News & notes

 Morning rain wreaked havoc with Wednesday's high school golf schedule, as a number of matches, including Catholic Central vs. LaSalle, were postponed. The Cadets & Crusaders will make up the rainout on Monday, September 25, at 4 pm.

Meanwhile:

Men's golf:

Colonial Council:

Voorheesville 180, Schalmont 206.

Cobleskill-Richmondville 165, Ravena 238. Yes, they played on back-to-back days.

Suburban Council:

Ballston Spa 145, Colonie 172. Colonie suffers its 1st loss of the season.

Western Athletic Conference:

Duanesburg 184, Canajoharie-Fort Plain-OESJ 208.

Women's golf:

Suburban Council:

Bethlehem 203, Shaker 205.

Men's soccer:

Non-league:

Mechanicville 6, Scotia-Glenville 1.

Glens Falls 5, Schalmont 2.

Women's soccer:

Non-league:

Charlotte Valley 7, Cairo-Durham 4.

Stillwater 4, Bolton-Warrensburg 0.

Maple Hill 1, Hoosick Falls 0.

Women's volleyball:

Non-league:

Glens Falls 3, OESJ 0.

Albany 3, Tamarac 2.

======================================

We are waiting on the result of Tuesday's volleyball match between Troy & LaSalle. Troy's women's soccer team opens play this morning at 11 am at Lansingburgh, and will play their home opener Saturday vs. Mechanicville at 9 am. The JV game between Troy & Lansingburgh, however, has been cancelled, and I suspect it might be on 'Burgh's side.

======================================

The Tri-City Valleycats prided themselves on having won every home series this season.

Not anymore.

Sussex County saw to that Wednesday with a 4-0 shutout, the 'Cats' 4th straight loss. Tri-City will seek to avert the sweep tonight.

======================================

Siena has announced the complete men's basketball schedule for 2023-24. This list includes games previously announced:

November 6: Home opener vs. Holy Cross.

November 11: @ Richmond.

November 13: @ American University.

November 20: Central Michigan (Sunshine Slam).

November 21: Milwaukee or Stetson (Suunshine Slam).

November 26: Albany Cup vs. UAlbany.

December 1: Rider.

December 3: @ Mt. St. Mary's.

December 6: Bryant.

December 9: @ St. Bonaventure.

December 19: Cornell.

December 22: @ Brown.

December 30: @ UMass-Amherst.

January 5: Fairfield.

January 12: @ Canisius.

January 14: @ Niagara.

January 19: Quinnipiac.

January 21: @ Marist.

January 26: Iona.

January 28: St. Peter's.

February 2: @ Rider.

February 4: Mt. St. Mary's.

February 8: Marist.

February 10: @ Manhattan.

February 16: @ St. Peter's.

February 18: Canisius.

February 25: @ Fairfield.

March 1: Manhattan.

March 3: @ Quinnipiac.

March 7: Senior Night vs. Niagara.

March 9: @ Iona.

Start times have not been confirmed as yet, but figure Friday home games will tip off at 7 pm, and Sundays at 2 or 3 pm.

============================================

As football season approaches, and with soccer, golf, and volleyball having started, as noted above, some schools in Section II are dragging their collective feet on name changes mandated by the state. Some, like Averill Park and Cambridge, are waiting on school board decisions that won't come until after classes begin next week, it would appear. Let's update the list of what we already have:

Corinth: Riverhawks. Coxsackie-Athens adopted the same nickname 2 years ago.

Glens Falls: Black Bears, which fits in with the north country-centric school.

Hoosic Valley: Hawks.
Schoharie: Storm.

Lake George: Lakers.

Waterford will retain Fordians, but are changing their mascot.

News & notes

 The Tri-City Valleycats fell victim to some late inning defensive miscues, and lost to Sussex County, 8-2, on Tuesday. However, 1st place Quebec defeated the 4th place NY Boulders, so Tri-City, while now 4 games behind Quebec, remains in 3rd.

The series continues tonight, weather permitting, at 6:30 pm.

===========================================

Siena has finalized its women's basketball schedule for 2023-4.

November 9: @  Binghamton.

November 12: @ Dartmouth.

November 19: Home opener vs. Penn.

November 28: Merrimack.

December 2: @ UAlbany (previously announced).

December 7: Fordham.

December 10: @ Boston College.

December 16: MAAC opener vs. Canisius.

December 18: @ Mt. St. Mary's.

December 21: @ Cincinnati.

January 4: @ Manhattan.

January 6: St. Peter's.

January 11: Niagara.

January 13: @ Fairfield.

January 18: Rider.

January 20: Iona.

January 27: @ Quinnipiac.

February 1: Manhattan.

February 3: @ Marist.

February 8: @ Iona.

February 10: Quinnipiac.

February 15: @ Niagara.

February 17: @ Canisius.

February 22: Fairfield.

February 24: @ St. Peter's.

February 29: Marist.

March 2: Senior night vs. Mt. St. Mary's.

March 7: @ Rider.

============================================

Tuesday's high school & college scoreboard:

Colleges:

Men's soccer:

Sacred Heart 1, Siena 0.

High schools:

Field hockey:

Non-league: 

Corinth 4, Scotia-Glenville 1.

Golf:

Colonial Council:

LaSalle 164, Mohonasen 203.

Cobleskill-Richmondville 180, Ravena 258.

Ichabod Crane 163, Voorheesville 202.

Foothills Council:

South Glens Falls 156, Scotia-Glenville 163.

Broadalbin-Perth 157, Queensbury 161.

Suburban Council:

Ballston Spa 159, CBA 169.

Niskayuna 171, Averill Park 186.

Colonie 166, Troy 180.

Wasaren League:

Mechanicville 5, Waterford 0.

Hoosick Falls 5, Cambridge 0.

Women's golf:

Colonial Council:

Voorheesville @ Albany Academy was postponed due to rain. 

Suburban Council:

Bethlehem 201, Saratoga 204.

Non-league:

Guilderland def. Berne-Knox-Westerlo via forfeit. 

Women's soccer:

Non-league:

Greenwich & Glens Falls played to a 1-1 draw.

Greenville 1, Saugerties 0.

Tennis:

Non-league:

Queensbury 7, Ballston Spa 2.

==============================================

Saratoga is mourning the passing of steeplechase trainer Jonathan Sheppard, who passed away on August 27 at 82. Sheppard, already inducted into the Hall of Fame, had saddled at least one winner at Saratoga for 47 consecutive years before he retired. The NY Turf Writers Handicap was renamed in Sheppard's honor in 2021 as a testament to his success in the sport and at Saratoga.

News & notes

 Hudson Valley Community College is finally getting some respect.

The Vikings' September 16 home game vs. Nassau Community College will be streamed on ESPN+ with a 1 pm kickoff as the NJCAA Game of The Week. This will be the Vikings' television debut. Under coach Don Jones, entering his 5th season, HVCC has won 3 consecutive NJCAA Region 3 titles dating back to 2019.

Maybe this will be the start of more positive coverage.....!

============================================

Monday's high school & college scoreboard:

Colleges:

Men's soccer:

UAlbany 2, Villanova 0. The Great Danes square their record at 1-1.

Women's soccer:

Boston University 3, UAlbany 2.

High schools:

Men's golf: Not all scores have been reported to the press.

Colonial Council:

Ichabod Crane 161, Ravena 236.

Foothills Council:

Broadalbin-Perth  149, Hudson Falls 177.

Suburban Council:

Ballston Spa 148, Troy 172. The Flying Horses are 0-2.

Bethlehem 187, Columbia 193.

Shaker 158, Averill Park 175.

Western Athletic Conference:

Duanesburg 170, Berne-Knox-Westerlo 205.

Women's golf:

Suburban Council:

Bethlehem 198, Columbia 226.

Saratoga 212, Niskayuna 214.

Shenendehowa 201, Burnt Hills 257.

News & notes

 Siena is still looking for its 1st win in women's soccer after dropping a 3-2 decision to Lipscomb on Sunday. The Saints fall to 0-3-1, and will return home Thursday to play New Hampshire.

=============================================

Meanwhile, UAlbany picked up its 1st win of the season in field hockey Sunday by shutting out Stonehill, 5-0. That squares the Lady Danes' record at 1-1.

But it was a shutout of a different kind on the volleyball court, as Central Florida defeated the Lady Danes in straight sets.

===================================================

There are reports of Saratoga race course needing some improvements after 2 horses died on the track on Saturday. WNYT reported last week that People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) is calling for NYRA to shut Saratoga, and follow the lead of Churchill Downs, which closed earlier this year after a series of horse fatalities there. The final week of the 2023 season begins Wednesday.

=====================================================

The Tri-City Valleycats dropped the finale of their series at the NY Boulders, 2-1, on Sunday, but the Boulders pulled it off without one of their best players, Tucker Nathans, who was ejected in the 1st inning. An umpire was removed as a result of the confrontation as he might've initiated physical contact. The Boulders are up in arms over 'Cats manager Pete Incaviglia alleging cheating, which led to the center field camera being shut down. Tri-City remains in 3rd place, but the Boulders are breathing heavily, hoping to take the final playoff spot in the East.

News & notes

 The Tri-City Valleycats will be looking to regain momentum later today in the rubber game of their series with the NY Boulders in Paloma. The Boulders won, 8-6, on Saturday despite two homers by Aaron Altherr.

The 'Cats begin their final home series Tuesday vs. Sussex County.

================================================

UAlbany opened football season on Saturday night by blowing out Fordham, 34-13.

Reese Poffenbarger threw 4 touchdown passes for the Great Danes, who begin a road trip next Saturday at Marshall before going out to Hawaii the following week.

===================================================

The Chicago White Sox quietly optioned Zach Remillard (LaSalle/Coastal Carolina) to their Triple A team in Charlotte earlier this week. Major league rosters will expand on Friday, so Remillard likely will return. Likewise, the Oakland A's likely will recall Kevin Smith (Columbia), who was sent down earlier this month.

Meanwhile, Yankee fans are up in arms over the struggles of reliever Tommy Kahnle (Shaker). Going into the weekend series at Tampa Bay, Kahnle's ERA is an even 3.00. Siena graduate Brendan White was called to the majors by Detroit. In 27 games, White is 2-2 with a 4.54 ERA and 35 strikeouts, though, again, those numbers might've gone up if he pitched against Houston this weekend.

News & notes

 Former Albany Empire owner Mike Kwarta wants back into the game. Problem is, the state Worker's Compensation Board is playing hardball.

In an interview published in today's Albany Times-Union, Kwarta says the state is requiring a premium in excess of $1 million, or, according to the article, 4-5 times the team payroll. Kwarta and his new partners want the premium lowered so they can accept an offer from either the new iteration of the Arena Football League or the Indoor Football League within the next two weeks.

Good luck with that.

=============================================

None of Thursday's high school golf scores were published Friday due to space limitations. Section II schools have not updated their social media platforms. Instead, they've scrubbed everything from last season. Don't ask.

Friday's action:

Colonial Council:

Mohonasen 204, Ravena 215.

Suburban Council:

Colonie 171, Burnt Hills 190.

Guilderland 160, Columbia 163.

Ballston Spa 150, Shenendehowa 159.

Niskayuna @ Troy was postponed and rescheduled to September 11. No reason given.

Thursday:

Averill Park 178, Troy 192.

Women's golf:

Suburban Council:

Guilderland 196, Columbia 244.

======================================

The Tri-City Valleycats, after Thursday's game vs. Quebec was rained out, took it out on the NY Boulders, 8-3, on Friday in Poloma. The two teams continue their series tonight. The 'Cats return for one final series Tuesday vs. Sussex County before closing the season at Trois Rivieres.

======================================

College football season in the 518 begins tonight as UAlbany hosts Fordham at Casey Stadium. Tonight's game begins at 7 pm, and can be heard on WTMM (104.5 FM) with Rodget Wyland on the call, following Yankees-Rays.

=====================================

College scores:

Field hockey:

UMass 3, UAlbany 2 (OT).

Women's soccer:

Brown 6, UAlbany 0.

Siena & Western Kentucky played to a 2-2 draw (Thursday).

Men's soccer:

Colgate 2, Siena 0 (Thursday).

Boston University 2, UAlbany 1 (Thursday).

Troy High sports schedule changes

 As Troy High begins its 2023-4 fall schedule today, some changes have been made for a couple of upcoming events, while additional soccer games have been added for the men and women.

Golf:

The home opener at Frear Park vs. Niskayuna has been pushed back to Monday, September 11 at 4 pm. That means Troy's home opener is now September 1 vs. Saratoga.

Football:

The season opener at Queensbury has been moved back to Friday, September 8, at 7 pm. I've a feeling this means that Jordan Canzeri's debut as head coach will serve as the season opener for Spectrum's Friday Night Matchup. Queensbury rarely plays at home on Fridays.

Also, the Week 8 game vs. Albany (October 27) has been removed from the schedule, which means it'll be replaced by a crossover game, and Albany, thus, is spared another loss to Troy.

Men's soccer:

5 games have been added to the schedule:

September 9 @ Tamarac.

September 16 vs. Amsterdam.

September 21 @ Scotia-Glenville.

October 2 vs. Cohoes.

October 7 vs. Stillwater.

Women's soccer:

5 games have been added, and 1 has been moved.

September 6: @ Scotia-Glenville.

September 9: @ Mechanicville.

September 23: @ Catholic Central.

October 2: @ Gloversville.

October 5: @ Tamarac. This game was originally reported as a Troy home game.

October 18: @ Salem.

News & notes

 The Tri-City Valleycats are hoping the rain doesn't ruin their night tonight.

Tri-City will look to extend their streak of winning home series to 16 if they can beat Quebec tonight at Bruno Stadium after the Capitales shut down the 'Cats to the tune of a 10-0 beatdown Wednesday night. First pitch is scheduled for 6:30 pm.

================================================

The Seattle Mariners saw their 8 game win streak snapped on Wednesday, losing to the Chicago White Sox, 5-4, in 10 innings. Brian O'Keefe (Colonie) got the start behind the plate, and went 0-2 with a walk before regular catcher Cal Raleigh pinch-hit for him late in the game. Zach Remillard (LaSalle) did not play. O'Keefe's average drops to .111 after yesterday.

=================================================

The 2023-4 high school season officially got underway Wednesday with a Suburban Council women's golf match.

Guilderland defeated Shenendehowa, 195-228, to kick off the season. Shen is right back at it this morning, with the match at Shaker starting at 9 am.

The rest of today's schedule:

Two other women's matches are scheduled. Niskayuna & Bethlehem will tee it up in the other Suburban Council match at 9. A non-league meet between Mohonasen (Colonial Council) and Broadalbin-Perth (Foothills) begins at 1 pm.

Men's action begins today. Save for the Foothills Council, matches all begin at 9 am. The Foothills meets begin at 11 am.

Foothills Council:

Broadalbin-Perth @ Schuylerville.

Glens Falls @ Johnstown.

Hudson Falls @ Gloversville.

Queensbury @ Scotia-Glenville.

South Glens Falls @ Amsterdam.

Western Athletic Conference:

Duanesburg @ Northville, 9 am.

Wasaren League:

Mechanicville @ Hoosick Falls-Tamarac, 9 am.

Suburban Council (meets are at 9 am unless otherwise indicated):

Ballston Spa @ Guilderland.

Troy @ Averill Park.

Colonie @ Schenectady.

Shaker @ Shenendehowa.

Saratoga @ CBA, 11 am.
Bethlehem @ Niskayuna, 4 pm.

============================================

College sports begins today as well, with 3 soccer matches on the bill.

Men:

UAlbany @ Boston University, 7 pm.

Siena @ Colgate, 7:30 pm.

Women:

Siena @ Western Kentucky, 8 pm.

News & notes

 Siena has announced its non-conference schedule for men's basketball. The MAAC schedule will be out at another time.

November 6: Home opener vs. Holy Cross.

November 11: Sunshine Slam @ Richmond.

November 13: Sunshine Slam @ American University.

November 20: Sunshine Slam vs. Central Michigan @ Daytona Beach. 11:30 am tip.

November 21: Sunshine Slam vs. Milwaukee or Stetson @ Daytona Beach.

November 26: Albany Cup vs. UAlbany.

December 6: Bryant.

December 9: Franciscan Cup @ St. Bonaventure.

December 19: Cornell.

December 22: @ Brown.

December 30: @ UMass-Amherst.

===========================================

The Tri-City Valleycats took down Quebec, 3-2, Tuesday night, moving within a game and a half of 1st place New Jersey heading into play tonight. If they sweep the Capitales, they could have 2nd place all to themselves heading into a weekend trip vs. the NY Boulders.

=============================================

RPI has named Kristie Bowers as their new athletic director, succeeding Dr. Lee McElroy, who retired last month.

Bowers, the 1s female AD in school history, was an assistant AD at Boston University

=============================================

After unveiling a modified logo earlier this month, Union College's football team will keep the traditional block U logo on their helmets when they begin play September 2 at Hillbert College, per 1st year coach Jon Poppe. Poppe was signed in the offseason to replace Jeff Behrman, who left after last season to take the head coach's job at John Carroll.

=============================================

The Seattle Mariners will be looking to sweep the Chicago White Sox today. The real question is whether or not Section II alums Brian O'Keefe (Seattle) and Zach Remillard (Chicago) will play.

Both were late game replacements on Monday in a 14-2 Mariners win. O'Keefe, a backup catcher, went 0-1, and is batting .143 in limited playing time behind starter Cal Raleigh. Remillard also went 0-1, and is batting .264. Seattle has won 8 in a row going into today's game.

News & notes

 The Tri-City Valleycats open a series tonight vs. Quebec at Bruno Stadium, seeking revenge after the Capitales took 2 of 3 from Tri-City a week ago. Tri-City begins play tonight 2 1/2 games out of first place in the Eastern Division of the Frontier League with 2 weeks left in the season.

By the way, Sussex County, which returns to Bruno Stadium next week, changed managers in the off-season, with former major league catcher Chris Widger replacing Bobby Jones. Widger was a member of the 2005 Chicago White Sox team that defeated Houston to win the World Series.

=============================================

Saratoga's Christian Mello will stay right at home when he goes to college.

Mello announced last week he had committed to play baseball at UAlbany after he graduates next summer.

==============================================

Training camps have opened for football in Section II. James Allen (Spectrum News 1/Albany Times-Union) began his tour on Monday visiting four schools, CBA, Shenendehowa, Ballston Spa, & Niskayuna.

One pertinent nugget from today's piece is the fact that CBA is welcoming back QB Jake Iacobaccio for his senior season after he played for Shaker the last two years. Donald Jones is the incumbent starter, also a senior, and will have brother Archie competing for playing time. The Brothers, however, lost one key star on offense last season, as Jahmir Pitcher transferred to Suffield Academy, a prep school in Connecticut.

===========================================

Speaking of Niskayuna, school principal and sports agent JR Rickert was a guest on Albany Street on Sunday. Rickert, like host Brian Cady, is an alumnus of WTMM (The Team 104.5) before becoming an educator.

Earlier this month, Ashley Miller, who has left WNYT to become a teacher in the South Colonie district, was a guest. She had only recently joined her husband, Chris Onorato, on his weekly show on WNYA. Miller sat down with Cady on Albany Street. Past episodes can be found on WROW's website.

News & notes

 In the space of 24 hours, Siena said good-bye to their most successful women's lacrosse coach, and promoted her successor.

Abigail Rehfuss left Siena Wednesday to become an assistant at Syracuse. 24 hours later, associate head coach Danielle Tetrault was promoted to head coach. She'll be entering her 7th season with the Saints in the spring. Tetrault will be getting married on Saturday, and she'll have about 5-6 months to prepare for the season when she returns from her honeymoon.

=======================================

Colonie native Brian O'Keefe is back in the major leagues, as Seattle recalled him earlier this week. The rosters are due to expand on September 1, but O'Keefe has been tearing it up at Tacoma in the Pacific Coast League. O'Keefe started in place of catcher Cal Raleigh on Thursday in Kansas City, and went 0-4 with 2 strikeouts before Raleigh pinch-hit for him in the 9th and homered to secure a 6-4 win for Seattle. The Mariners open a weekend series tonight in Houston.

Meanwhile, Zach Remillard only played on Tuesday for the Chicago White Sox vs. the Cubs, and went 1-4, keeping his average at .259. The White Sox will be in Colorado this weekend to play the Rockies, so we'll keep an eye out to see if Zach gets to play.

=============================================

The Tri-City Valleycats return home tonight after dropping 2 of 3 to the Quebec Capitales, losing the series finale, 9-5, on Thursday. Valleycat pitchers gave up 6 homers in the 2 losses. The Sussex County Miners are in town for the weekend.

News & notes

 The Tri-City Valleycats fell to Quebec, 8-1, on Tuesday, in the opening game of a critical 3 game series north of the border.

The two teams will continue the series tonight. Tri-City comes home for a quick series vs. Sussex County this weekend before heading back out to play the NY Boulders back in Paloma next week.

In other 'Cats news, pitcher Dwayne Marshall, who got shelled in his last start, was placed on the injured list prior to the Quebec series. No word on what exactly the injury is, but Marshall, who came over from Sussex County in the off-season, has been slumping of late.

==========================================

Section II golf season starts next week, but Albany Academy's Kennedy Swedick has gotten a head start.

Swedick captured the American Junior Golf Association title in North Salem over the weekend, firing a 7 under par for the tournament.

============================================

60 years ago today, Wolferts Roost Country Club in Menands hosted the US Girls Junior Championship, the only time that tournament was held in the 518.

Janis Ferraris of San Francisco bested Peggy Conley of Spokane, Washington in the final, 2-up. The late Gail Sykes was the lone player representing the 518. There were a number of other names in the field, as Pete Dougherty recollects in today's Albany Times-Union. Those included future LPGA champions Jane Blalock, Roberta Albers, Sandra Post, Carol Semple, and Laney Smith, and future skiing champion Suzy Chaffee.

============================================

The Mets will honor Eric Shevy, a member of the Watervliet Elks, as the Veteran of The Game during today's matinee vs. Pittsburgh (1 pm, SNY). The Elks Club has been promoting this all week. Thank you, Eric, for your service.

News & notes

 By the time the Tri-City Valleycats return from their trip to Quebec, depending on how they play these next three games, the 'Cats could move back into 1st place in the Frontier League's East Division.

After avenging a road series loss to New Jersey by taking the last two games against the Jackals, the 'Cats go north of the border to play the Capitales beginning tonight. Tri-City is in 2nd place in the division with three weeks left in the season.

=========================================

Viewers tuning in during the regional rounds of the Little League World Series (the tournament proper begins tomorrow) on ESPN last week heard a familiar voice not heard 'round these parts in years.

Former WRGB sports anchor Doug Sherman, last heard calling MAAC tournament basketball games on MSG a few years back, was at the mic, paired at least part of the time with former player and Sunday Night Baseball analyst Eduardo Perez, son of former Cincinnati Reds star Tony Perez. Whether or not Sherman made the trip to Williamsport won't be known until tomorrow.

==========================================

The Albany Times-Union is trying something different, a week before the fall sports season starts in Section II.

On the paper's website, you'll find a survey asking if improvements need to be made to how some, if not all, high school sports should be covered going forward. We've often noted the lack of results for secondary sports like tennis, volleyball, lacrosse, et al, due in large part to deadlines and space considerations, the last few years, and now, the T-U, at least, is doing something about it.

==========================================

Zach Remillard's recent slump, as noted last week, has confined the rookie out of Coastal Carolina (LaSalle) to a part-time role off the bench.

Remillard went 1-4 on Sunday, keeping his average at .259, and it'll be worth watching if he plays in the interleague series starting tonight vs. the Cubs.

News & notes

 The Tri-City Valleycats return home to Bruno Stadium tonight to open a series against the New Jersey Jackals, looking for revenge after the Jackals won 2 of 3 last weekend. Tri-City went 2-4 on their road trip after losing to the NY Boulders, 9-3, on Thursday. For baseball fans, the 'Cats are the only game in town, with the Albany Twilight League having ended its season on Wedneday.

===================================================

Speaking of the Twilight League, congratulations to the Capital City Kings, who blew out Waterford for the 3rd straight game, 10-4, on Wednesday to win the title series, 3-1. A national Stan Musial Baseball tournament awaits the Kings.

==================================================

Siena College has updated its logo, which had been in place for the last 20 years or so. The Saints' new logo looks like this:

It illustrates that the Saint Bernard, for whom the team is named, is ready for action, which, I think, is the point. The new logo was designed by students in the school's communications department.

==================================================

Zach Remillard (LaSalle/Coastal Carolina) didn't play Wednesday night as the Chicago White Sox defeated the Yankees, 9-2. Remillard, though, did appear in the first two games, entering as a pinch-hitter late in Monday's game, and laying down a sacrifice bunt. He finished the series 1-3 with the bunt and a run scored, but his average has dropped to .259 after a recent slump.

News & notes

 Two months after capturing the Class A title, Columbia High's baseball team will be honored by the Yankees prior to the August 22 game vs. the Washington Nationals. It will be the last time the 2023 team will appear together before the seniors who've since graduated leave for college.

A former Blue Devil, Danny Watson, is currently in the Yankees' farm system, and could be in the bigs in about 2-3 years.

====================================================

The Capital City Kings could close out the Albany Twilight League season as early as tonight.

The Kings have a 2-1 series lead over the Waterford Nationals after winning game 3, 10-6, last night. Game 4 is set for tonight at 7:15 at Bleecker Stadium.

===================================================

Siena College has not yet released its full basketball schedules, but we do know the men have at least 2 home dates firmed up, both in November.

The Saints open the 2023-4 season at MVP Arena on Monday, November 6 vs. Holy Cross. The annual Albany Cup game vs. UAlbany, as revealed yesterday, will take place on Sunday, November 26. However, the women's Albany Cup will be at Broadview Center six nights later, on December 2. Go figure. The balance of the schedule will be out soon.

===================================================

The last Camp Day for the Tri-City Valleycats didn't go the way they'd hoped.

Ex-Valleycat Chris Kwitzer was in the middle of it again, as his base hit touched off a 6 run 5th inning for the homestanding NY Boulders as they beat the 'Cats, 12-6. The two teams continue their series tonight at 7 pm. The 'Cats, losers of 4 of their last 5 after a 9 game win streak, return to Bruno Stadium Friday to play the New Jersey Jackals, who beat Tri-City in 2 of 3 last weekend.

UAlbany basketball returns home, releases 2023-4 schedules

 The biggest downside to UAlbany's 2022-3 basketball season was the lack of promotion in getting fans outside the Great Dane community to visit Hudson Valley Community College's Ed McDonough Field House, where the Danes played their home games. A co-worker of mine is a season ticket holder for the men's games, and she confided that attendance was sparse at HVCC.

Then again, HVCC President Roger Ramsammy hasn't exactly been popular with students and alumni at his own school for reasons we've discussed here previously, and didn't roll out the red carpet for the Danes.

Come November, however, the Danes return home to Broadview Center (formerly SEFCU Arena) after extensive renovations.

While the ladies said good-bye to Grace Heeps (Columbia), who has transferred to Canisius as a graduate transfer, Colleen Mullen says hello to Shenendehowa alumnus Meghan Huerter (Providence), who transfers to UAlbany to join Lily Phillips (Cambridge) and Abby Ray (Saratoga) in representing Section II.

The women's schedule:

November 6: @ Merrimack.

November 10: @ Fordham.

November 12: Home opener vs. Rosemont.

November 16: @ St. Bonaventure.

November 22: @ Cornell.

November 26: @ Stanford.

December 2: Siena.

December 6: @ Central Connecticut State.

December 9: Marist.

December 12: Dartmouth.

December 16: Stonehill.

December 20: @ UMass-Amherst.

January 4: Bryant.

January 8: New Jersey Institute of Technology.

January 13: @ Binghamton.

January 18: @ UMass-Lowell.

January 20: @ Bryant.

January 25: Maine.

January 27: New Hampshire.

February 1: Vermont.

February 3: @ University of Maryland-Baltimore County.

February 8: Binghamton.

February 15: @ NJIT.

February 17: UMBC.

February 22: @ Vermont.

February 24: UMass-Lowell.

February 29: @ New Hampshire.

March 2: @ Maine.

Meanwhile, while there are fans who are calling for coach Dwayne Killings' head, he will return for a 3rd season to coach the men's team. The schedule:

November 7: @ UMass-Amherst.

November 11: @ Columbia.

November 15: @ Seton Hall.

November 19: @ Quinnipiac.

November 21: Army.

November 26: @ Siena.

November 29: Boston University.

December 2: Dartmouth.

December 5: opponent TBA.

December 10: Temple is scheduled. What is not certain is if this game will be at Broadview Center or in Philadelphia.

December 16: @ Drexel.

December 19: Sacred Heart.

December 22: @ South Florida.

December 30: @ Long Island University.

January 2: @ Harvard.

January 6: @ NJIT.

January 13: Binghamton.

January 18: UMass-Lowell.

January 20: Bryant.

January 25: @ Maine.

January 27: @ New Hampshire.

February 1: @ Vermont.

February 3: UMBC.

February 8: @ Binghamton.

February 15: NJIT.

February 17: @ UMBC.

February 22: Vermont.

February 24: @ UMass-Lowell.

February 29: New Hampshire.

March 2: Maine.

March 5: @ Bryant.

We'll have the Siena schedules up as soon as they're released.

News & notes

 Four days after announcing a change to the school's nickname, Union College announced Monday that the football season finale vs. RPI will remain billed as the Battle For The Dutchmen's Shoes. This year's edition is set for Veteran's Day, November 11, at Frank Bailey Field on the Union campus.

It was also announced that Union will introduce its new mascot soon, likely before the start of the season.

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The Albany Twilight League's championship series is even at a game apiece after Capital City crushed Waterford, 21-1, on Sunday (OUCH!). However, game 3, scheduled for last night, was rained out, and they're holding out hope that they can play tonight. I wouldn't count on it. There's a better chance they'll play tomorrow, then pray for help so they can play games 4 and, if needed, 5, with rain in the forecast for Thursday and Friday as well.

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UAlbany grad Thomas Greaney saw some time at tight end for Cleveland during the Hall of Fame game vs. the Jets. Greaney caught 4 balls for 15 yards. He's still got a shot at making the opening day roster, with the season opener September 10.

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The Tri-City Valleycats will play what figures to be their last "Camp Day" game this morning in Paloma vs. the NY Boulders. 1st pitch is at 11 am. Tri-City sits in 2nd place in the Frontier League's East division, a half-game behind New Jersey.

News & notes

 The season is over for the Troy Fighting Irish.

All we know is that the team lost its regular season finale Saturday afternoon to the Upstate Predators, but no score has been provided, and the YouTube feeds of the game were taken down when the uploaders closed their accounts.

What we do know is that the team was in a period of transition with new ownership and coaches, and finished 4-5 on the season, a rare losing record for the Irish. Now, if they could just figure out a better way to promote the team for next year, and move their home games back to Lansingburgh High......!

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The Tri-City Valleycats have fallen out of first place in the Frontier League's Eastern division after dropping 2 of 3 to the New Jersey Jackals over the weekend. Sunday's game turned into a softball game with all the scoring, and they still managed to get nine innings in under 3 hours.

James Nelson hit 3 homers to lead the Jackals to a 16-12 win over the 'Cats. Elijah Gill went 4 innings and took the loss. Tri-City stays on the road, and will visit the NY Boulders on Tuesday.

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Chicago White Sox rookie Zach Remillard (LaSalle/Coastal Carolina) will be on your TV screens again over the next three nights, starting tonight, as the Yankees visit the ChiSox. 1st pitch tonight is set for 8:10 pm on YES (Spectrum channel 321). Remillard was the subject of a feature article in Sunday's Albany Times-Union, and has been more of a utility player so far, playing some outfield in addition to infield positions.

News & notes

 UAlbany announced Thursday that they are adding a women's rowing program to their athletic schedule. I think they may be the only college in the area that even is considering taking up the sport, but I may be wrong.

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Union College has made it official, retiring the "Dutchmen" & "Dutchwomen" in favor of the Garnet Chargers, effective this season.

This means that the only time the "Dutchmen" will even be referenced at Union going forward would be, of course, the annual Dutchmen's Shoes game between Union & RPI, which is the regular season finale in football for both schools in November.

On the other hand, I don't know if Guilderland High or the Perfect Game League's Albany Dutchmen would need to make any changtes, considering the Dutch had more of a historical impact on Albany and its suburbs than on Schenectady. Stay tuned.

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The Tri-City Valleycats' 9 game winning streak ended in horrific fashion on Thursday, as the Empire State Greys salvaged the series finale, 10-1. Tri-City won the season series, 6-3, as this was the Greys' final visit to Troy.

Valleycats President Rick Murphy may have given the Greys some bulletin board material in some remarks made to the Albany Times-Union in Thursday's edition in which he expressed a desire to see the Frontier League add a team to replace the barnstorming Greys, who don't have a home field. The 'Cats are in New Jersey this weekend to play the Jackals, with tonight's game set for a 6:35 pm first pitch.

News & notes

 The Albany Twilight League will crown new champions this weekend. No, seriously. The perennial champs, the Albany Athletics, were upset in the semi-finals by Waterford. The Nationals will now face the Capital City Kings in a best of 3 series which starts tomorrow, weather permitting. Waterford downed the A's, 3-2, Wednesday night at Bleecker Stadium. The ancient venue will host the championship series as well.

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UAlbany QB Reese Poffenbarger has been named to a watch list for the Walter Payton Award, which will be handed out at the end of the 2023 season. Poffenbarger is a redshirt sophomore, and among 35 players in the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) on the watch list for the Payton Award, given to the most outstanding offensive player. Should Poffenbarger win the award, he would join an elite group of players who later went on to success in the NFL, including current Rams star Cooper Kupp and former Giants & Patriots star Dave Meggett.

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The Tri-City Valleycats will be looking to run their winning streak to 10 in a row tonight, weather permitting, as they look to close out the Empire State Grays at Bruno Stadium. The 'Cats won handily Wednesday, 9-3, clinching yet another home series (13-0).

In other 'Cats news, the team is expected to renew its membership in the Frontier League, as their current deal expires at the end of September. While attendance has dipped below 3,000 per game, last Wednesday's matinee being a big exception, the Valleycats remain a popular attraction in the 518.

Also, the team has 3 more years left on its lease at Hudson Valley Community College. While they didn't play HVCC's squad in a preseason game this year, it would be beneficial to both parties going forward if it became an annual tradition.