troy in basketball for years, def. Troy, 28-12.

May 15: Saugerties blew out Troy, 42-28. The game was advanced by 4 days due to Section IX tournament play starting this week.

In the 3 losses, Troy has been outscored 102-40. The season ends Saturday.

Section II men's lacrosse sectional pairings

 As the women's lacrosse sectionals are moving toward the finals, the men will begin sectional play on Thursday with 2 games, while everyone else starts on Friday. Bear in mind that there is no class AA in lacrosse.

Class A:

Thursday:

6. Guilderland @ 3. Saratoga.

Friday:

7. Colonie @ 2. Shenendehowa.

5. Bethlehem @ 4. CBA. Winner plays Shaker in the semi-finals on Monday.

Class B:

Thursday:

7. Troy @ 2. Ballston Spa. The Flying Horses, with 1 win, get what amounts to a participation trophy.

Friday:

6. Amsterdam @ 3. Queensbury.

5. LaSalle @ 4. Columbia. Winner plays Niskayuna Monday.

Class C:

Friday:

5 Averill Park vs. 4. Glens Falls. Winner plays South Glens Falls Monday.

Monday:

3. Scotia-Glenville @ 2. Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake.

Class D:

Friday:

5. Johnstown @ 4. Greenwich. Winner plays Schuylerville Monday.

Monday:

3. Hoosick Falls-Tamarac @ 2. Stillwater-Mechanicville.

The finals in all classes, except Class B, will be at Shaker on May 26. The B final will be at Shaker on May 25.

Good luck to all the teams.

Tuesday's sectional scoreboard, 5/16

 As some sectional tournaments are ending, others are beginning.

Tennis:

Class AA finals:

Shaker 5, Bethlehem 4. Bethlehem had won the last 4 sectional titles (2018, 2019, 2021, 2022).

Class A finals:

Queensbury 6, Scotia-Glenville 1. 3rd straight title for the Spartans, who will face Shaker May 23 for the opportunity to face a Section III representative.

Women's lacrosse:

Class C:

Glens Falls 14, Averill Park 13.

Queensbury 22, Albany Academy 0.

Softball:

Class A 1st round:

Columbia 12, Mohonasen 6. The Blue Devils move on to play South Glens Falls tomorrow.

Class B 1st round:

Coxsackie-Athens 4, Cohoes 1.
Holy Trinity 2, Greenville 1.

Schuylerville 6, Rensselaer 0.

Glens Falls 12, Broadalbin-Perth 0 (5 innings).

Mechanicville 6, Schalmont 2.

Fonda-Fultonville 6, Albany Academy 1.

Class C 1st round:

Hoosick Falls 6, Maple Hill 3.

Warrensburg 7, Duanesburg 0.

Berne-Knox-Westerlo 9, Voorheesville 0.

Hoosic Valley 10, Lake George 4.

Stillwater 3, Galway 2.

Whitehall 6, Granville 0.

Greenwich 11, Mayfield 0.

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In other action:

Men's track & field:

Albany Academy won the Colonial Council title. LaSalle finished 2nd.

Shenendehowa won the Suburban Council title.

Fonda-Fultonville won the Western Athletic Conference title.

Women's track & field:

Albany Academy won the Colonial Council title. LaSalle finished 9th.

Fonda-Fultonville-Northville won the Western Athletic Conference title.

Men's lacrosse:

Suburban Council:

Shenendehowa 10, Burnt Hills 7.

Non-league:

Saugerties 12, Albany 3.

Section II baseball sectional pairings

 We can confirm that Troy High has gone from champs to chumps in 2 seasons. Chris Stack's club failed to qualify for the post-season this year, but LaSalle is in the Class A tournament. 

All roads lead to Bruno Stadium next week. The Class AA semi-finals and best of 3 finals will dominate the week.

Now, let's take a look at the brackets:

Class AA:

Wednesday:

9. Shaker @ 8. Ballston Spa. Winner plays 1. Shenendehowa on Friday.

Also Friday:

7. CBA @ 2. Saratoga. The game will be played at East Side Recreation.

6. Guilderland @ 3. Niskayuna. This game will be played at Central Park in Schenectady due to renovations on Nisky's field.

5. Bethlehem @ 4. Colonie. 

The winners will advance to the semi-finals at The Joe next Monday, and the championship series starts May 24.

Class A:

Wednesday:

9. Scotia-Glenville @ 8. LaSalle. The game will be played at Geer Field, LaSalle's regular home park. Winner plays 1. Albany Academy on Friday.

10. South Glens Falls @ 7. Mohonasen. Winner plays 2. Columbia on Friday.

Also Friday:

6. Averill Park @ 3. Queensbury. The defending champions have to start on the road.

5. Burnt Hills @ 4. Amsterdam.

The semi-finals are at Dutchman Park in Guilderland next Monday, with the finals at The Joe May 26 at 4 pm.

Class B:

Wednesday:

9. Ravena @ 8. Johnstown. Winner plays 1. Mechanicville Friday.

10. Fonda-Fultonville @ 7. Schuylerville. Winner plays 2. Broadalbin-Perth on Friday.

11. Cohoes @ 6. Catskill. 

12. Tamarac @ 5. Taconic Hills.

13. Hudson @ 4. Ichabod Crane.

14. Glens Falls @ 3. Coxsackie-Athens.

Friday: Quarterfinals.

May 22: Semi-finals @ Shuttleworth Park in Amsterdam.

May 24: Finals @ Bruno Stadium.

Class CC:

Friday:

8. Stillwater @ 1. Chatham. This game will be at Chatham Little League.

7. Greenwich @ 2. Granville.

6. Hoosick Falls @ 3. Canajoharie.

5. Maple Hill @ 4. Lake George.

May 22: Semi-finals at Veteran's Park in Saratoga.

May 25: Finals at Bruno Stadium.

May 27. Winner plays the Class C winner at Bruno Stadium.

Class C:

Friday:

8. Waterford @ 1. Saratoga Catholic.

7. Hadley-Luzerne @ 2. Galway.

6. Berne-Knox-Westerlo @ 3. Warrensburg.

5. Fort Plain @ 4. Duanesburg.

May 22: Semi-finals at Gloversville.

May 25: Finals at Bruno Stadium.

May 27: Class C-CC final.

Class D:

Friday:

5. Mekeel Christian @ 4. Germantown. Winner plays 1. Fort Ann on Monday.

6. North Warren @ 3. Argyle. Winner plays 2. Hartford-Fort Edward on Monday.

Finals are at Bruno Stadium May 27.

Good luck to all the teams.

News & notes

 The Albany Patroons made their final trip to Montreal for the regular season a successful one, beating the Toundra, 105-103, on Sunday. The Toundra will make their last trip to Albany for the season on Friday.

The Pats have just 2 home games left before the playoffs, Friday vs. Montreal, and May 26 vs. Tri-State. In between, they'll hunt for payback against Reading on Sunday, and will close in Syracuse on May 27.

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Monday's high school scoreboard:

Men's lacrosse:

Albany 12, Lansingburgh 4.

Amsterdam @ Troy was not reported.

Women's lacrosse:

Suburban Council:

Saratoga 15, Guilderland 0. Allie Shamberger had a double hat trick (6 goals), and Carly Wise added 4 for the Blue Streaks.

Tennis:

Class AA semifinal:

Bethlehem 8, Niskayuna 1. The Eagles advance to play Shaker @ Central Park in Schenectady today at 4.

Class A semifinal:

Queensbury 6, Burnt Hills 1.

Scotia-Glenville 5, CBA 2.

Men's track & field:

Amsterdam won the Foothills Council title.

Women's track & field:

Broadalbin-Perth won the Foothills Council title.

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Section II may think they've got a good thing going having the softball sectional finals at Luther Forest in Malta every year, but it's way past time they started looking elsewhere, and move the finals closer to the tri-cities.

But if it's money that matters, and it probably is, that would explain why Section II suits have not bothered to reach out to Siena College, UAlbany, RPI, or even Hudson Valley Community College. The baseball finals will be at Bruno Stadium next week, but I think HVCC also has a softball diamond on campus, unless softball also uses Bruno Stadium for home games.

Get a clue, Section II. 

Section 2 softball pairings 2023

 All roads lead to Luther Forest in Malta, as Section II begins sectional play in softball this week. Pairings were announced a short while ago. Baseball gets its turn tomorrow, and men's lacrosse on Wednesday. Here we go.....

Class AA:

Quarterfinals: Thursday:

8. Albany @ 1. Colonie.

7. Niskayuna @ 2. Guilderland.

6. Shaker @ 3. Shenendehowa.

5. Saratoga @ 4. Ballston Spa.

Semi-finals will be at Schalmont May 23. Finals at Luther Forest on May 25.

Class A:

Tuesday:

9. Mohonasen @ 8. Columbia. Winner plays top-seeded South Glens Falls Thursday at Moreau Recreation.

Quarterfinals: Thursday:

7. Scotia-Glenville @ 2. Troy.

6. Queensbury @ 3. Burnt Hills.

5. Hudson Falls @ 4. Averill Park.

Semi-finals & finals will be at Luther Forest on May 23 & 25, respectively.

Class B:

1st round: Tuesday:

9. Holy Trinity @ 8. Greenville. Winner plays top-seeded Ichabod Crane on Thursday.

10. Cohoes @ 7. Coxsackie-Athens. Winner plays #2 Tamarac on Thursday.

11. Albany Academy @ 6. Fonda-Fultonville.

12. Schalmont @ 5. Mechanicville.

13. Rensselaer @ 4. Schuylerville.

14. Broadalbin-Perth @ 3. Glens Falls.

Quarterfinals are on Thursday. Semi-finals & finals are at Luther Forest May 23 & 25.

Class C:

1st round: Tuesday:

9. Hoosick Falls @ 8. Maple Hill. Winner plays #1 Chatham on Thursday.

10. Galway @ 7. Stillwater.

11. Duanesburg @ 6. Warrensburg.

12. Hoosic Valley @ 5. Lake George.

13. Voorheesville @ 4. Berne-Knox-Westerlo.

14. Mayfield @ 3. Greenwich.

15. Granville @ 2. Whitehall.

Quarterfinals are on Thursday. Semi-finals at Moreau Recreation Center on May 23, with the finals at Luther Forest May 25.

Class D:

Thursday:

5. Fort Ann @ 4. Hartford-Fort Edward. Winner plays #1 Salem May 23 at Moreau.

Also May 23:

3. Germantown vs. 2 Argyle.

Finals at Moreau on May 25.

Good luck to all the teams.