News & notes

 The Tri-City Valleycats defeated the New England Knockouts, 4-1, on Tuesday, behind a stellar start from Arlo Marynczak (Bethlehem/Siena). Marynczak went 6 1/3 innings to pick up the win and go to 4-3 on the season.

With rain in the forecast this afternoon & evening, you may need to bring an umbrella or rain poncho for tonight's game.

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

With Week 4 underway at Saratoga, local product Dylan Davis sits at 11 winners, pending today's action. Davis stays in the top 10 among the jockeys, while Mechanicville's Chad Brown leads the trainers.

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

Matt Gage hasn't gotten into a game yet with the Mets, but the veteran lefty was optioned back to Syracuse today after the team made some trade deadline deals. Figure Gage (Broadalbin-Perth/Siena) will return soon.

News & notes

 The Tri-City Valleycats return home tomorrow to open a mid-week set with the New England Knockouts before going back on the road to play the NY Boulders. The 'Cats could use a little momentum boost after getting swept by Ottawa over the weekend......

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

The Mets have called up Matt Gage (Broadalbin-Perth/Siena) in time for tonight's game vs. Minnesota at Citi Field. To make room, inconsistent reliever Jake Diekman was designated for assignment, which could mean he could be dealt before tomorrow's trade deadline, released, or sent back to Syracuse.

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

Siena men's coach Gerry McNamara has some backup.

St. Rose legend Brian Beaury has signed on as a special assistant to McNamara and the coaching staff for the 2024-5 season, per the Albany Times-Union.

Photo courtesy Albany Times-Union.

What got Beaury the gig was the fact that his nephew, Ryan, is director of basketball operations for the Saints, and came over with McNamara from Syracuse.

Now, all that's left is to see if the Siena band can learn the lyrics to "McNamara's Band" before the start of the season.......!

News & notes

 The Tri-City Valleycats have returned to Canada for a weekend series with the Ottawa Titans, carrying a chance to overtake the Titans for the 3rd & final Eastern Division playoff spot, a post-season berth that has eluded the 'Cats, who are in their 4th season in the Frontier League.

Tri-City defeated Trois-Rivieres, 4-3, in 11 innings Thursday to complete a 3 game sweep as they continue their push to the playoffs.

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

Siena, it turns out, had already released its MAAC schedule for the women's basketball team for 2024-5. Unlike the men, no non-conference games have been scheduled for 1st year coach Terry Primm's group.

Here we go:

December:

19: Niagara.

21: Canisius.

January:

2: @ Manhattan.

4: @ Iona.

9: Quinnipiac.

16: @ Sacred Heart.

18: Merrimack.

23: @ Mount St. Mary's.

25: Iona.

30: Marist.

February:

1: @ Quinnipiac.

6: @ St. Peter's.

8: Rider.

13: @ Marist.

15: Sacred Heart.

20: @ Niagara.

22: @ Canisius.

March:

1: Mount St. Mary's.

6: @ Fairfield.

8: Senior night vs. Manhattan.

Game times and non-conference games will be announced at a later date.

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

You know that Major League Baseball once had a franchise in Troy, which evolved into today's San Francisco Giants.

But, did you know that the 518 also had a Negro League franchise? Like, I didn't, until reading a piece in today's Albany Times-Union.

The Mohawk Giants played their home games in Schenectady as far back as 1913, playing their home games at Island Park Stadium, long since torn down. A plaque erected Thursday tells us that Hall of Fame pitcher Walter Johnson brought an all-star team to the Electric City in the fall of 1913, only to lose to the Giants, 1-0, before 7,000 fans.

As MLB is doing its part to unite the history of the Negro League with its own, it'd be a good idea to send some researchers to Schenectady to learn more about the Giants, don't you think?

Siena men's basketball 2024-5 schedule released

 Gerry McNamara's 1st season in the MAAC as Siena coach begins with a road trip to Western NY, but before that, the Saints will open in the Fort Myers Tip-Off tournament.

The women's schedule should be out soon. 

Aside from the Fort Myers tournament, game times have not been made final.

November:

20: vs. Xavier at Fort Myers.

25: vs. Miami at Fort Myers, 11 am.

26: vs. Jacksonville or Mercer at Fort Myers, 11 am or 1:30 pm.

30: @ Bucknell.

December:

6: @ Niagara.

8: @ Canisius.

January: 

3: Manhattan.

5: Iona.

10: @ Quinnipiac.

16: Sacred Heart.

18: @ Merrimack.

23: Mount St. Mary's.

25: @ Iona.

31: @ Marist.

February:

2: Quinnipiac.

6: St. Peter's.

8: @ Rider.

14: Marist.

16: @ Sacred Heart.

21: Niagara.

23: Canisius.

28: @ Mount St. Mary's.

March:

6: Senior night vs. Fairfield.

8: @ Manhattan.

Additional non-league games will be announced at a later date.

News & notes

 Today marks the final Camp Day of the season for the Tri-City Valleycats as they host Trois-Rivieres this morning at 11 am, weather permitting. WROW morning host Ben Patten got his dates mixed up, as he has repeatedly reported the start time as 6:30 pm.

Tri-City defeated Trois-Rivieres, 3-2, in 10 innings Tuesday, and will look to win the series with a win today.

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

As week 3 begins at Saratoga, there's a fresh face atop the jockey standings.

Relative newcomer Flavian Prat leads with 12 winners to date, followed by Irad Ortiz, Jr. (11), Tyler Gaffalione (10), Manny Franco (9), and Dylan Davis (8). Mechanicville's Chad Brown leads the trainers with 10 wins to date.

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

Greenwich grad Cole Burgess is getting a look in training camp with the Cincinnati Bengals.

Burgess, last seen with SUNY-Cortland, could have a little insider edge as another Cortland grad, Dan Pitcher, is the Bengals' offensive coordinator.

Good luck, Cole.

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

The scavengers are back in local retail stores.

If you thought it was bad when there was panic-buying during the pandemic four years ago, would be "investors" taking the advice of a YouTube influencer have started hoarding cards again, this time because of all the hype surrounding hot baseball rookies like Pittsburgh pitcher Paul Skenes.

I said this before, and I'll say it again. If you ain't a parent, save some packs and boxes for the kids who need them more than you do.

All Walmart in Troy had at last check were Topps' $45 Super Boxes of series 2 baseball. No 2024 football as of press time.

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

Glens Falls native Jimmer Fredette has made the US Olympic team in 3 on 3 basketball. Fredette, who didn't pan out in the NBA after graduating from Brigham Young, is perhaps hoping to get some spotlight during the Olympics, which begin today, though opening ceremonies to officially launch the games don't take place until Friday.

News & notes

 Lauren Anderson of South Carolina captured the Twin Bridges Championship at Pinehaven Country Club on Sunday, carding an even par 72 to defeat Jessica Porvasnik of Ohio by 2 shots.

Hayden Knapp (South Glens Falls) missed the cut on Saturday.

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

All told, three Section II alumni were drafted last weekend in the MLB Entry Draft.

We told you before about Greg Farone (Schenectady/Alabama), who signed with San Francisco, but there were two others who slipped through the radar.

Derek Bender (Albany Academy/Coastal Carolina) went in the 6th round to Minnesota. Matt Tiberia (CBA/College of St. Rose/Lynn University) went in the 18th round, signing with Seattle. All three are reporting to rookie camps.

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

Ian Anderson (Shenendehowa) has been activated from the minor league IL and will return to Atlanta's Triple A team in Gwinnett, where he is expected to make his season debut on Saturday. If all goes well, I suspect he'll be back in Hot-lanta come September.

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

The Tri-City Valleycats took 2 of 3 over the weekend in Quebec, taking the rubber game, 7-6, on Sunday in a slog that went nearly 3 1/2 hours.

The 'Cats return home to face Trois-Rivieres, or, Three Rivers, on Tuesday.

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

Confirming from Saturday, Dylan Davis (Saratoga) did double his season's win total Saturday at Saratoga with a 4 win day.

On Sunday, Manny Franco matched Davis with a 4 bagger of his own. The standings won't be updated until Wednesday, but you figure Franco has gotten closer to the top.

Mechanicville native Chad Brown won 4 races himself on Sunday. No surprise there.

News & notes

 The one thing that cost the Albany Firebirds the Arenabowl on Friday was coaching.

AFL Hall of Famer Sedrick Bonner, a star for Arizona in the OG AFL back in the day, is the offensive coordinator for the Billings Outlaws, who defeated Albany for the 2nd time in a month, 46-41. Billings QB Isaac Harker threw 5 touchdown passes to Duane Brown, and Albany just couldn't catch up fast enough.

There's always next year.

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

As they're playing the 2nd game of the series as we write, the Tri-City Valleycats are looking to make it 5 in a row over Quebec after beating the Capitales, 4-1, on Friday. The 'Cats return home for a short homestand, a 3 game series vs. Three Rivers before going back on the road next Friday. This series includes the final Camp Day of the season on Wednesday.

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

Fox's cameras were at Saratoga this afternoon, and will be there for the next five weeks at least.

However, their announcers, aside from NYRA handicapper Andy Serling, might need to put some respect next to Dylan Davis' name.

The Saratoga native won 4 races, including the Lake George Stakes, on the 12 race card. I don't know which of the analysts it was, but they said that Davis "shouldn't be winning 4 races on the card", believing that is reserved for superstars like the Ortiz brothers, Jose & Irad. If I'm not mistaken, Davis may have, in fact, doubled his win total for the meet.

If I'm Serling, I may have to have an off-camera chat with these talkiing heads.........

News & notes

 The Albany FireWolves made sure that their star goaltender, Doug Jamieson, wasn't going anywhere.

Jamieson signed a new, 3 year contract Wednesday that will keep him with the 'Wolves through the 2026-7 season. He had been a restricted free agent, with the 'Wolves holding his rights.

Something tells me the 'Wolves will be players in the NLL for a while to come.

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

Tri-City Valleycats catcher Oscar Campos got to play in the Frontier League All Star Game after all on Wednesday, except it was as the designated hitter for the East All Stars.

Campos went 0-3 with a walk as the West defeated the East, 2-1.

Campos had been on the IL with a hamstring injury, but was activated for the game. The rest of the 'Cats will join him in Quebec as they'll play the Capitales starting tomorrow night.

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

Lost amidst what little hoopla was actually there in this year's MLB Entry Draft was a lone player with ties to the 518.

Alabama pitcher Greg Farone (Schenectady) was drafted by San Francisco in the 7th round on Monday, and signed his first pro contract on Tuesday. He reports to Scottsdale, Arizona, the Giants' spring home, today. Farone had been at Herkimer & Louisville before transferring to Alabama as a senior.

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

In a season full of turmoil, the Arena Football League closes the 2024 campaign tomorrow at the Meadowlands.

However, some fly-by-night jabroni website claims the game was imperiled by----what else----money.

Pro Football Newsroom, which covers spring football, and otherwise had flown under the radar, got its 15 minutes for claiming through anonymous sources that the league's front office was still undergoing changes after what they claimed was a mismanagement of funds.

Seems to me that this Newsroom needs an overhaul.

Meanwhile, the Albany Firebirds will take the field tomorrow without star kicker Marc Orozko, who is out with a knee injury. Not a good sign for the 'Birds as they seek to avenge a loss to Billings in Week 9.

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

When the Olympics begin in Paris July 26, Averill Park native Rudy Winkler will be part of the US track & field team, having qualified 2nd in the hammer throw at the Olympic trials last month in Oregon. Winkler is in his 3rd Olympics, and it could be his last, per an interview with Mark Singelais of the Albany Times-Union.

Troy High women's swimming & diving schedule revealed for 2024

 As of now, per the Colonial Council website's Troy High page, the Troy women's swimming & diving team, combined with Averill Park & Tamarac, has just 7 meets scheduled for the 2024 season. If anything's added, we'll pop it on here when we get the information.

All meets are scheduled on Wednesdays, with one big exception.

September:

11: Home opener vs. Shaker-Colonie.

18: @ Saratoga.

25: Bethlehem.

October:

2: @ Schenectady-Mohonasen.

5: @ Shenendehowa.

16: Albany.

23: Senior day (as of now) vs. Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake.

News & notes

 Incoming South Glens Falls freshman Hayden Knapp warmed up for this weekend's Epson-Twin Bridges tournament at Pinehaven Country Club in Guilderland with a 6th place finish in the NYS women's amateur at Skaneateles last weekend. Knapp carded a 54 hole score of 234, finishing 18 shots behind tournament winner Ina Kim-Schaad.

Speaking of the Twin Bridges tournament, defending champion Jenny Bae returns to the 518 to try to repeat in this year's event.

Photo courtesy of the Epson tour website.

Bae, from Georgia, will be the first returning champion to compete the next year since Wei-Ling Hsu, the 2013 winner, returned in 2014.

Pro-Am play is set for today & tomorrow, weather permitting today, of course, with the actual 54 hole tournament starting on Friday.

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

Week 2 at Saratoga begins today, and with it comes the start of steeplechase racing, a staple at the Old Spa for so many years. First post is at 1:10 pm. Live action can be seen on OTB-TV (Spectrum channel 1250).

Update, 4:08 pm: The Smithwick was postponed due to rain. The race has been rescheduled for Sunday.

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

For whatever reason, CBS Sports Network has scheduled the ArenaBowl game, a rematch from week 9 between Billings and the Albany Firebirds, for 5:30 pm on Friday. The 'Birds are hungry for revenge after losing to Billings late in week 9.

To remind, the game will be played at American Dream inside the Meadowlands Sports Complex in East Rutherford, New Jersey. I think harness racing will be going on shortly after the game starts, so maybe they're hoping fans can pay attention to two things at once.......

News & notes

 Next stop for the Albany Firebirds: The Meadowlands.

The American Dream Center will be the site for Arenabowl 2024 on July 19. Albany punched its ticket by crushing Salina, 80-59, this afternoon, spoiling the homecoming of LaSalle grad Caleb Smith, who was profiled yesterday in the Albany Times-Union.

The Arenabowl will air on CBS Sports Network.

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

Coming home after being swept by New England, the Tri-City Valleycats returned to their winning ways at steamy Joe Bruno Stadium Friday, beating the New Jersey Jackals, 6-3, but that wasn't all.

The 6th inning Mayors' Race, like the hot dog race in the 8th, is a work, as they say in pro wrestling, strictly for entertainment purposes. The Times-Union is reporting that there was a surprise in Friday's Mayors' Race.

1st term Troy Mayor Carmella Mantello, whose doppleganger has won her share of races this year, donned the foam replica of her face herself, ran the race, and won. As Madame Mayor shared with the T-U, she was supposed to run out on the field to help her "twin", but, where's the fun in that? She also owns up to having played baseball & softball in the past, and she does look like an athlete, seemingly being the youngest of the Mayors.

Mantello has thrown down the gauntlet to her counterparts in Albany (Kathy Sheehan) & Schenectady (Gary McCarthy), challenging them to follow her lead and don the foam masks for a match race, presumably not just the usual 6th inning shenanigans, but for charity, which would be the lure, in this writer's opinion.

In other 'Cats news, All-Star catcher Oscar Campos was placed on the 7 day IL with a hamstring issue, meaning he will not play in the Frontier League All Star Game Wednesday in Quebec. The 'Cats signed Bradley Roberto to take Campos' place on the active roster. Roberto arrives with a bit of a championship pedigree.

15 years ago, Roberto was a member of the Chula Vista (California) Little League All Star team that won the Little League World Series. With the 'Cats in the thick of a division race, Roberto finds himself in a familiar scenario. 

Stay tuned.

News & notes

 After three consecutive sweeps, two of them over the Sussex County Miners, the Tri-City Valleycats themselves were swept by the New England Knockouts, who've now won four straight over the 'Cats, dating back to the last game of their series at Bruno Stadium a few weeks back.

New England blew away Tri-City for the 2nd straight night, 16-7, on Thursday. The 'Cats return home to Bruno Stadium tonight to open a series vs. New Jersey. Rain, though, is in the forecast, and could hit town mid-game. Be prepared.

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

Saturday's Firebirds playoff vs. Salina will be a homecoming for a 2nd generation player who started the season with Albany, then played against them in 2 losses for West Texas before moving on to the Liberty.

Caleb Smith, a LaSalle graduate, is the son of OG Firebird Rodney Smith, who no doubt will be in attendance for the game on Saturday (2:30 pm, CBS Sports Network). Caleb Smith was in camp with the 'Birds at the start of the season, but was released. 

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

Speaking of homecoming, the start of the Saratoga season doesn't just mean that Mechanicville native Chad Brown is back home for the summer. It also means jockey Dylan Davis, a Saratoga native, is home, too.

Davis rode two winners on Thursday, including The Queens M G in the featured Schuylerville. A 3rd Davis mount placed 3rd. Davis has 2 mounts today as of press time, in the 6th & 7th races

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

You might have noticed that the Albany Times-Union has finally found a full time handicapper to succeed the retired Tim Wilkin.

Sam Hollingsworth had previously been with, if memory serves me correctly, The Saratogian/Record before leaving the area for a while. Sam made his debut with the T-U last month during the Belmont Stakes Racing Festival.

News & notes

 The Tri-City Valleycats will take their 9 game winning streak on the road to visit the New England Knockouts tonight through Thursday before returning home on Friday. Unlike the Empire State Greys, the team they replaced, the Knockouts actually have a home field.

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

Congratulations to Shaker grad Jeff Hoffman, who was named to his first All Star team over the weekend. The Philadelphia Phillies reliever has a team best 1.21 ERA, and is having his best season to date.

The Mid-Summer Classic takes place next Tuesday in Arlington, Texas, airing on Fox.

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

If at first you don't succeed, try, try again---old proverb.

After the Adnan Virk experiment flatlined a couple of years back, WWE's Nick Khan is trying again, this time bringing in 518 product Joe Tessitore (CBA) to work with Corey Graves & Wade Barrett.

File photo courtesy Getty Images/NY Post.

Tessitore joins Pat McAfee in riding the ESPN-WWE shuttle when he settles into his new role later this summer.

News & notes

 Section II may have found its next golf phenom.

Hayden Knapp, 14, from Queensbury, an incoming freshman at South Glens Falls High, has received a sponsor's exemption for the Epson tour stop at Pinehaven Country Club in 2 weeks.

Knapp steps in for Melanie Green, who won the British Women's Amateur tournament last week, and declined the exemption due to receiving invitations to multiple LPGA events. Knapp has already shown she can hold her own, already on the varsity for South High, in state play, and with Kennedy Swedick heading to Virginia next month, Knapp could become a bigger star in Section II.

Stay tuned.

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

As hot as the weather's been of late, the Tri-City Valleycats have been hotter.

The 'Cats have won 8 in a row heading into today's game vs. Sussex County, having beaten the Miners in all 5 meetings so far this season, including a 5-4 nailbiter Saturday at Bruno Stadium that clocked in at just under 2 1/2 hours.

In other 'Cats news, catcher Oscar Campos is the lone Valleycat named to next week's Frontier League All-Star Game in Quebec. Go figure.

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

As NYRA returns to Saratoga for the annual summer meet on Thursday, cable viewers have one less option.

TVG and NYRA are at an impasse on contract talks, so the cabler won't be carrying racing from the Old Spa until that issue is resolved. Don't worry, though. You can still watch the action on OTB-TV (Spectrum Cable channel 1250) or America's Day at The Races when it airs on MSG, or when Fox picks up the action nationally for a day.

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

After a TV deal with NFL Network went south before the season, the Arena Football League playoffs are airing on CBS Sports Network (Spectrum channel 315), so if you can't get to MVP Arena when the Firebirds play on Saturday, at least there's an alternate option. The 'Birds will get to play Salina after all, after the Liberty's regular season visit was cancelled, they've advanced to the semi-finals to play Albany Saturday at 2:30 pm.

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

Time to review the Albany Times-Union's bi-weekly chart of Section II alums in baseball.

Arlo Marynczak (Bethlehem/Siena) is not on the list, but the Valleycats reliever has appeared in 13 games, pitching to a 3.89 ERA with 38 strikeouts. Marynczak is 1-2 with 1 save.

Ben Anderson (Shen) has pitched in 13 games for Frisco (Texas League) with a 4-4 record, pitching to a 4.24 ERA with 52 strikeouts.

Ian Anderson (Shen) is on the comeback trail with Augusta (Carolina League). He's pitched just 1 game as of press time, 3 innings, with 1 strikeout.

Matt Gage (Broadalbin-Perth/Siena) is no longer Dodger property. Gage was traded to the Mets for cash considerations on Saturday. Gage's final numbers (we think) with Oklahoma City (PCL): 20 games, 1-3, 4.29 ERA  in 21 innings with 27 strikeouts. The much traveled Gage will be with Syracuse going forward, so he's closer to home, and a possible September callup.

Jeff Hoffman (Shaker) continues to put up strong numbers for the Philadelphia Phillies. Hoffman has gotten into 38 games, pitching to a 3-1 record with a 1.21 ERA over 37 1/3 innings with 47 strikeouts.

Tommy Kahnle (Shaker) has appeared in 18 games for the Yankees. He's 0-1 with a 2.93 ERA and 20 strikeouts over 15 1/3 innings. He wasn't needed in the Bombers' 14-4 blowout over Boston on Saturday.

John Rooney (Hoosic Valley) has appeared in 32 games for Oklahoma City, pitching to a 2-2 record and a 5.20 ERA with 39 strikeouts in 36 1/3 innings.

Dale Stanavich (Amsterdam) is 2-0 for Pensacola (Southern League) in 10 games with a 4.60 ERA and 22 strikeouts in 15 2/3 innings.

Danny Watson (Columbia) has pitched in 12 games for Somerset (Eastern League). Problem is, he has a bloated 10.64 ERA in 11 innings with just 7 strikeouts and a 1-2 record.

Brendan White (Siena) is on a rehab assignment the Florida Coast League Tigers. He's pitched in just 1 game with 1 strikeout in an inning.

Mike Kennedy (Troy) is on the injured list for Bradenton.

Luke Gold (Ballston Spa) has appeared in 74 games for West Michigan (Midwest League), batting .255 with 11 homers & 43 RBI.

Brian O'Keefe (Colonie) is batting .263 in 43 games for Omaha with 10 homers & 31 RBI.

Zach Remillard (LaSalle) is batting just .138 in 41 games for Charlotte with 2 homers & 10 RBI.

Kevin Smith (Columbia) is hitting .236 for Scranton-Wilkes Barre with 2 homers & 17 RBI in 45 games.

Adam Zebrowski (CBA) is batting .229 for Rome (South Atlantic League) in 65 games with 9 homers & 35 RBI.