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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.