News & notes

 The Albany FireWolves are 2 games away from their first National Lacrosse League title after sweeping San Diego over the weekend.

After beating the Seals on the road on Friday, the 'Wolves returned to the friendly confines of MVP Arena and completed the two game sweep, 13-10. They'll host division rival Buffalo in the finals, with game 1 set for May 17 at MVP Arena, and game 2 in Buffalo on the 18th. The deciding game 3, if needed, will be back in Albany May 24.

That sets up a very interesting scenario for local sports fans.

The Tri-City ValleyCats open their home schedule on May 17 at Bruno Stadium against the Washington (PA) Wild Things, and the Albany Patroons will be back home at the Washington Avenue Armory, hosting Jamestown. The 'Wolves & Pats have had home games on the same night a few times this season, and while we don't have attendance figures, you have to figure each team has its own particular fan base, but it is a great time to be a sports fan in the 518.

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24 hours after the UAlbany men's lacrosse team locked up a berth in the NCAA tournament by winning the America East title, the women had a chance to do the same.

Unfortunately, state rival Binghamton had other ideas. The Lady Bearcats claimed the America East title, 12-11, on Sunday afternoon. Perhaps it works best for the NCAA, seeing as how Albany finished two games under .500, and sub-.500 clubs don't usually make a lot of waves in NCAA tournaments, though stranger things have happened.

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RPI captured the Liberty League men's lacrosse title by beating RIT, 15-14, on Sunday. The Engineers also took home the men's tennis team title, dispatching Vassar, 5-2. Skidmore made it a 518 sweep in tennis, taking the women's title, also over Vassar, 5-3.

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The Albany Patroons placed 7 players in double figures in crushing Connecticut, 142-112, on the road on Sunday. The road trip continues Saturday in Jamestown.

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Former Bethlehem & Siena pitcher Arlo Marynczak could make the ValleyCats' opening day roster.

Marynczak pitched three innings in a pre-season game against the barnstorming Too Hot Baseball at Bruno Stadium on Friday, a game that was not reported otherwise. The 'Cats blew away Too Hot, 12-0. Marynczak finished the game, entering in the 7th inning, and retired all 9 batters, with 5 strikeouts. A roster spot is not assured, however, but Marynczak could see action at New England on Tuesday or in a intrasquad game Wednesday (weather permitting) at Bruno Stadium.