News & notes

 The Tri-City Valleycats won their 3rd straight on Friday, routing Ottawa, 8-1. Stephen Still went seven innings to pick up the win. DH Jake Reinisch (Shenendehowa/Wake Forest) was given the night off.

Weather permitting, game 2 is tonight at 6:30.

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

Friday's sectional scoreboard:

Baseball:

Class AAA:

Saratoga 4, Colonie 3 (8 innings). Game 2 is scheduled for 7 pm today, weather permitting.

Class AA:

Niskayuna 3, Ballston Spa 2. Game 2 is also set for today, weather permitting.

Men's lacrosse:

Class A:

Niskayuna 21, Guilderland 7.

Shaker 11, Shenendehowa 5.

Shaker hosts the title game on Tuesday, but will be the visiting team as the #2 seed.

Class B:

South Glens Falls 13, Bethlehem 12.

Ballston Spa 17, CBA 6.

Finals at Shaker on Wednesday.

Class C:

Averill Park 10, Queensbury 9.

Burnt Hills 14, Scotia-Glenville 6.

Finals at Shaker on Wednesday.

Class D:

Stillwater-Mechanicville 13, Voorheesville 5.

Schuylerville 18, Hoosick Falls-Tamarac 4.

Finals at Shaker on Tuesday.

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

The NY State Public High School Athletic Association has not finalized pairings for state regional play in women's lacrosse or softball as of press time. What we do know is that in lacrosse, Class B champion Columbia and Class C titlist Queensbury have received 1st round byes as the tournament gets set to begin on Tuesday.

In softball, all of the Section II champions, save for Ichabod Crane (Class A) & Stillwater (Class C) have earned 1st round byes. We should have the full schedule available come Monday.

News & notes

 It has been 11 years since Union College won the NCAA hockey championship.

For the NY Phoenix to bring a pro title to the Electric City, they need to defend their house Saturday & Sunday against the Albany Patroons.

Albany drew first blood in the postseason version of the Route 5 Series Thursday, 115-96, at the Washington Avenue Armory. AJ Mosby, a former Patroon, led the Phoenix with 26 points. Albany placed at least four players in double figures, led by Philip Flory, also with 26 points.

Game 2 is Saturday at 7 at Armory Studios. A Phoenix win sets up game 3 Sunday at 3 pm.

All that's missing, really, is a TV deal to allow the games to air on broadcast channels. Sometimes, the highlights aren't enough.

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

Tomorrow's Beautiful Run For Women will be hampered, almost certainly, by rain. Event organizers should have rain ponchos handy for the runners to protect them from the elements.

The Albany Times-Union, meanwhile, is reporting that Schuylerville & Hamilton College grad Kiera Hogan will be one of the local runners competing. Of course, we won't know about any high school or current local college runners until after the race is run. That's just how it goes.

Umbrellas will be mandatory for spectators.

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

The Tri-City Valleycats used defense in the 11th inning, and defeated Down East in sudden death after the teams were tied, 3-3, through 10 innings. Jake Reinisch (Shen/Wake Forest) went 1-4 with a walk, and saw his batting average fall below .300 at .298, heading into tonight's game vs. Ottawa. First pitch is set for 6:30 pm.

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

Thursday's sectional scoreboard:

Baseball:

Class A final:

LaSalle 4, Ichabod Crane 2.

Class C final:

Saratoga Catholic 5, Granville 3.

Women's lacrosse:

Class B final:

Columbia 11, Bethlehem 10 (OT).

Class C final:

Queensbury 13, Burnt Hills 11.

Softball:

Class AAA final:

Shenendehowa 2, Colonie 1.

Class AA final:

Burnt Hills 2, Averill Park 1.

Class A final:

Ichabod Crane 9, Hudson Falls 0.

Class B final:

Chatham 6, Tamarac 5.

Class C final:

Stillwater 9, Galway 3.

Class D final:

Argyle 7, Salem 2.

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

State regional pairings have been announced for flag football. Men's & women's lacrosse state pairings will be finalized as early as later today.

Class A:

Saturday:

Albany vs. Fayetteville-Manilus @ SUNY-Morrisville, 12 noon.

Class B:

Saturday:

Columbia vs. Central Square @ SUNY-Morrisville, 2pm (approximate).

Class C:

Holy Trinity was eliminated by Beekmantown, 13-12, on Wednesday.

News & notes

 The Tri-City Valleycats evened their series with Down East, winning the first of two Education Day matinees, 8-5, on Wednesday at Bruno Stadium. Jake Reinisch (Shenendehowa/Wake Forest) went 2-4 with a homer, two RBI, and two runs scored, to lead the way. It's Education Day II today at 10 am.

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

Next door at LaSalle Institute, the school decided to promote from within to find a successor to John Audino as head football coach.

Mark Galuski, whose resume includes stops at Catholic Central (where he starred in the 60's), Cohoes, CBA, Troy (where he was an assistant under Jack Burger on 5 straight sectional title teams from 1996-2000), and LaSalle, where he was on Audino's staff last year, takes over. Son Mark (not a Jr., apparently) will be on this year's team. Galuski goes into his first season as head coach knowing that as of now, the Cadets cannot play in the postseason due to a collection of athletic program violations over the last few years.

Best of luck to Coach Galuski.

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

The Albany Patroons needed to beat Halifax in a play in game, 122-109, Tuesday, to advance to a divisional semi-final vs. the NY Phoenix tonight at the Washington Avenue Armory. The 1st year Phoenix won the North Atlantic title, and will host games 2 & 3 Saturday & Sunday at Armory Studios.

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

Wednesday's sectional scoreboard:

Women's lacrosse:

Class A:

Niskayuna 11, Saratoga 6.

Class D:

Albany Academy 13, Voorheesville 9.

Baseball:

Class D semi-finals:

North Warren 10, Germantown 0.

Hartford-Fort Edward 5, Fort Ann 1.

Finals are set for Saturday at 1 pm at Bruno Stadium, weather permitting.

News & notes

 Hall of Famer Ernie Banks was always ready to play two games. Today, Joe Bruno Stadium will have a triple-header.

The Tri-City Valleycats kick things off at 10 am this morning in the 2nd game of their series with the Down East Bird Dawgs, after Down East beat the 'Cats, 2-1, last night. Later, the Section II Class D semi-finals will be played, beginning at 4 pm. Separate admissions, I believe.

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

Speaking of Section II, here's Tuesday's sectional scoreboard:

Men's lacrosse:

Class A:

Guilderland 10, Saratoga 9. The Dutchmen will play at Niskayuna on Friday.

Shenendehowa 17, Colonie 6.

Shaker 16, Schenectady-Mohonasen-Schalmont 0. Shaker hosts Shen on Friday.

Class B:

Bethlehem 10, LaSalle 4.

CBA 11, Columbia 2.

Ballston Spa 22, Troy 1. Troy finishes at 2-12. Ballston Spa hosts CBA on Friday, while Bethlehem travels to South Glens Falls.

Class C:

Averill Park 17, Glens Falls 6. AP visits Queensbury on Friday.

Class D:

Hoosick Falls-Tamarac 11, Greenwich 10. 

Voorheesville 13, Johnstown 1.

Friday:

Hoosick Falls-Tamarac @ Schuylerville.

Voorheesville @ Stillwater-Mechanicville.

Softball:

Class AAA:

Colonie 3, Saratoga 1.

Shenendehowa 4, Shaker 0.

Class AA:

Burnt Hills 2, Troy 0. Ava Yahoudy pitched a no-hitter to end Troy's season (14-6).

Averill Park 5, South Glens Falls 2.

Class A:

Ichabod Crane 1, Glens Falls 0 (8 innings).

Hudson Falls 4, Lansingburgh 0.

Class B:

Chatham 5, Holy Trinity 0.

Tamarac 7, Hoosick Falls 4.

Class C:

Stillwater 16, Granville 8.

Galway 5, Maple Hill 0.

Class D:

Salem 5, Hartford 2.

Argyle 5, Fort Ann 4.

Thursday:

Class D final @ Moreau:

Argyle vs. Salem.

Class C final @ Luther Forest:

Galway vs. Stillwater.

Class B final @ Luther Forest:

Tamarac vs. Chatham.

Class A final @ Luther Forest:

Ichabod Crane  vs. Hudson Falls.

Class AA final @ Moreau:

Averill Park vs. Burnt Hills.

Class AAA final @ Luther Forest:

Colonie vs. Shen.

Monday's sectional scoreboard, 5/26

 In a rare case of games being played on Memorial Day, Section II had almost a full slate of baseball games on Monday.

Class AAA:

Colonie 4, Guilderland 3. Colonie sweeps the series, and will advance to play Saratoga, right back in Guilderland, on Friday.

Class AA:

Niskayuna 11, Mohonasen 1 (5 innings).

Ballston Spa 12, Columbia 5.

Friday: 

Nisky vs. Ballston Spa @ Dutchmen Park, 3 pm.

Class A:

Ichabod Crane 12, Broadalbin-Perth 11.

LaSalle 2, Scotia-Glenville 0.

Thursday:

Ichabod Crane vs. LaSalle at Bruno Stadium, 7 pm.

Class B:

Mechanicville 10, Fonda-Fultonville 0 (5 innings).

Cobleskill-Richmondville 4, Chatham 2.

Sunday:

Mechanicville vs. Cobleskill-Richmondville at Bruno Stadium, 10 am.

Class C:

Saratoga Catholic 6, Greenwich 1.

Granville 7, Canajoharie 3.

Thursday:

Granville vs. Saratoga Catholic, 4 pm, at Bruno Stadium.

News & notes

 Today, they are honoring the memory of trainer Christophf Clement, 59, who passed away over the weekend, at Aqueduct, which is hosting the spring Belmont meet.

Photo courtesy WNYT.

Clement was a fixture on the NYRA circuit the last several years. I shan't be surprised if there's a race named in his memory during the Belmont Stakes Festival at Saratoga, June 4-8.

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

We will also take a moment to honor Lucas Polsinelli, 12, who became the youngest player to sign a pro contract when he signed a 1 day contract with the Albany FireWolves. Polsinelli lost his battle with cancer last week. Prayers & condolences for the Polsinelli family.

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

Rain forced postponement of game 2 of the Class AAA semi-final series between Colonie & Guilderland on Sunday, and, at last check, that game may still be going on at Dutchmen Field. A Guilderland win sends them back to Colonie for game 3 later this afternoon.

The winner of the series will be in Guilderland to play Saratoga, which swept out top-seeded Shaker, 5-2, on Sunday. The championship series, remember, starts at Guilderland this year due to a scheduling conflict with the Tri-City Valleycats. Bruno Stadium will only host the 3rd & deciding game, if needed, next Monday, though they are hosting a doubleheader today.

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

Speaking of the 'Cats, they did play a doubleheader at Quebec on Sunday, and were swept by the Capitales, 5-3 & 4-0. Arlo Maryczak (Bethlehem/Siena) started game 1, but only went 3 innings due to a high pitch count, and gained another no-decision. Jake Reinisch (Shen/Wake Forest) went 1-7 in the doubleheader with an RBI and a run scored.

The 'Cats return home to play Down East Tuesday night at Bruno Stadium.

News & notes

 The Tri-City Valleycats were rained out in Quebec on Saturday. Looks like they'll make this one up in mid-July. Series concludes today at 5 pm, weather permitting.

Meanwhile, it was business as usual for the Albany Firebirds, as they dismissed Corpus Christi, 64-27, to go to 9-0. The Tritons tried to be cute, wearing Albany Empire jerseys in the first half, and likely were booed out of the building. The game was over at halftime. Albany closes the regular season June 14.

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

Saturday's sectional scoreboard:

Baseball:

Class AAA:

Saratoga 5, Shaker 1. Game 2 is today at East Side Recreation Center at 4 pm.

Colonie 7, Guilderland 0. Game 2 is at Dutchmen Park tonight at 7 pm.

Class AA:

Ballston Spa 8, Troy 1. Troy's season ends at 10-10.

Niskayuna 5, Averill Park 2.

Mohonasen 8, Burnt Hills 3. Mohon will carry the flag for the Colonial Council to Bruno Stadium on Monday.

Columbia 4, Queensbury 2.

Monday at The Joe:

4 pm: Columbia vs. Ballston Spa.

7 pm:  Mohonasen vs. Niskayuna.

Class A:

Ichabod Crane 7, Ravena 2.

Broadalbin-Perth 5, Glens Falls 0.

LaSalle 8, Lansingburgh 1.

Scotia-Glenville 1, Cohoes 0.

Monday at Amsterdam (Shuttleworth Park):

4 pm: LaSalle vs. Scotia-Glenville.

7 pm: Broadalbin-Perth vs. Ichabod Crane.

Class B:

Chatham 12, Hudson 2.

Cobleskill-Richmondville 5, Hoosick Falls 4.

Mechanicville 6, Coxsackie-Athens 5.

Fonda-Fultonville 5, Salem-Cambridge 0.

Monday in Saratoga (Veterans Memorial Park):

4 pm: Mechanicville vs. Fonda-Fultonville.

7 pm: Cobleskill-Richmondville vs. Chatham.

Class C:

Saratoga Catholic def. Hadley-Luzerne.

Granville def. Duanesburg.

Canajoharie def. OESJ.

Scores were not submitted for the above three games.

Monday at Dutchmen Park:

Canajoharie vs. Granville.

Saratoga Catholic vs. the winner of today's game between Greenwich & Warrensburg.

Class D:

Germantown 11, Notre Dame-Bishop Gibbons 4.

Fort Ann 7, Argyle 1.

Hartford-New Hartford 10, Northville 0.

Wednesday at Bruno Stadium:

4 pm: Hartford vs. Fort Ann.

7 pm: Germantown vs. North Warren.

Troy High sports review, through May 24

 As we enter the final week in May, just 2 of Troy High's teams are still playing, but for how much longer?

Flag football:

Final record: 8-6.

Frank Rogers' club failed to avenge a May 5 loss to Burnt Hills, and the score in the rematch was the same, 18-12, on May 19. Still, a good season, and a foundation for the future.

Baseball:

Final record: 10-10.

Trevor McCarthy's 2nd season ends with an 8-1 loss today to Ballston Spa. A win, and Troy would've spent Memorial Day at Bruno Stadium in the Class AA semi-finals. Instead, the Scotties will play Queensbury on Monday. The Flying Horses avenged a 1-0 loss to Albany Academy by ending the Cadets' season, 2-1, to advance to today's game.

Lacrosse:

Current record: 2-11.

The regular season ended with a 17-6 loss to Scotia on Monday. The laxmen will have had more than a week off before they visit Ballston Spa on Tuesday.

Softball:

Current record: 14-5.

Sean Geisel's club flipped the switch, and downed Bethlehem in a back & forth thriller, 9-6, to advance to the semi-finals vs. Burnt Hills on Tuesday. The Lady Horses were ranked #4 in the Albany Times-Union's Class AA rankings as a result. Avenge an earlier loss to the Spartans, and Luther Forest awaits.

News & notes

 The Tri-City Valleycats found the weather in Canada to be to their liking Friday, as they defeated Quebec, 6-5. Jake Reinisch (Shenendehowa/Wake Forest) was given the night off, and we're not sure if he'll play tonight.

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

Friday's sectional scores:

Flag football:

Class A final:

Albany 38, Shenendehowa 31.

Class B final:

Columbia 14, Burnt Hills 12.

Baseball:

Class C:

Hadley-Luzerne 4, Maple Hill 1.

Duanesburg 7, Middelburgh 5.

Today:

Hadley-Luzerne @ Saratoga Catholic.

Duanesburg @ Granville.

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

The Albany Patroons dropped their regular season finale to Reading, 120-108. Playoff pairings & dates to be announced at a later date.

High School Fridays: Section II men's lacrosse sectional pairings announced

 The fields are small in all four classes, but the men's lacrosse sectionals are now set.

Class A:

Tuesday:

Saratoga @ Guilderland. Winner to play Niskayuna next Friday.

Colonie @ Shenendehowa.

Schenectady-Mohonasen-Schalmont @ Shaker.

Shaker hosts the finals on June 3.

Class B:

Tuesday:

LaSalle @ Bethlehem. Winner to face South Glens Falls next Friday.

Columbia @ CBA.

Troy @ Ballston Spa.

Finals at Shaker June 4.

Class C:

Tuesday: 

Glens Falls @ Averill Park. Winner to play Queensbury next Friday.

May 30:

Burnt Hills @ Scotia-Glenville.

Finals at Shaker June 4.

Class D:

Tuesday:

Greenwich @ Hoosick Falls-Tamarac. Winner to play Schuylerville next Friday.

Johnstown @ Voorheesville. Winner to play Stillwater-Mechanicville next Friday.

Finals at Shaker June 3.

Good luck to all the teams.

News & notes

 The Tri-City Valleycats are moving on to Quebec for the weekend after Thursday's game at Brockton was rained out. No make-up date has been set as of press time.

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

Thursday's sectional scoreboard:

Women's lacrosse:

Class B:

Columbia 14, South Glens Falls 12.

Bethlehem 21, Ballston Spa 2.

Bethlehem will host Columbia at Shen next Thursday.

Class C:

Queensbury 17, Averill Park 6.

Burnt Hills 22, Glens Falls 11.

The Class C final is the opening act at Shen next Thursday.

Flag football:

Class C final:

Holy Trinity 19, Broadalbin-Perth 0.

Baseball:

Class AA quarter-finals:

Troy 2, Albany Academy 1. Troy avenges a 1-0 loss at Academy from 2 weeks ago.

Burnt Hills 2, South Glens Falls 1.

Averill Park 3, Amsterdam 1.

Saturday:

Troy @ Ballston Spa.

Averill Park @ Niskayuna.

Burnt Hills @ Mohonasen.

Class A:

Ravena 4, Schalmont 3.

Lansingburgh 6, Hudson Falls 5.

Cohoes 5, Gloversville 3.

Saturday:

Glens Falls @ Broadalbin-Perth.

Lansingburgh @ LaSalle (Twin Town).

Ravena @ Ichabod Crane.

Cohoes @ Scotia-Glenville.

Class B:

Chatham 16, Corinth 3.

Hudson 9, Schuylerville 7.

Hoosick Falls 4, Taconic Hills 2.

Catskill @ Cobleskill-Richmondville--rained out, they'll try again today.

Voorheesville @ Coxsackie-Athens---rained out, they'll try again today.

Mechanicville 8, Johnstown 2.

Fonda-Fultonville 10, Loudonville Christian 1.

Salem-Cambridge 5, Tamarac 2.

Saturday:

Salem-Cambrideg @ Fonda-Fultonville.

Hudson @ Chatham.

Class C:

Middleburgh @ Duanesburg---rained out, they'll try again today.

Canajoharie 5, Galway 3.

OESJ 6, Schoharie 3.

Saratoga Catholic 12, Hoosic Valley 0.

Hadley-Luzerne @ Maple Hill---rained out, they'll try again today.

Greenwich 3, Berne-Knox-Westerlo 2.

Warrensburg 7, Lake George 1.

Granville 8, Fort Plain 1.

Saturday:

Warrensburg @ Greenwich.

OESJ @ Canajoharie.

News & notes

 It was Education Day in Brockton on Wednesday, and the Rox walked off the Tri-City Valleycats, 3-2. For the Rox, it was Albany Academy reunion day, with Brett Young making his first start of the season. Young went 0-3 with a hit by pitch. The 'Cats cooled off Derek Bender, as he finished 0-4 with a RBI. Ben Seiler went 2 1/3 innings to pick up the win. Jake Reinisch has cooled, as he also went 0-4, and saw his average dip to .310. Seiler gave up a run on 3 hits, and his ERA now stands at 3.38.

Weather permitting, the series concludes tonight at 7 pm before the 'Cats head off to Canada to play Quebec this weekend.

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

Wednesday's college action:

Baseball:

America East:

UAlbany 6, Maine 1.

MAAC:

Quinnipiac 7, Siena 6.

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

Wednesday's sectional scoreboard:

Women's lacrosse:

Class A:

Saratoga 14, Shaker 5.

Niskayuna 10, Shenendehowa 9.

Shen will still host the title game next Wednesday.

Class D:

Voorheesville 15, Hoosick Falls-Tamarac 13.

Albany Academy 11, Schuylerville 10 (OT).

The finals are at Shen next Wednesday at 4:30 pm.

Baseball:

Class AAA:

Saratoga 11, CBA 4.

Guilderland 3, Shenendehowa 1.

Friday:

Saratoga @ Shaker (weather permitting).

Guilderland @ Colonie (weather permitting).

Class B:

Corinth 12, Watervliet 0. Corinth moves on to play Chatham today, weather permitting.

Class C:

Hoosic Valley 3, Stillwater 1. Hoosic Valley is set to play Saratoga Catholic today, weather permitting.

Softball:

Class AAA:

Saratoga 8, Guilderland 1. Saratpga will face Colonie on Tuesday.

Class AA:

Troy 9, Bethlehem 6. 

Burnt Hills 11, Queensbury 0 (5 innings).

Averill Park 4, Ballston Spa 3.

South Glens Falls 3, Columbia 1.

Tuesday:

Troy @ Burnt Hills.

South Glens Falls @ Averill Park.

Class A:

Ichabod Crane 15, Broadalbin-Perth 1 (5 innings).

Glens Falls 4, Schalmont 0.

Lansingburgh 2, Scotia-Glenville 1 (8 innings).

Hudson Falls 6, Cohoes 1.

Tuesday:

Glens Falls @ Ichabod Crane.

Lansingburgh # Hudson Falls.

Class B:

Chatham 12, Fonda-Fultonville 0 (5 innings).

Holy Trinity 17, Mechanicville 5 (5 innings).

Hoosick Falls 13, Voorheesville 3.

Tamarac 12, Cobleskill-Richmondville 0 (5 innings).

Tuesday:

Holy Trinity @ Chatham.

Hoosick Falls @ Tamarac.

Class C:

Stillwater 9, Greenwich 5.

Granville 14, Berne-Knox-Westerlo 12.

Maple Hill 14, Duanesburg 1 (5 innings).

Galway 13, Saratoga Catholic 4.

Tuesday:

Maple Hill @ Galway.

Stillwater @ Granville.

Class D:

Hartford 7, Germantown 2.

News & notes

 Not that they'd toot their own horn, but the Albany Times-Union has one of their own on a list of local holes-in-one from the past week.

Columnist Joyce Bassett, who shares the golf beat with freelancer Pete Dougherty, carded her first hole-in-one at Pinehaven Country Club. Congratulations.

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

Tuesday's sectional scoreboard:

Women's lacrosse:

Class C:

Averill Park 15, Cohoes 9. 

Burnt Hills 18, Academy of Holy Names 1.

Thursday:

Averill Park @ Queensbury.

Burnt Hills @ Glens Falls.

Softball:

Class AA:

Queensbury 4, Niskayuna 3 (9 innings).

Ballston Spa 4, Amsterdam 0.

Class B:

Fonda-Fultonville 6, Coxsackie-Athens 5.

Holy Trinity 21, Watervliet 0 (5 innings). The Pride rang up 13 runs in the 2nd inning to ice the game.

Mechanicville 10, Corinth 0.

Hoosick Falls 5, LaSalle 1. LaSalle finishes at 1-12.

Voorheesville 5, Taconic Hills 0.

Cobleskill-Richmondville 10, Schuylerville 2.

Class C:

Greenwich 4, OESJ 2.

Stillwater 13, Whitehall 1 (5 innings).

Berne-Knox-Westerlo 14, Lake George 7.

Granville 6, Cambridge 3.

Maple Hill 7, Hoosic Valley 6.

Duanesburg 7, Schoharie 5.

Saratoga Catholic 15, Mayfield 1 (5 innings).

Galway 12, Fort Plain 0 (5 innings).

Regular season scores:

Men's lacrosse:

Scotia-Glenville 16, Troy 7. Troy falls to 2-11.

Queensbury 11, LaSalle 5.

Women's track & field:

Guilderland won the Suburban Council championship.

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

The Tri-City Valleycats defeated the Brockton Rox, 9-6, Tuesday night. Jake Reinisch (Shen/Wake Forest) went 1-4 with a run scored for Tri-City (6-2). Derek Bender (Albany Academy/Coastal Carolina) was 3-5 with an RBI & a run scored for Brockton (2-7); Bender's former teammates with Academy, Ben Seiler & Brett Young, didn't see action. Let's take a quick stat check on them.

Seiler has appeared in 3 games, all in relief, and last pitched last Saturday vs. the NY Boulders. He has a 3.00 ERA over 3 innings pitched.

Young has only appeared in 1 game this season, May 15 @ Sussex County, as a defensive replacement.

In other Valleycats news, the oddball scheduling for Section II baseball championships next week can be attributed to the 'Cats sharing Bruno Stadium, as the team has a pair of Education Day matinees May 28-29 as an opening act for the high schoolers. The 'Cats return home May 27 for 6 games, which explains why there's a 10 am high school game on June 1.

The annual 518 Futures game moves to a Sunday berth this year while the 'Cats are on the road. The game will take place June 8. Tickets, I believe, are already on sale at the team's box office.

Section II 2025 baseball sectional pairings

 Baseball sectionals begin Wednesday, and, surprisingly, the Class AAA championship series might not make it to Bruno Stadium this year due to the changes in scheduling.

Class AAA:

Wednesday:

CBA @ Saratoga. Winner will play Shaker in a best of 3 series starting Friday (weather permitting) at Shaker.

Guilderland @ Shenendehowa. Winner to play Colonie on Friday in a best of 3 series (weather permitting).

The championship round begins May 30 at Dutchman Park in Guilderland. Game 3, if needed, will be at The Joe on June 2.

Class AA:

Thursday (weather permitting):

Amsterdam @ Averill Park. Winner to play Niskayuna on Saturday.

Burnt Hills @ South Glens Falls. Winner to play Mohonasen.

Albany Academy @ Troy. Winner to play Ballston Spa.

Columbia @ Bethlehem. Winner to play Queensbury.

Semi-finals will be Memorial Day at Bruno Stadium. The finals will again start at Dutchmen Park on May 30, with game 3 back at The Joe on June 2.

Class A:

Thursday (weather permitting):

Schalmont @ Ravena. Winner to play Ichabod Crane on Saturday.

Lansingburgh @ Hudson Falls. Winner to play LaSalle Saturday at Twin Town. 

Gloversville @ Cohoes. Winner to play Scotia-Glenville.

Saturday:

Broadalbin-Perth @ Glens Falls.

Semi-finals will be Memorial Day at Shuttleworth Park in Amsterdam, with the finals at Bruno Stadium on May 29.

Class B:

Wednesday: 

Watervliet @ Corinth. Winner to play Chatham Thursday at Chatham Little League (?????).

Thursday:

Hudson @ Schuylerville.

Hoosick Falls @ Taconic Hills.

Catskill @ Cobleskill-Richmondville.

Voorheesville @ Coxsackie-Athens.

Johnstown @ Mechanicville.

Loudonville Christian @ Fonda-Fultonville.

Tamarac @ Salem-Cambridge.

Quarter-finals are scheduled for Saturday. Semi-finals are Memorial Day in Saratoga, with the finals at Bruno Stadium June 1 at 10 am.

Class C:

Wednesday:

Hoosic Valley @ Stillwater. Winner to play Saratoga Catholic on Thursday.

Mayfield @ Fort Plain. Winner to play Granville.

Waterford @ Galway. Winner to play Canajoharie.

Thursday:

Hadley-Luzerne @ Maple Hill.

Berne-Knox-Westerlo @ Greenwich.

Lake George @ Warrensburg.

Middleburgh @ Duanesburg.

OESJ @ Schoharie.

Quarter-finals are set for Saturday. Semi-finals are Memorial Day at Dutchmen Park. Finals at Bruno Stadium May 29.

Class D:

Saturday:

Notre Dame-Bishop Gibbons @ Germantown. 

Argyle @ Fort Ann.

Northville @ Hartford-Fort Edward.

Semi-finals are at Bruno Stadium May 28, with the finals May 31.

Good luck to all the teams.

Monday's sectional scoreboard, 5/19

 Flag football semi-finals:

Class A:

Albany 46, Saratoga 0.

Shenendehowa 15, Shaker 12.

Class B:

Burnt Hills 18, Troy 12. Same score as the regular season meeting between these two teams two weeks ago. Troy finishes 8-6.

Columbia 33, Bethlehem 0.

Class C:

Broadalbin-Perth 46, Albany Leadership 19.

Finals:

Thursday at Troy High:

Broadalbin-Perth vs. Holy Trinity, 7 pm.

Friday at Troy High:

Burnt Hills vs. Columbia, 5 pm.

Shen vs. Albany, 7:15 pm.

Softball:

Class C play-in:

OESJ 11, Waterford 9. OESJ advances to play Greenwich today.

Women's lacrosse:

Class A:

Saratoga 12, Colonie 7. The Blue Streaks will play Shaker tomorrow night.

Niskayuna 15, Guilderland 7. Shen is up next for Nisky tomorrow.

Class D:

Hoosick Falls-Tamarac 18, Greenwich-Cambridge 7.

Albany Academy 19, Johnstown 6.

Schuylerville 15, LaSalle 4.

Wednesday:

Schuylerville @ Albany Academy.

Hoosick Falls-Tamarac @ Voorheesville.

Regular season scores:

Baseball:

Broadalbin-Perth 9, Coxsackie-Athens 2.

Softball:

Ichabod Crane 7, LaSalle 2.

Columbia 3, Pine Plains 1.

Tennis:

Troy's Joseph DeJesus was one-&-done in men's singles on Monday.

Section II 2025 softball sectional pairings revealed

 The tournament starts Thursday for most, and, as usual, all roads lead to Luther Forest in Malta or Moreau Recreational.

Class AAA:

Thursday:

Guilderland @ Saratoga. Winner to play Colonie May 27.

May 27:

Shaker @ Shenendehowa. (Yep, just 5 teams in Class AAA).

Finals May 29.

Class AA:

Tuesday:

Queensbury @ Niskayuna. Winner to play Burnt Hills Thursday (weather permitting).

Amsterdam @ Ballston Spa. Winner to play Averill Park.

Thursday (weather permitting):

Troy @ Bethlehem. The Colonial Council's Liberty Division champs, due to strength of schedule issues, don't get a home game, and open on the road. Remember, Troy is 0-4 vs. the Suburban Council this season.

Columbia @ South Glens Falls.

Semi-finals will be May 27, with the finals on May 29, not at Luther Forest, but at Moreau.

Class A:

Thursday:

Broadalbin-Perth @ Ichabod Crane.

Glens Falls @ Schalmont.

Lansingburgh @ Scotia-Glenville.

Cohoes @ Hudson Falls.

Semi-finals are May 27, with the finals at Luther Forest on May 29.

Class B:

Tuesday:

Fonda-Fultonville @ Coxsackie-Athens. Winner to play Chatham on Thursday.

Watervliet @ Holy Trinity.

Corinth @ Mechanicville.

LaSalle @ Hoosick Falls.

Voorheesville @ Taconic Hills.

Schuylerville @ Cobleskill-Richmondville. Winner to play Tamarac.\

Quarter-finals are Thursday. Semi-finals on May 27. Finals at Luther Forest on May 29.

Class C:

Today:

Waterford @ OESJ. Winner plays Greenwich tomorrow.

Tuesday:

Whitehall @ Stillwater.

Lake George @ Berne-Knox-Westerlo.

Cambridge @ Granville.

Hoosic Valley @ Maple Hill.

Scoharie @ Duanesburg.

Saratoga Catholic @ Mayfield.

Fort Plain @ Galway.

Quarter-finals are Thursday. Semi-finals on May 27. Finals at Luther Forest May 29.

Class D:

Thursday:

Hartford @ Germantown. Winner to play Salem May 27.

Northville @ Argyle. Winner to play Fort Ann.

Finals at Moreau May 29.

Good luck to all the teams.

News & notes

 The TBL playoffs will begin later this week, but the Halifax Hoopers, first place in their division, fell to the NY Phoenix on Sunday, 120-108, giving the Phoenix some momentum heading into the playoff tournament.

The same can be said for the Albany Patroons, who bounced the Valley Vipers, 129-109, in the home finale at the Washington Avenue Armory. The Vipers were a replacement for the pathetic Rochester Kingz, who folded earlier in the season, and were originally scheduled as the Pats' final regular season opponent.

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

Let's catch up on the sectional action from the weekend:

Flag Football:

Friday:

Class A:

Albany 51, Schenectady 0.

Saratoga 26, Colonie 12.

Shaker 37, Niskayuna 6.

Shenendehowa 41, Guilderland 0.

Today:

Saratoga @ Albany.

Shen @ Shaker.

Class B:

Friday:

Bethlehem 32, Ballston Spa 6.

Today: 

Bethlehem @ Columbia.

Troy @ Burnt Hills.

Class C:

Tonight:

Albany Leadership @ Broadalbin-Perth.

Tennis:

Thursday:

Mekeel Christian won the Class C/D title, defeating North Warren, 6-1.

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

The Sussex County Miners salvaged the final game of their series with the Tri-City Valleycats, 5-3, on Sunday. Jake Reinisch (Shenendehowa/Wake Forest) saw his 5 game hit streak, along with the 'Cats' 5 game winning streak end, as his average falls to .381.

The 'Cats will travel to Massachusetts to play Brockton starting Tuesday.

In other 'Cats-related news, ex-'Cat Carson McCusker was called to the majors by the Minnesota Twins on Sunday in time for their game vs. Milwaukee. McCusker began the season in Triple A St. Paul.

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

Former Duanesburg star Alison O'Hanlon announced on social media on Sunday that she is retiring from basketball.

O'Hanlon didn't see the court at all with Siena last season due to a pre-season injury, which apparently hasn't healed enough for her to resume practice.

This was the last thing coach Terry Primm needed, after his roster was gutted by graduations and the transfer portal after the Lady Saints were eliminated from the MAAC tournament in March.

Troy High sports review, through May 16

 Let's just jump right into it.

Tennis:

Final 2025 record: 3-6.

As expected, Troy was eliminated by Queensbury on May 12. Joseph DeJesus is the only player to qualify for sectionals in singles competition.

Lacrosse:

Current record: 2-10.

Not a good week for the Troy laxmen, getting blown out by Hoosick Falls-Tamarac on May 12 to the tune of 21-5, then by LaSalle on Friday, 17-3. Given the controversy at LaSalle, the Cadets took out the school's collective anger on Troy.

Next: 

The season ends Tuesday at Scotia-Glenville. Sectional pairings will be announced on May 23.

Flag football:

Final regular season record: 8-5.

Apparently, a game that had not previously been reported, one that Troy had lost, was reported covertly. Troy won their season finale over Broadalbin-Perth, 38-32.

Next:

Sectional play begins for Troy Monday at Burnt Hills, as Frank Rogers' club seeks to avenge a May 5 overtime loss to the Spartans.

Baseball:

Current record: 9-9.

Next: Trevor McCarthy's club will find out on Tuesday where they'll play in the sectionals.

Softball:

Current record: 13-5.

That 1-4 record outside of the Colonial Council hurts Troy when it comes to being in the Albany Times-Union's rankings. Plus, losing to a sub-.500 Voorheesville does not help. Troy, however, goes into the postseason with a 4 game winning streak. It doesn't look like they'll play Holy Trinity as of now.

Next: Sectional pairings will be announced later this week.

News & notes

 It was a big night for local minor league teams on Friday.

Here at home, the Tri-City Valleycats turned back a late rally from the Sussex County Miners to win their 4th straight game, 4-3. Ian Walters & Jake Reinisch hit homers for the 'Cats (4-1).

In Albany, the Patroons blew away the Connecticut Crusaders, while the NY Phoenix similarly dominated the Tri-City Tide, as both teams are gearing up for the TBL playofffs.

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

Former boxing champ Mike Tyson returned to Catskill to hand out some scholarships at Catskill High School in memory of his late mentor, Cus D'Amato. WNYT has the story:

To think that it was 40 years ago that Tyson exploded on the scene in boxing.

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

More Valleycats: The team is negotiating with Hudson Valley Community College and Rensselaer County on extending their lease, which is set to expire after the 2026 season. In addition, the team is, as has been previously reported, seeking to replace the grass at Bruno Stadium with artificial turf, which HVCC's team could appreciate, in this writer's opinion.

The 'Cats have been offered a 5 year deal that would keep them here in town through 2031. Stay tuned.

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

For Troy High, the end of lacrosse season can't come soon enough.

While the women are still a year or two away from varsity play, the men have found the Colonial Council to be no different than the Suburban Council. Troy sits at 2-10 after a 17-3 drubbing at the hands of LaSalle on Senior Night on Friday.

The regular season ends Monday at Scotia-Glenville.

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

Administration at LaSalle, meanwhile, seems to think someone in Section II doesn' t like them all that much.

For the 7th time since 2014, LaSalle has been found to be in violation of some rules, this time involving baseball practices. 

First year coach Ryan Ruddy, who succeeded the retired Jesse Braverman, has been suspended for the sectionals, which will begin on Thursday after pairings are announced on Tuesday. At issue is the number of practices Ruddy supervised before the Cadets flew to South Carolina for some scrimmages in March. State rules require 10 practices, and that scrimmages don't count as practices. LaSalle only had half that many before leaving for South Carolina.

And, then, it gets worse.

Because of so many violations, the school has been hit with what amounts to a death penalty for one year. No sectionals for any sport during the 2025-26 season. LaSalle administration has indicated they will appeal the ban, which they feel is unfair.

Nearly 300 student-athletes are affected by the ruling, including the basketball & hockey programs, which were successful last season.

Stay tuned.

Troy High 2025 fall sports schedule (other than football)

 Spring sectionals are underway, but the 2025-6 athletic calendar is taking shape.

Today, we're taking a look at Troy High's fall 2025 slate.

Golf: Home matches are at Frear Park, which Troy will share with LaSalle, Catholic Central (maybe), and, this year, Lansingburgh.

August:

21: Home opener vs. Ichabod Crane.

22: @ Ravena.

26: Schalmont.

29: Albany Academy.

September:

2: Troy will be the "road team" vs. LaSalle.

4: Catholic Central. It'll be interesting to see if the Crusaders field a golf team this year on the men's side, as they didn't in 2024.

9: Mohonasen.

11: Troy will be the "road team" vs. Lansingburgh.

16: @ Ichabod Crane.

18: Ravena.

19: @ Voorheesville.

24: @ Albany Academy.

25: LaSalle (Senior Day).

30: @ Schalmont.

October:

8: Sectionals.

Women's tennis:

August:

27: Home opener vs. Ravena.

29: @ Schalmont.

September:

2: Voorheesville.

4: @ Emma Willard.

8: Albany Academy.

10: @ Academy of Holy Names.

15: Mohonasen.

17: @ Ichabod Crane.

19: @ Ravena.

22: Schalmont.

24: @ Voorheesville.

26: Emma Willard. 

29: @ Albany Academy.

October:

3: Academy of Holy Names (Senior Day).

9: Sectional pairings are announced.

Women's Soccer:

August: 

28: Home opener vs. Academy of Holy Names.

September:

2: @ Schalmont.

4: Holy Trinity.

9: @ Ravena.

16: Lansingburgh.

18: @ Mohonasen.

20: @ Cohoes.

25: LaSalle.

27: Ichabod Crane.

30: Albany Academy.

October:

7: @ Voorheesville.

9: Cohoes.

11: Schenectady.

16: Mohonasen (Senior Day).

Men's soccer:

September:

2: Home opener vs. Schalmont.

4: @ Amsterdam.

5: @ Schenectady.

9: Ravena.

11: Cohoes.

16: @ Lansingburgh.

18: Mohonasen.

22: @ Ballston Spa.

25: @ LaSalle.

27: Ichabod Crane.

30: @ Albany Academy.

October: 

7: Voorheesville.

9: @ Cohoes.

11: @ Averill Park.

14: Lansingburgh (Senior Day).

16: @ Mohonasen.

Volleyball:

September:

3: Home opener vs. Amsterdam.

4: Academy of Holy Names.

9: @ Schalmont.

13: @ Lansingburgh tournament.

16: @ Ravena.

18: LaSalle.

24: @ Cohoes.

26: Lansingburgh.

27: @ Averill Park tournament.

29: @ Mohonasen.

October:

1. Ballston Spa.

6: Averill Park.

7: @ Ichabod Crane.

9: Albany Academy.

14: @ Voorheesville.

16: Cohoes (Senior Day).

21: @ Lansingburgh.

Additional dates may be added for soccer & volleyball. If so, we will update this listing.

News & notes

 If it wasn't for rumbles of thunder in the 7th inning at Mohonasen on Thursday, Troy High would've completely blown the hosts off the field themselves in softball.

Troy completed a season sweep of Mohon, 6-0, as the game was called for safety reasons in the bottom of the 7th. The Liberty Division champions improved to 12-1 in league play (13-5 overall).

Meanwhile, Mohonasen baseball split their series with Troy, beating the Horses, 10-7, dropping Troy to 9-9 overall.

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

The sectional pairings for women's lacrosse have been released, with tournament play to start on Monday.

Class A:

Monday:

Colonie @ Saratoga. Winner will play Shaker.

Guilderland @ Niskayuna. Winner will play Shenendehowa.

Shen hosts the finals next Friday.

Class B:

Next Thursday:

Ballston Spa @ Bethlehem.

South Glens Falls @ Columbia.

Winners will meet at Shen May 29.

Class C:

Tuesday:

Cohoes @ Averill Park. Winner to play Queensbury.

Academy of Holy Names @ Burnt Hills. Winner to play Glens Falls.

Finals at Shen May 29.

Class D:

Monday:

Greenwich-Cambridge @ Hoosick Falls-Tamarac. Winner to play #1 Voorheesville.

Johnstown @ Albany Academy.

LaSalle @ Schuylerville.

Semi-finals are Wednesday, with the finals at Shen May 28.

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

The Tri-City Valleycats defeated the NY Boulders, 2-1, Thursday in Poloma. What was originally a doubleheader became a single game when the Boulders decided to wait until August 13 to make-up Wednesday's rainout. The 'Cats are in danger of more rainouts this weekend at home vs. Sussex County.

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

The rain stayed away from the Empire State Plaza during the CDPHP Workforce Team Challenge on Thursday, much to the benefit of the runners.

CDPHP's own Jared Lamson, who works out of the Fitness Connect at the Ciccotti Center, won the men's race in just over 17 minutes. Karen Bertasso-Hughes won the women's race. Employed by the NYS Department of Veterans Affairs, Bertasso-Hughes ran the course in 20:05, nearly a full three minutes behind Lamson.