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.