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.