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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.