A wish granted, and the 'Cats win another home series

 Earlier this season, Tri-City Valleycats manager Pete Incaviglia was on the stump for one of his star players, Carson McCusker, curious as to why McCusker hadn't been signed by a Major League Baseball team.

On Wednesday, Incaviglia could wonder no more.

McCusker, in his 3rd season with Tri-City, was signed by the Minnesota Twins. Where exactly McCusker will play hasn't yet been decided as of press time.

That night, Tri-City dropped a 12-7 decision to the Schaumburg Boomers.

Thursday, Tri-City recovered, and after blowing a 6-0 lead, walked off the Boomers, 11-10 on a 2-run homer by 2nd generation player Robbie Merced, whose father, Orlando, played for Pittsburgh in the 80's and 90's. Tri-City has now won 8 straight home series to start the season, and will hit the road to play the New Jersey Jackals, starting tonight at 6:30 pm.

News & notes

 The Troy Fighting Irish will have a bye week this weekend before hosting Syracuse at Watervliet High on July 8. The Irish are coming off a 49-8 demolition of the NY Falcons on June 24, also at Watervliet. Now, if only the local press could stop ignoring semi-pro football, more folks would realize there is an alternative to the now-defunct Albany Empire.

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To be fair, most of us slept on the NY Knockout, a women's football team that finished their season earlier this month. The Knockout reached the quarterfinals of the Women's Football Alliance playoffs before losing to Maine, 13-12, in double overtime on June 24 at Sutton Field at LaSalle Institute. The Knockout finish at 5-2 in the short season league.

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The Amsterdam Mohawks are now 19-1 in the Perfect Game Collegiate League after walking off the Albany Dutchmen, 3-2, in 10 innings Tuesday at Shuttleworth Park. The Mohawks had previously avenged their only loss of the season in beating Mohawk Valley on Saturday.

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The Tri-City Valleycats may be beginning to peak.

The 'Cats downed Schaumburg, 16-9, Tuesday at Bruno Stadium. Jakob Goldfarb homered, and Carson McCusker added two of his own. Series continues tonight, weather permitting, at 6:30.

In other 'Cats news, infielder Trey Hair has left the team to play in Mexico for the rest of the Mexican League season. If his Mexican team doesn't make the playoffs, Hair, who decided to play for extra money south of the border, will return to Troy next month.

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WNYT's Rodger Wyland, writing in today's Albany Times-Union, is reporting that Troy High may be ready to introduce a recent star as their next football coach, after baseball coach Chris Stack led the Flying Horses to a 4-5 ledger in 2022.

Jordan Canzeri has been learning the administrative side of things as a Principal's Assistant since returning to THS last year, and, now, per Wyland, all it will need is a majority vote of the Troy school board to give Canzeri the reins of the team. Canzeri would become the 2nd former player in the last 10 years to be named coach. Mike Hurteau went 4-5 in 2014, and was not brought back.

Job 1 is making the postseason. One step at a time is the best formula for now.

News & notes

 The rain held off long enough for the Tri-City Valleycats to defeat Ottawa, 6-2, on Sunday. Carson McCusker blasted his 15th homer of the season, and Dan Beebe held the Titans to two hits while striking out eight in seven innings. The 'Cats welcome Schaumburg tomorrow night at Bruno Stadium.

A reminder that if you can't make the games, audio streaming is available online.

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The Albany Dutchmen, however, weren't so lucky, as the Glens Falls Dragons avenged a loss Thursday night with a 12-10 win on Sunday. Dutchmen home games are streamed on Facebook Live for free.

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To the surprise of, well, no one, newly graduated Olivia DeCitise was named Large School Athlete of The Year in Softball by the Albany Times-Union in today's editions. DeCitise, who moves on to UMass-Lowell, was also a hurler on the first team. Troy teammate Ava Salvaggio, was named to the second team, but the rest of the Lady Horses were given the el snubbino. Motivation for next year, as if they need any more.

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More drama with the Albany Empire.

The team's accountant claims some equipment was stolen, and that explains why players and coaches had their last paychecks removed from their accounts. Talk about petty.

Owner Antonio Brown is also throwing shade at Tom Brady, who recently retired. Would someone point Brown in the direction of a psychiatric hospital, and leave him there? Thanks in advance.

News & notes

 When Will Brown resigned as coach of the Albany Patroons, it was with the idea he wanted to get back into the college game.

Little did anyone know he'd stay in the 518 to accomplish this goal.

Brown was hired as the new women's coach at the College of St. Rose, succeeding Whitney Edwards, who moves on to Northeastern. The Lady Knights didn't have a good season in 2022-23, and Brown, likely with an endorsement from his mentor, Brian Beaury, recently re-hired as men's coach, was given the gig. Seeing as how the St. Rose men played UAlbany last season at Hudson Valley Community College, does anyone think the two schools will have a men's & women's doubleheader this winter?

Stay tuned.

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It's been over a week since the Albany Empire were expelled from the National Arena League, and, yet, the drama just won't die.

Now comes word that the team's final coach, Maurice Leggett, and some of the players are talking about filing a lawsuit against majority owner Antonio Brown and his crew after their final paychecks were withdrawn from their individual accounts. A petty move, to be sure, adding one more layer to the scandal that destroyed the franchise from within. The players were paid, but, according to Mark Singelais of the Albany Times-Union and other media outlets, Brown and his associates played Indian giver and took the money back. I've a feeling the only way the players will get the money is through litigation, with interest, since Brown apparently may need to pay legal fees as well.

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The Tri-City Valleycats used six home runs, two apiece from Cito Culver & Jakob Goldfarb, to rout Ottawa, 14-6, at Bruno Stadium. Don't count on a game being played tonight, though.

As I write, it is raining in town, and it's to continue all the way through the night, and into tomorrow, too. Rain's in the forecast all week, endangering the mid-week series vs. Schaumburg, set to start Tuesday.

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The Albany Dutchmen snapped their losing streak in beating Glens Falls, 9-1, Friday, on the road. They, too, likely will be rained out tonight, as they're scheduled to play Saugerties---again---at home.

News & notes

 Provided the weather cooperates, the Tri-City Valleycats will open a weekend series with the Ottawa Titans at Bruno Stadium tonight at 6:30 pm after Quebec walked them off, 6-5, in 10 innings Thursday. The team has played some of their best ball of the season in front of the homies, including a sweep of Florence last week.

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The Albany Twilight League's social media was late posting Tuesday's & Wednesday's results, but now we know that the Troy Haymakers lost to Capital City on Tuesday, dropping to 1-9, pending the outcome of last night's game vs. Clifton Park.

Update, 4:18 pm: Make it 1-10 after a 4-3 loss to Clifton Park.

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Andre Jackson is headed to the NBA.

The Amsterdam native (Albany Academy/Connecticut) was picked in the 2nd round by Orlando, then traded to Milwaukee. None of the "local" squads (Boston, Brooklyn, Knicks) were even close to drafting Jackson.

Four picks earlier, Jalen Pickett, the former Siena star, most recently with Penn State, was drafted by Indiana, then sent to Denver in another trade.

For those who wonder, Daniel "Boo" Buie (Northwestern/Troy High/Gould Academy), who just finished his senior season, was not drafted. If he has any eligibility left at Northwestern, that might be the reason why. Half brother Talor Battle (Bishop Maginn/Penn State) reunited with Buie at Northwestern when he took a job as an assistant coach.

News & notes

 At least this time, they didn't lose via the mercy rule.

The Albany Dutchmen were blown out at home by the Amsterdam Mohawks, 15-1, Wednesday night at Dutchmen Field in Guilderland. The reason the mercy rule didn't come into play was because the visitors added runs in the 9th inning, and Albany scored their lone run in the 9th.

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Apparently, either Tuesday's games in the Albany Twilight League were postponed or not reported, as we're waiting to learn the result of Tuesday's game between the Troy Haymakers and the Capital City Kings. The Haymakers play Clifton Park tonight at 8.

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The Tri-City Valleycats evened their series with the Quebec Capitales, 6-4, Wednesday night. The series concludes tonight at 7:05.

Meanwhile, the 'Cats lost a court case vs. Major League Baseball.

You'll recall that the Valleycats were one of four teams filing suit against MLB after the league downsized their minor league program after the 2020 season. However, the case is likely headed to the Supreme Court, so there's still a chance that MLB could wind up being held accountable in the end. Maybe.

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WNYT's Rodger Wyland, writing in Wednesday's Albany Times-Union, believes Amsterdam native Andre Jackson (Albany Academy/Connecticut) will hear his name called in the NBA draft, which starts tonight.

However, an Associated Press mock draft, appearing today, doesn't share Wyland's optimism, as Jackson is not listed as a 1st round pick. Jackson would be the first local player since Kevin Huerter (now with Sacramento) to be drafted.

News & notes

 Ever since the Albany Empire were expelled from the National Arena League last week, MVP Arena GM Bob Belber has touted the prospect of the venue hosting another Arena League franchise as early as next season.

According to Mark Singelais of the Albany Times-Union, Belber has begun negotiations with two ownership groups, including one led by former Empire owner Ron Tridico, who sold the team to Mike Kwarta last year, and is looking at rejoining the NAL or the rival Indoor Football League.

Photo courtesy Albany Times-Union.

Belber and the arena have to offer dates by August for the 2024 season, so that the schedule can be release in September or October.

My take: I don't think the NAL wants to go back to Albany so soon after the Antonio Brown disaster. There's also talk that the Arena Football League could make yet another comeback next year, a la the USFL & XFL. To fans in this market, save for YouTube, the IFL is an unknown quantity, so it's either them or the revived AFL, which has a rich history in Albany.

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The Tri-City Valleycats' 3-day Canada trip started off poorly with a 9-2 loss to Quebec Tuesday. The series continues tonight, and the 'Cats return home------weather permitting----to play Ottawa on Friday at Bruno Stadium.

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What's in a name?

Several Section II schools have to give up their long standing team nicknames that are derived from Native American heritage as the current school year ends on Friday.

Some schools have already made changes. Glens Falls swapped out the "Indians" for "Black Bears". Hoosic Valley will now be the Hawks on the field & tennis/basketball/volleyball courts. Schoharie will adopt the "Storm" as their new nickname. We'll soon find out how Niskayuna, Mohonasen, and Averill Park will change their team names. Fonda-Fultonville is running an online survey to determine their new nickname after retiring the "Braves". Mechanicville (Wasaren League) and Ravena (Colonial Council) are starting the process as well.

Stay tuned.

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The frequency with which Saugerties & Albany have played each other in the Perfect Game Collegiate League this season could work for both teams before the season is over.

The Stallions walked off the Dutchmen, 2-1, on Tuesday after trailing, 1-0, going into the home 8th inning. Saugerties has won 5 of 6 from Albany so far this season.

News & notes

 You might know that the NFL's Green Bay Packers are a community owned franchise, where the citizens of Green Bay are shareholders.

The next best thing would be in the TBL, where the St. Louis Griffins are owned by a small town mayor and his wife. The mayor, Nate Griffin, is also the team's coach, and is the mayor of suburban Wellston, Missouri, which just got put on the map thanks to a feature piece on Griffin prior to Sunday's game vs. the Albany Patroons. 

Now, Griffin is in a position to bring home a TBL title after his squad ousted the Patroons, 95-93, Monday at the Armory. The two teams did not meet during the regular season, and that unfamiliarity ultimately worked in Griffin's favor. Next season might be a different story.

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The Troy Haymakers can't buy a break in the Albany Twilight League.

After losing their first six games this season, the Haymakers finally won a game on June 12, beating Waterford. However, they've now dropped two straight in the last two days, losing to the Capital City Kings, 2-1, on Sunday, and, then, last night, Twin Town beat Troy, 16-10, with both games at Bleecker Stadium. The Kings & Haymakers meet again tonight at 7:15. The Kings, by the way, saw their win streak snapped by Waterford last night at Kelts Stadium, 7-6.

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The Saugerties Stallions still have the Albany Dutchmen's number.

After losing on Thursday, the Stallions returned to Guilderland Monday, and beat Albany, 5-2. The scene shifts to Saugerties tonight, and the teams are scheduled to play again this weekend, weather permitting.

News & notes

 The Albany Patroons have forced a 3rd and deciding game in the TBL East Regional Finals after beating St. Louis, 115-97, on Sunday. Travis Wyche led the way with 27 points.

Game time tonight is 7 pm.

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The Tri-City Valleycats swept their doubleheader Sunday from the Florence Y'alls, 6-1 & 6-2. Yeah, that sounds like tennis, I know. The 'Cats are on the road this week, and will return home June 27.

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LaSalle Institute is launching a varsity schedule for the women this fall in golf, tennis, soccer, swimming, cross country track, and volleyball. Women's golf matches will, for the most part, be held at the Old Post Road Country Club in Schodack. Some swimming & diving meets will be at the Gateway Aquatic Center in Cohoes.

Men's golf matches will again be at Frear Park, and women's tennis, like the men's matches, are at Prospect Park. Here we go:

August:

29: Men's golf @ Mohonasen.

30: Men's golf home opener vs. Catholic Central. Women's golf opener @ Albany Academy.

31: Men's golf @ Ichabod Crane. Volleyball @ Cohoes. Men's soccer home opener vs. Ichabod Crane.

September:

5: Women's golf @ Mohonasen. Tennis home opener vs. Albany Academy. Volleyball home opener vs. Cobleskill-Richmondville.

6. Men's golf vs. Schalmont. Women's soccer @ Lansingburgh. Men's soccer vs. Lansingburgh.

7. Men's golf vs. Voorheesville.  Women's golf @ Academy of Holy Names. Volleyball @ Lansingburgh. Tennis vs. Ravena.

8. Men's golf vs. Albany Academy. Women's soccer vs. Cobleskill-Richmondville. Men's soccer @ Cobleskill-Richmondville. Tennis @ Emma Willard. Swimming @ Mohonasen-Schalmont.

11. Tennis vs. Ichabod Crane. Women's golf vs. Catholic Central. Volleyball vs. Ravena.

12: Women's soccer @ Ravena. Men's soccer vs. Ravena. Swimming vs. Academy of Holy Names.

13. Men's golf @ Ravena. Tennis @ Schoharie. Volleyball @ Albany Academy.

14: Women's golf @ Voorheesville. Women's soccer vs. Ichabod Crane. Men's soccer vs. Ichabod Crane.

15: Men's golf vs. Cobleskill-Richmondville. Tennis vs. Mohonasen-Schenectady. Swimming @ Ravena. Volleyball @ Catholic Central. 

18: Men's golf vs. Mohonasen. Tennis @ Schalmont.

19: Men's golf vs. Catholic Central. Women's soccer @ Catholic Central. (This match will be contested at St. Ambrose in Latham.) Volleyball vs. Academy of Holy Names.

20. Men's golf vs. Ichabod Crane. Tennis vs. Academy of Holy Names.

21: Women's golf vs. Albany Academy. Women's soccer vs. Mohonasen. Men's soccer @ Mohonasen. Volleyball @ Mohonasen.

22. Swimming vs. Emma Willard.

23. Men's soccer vs. Voorheesville.

26. Men's golf @ Schalmont. Women's golf @ Mohonasen. Men's soccer vs. Schalmont. Volleyball vs. Ichabod Crane.

27. Men's golf vs. Voorheesville. Women's golf vs. Academy of Holy Names. Tennis vs. Catholic Central.

28. Men's golf @ Albany Academy. Men's soccer @ Cohoes. Women's soccer vs. Cohoes.

29. Tennis @ Voorheesville. Swimming @ Duanesburg.

30. Men's soccer vs. Cobleskill-Richmondville.

October:

2 Men's soccer vs. Albany Academy. Women's soccer @ Albany Academy.

3. Women's golf vs. Catholic Central. Volleyball vs. Schalmont.

4. Men's golf vs. Ravena. Women's soccer vs. Academy of Holy Names.

5. Men's golf @ Cobleskill-Richmondville. Volleyball vs. Cohoes.

6. Women's golf & soccer vs. Voorheesville. Men's soccer @ Voorheesville.

9. Women's soccer vs. Lansingburgh.

12. Women's soccer @ Cobleskill-Richmondville. Men's soccer @ Albany Academy. Volleyball vs. Lansingburgh.

17. Volleyball @ Ravena.

19. Volleyball vs. Albany Academy.

20. Swimming @ Albany Academy.

Some events may be subject to change due to weather.

News & notes

 An Albany Academy graduate is coming home.

Marcus Filien, who just graduated from Cornell, will be a graduate transfer at UAlbany this fall, and joins fellow Academy grad Marcus Jackson (Andre's brother) on the Great Danes' roster. The Danes could use all the help they can get after a horrid 2022-23 campaign.

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Mother Nature has wreaked havoc with the summer baseball schedule.

For example, on Friday, the Tri-City Valleycats-Florence Y'alls game at Bruno Stadium was rained out well before first pitch. What was supposed to be a single admission doubleheader Saturday turned into a single game, won by the 'Cats, 6-5, on a Carson McCusker walk-off homer. They'll play two today, starting at 3 pm.

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It started raining in Amsterdam, too, on Friday, during the Mohawks' game vs. the Albany Dutchmen, but by the time the rains came, the Mohawks, who'd suffered their first loss of the season on Thursday, had already locked down a win, beating Albany, 8-1.

The Dutchmen were supposed to play a doubleheader in Guilderland vs. the Utica Blue Sox, but, that, too, became a single game due to rain, which Utica won, 7-3. The 2nd game, and Wednesday's game, will be made up at a later date. The Dutchmen are idle today before another home & home series with Saugerties starts tomorrow.

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More Valleycats: OF Pat Adams announced his retirement on June 13, after he'd had a hand in the 'Cats' 24-12 pasting of Gateway last Sunday. He'd only been in pro ball six seasons, and had joined the 'Cats a week and a half earlier via trade. If the itch returns, so will Adams.

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The majority of teams in the Albany Twilight League are based, of course, in Albany. There are two teams in Rensselaer County, the Twin Town Devil Cats and the Troy Haymakers, the latter a franchise that honors a lineage dating back to the early 20th century.

Both clubs sit in last place in their divisions heading into play today. The Haymakers will be one of two opponents for the Capital City Kings, the Thot division leader, tonight at Bleecker Stadium. The Haymakers will take the field at 5 pm, with the Kings to take on the perennial league champion Albany Athletics at 7:30. The league simply will not allow games to be played across the river, but that ages-old practice needs to be retired, in order to better grow the league. Just sayin'.

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LaSalle grad Zach Remillard was called up to the Chicago White Sox, and made his debut on Saturday in Seattle against the Mariners. Remillard went 3-3 with a walk and 3 RBI's as he started at 2nd base alongside star shortstop Tim Anderson. The ChiSox won, 4-3.

Prior to that, Remillard was hitting .236 at Triple A Charlotte with 6 homers and 25 RBI.

Shaker grad Tommy Kahnle pitched against the Mets during the Subway Series, part 1, earlier this week, and pitched an inning without giving up a hit or a run. Hasn't been scored upon in six appearances this season, with 5 strikeouts on his ledger.

Fellow Blue Bison alum Jeff Hoffman is now in Philadelphia, where he's appeared in 12 games since being called up, with a 2.77 ERA in 13 innings with 18 strikeouts.

Mike Kennedy (Troy) has appeared in 2 games for the Florida Coast League Pirates, with a 1.23 ERA over 7 1/3 innings with 11 strikeouts. 

At the plate, Kevin Smith (Columbia) is still struggling to reach .200 for Oakland. He's hitting .191 for the moribound Athletics, with 4 homers and 8 RBI.

Summer sports roundup, 6/15

 Headed into the 7th inning Thursday night, the Albany Dutchmen trailed the Saugerties Stallions, 8-1, and it looked like the hosts would make it four in a row over the Dutchmen, including three this week.

Nope. Not this time.

The Dutchmen plated 8 runs in the final three innings to finally beat the Stallions, 9-8. Check the video:

The Dutchmen stay on the road to play undefeated Amsterdam tonight, weather permitting.

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The Albany Patroons have their backs up against the wall after losing to St. Louis, 108-86, Thursday in the TBL Eastern Regional Finals. Game 2 is Sunday at 3, with a 3rd game, if needed, Monday at 7, both at the Armory. The two teams did not meet during the regular season, by design, it would appear, but maybe that changes next year.

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Aaron Altherr was once a promising star with the Philadelphia Phillies. But his offense didn't catch up with his defense, and he became a journeyman, even spending some time with the Mets a couple of years ago.

With the Tri-City Valleycats, Altherr suddenly looks like a world beater.

Altherr hit his 4th homer this week, 5th of the season, and helped the 'Cats defeat Lake Erie, 9-2, Thursday. The 'Cats welcome the Florence (Ky) Y'alls tonight at 6:30, again, weather permitting.

The Fall of an Empire (Albany Empire 2017-2023)

 What had been built to uphold the legacy of arena football in the 518 was destroyed in three months by a former NFL player whose baggage only increased over those three months.

The Albany Empire is no more, thanks to Antonio Brown.

Brown, who, along with his father, arena legend "Touchdown" Eddie Brown, bought shares in the team in March, became majority owner just a few short weeks later, and it was becoming increasingly clear that this was all about Brown getting back in the headlines, and not what was best for the team. Brown had no clue about running a franchise, and was making personnel decisions on an almost weekly basis, usually on impulse because his meddling had destroyed the defending National Arena League champions from within.

Brown began claiming he'd suit up for the team, and actually practiced on Wednesday, but his disrespectful remarks toward Orlando's John Cheney prior to last Friday's game were, in the eyes of the league, the final straw. Albany had dropped six straight after beating Orlando on opening night (week 2 of the league season). Fans had been lured in for the last home game, thinking Brown would play, but he didn't.

Earlier today, the NAL announced that the Empire, a once proud franchise respected around the league, had been terminated because they weren't making monthly payments under league guidelines, and Brown was refusing to pay a fine for his remarks to Cheney. Couple that with remarks made by Brown to the Albany Times-Union about his admiration for embattled former president Donald Trump, and, well, the handwriting was on the wall, even if most folks didn't see it right away.

Brown's behavior was certainly cause for concern, considering his history of concussions while in the NFL, possibly coupled with either bi-polar disorder, or, disassociative identity disorder, which we used to refer to as schizophrenia. Like Trump, and another bi-polar patient, Kanye West, Brown came across as a narcissist, making himself the center of attention when most owners wouldn't do that. It became more about him than the team, and father Eddie didn't do much publicly to try to stop his son's destructive behavior.

Bear in mind, too, that Brown came to Albany to escape legal issues. Once it was brought up that he owed child support to a girlfriend, he paid that bill. On the other hand, there is still pending litigation regarding a jeweler who filed suit against Brown shortly after the season began.

The league took its position, but instead of terminating the Empire, they should've taken it away from the mercurial, impulsive Brown, and put it in league stewardship for the rest of the season. Now, because of Brown, it'll be a long, long time before anyone thinks of putting another arena football franchise in Albany. When they do, Antonio Brown will be far, far away. He has to be, for his own good, and for the good of the sport.

News & notes

 Meteorologist Chicken Little did it again on Wednesday.

By this, I mean that the Albany Dutchmen, anticipating a more sustained rainfall than what actually came down late Wednesday afternoon, postponed their game with the Utica Blue Sox, but the skies had cleared by the time the teams were supposed to play.

The teams will play a doubleheader on Saturday.

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Antonio Brown is digging a deeper hole for himself with some fans in the 518.

In an interview published today, Brown stated his admiration for former president Donald Trump. Couple that with Brown's bizarre behavior since arriving in Albany 3 months ago, and you'd think he'd have more in common with that other deranged lunatic, Kanye West, except that while West has acknowledged having bi-polar disorder, we don't know if Brown has it, or CTE, or both.

Meanwhile, the Albany Empire signed QB Dalton Cole, who will start vs. Jacksonville on Saturday. How long that lasts remains to be seen.

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Daytime baseball of late seems to bring out the best in the Tri-City Valleycats.

In front of nearly 4000 fans on Education Day II, the 'Cats pounded Lake Erie, 13-6, pounding 5 home runs in the process.

The Crushers finish their series with Tri-City tonight at 6:30. Meanwhile, maybe the 'Cats and the Frontier League should consider scheduling more day games. Just sayin'.

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Just days before he is to graduate, Troy High multi-sport star Michael DiNardo was named Spectrum News' Student-Athlete of The Year earlier this week.

DiNardo will stay in the 518, as he'll be going across the river to Union College in the fall to play football.

News & notes

 Murphy's Law had an effect on the Tri-City Valleycats as they headed home after Sunday's 24-12 win over Gateway. 

The team bus broke down in St. Louis, prompting the front office to scramble for plane tickets to get players home for last night's game vs. Lake Erie.

Then, the 'Cats dropped a 1-0 decision to the Crushers last night. WROW morning host Ben Patten misread the score, and said it was 2-1 Lake Erie.

The two teams meet later this morning in the 2nd matinee of the season at Bruno Stadium.

By the way, as of press time, the result of Sunday's 518 Futures Classic at the Joe was not made public.

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The Saugerties Stallions have the Albany Dutchmen's number.

The Stallions rode into Guilderland Monday, and mercy ruled the Dutchmen, 13-3, in 7 innings, the 2nd mercy rule loss for Albany this season. The two teams meet again in Saugerties---weather permitting---tomorrow night, but in the meantime, Albany will host Utica, and that's assuming the game gets played tonight.

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We talked about this over at The Land of Whatever, and it bears some mentioning here, too.

In 2025, Saratoga Race Course will have its earliest opening ever, even if it's just for one day.

The New York Racing Association plans on holding the 2025 Belmont Stakes at the Old Spa while Belmont, on Long Island, undergoes some renovations for the first time in nearly 60 years. I've this feeling that NYRA will take a chance, and expand the Saratoga meet on a temporary basis in 2025, then revert to the more traditional schedule in 2026.

Don't say I didn't warn you.

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The Albany Patroons now know who they'll face for the TBL title.

The Pats dismissed Newfoundland, 135-108, on Monday, and they'll play their last home game of the year vs. St. Louis on Thursday. Game 2 is set for St. Louis on Sunday, with the finale, if needed, on Monday, also in St. Louis.

News & notes

 The Gateway Grizzlies are one of two Frontier League teams that play in the Chicago suburbs. Sunday's game vs. the Tri-City Valleycats played out as if the teams had rented Wrigley Field for the day.

Of course, it could've also been Coors Field East with all the scoring.

Tri-City racked up 17 runs in the final two innings to come back from a 12-7 deficit in the 7th inning to defeat the Grizzlies, 24-12. Carson McCusker hit 3 home runs for the 'Cats. Pat Adams had a grand slam in the 9 run 8th inning, and the bullpen finally shut the door on the Grizzlies in the final two innings.

Tri-City returns home Tuesday to play the Lake Erie Crushers at 6:30 pm.

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Conversely, the Albany Dutchmen played a relatively quiet game vs. the Saugerties Stallions. The two teams played on a Sunday night for the 2nd straight week, and Saugerties came away with a 3-2 win.

The Stallions have a YouTube channel, so check the video:

The Dutchmen's games are streamed on Facebook Live when they're at home, and most teams use Facebook for streaming.

News & notes

 Yesterday was the coda to the 2022-3 high school sports season.

Section II had 5 teams between softball & baseball playing for state titles, so the chances were pretty good some championships were coming home.

We noted yesterday that Shenendehowa (Class AA) & Troy (Class A) were both shut out, denied their titles. The Plainswomen went 11 innings before falling to Clarence, 1-0, as Shen paid the price for their seniors choosing to stay home for prom. Troy, on the other hand, was stifled by Maine-Endwell, 4-0. After slugging a 3 run HR Friday against Webster Thomas, senior ace Olivia DeCitise was herself bitten by the home run bug, as Isabel Hunter took her deep for a 3 run shot in the home 6th to put the game away. DeCitise finishes her high school career short of 800 strikeouts (9 on Saturday after 6 on Friday). but UMass-Lowell is getting a blue chipper for next season.

That left it up to Ichabod Crane to bring home the softball bacon. The Lady Riders repeated as Class B state champions, thumping Marlboro, 7-1.

On the baseball side, Columbia ended a nearly 2 decade title drought, beating Walter Panas, 5-1, behind Elias Conway, who was born in 2004, the year the Blue Devils last won a state title, to claim the Class A title. Chatham repeated as Class C champion, coming back from a 6-1 deficit to beat Tuckahoe, 12-6. I believe up until yesterday, Tuckahoe might be best known as the setting for the 70's sitcom, Maude.

Don't worry about Troy High softball. They'll be back, as coach Sean Geisel has some core players, including Katie Pryor and Olivia Ashline, returning next season.

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We've talked before about the fact that some high schoolers will move to prep schools to enhance their chances of getting admitted into a Division 1 college.

Bethlehem's Eleanor "Ellie" Cerf is doing just that.

Cerf is transferring to Worcester Academy for her senior season, and posted her decision on Twitter. To hear it from a Bethlehem parent, Cerf didn't do her team any favors down the stretch this past season, taking on more of a me-first approach.

That same parent has said she heard that Troy's Ava Mamone is leaving the Flying Horses after a horrid 2022-3 campaign. Can't say as I blame her. Most of these young ladies play in AAU leagues in the offseason, so there's a community among these student-athletes.

In Troy's case, they need a housecleaning in the women's basketball program. Yesterday.

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The Tri-City Valleycats dropped as 13-7 decision to the Gateway Grizzlies Saturday to even the series. A late rally came up short, and now, the rubber game of the series takes place this afternoon at 2 pm (ET).

Meanwhile, the Albany Dutchmen split a Saturday doubleheader in Guilderland with Boonville. The Lumberjacks won the opener, 5-3, and Albany won the nightcap, 7-1. We should start seeing Perfect Game Collegiate League results in the paper very soon, along with the Albany Twilight League, now that high school season is over.

News & notes

 The National Arena League needs to shut Antonio Brown down. Yesterday.

The mercurial, impulsive majority owner of the Albany Empire led with his mouth in a war of words with Orlando Predators co-owner John Cheney, not to be confused with the late college basketball coach, John Chaney, prior to Friday's rematch between the two teams.

Orlando reaped the benefits of Brown's impulsive mishandling of the team, as receiver Darius Prince, QB Jonathan Bane, and defensive ace Dwayne Hollis all had a hand in Friday's 61-24 dismantling of the stumbling Empire (1-6).

As a rule, most sports owners tend to shy away from the spotlight. Not a neophyte owner like Brown, a NFL veteran whose diva antics led him to burn bridges in Pittsburgh, Oakland, New England, and Tampa Bay. Albany was down, 48-6, late in the 1st half, and had to claw back from behind all night, spoiling player-turned-coach Maurice Leggett's debut as coach.

You can sugarcoat it all you want, but at the end of the day, Brown came here to run from his legal problems in Florida. I'm not even sure he was at the game last night.

I am begging for local ownership to help minority owners Steve & Charlotte Von Schiller take the team from Brown before the league does have to step in.

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Lacrosse season is officially over in the 518.

Hours after Bethlehem was eliminated in the women's Class B semi-finals, Niskayuna, forced to wait an extra two hours and change due to a thunder & lightning storm at UAlbany, fell to Garden City, 12-6. We salute the Silver Warriors & Lady Eagles on an outstanding season.

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After four years away, women's roller derby is back in town, rolling under the radar.

The Albany All-Stars, or, Brawlstars, returned to the Washington Avenue Armory two months ago, after their last games were played in 2018-19 at the Capital Center. The plan appears to play one game a month at home, as the Brawlstars return to the Armory next Saturday night against the Hudson Valley Horrors. Game time is 7 pm. Y'think maybe the ladies are trying to pick up some of the good vibes from the Armory's other tenants.....?

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Speaking of the Albany Patroons, they went into St. John's, Newfoundland, and pounded the Rogues in game 1 of the TBL Eastern finals, 134-108. Game 2 is Monday at 7 at the Armory, with a possible 3rd game if needed set for Tuesday.

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The Tri-City Valleycats defeated the Gateway Grizzlies, 9-5, Friday night, thanks to 4 homers. The two teams resume their series in the Illinois suburbs tonight at 7:45 pm (ET). The 'Cats will be back home Tuesday.

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Former Yankee & Met pitcher Dellin Betances was in town on Thursday as a guest of the Center for Diability Services. Betances last pitched for the Mets in 2021. There was also a fundraiser at the Hangar on The Hudson on Thursday night.

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Some bad news for softball fans.

As we're writing, Class B champion Ichabod Crane is Section II's last hope for a state title.

That's because Class AA champion Shenendehowa, without their seven seniors, fell in 11 innings to Clarence High, 1-0. Troy High, the Class A champion, ran out of gas and magic behind their lone senior, Olivia DeCitise, and were shut out by Maine-Endwell, 4-0.

Congratulations to the Lady Horses and the Plainswomen on a fantastic season.

High School Fridays: State regional semi-finals results

 The only state regional game of Section II interest is just getting underway as we write. Apparently, the Garden City-Niskayuna lacrosse match at UAlbany was delayed for nearly two hours due to weather, so we'll have the result tomorrow.

The Silver Warriors are Section II's last hope for a lacrosse championship, as we'll see as we look at the results of games already in the books.

Baseball:

Class AA: Commack 9, Shenendehowa 0. This game was also delayed by rain, and that may have taken Shen right out of their comfort zone.

Class A: Columbia 3, West Babylon 0. The Blue Devils will play Walter Panas for the title tomorrow at 1 pm at Binghamton University.

Class C: Chatham 7, Batavia-Notre Dame 4. The Panthers will play Tuckahoe tomorrow.

Women's lacrosse:

Class B: Victor 18, Bethlehem 5.

Softball:

Class AA: Shenendehowa 3, North Rockland 2 (8 innings). Despite their seniors remaining behind for tomorrow's senior prom, the Plainswomen persevered and advanced to face Clarence tomorrow at 11 am.

Class A: Troy 8, Webster Thomas 4. Down 1-0 in the 6th, Troy erupted for 8 runs with 2 out, helped along by 4 Webster Thomas errors. Olivia DeCitise only struck out 6 and walked 1 while driving in 3 runs herself with a homer in that 8 run 6th. Troy now faces Maine-Endwell tomorrow.

Class B: Ichabod Crane 4, Windsor 0. The Lady Riders advance to face Marlboro in the finals.

Class C: SS Seward 1, Chatham 0.

Class D: Deposit-Hancock 4, Salem 1.

News & notes

 The 518 Futures baseball game, scheduled for last night at Bruno Stadium, was postponed because of concerns over air quality due to the ongoing wildfires in Canada. By the time ye scribe left my day job Thursday afternoon, the skies had cleared, and maybe, just maybe, Section II was premature in postponing the game.

They will, however, play Sunday night at 6:30, preceded by a Home Run Derby at 4:30. For commuters relying on CDTA, that's a foul ball, as the #85 line stops running around 8:30 pm, and there's no guarantee the game would be over by then on a Sunday.

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Niskayuna High principal J. R. Rickert has a 2nd gig, as the agent for Albany Empire majority owner Antonio Brown.

As an agent, Rickert doesn't have a lot of high profile clients, which allows him to fly under the radar, instead of seeking attention like Brown or most nationally known agents, like Scott Boras in baseball or Drew Rosenhaus in football, Brown's former agent.

I wonder if he knows a good psychiatrist that can get inside the impulsive Brown's mind...........

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The Tri-City Valleycats dropped a 6-1 decision to Evansville Thursday. The 'Cats move on to suburban Illinois to wrap up their Midwest trip, opening a series with the Gateway Grizzlies tonight. First pitch is 7:45 pm (ET).

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For those of you attending the men's lacrosse state semifinals today at UAlbany, here's the lineup.

At John Fallon Field:

3 pm: Scarsdale vs. Farmingdale 

5:30 pm: Rye vs. Manhasset.

At Bob Ford Field:

4 pm: Pleasantville vs. Cold Spring Harbor.

6:30 pm: Niskayuna vs. Garden City.

All four games will be streamed on the NFHS Network. Only digital tickets will be honored.

Troy High fall sports schedule (not including football) 2023

 We updated Troy High's football schedule earlier. Now, it's time for the rest of their fall sports schedule. Some of it might be incomplete, and, if so, will be updated later this summer.

August:

24: Golf season opener @ Averill Park. As of now, Troy is not fielding a women's golf team for the 2nd straight year, so it appears that experiment has come to an end.

25: Golf home opener vs. Niskayuna.

28: Golf @ Ballston Spa.

29: Golf @ Colonie, volleyball @ LaSalle.

31: Women's soccer home opener vs. Lansingburgh.

September:

1: Golf vs. Saratoga.

2: Women's soccer vs. Mechanicville.

5: Golf & men's soccer (home opener) vs. Guilderland. Volleyball opener @ Guilderland. Cross country opener @ Bethlehem.

6: Women's swimming & diving opener @ Shaker. Men's soccer vs. Albany Academy.

7: Golf @ Shaker. Volleyball home opener vs. Shaker.

9. Women's tennis home opener vs. Ballston Spa. Volleyball @ opponent TBA.

11: Tennis & women's soccer @ Albany.

12: Volleyball @ Albany. Men's soccer vs. Albany. Cross Country @ Guilderland.

13: Swimming vs. Saratoga.

14: Golf @ Schenectady. Women's soccer & volleyball vs. Schenectady.

16: Women's soccer vs. Catholic Central.

18: Swimming @ Bethlehem. Tennis @ Columbia.

19: Golf  & men's soccer. vs. Columbia. Cross Country @ Shenendehowa. Women's soccer & volleyball @ Columbia.

20: Golf vs. CBA.

22: Tennis vs. Colonie. Swimming vs. Niskayuna.

26: Golf & men's soccer v. Burnt Hills. Women's soccer & volleyball @ Burnt Hills.

27: Tennis @ Burnt Hills. Swimming vs. Schenectady.

28: Golf @ Shen. Volleyball vs. Shen.

30: Tennis & women's soccer vs. Averill Park. Men's soccer @ Averill Park.

October:

3: Golf @ Bethlehem. Cross Country @ Columbia. Volleyball vs. Bethlehem.

5: Women's soccer vs. Tamarac. Volleyball @ Niskayuna.

10: Cross Country @ Burnt Hills. Men's soccer @ Ballston Spa. Volleyball vs. Ballston Spa.

11: Swimming vs. Ballston Spa.

12: Women's soccer & volleyball vs. Colonie. Men's soccer @ Colonie.

17: Volleyball senior night vs. Averill Park.

18: Swimming senior day vs. Burnt Hills.

19: Volleyball @ Saratoga.

Schedules subject to change.

News & notes

 Air quality issues caused by smoke wafting across the border from Canada, where they're having a series of wildfires not unlike what happens on the West Coast every year, forced some changes to Wednesday's schedule.

The Albany Dutchmen postponed their game vs. the Glens Falls Dragons, with no makeup date set, and I'd suspect the Perfect Game Collegiate League may be on pause until at least Friday or Saturday.

Then, the NYSPHSAA announced that Wednesday's men's lacrosse semi-finals, including a doubleheader at UAlbany, would be moved to Friday, and all outdoor practices were cancelled for today.

As of now, the baseball & softball state semifinals are still on for tomorrow, with the finals set for Saturday, but that could change if the air quality doesn't. Stay tuned.

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To the surprise of absolutely no one, Troy High senior ace Olivia DeCitise, named Suburban Council MVP last month, and player of the year on their all star team, was named Female Athlete of The Week by the Albany Times-Union.

DeCitise's numbers:

Pitching: 20-4, 1.40 ERA, 292 K's. Career total of 780 K's, so reaching 800 is possible if Troy reaches the finals.

Batting: .500 batting average, 8 HR's 38 RBI's.

UMass-Lowell would be wise to keep her in the circle next year. The last Troy pitching phenom, Hunter Levesque, was moved to the outfield at Pittsburgh, and never got in the circle.

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The Tri-City Valleycats' game at Evansville was moved up, as the game was already over by the time I checked their website Wednesday.

WROW morning host Ben Patten, in plugging the game, didn't realize it was a matinee. Tri-City won, 8-0, despite two rain delays.

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We can now confirm the dates for Section II football for this year.

Week 0, of course, will be Labor Day weekend (September 1-2). Troy High & LaSalle will open play September 8-9.

The updated schedule. Again, week 8 could change if Class A goes to a 4 team playoff, as it did the last two seasons.

Week 1 (Sept. 8-9):

Sept. 8: LaSalle vs. CBA.

Sept. 9: Troy @ Queensbury.

Week 2 (Sept. 15-16):

Sept. 15: Troy vs. South Glens Falls. LaSalle @ Burnt Hills.

Week 3 (Sept. 22-23):

Sept. 22: Troy @ Columbia. LaSalle vs. Amsterdam.

Week 4 (Sept. 29-30):

Sept. 29: LaSalle @ Troy.

Week 5 (October 6-7):

October 6: LaSalle @ Columbia. Troy Homecoming vs. Bethlehem.

Week 6\ (October 13-14):

October 13: Troy @ Amsterdam. LaSalle vs. Averill Park.

Week 7 (October 20-21):

October 20: Troy @ Averill Park. LaSalle @ Bethlehem.

Week 8 (October 27-28) (Subject to change):

October 27: Troy vs. Albany, LaSalle vs. Queensbury (Senior Night for both Troy & LaSalle).

Playoffs start November 3.

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For most schools, senior proms are this weekend. Troy & Shenendehowa, for example, have theirs on Saturday night.

Both schools' softball teams will be playing for state titles-----air quality permitting-----, but even if the games are pushed back, Shen AD Chris Culnan accepted the decision of seven seniors to bypass the state finals, should they get there, in favor of going home for prom.

In a way, I kind of get it. These young ladies want to be there in time for the start of the prom, and a long bus ride from Center Moriches runs the risk of being late. I'd guess all the usual accessories (gowns, limo & dinner reservations, etc.) had already been paid for far enough in advance.

No word as to whether or not Troy has the same problem. Probably not.

LaSalle Institute hockey schedule 2023-4

 It's the first full week in June, but hockey fans can start making plans for high school season, which kicks off in earnest in December.

LaSalle has released its schedule, although there is a bit of uncertainty over a couple of annual events in December. For the 2nd straight season, and 3rd in 4, the Cadets will play their home games at Frear Park Ice Arena. Unless Hudson Valley Community College President Dr. Roger Ramsammy is convinced to change his stance on certain sports, the Cadets have their new permanent home, although building a new arena on the school's Williams Road campus might not be such a bad idea, either.

After a series of scrimmages in November, the season starts at home in December. To wit:

December:

8-Home opener vs. Bethlehem.

9-@ Capital District Jets.

15-16: The annual Plattsburgh-Beekmantown road trip, which traditionally is the 1st weekend in December, moves down two weeks this year. 

22-CBA.

27-28: Mohawks Tournament at Union College. LaSalle will play Mohawk Valley on the 27th, and Whitesboro on the 28th.

January:

5-Mohawks.

6-@ Albany Academy.

12-@ Shenendehowa.

13-Capital District Jets. The annual alumni game will be played that afternoon, and I suspect this night also mean the annual Cadets For Vets fundraiser.

19-Adirondack.

20-@ Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake-Ballston Spa.

24-@ Saratoga.

27-"Guilderville" Storm.

30-@ Queensbury.

February:

9-Senior Night vs. Albany Academy.

10-@ Bethlehem.

14-@ Adirondack.

Schedule is subject to change.

News & notes

 The Albany Patroons are making one last trip to Canada.

The Pats open the Eastern Conference finals in the TBL playoffs on Friday against the Newfoundland Rogues in Newfoundland's capital of St. John's. Game 2 is June 12 at the Armory, and if a 3rd game is needed, it'll be at the Armory one week from tonight.

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The Albany Dutchmen dropped a 3-2 decision to Saugerties on Sunday, then came back home and mercy ruled the Glens Falls Dragons, 13-2, on Monday in 7 innings. You won't find the current standings in the paper due to lack of space. Albany will play Glens Falls again----weather permitting----Wednesday night.

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The Troy Fighting Irish, who never get press coverage, sit at 1-1 after picking up their first win of the season Saturday at Marlboro, Massachusetts, 28-27. This followed a loss to the Watertown Red & Black, 12-6, on opening night. The Irish are still playing home games at Watervliet High, where at last check Irish executive Ryan Job is the varsity football coach.

However, tickets have gone up. Adult tickets are now $10, or more than triple the usual admission for a Cannoneers game during the fall. Also, the Irish are dealing with scammers trying to lure fans in with fake links to games. Maybe the added revenue from ticket sales can go toward, oh, I don't know, getting a YouTube channel?

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We have to correct ourselves from yesterday.

We quoted last year's results in the women's state golf championships, not this year's, as there was one more day of competition. That said, Albany Academy defeated Ursuline of Section 1 to win the team title, and, yes, Kennedy Swedick repeated at individual champion, after firing a 3 under par 69 to clinch the title. Section 1 retained the sectional title, with Section II coming in 2nd.

Section II, however, placed 7th in the men's competition in Elmira. Dante Bertoni of Utica-Endicott in Section IV won the individual title.

Updating this weekend's state final round schedules:

Friday:

Baseball:

Class AA:

Shenendehowa vs. Commack, 5 pm at Mirabito Stadium.

Class A:

Columbia vs. West Babylon, 5 pm at Binghamton University.

Class C: 

Chatham vs. Notre Dame, 2 pm at Maine-Endwell.

Men's lacrosse:

Class B:

Niskayuna vs. Garden City, Wednesday at 6:30 at UAlbany.

Women's lacrosse:

Class B: Bethlehem vs. Victor, Friday at 11 am at SUNY-Cortland.

Softball:

Friday at Moriches:

Class AA:

Shenenedehowa vs. North Rockland, 3:30 pm.

Class A:

Troy vs. Webster Thomas, 10 am.

Class B:

Ichabod Crane vs. Windsor, 4 pm.

Class C:

Chatham vs. SS Seward, 6 pm.

Class D:

Salem vs. Deposit-Hancock, 1 pm.

News & notes

 The Tri-City Valleycats downed the Empire State Greys on Sunday, 7-2, taking two of three games in the series.

Now, we're learning that there were some on-field fireworks as the benches cleared during Saturday's 'Cats win. The Frontier League, like Major League Baseball, is cracking down on any possible cheating, and Greys starter Ryan Sandberg was tossed for having some sort of foreign substance on his hand. In the 7th, Valleycats manager Pete Incaviglia started an incident when he flipped a ball underhanded to the Empire State dugout, and was tossed after a check of a 2nd Greys pitcher came up clean.

Incaviglia was suspended, per league rules, for Sunday's game, so nephew Tom probably filled in. Incaviglia will be back in the dugout when the 'Cats resume play on Tuesday.

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The Edison Country Club in Rexford hosted the state golf championships for women over the weekend. Ursuline, out of Section 1, won the team competition, and Section 1 took home a sectional title.

The individual title, though, stays in Section II with Albany Academy's Kennedy Swedick, who carded a 2 under par 70, and won the title by 3 shots.

The men's tournament in Elmira has not been reported as of press time.

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The soap opera continues for the Albany Empire.

Majority owner Antonio Brown was asked to leave the team's hotel on Friday due to reports of drug use and loud music. However, the matter was little more than a misunderstanding, and the team retains its residency at the hotel, with 2 months left in the season.

However, Terry Foster, who was named as coach the other day, turned it down after all, the 2nd man to publicly do so, and cited the Friday incident as the reason for his change of heart.

Foster, who was the defensive coordinator for the Iowa Barnstormers of the Indoor Football League, opted to remain in Iowa due to the "uncertainty" of the situation in Albany. Can you blame him? Lineman Maurice Leggett retired Friday, and was named interim coach on Sunday.

Meanwhile, there are negotiations with one of Brown's former teammates with the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Reports have Maurkice Pouncey, and his twin brother, Mike, who played for Miami, signing with the Empire in time for Friday's game at Orlando, and apparently, their cousin, Justin, could be in the mix as well. On the other hand, one of Brown's associates, Ryan Larkin, who reportedly was at the center of controversy involving a local restaurant earlier this season, was let go at the end of last week. He had no real role with the team, which suggests he was there mostly to be a yes man for Brown.

This soap opera just never ends.

News & notes

 After getting dominated by the Empire State Greys on Friday, 9-3, the Tri-City Valleycats evened the series Saturday at Bruno Stadium by returning the favor, to the tune of a 12-1 beatdown. The series finale is this afternoon at 5 pm.

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The Albany Patroons eliminated the Atlantic City Gambits in a 2 game sweep Saturday, closing out the series with an 86-85 win. The Pats await their next opponent, and that should be made clear later today at the earliest.

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The Albany Dutchmen recovered after a season opening loss to Amsterdam by sweeping Watertown in a Saturday doubleheader.

The Dutchmen mercy ruled Watertown, 12-1, in 6 innings, then went the full 7 in completing the sweep over the Rapids, 6-3.

Albany will be at Saugerties tonight before returning home to play Glens Falls tomorrow night.

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We're learning that Troy High's Olivia DeCitise had spun her 4th no-hitter of the season in the Lady Horses' mercy rule win over Massena.

DeCitise fanned 13 to bring her career total to 770, meaning that if she wants to reach 800 career K's, she'd have to strike out 15 in each of the two games next weekend, starting with a Friday matinee vs. Webster Thomas. 

Catching up on the remainder of Saturday's action with scores that weren't reported last night at press time.

Baseball:

Class A: Columbia defeated Jamesville-DeWitt, 3-2. The Blue Devils travel to Binghamton University Friday at 5 pm to play West Babylon.

Men's lacrosse:

Niskayuna will host Garden City Friday at 6:30 at UAlbany, after Garden City defeated West Islip, 10-6, to advance in Class B.

Softball:

Class AA: Shenendehowa will play North Rockland Friday at 3:30 at Moriches after North Rockland defeated Monroe-Woodbury, 4-1.

Class B: Ichabod Crane will play Windsor Central Friday at 4. Windsor Central defeated Chittenango, 14-3.

Class C: Chatham will play SS Seward, which mercy ruled Friends Academy, 22-0, Friday at 6 pm.

Saturday's regional playoff scoreboard, 6/3

 Quite a day, and quite a haul for Section II, as several teams punched their tickets to the state final fours in baseball, softball, and lacrosse today. Here we go:

Softball:

Class AA:

Shenendehowa 5, Baldwinsville 4.

Class A:

Troy 14, Massena 0 (5 innings).

Class B:

Ichabod Crane 16, Canton 5.

Class C:

Chatham 12, Northeastern Clinton 2.

Class D:

Salem 4, Bolton-Schroon Lake 2.

Upcoming:

Friday:

AA: Shen vs. North Rockland, 3:30 pm.

A: Troy vs. Webster Thomas, 10 am.

B: Ichabod Crane vs. the winner of Chittenango vs. Windsor Central, 4 pm.

C: Chatham vs. SS Seward, 6 pm.

D: Salem vs. Deposit-Hancock, 1 pm.

All 5 games are at the Moriches Sports Complex.

Baseball:

AA: Shen 6, Liverpool 5.

A: Columbia vs. Jamesville-DeWitt is underway as we're writing.

C: Chatham 20, Ticonderoga 1.

D: Parishville-Hopkinton 8, Hartford-Fort Edward 6.

Upcoming:

Friday:

AA: Shen vs. Commack, 5 pm at Mirabito Stadium.

C: Chatham vs. Notre Dame, 2 pm at Maine-Endwell.

We'll have an update on Columbia tomorrow.

Men's lacrosse:

A: Scarsdale 10, Shen 9.

B: Niskayuna 7, Yorktown 4.

C: Rye 12, Burnt Hills 6.

D: Schuylerville vs. Pleasantville is underway.

Upcoming: 

Niskayuna will play the winner of Garden City vs. West Islip at Bob Ford Field at Thomas & Mary Casey Stadium, UAlbany, Friday at 6:30.

Women's lacrosse:

B: Bethlehem 9, Minisink Valley 6. The Eagles will play the winner of Victor vs. Clarence Friday at SUNY-Cortland.

News & notes

 Three days after dismissing Pete Porcelli as coach, Antonio Brown announced Thursday that Terry Foster will be the next coach of the Albany Empire.

To paraphrase a line Marvel Comics used in X-Men comics in the 80's, welcome to the Empire, Mr. Foster. Hope you survive the experience.

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The Tri-City Valleycats, with 2-time World Series champ Darryl Strawberry in the house, beat the Trois-Rivieres Aigles, 10-6, Thursday at Bruno Stadium.

The 'Cats are scheduled to open a series with the Empire State Greys tonight, but don't count on it, with heavy rain & thunderstorms in the forecast for this afternoon. A doubleheader seems likely either Saturday or Sunday if tonight's game is postponed.

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Troy High 2022 grad Austin Francis (New Jersey Institute of Technology) is spending his summer back at home, playing for the Albany Dutchmen. That's the good news.

The bad? The Dutchmen opened the season getting mercy ruled by defending Perfect Game Collegiate League champ Amsterdam, 10-0, in 7 innings. Albany will have its home opener in the form of a doubleheader Saturday against Watertown, with the first game at 5 pm.

Mohawks PA announcer Brian Cady also hosts Albany Street on WROW & WYJB on Sundays, and turns DJ from 7-10 am on WROW.

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One down, one to go.

The Albany Patroons held off the Atlantic City Gambits, 90-87, at the Armory on Thursday, and can close out Atlantic City in enemy territory tomorrow night.

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Andre Jackson, Jr. (Connecticut/Albany Academy) is sticking with plans for the NBA draft in a couple of weeks, which means his time with the NCAA champions may be over.

Like, if he doesn't get drafted, there's always the Patroons.........

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Thursday's state regional scoreboard:

Class A softball:

Troy 9, Jamesville-DeWitt 0. The Lady Horses return to the 518 tomorrow at Luther Forest to host Massena. Business as usual for Olivia DeCitise, who twirled a 1-hitter with 12 strikeouts.

The rest of Saturday's schedule:

Class AA:

Shenendehowa vs. Baldwinsville at Carrier Park, Syracuse, 5 pm.

Class B:

Ichabod Crane vs. Canton at Luther Forest, 4:30 pm.

Class D:

Salem vs. Bolton/Schroon Lake at Morse Field, Glens Falls, 11 am.

Chatham is scheduled for a Class C game vs. Northeastern Clinton today at 2 at SUNY Plattsburgh.

Updated baseball schedule:

Class AA:

Shen vs. Liverpool, Saturday at 3 at Onondaga CC.

Class A:

Columbia vs. Jamesville-DeWitt, Saturday at 6 at Onondaga CC.

Class B:

Ichabod Crane was eliminated by Salmon River, 8-7, on Thursday.

Class C:

Chatham vs. Ticonderoga, Saturday at SUNY Plattsburgh, time TBA.

Class D:

Hartford-New Hartford def. Lake Placid, 12-1. Their next game is set for Shuttleworth Park in Amsterdam Saturday vs. Parishville-Hopkinton at 1 pm.