News & notes

 The Tri-City Valleycats rode homers from Chris Burgess and Ian Walters to help Duke Brotherton on the mound, as the 'Cats defeated the Boulders, 6-5, on Wednesday night.

Weather permitting, the series wraps tonight at 6:30 pm.

Update, 3:41 pm: Tonight's game has been rained out, and will be made up as part of a single-admission doubleheader on Tuesday, August 19, when the Boulders make their last visit (maybe) to Troy.

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10 races make up today's card at Saratoga, with 1st post at 1:10 pm. On Wednesday, Jose Ortiz had 2 winners to brother Irad's 1, trimming the latter's lead in the jockey race to 7 (29-22). Todd Pletcher has taken sole possession of 1st in the trainer standings, with 12 winners.

In other Saratoga news, the late George Conway, trainer of War Admiral, is being inducted into the National Racing Hall of Fame on Friday. Conway and War Admiral's rivalry with Seabiscuit was central, albeit with some Hollywood creative license in the 2003 bio of the latter horse.

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Training camp opened at UAlbany Wednesday, with 2 more QB's in camp for interim coach Jared Ambrose.

Jack Shields transferred from Buffalo, and Colin Parachek likewise from Marshall. Shields is a graduate transfer who appeared in 3 games with Buffalo last season, but didn't throw a pass. He'd previously spent 3 seasons at Old Dominion. Parachek redshirted last season, and his lone pass in 2023 was an interception. Transferring to Albany reunites him with receiver Caden Burti.

The Great Danes open at Iowa August 30.

News & notes

 Former Northville women's basketball coach Jim Zullo plead guilty to charges of harassment in the 2nd degree Tuesday, and was fined $120 in court costs. The discharge of the case, per the Albany Times-Union, requires that Zullo cannot make contact with his former player, the victim in this case, Hailey Monroe, for one year. That shouldn't be too hard, as Zullo, since being dismissed by Northville, has retired to Florida.

Photo courtesy Daily Gazette.

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As week 4 of the Saratoga summer meet begins today, Irad Ortiz, Jr. is opening up a lead in the jockeys' race on brother Jose. Ortiz has had 28 winners, while Jose has 20. Dylan Davis is well back with just 6.

In the trainers' race, Chad Brown and his mentor, Todd Pletcher, are tied at 11 winners apiece. Linda Rice is in 3rd with 9.

9 races on today's card, leading off with a steeplechase race in the opener. First post is at 1:10 pm. Bring sunscreen.

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Shaker High already has two alumni in the major leagues in Tommy Kahnle (Detroit) & Jeff Hoffman (Toronto). There may be a 3rd in the bigs soon, if the world champion Los Angeles Dodgers have anything to say about it.

The Dodgers signed Tommy Case as an undrafted free agent after Case had taken part in the MLB Draft League with Trenton, a former Class AA affiliate of the Yankees.

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The Tri-City Valleycats saw their six game winning streak end Tuesday afternoon in an 8-6 loss to the equally hot NY Boulders. The 'Cats, with the fewest errors in the Frontier League, were uncharacteristically sloppy with 3 errors in the field.

We should note that with Oscar Campos on the IL, the 'Cats welcomed back catcher Chris Burgess a few days ago in a trade with Three Rivers. Campos is expected back next week.

News & notes

 UAlbany has launched the Great Danes Summer League, an off-season league for youngsters who aren't on travel teams (i.e. Albany City Rocks). Danes players are serving as referees for the short season league.

UAlbany players are also handling game stats and other duties, such as operating the scoreboard. How cool is that?

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Rensselaer County Executive Steve McLaughlin has an idea for Bruno Stadium.

He wants to build a retractable roof to be used during the off-season. Well, how 'bout during the season, too, when it rains?

McLaughlin should also remember that the reason the Tampa Bay Rays are using the Yankees' spring training field in Tampa is because Tropicana Park lost its roof during a hurricane last year. Let's say there's another heavy snowstorm like the one in March 2024. I don't think the roof survives a major snowstorm of that magnitude.

In other Valleycats news, the team will honor two sport icon and current Colorado University football coach Deion Sanders with a bobblehead figure prior to Wednesday's game vs. the NY Boulders. The first 1000 fans get a bobblehead. It just happens to be a coincidence that this news comes out after it was reported Monday that Sanders, also a pitchman for AFLAC insurance, among other sponsors, had his bladder removed due to cancer. He's now cancer free, and will return to the Buffaloes' sidelines in September.

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In 2017, the city of Glens Falls sold the naming rights to their downtown sports arena to Cool Insuring Agency.

In 2025, the arena's rights have moved to one of the 518's most prominent law firms, Harding Mazzotti.

Come October, when the Adirondack Thunder begin a new season in the ECHL, the building  will be known as Harding Mazzotti Arena. The rights deal is for 5 seasons (2025-30).

Given the firm's equally prominent presence in television & radio ads, how 'bout getting the Thunder a regional television deal?

Paging broom service!

 The Tri-City Valleycats knew going into the weekend series vs. Quebec that they had to at least win the series to take a chunk out of the Capitals' lead in the North division.

So what happened? The 'Cats got the brooms out on Sunday, in a game delayed more than an hour by rain, and defeated Quebec, 5-4, to run their current win streak to 6 in a row. The Valleycats had previously swept Three Rivers.

Josh Leslie hit his first homer, which was the difference in the game.

Tri-City will have Camp Day Tuesday vs. the NY Boulders. First pitch is around 11 am. Bring sunscreen.

Meanwhile, Siena grad Matt Gage was the opener for a bullpen game for the San Francisco Giants on Sunday. Gage worked a scoreless inning, but Giants skipper Bob Melvin might've been better off letting him pitch an extra inning or two.

As it happened, the Mets took advantage of this strategic folly, then held on to beat the Giants, 5-3. And, well, the Mets also called broom service, as they swept the Giants. Coupled with the Yankees beating Philadelphia earlier in the day, the Mets enter play in San Diego tonight 1 1/2 games up on the Phillies.

When will Gage pitch again? Your guess is as good as mine.

News & notes

 Matt Gage (Broadalbin-Perth/Siena) had a brief stint in the Mets organization last year. Tonight, he takes the mound to try to prevent the Mets from sweeping his current club, the San Francisco Giants (ESPN, 7 pm). The Mets have won six in row, having already swept the Los Angeles Angels earlier this week.

The Giants will be looking for payback when they come to Queens on Friday.

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If you're a college basketball fan, you're probably familiar with the ACC-Big 10 challenge that used to happen every year (don't know if it still does).

Now, the America East & Metro Atlantic conferences are initiating a similar challenge series, starting this winter.

While UAlbany & Siena are scheduled to face each other this season, and teams from the two leagues often play in non-league games in December, anyway, so, yeah, this could work.

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Scotia-Glenville Little League was eliminated from the state tournament in Staten Island Friday, so once again, there is no team from the 518 heading to Williamsport in the Little League World Series, which launches in about a week or two.

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The Albany Alleycats were in Kansas City last week for the United Premier League Women's Nationals, and won the tournament a week ago today, getting some advice & inspiration from Claire Hutton (Bethlehem), who will be playing for the Kansas City Current. Hutton herself is a former Alleycat, and gave the current team a tour of the Current's training facility.

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If the game is played today, what with all the rain in town, the Tri-City Valleycats could be calling Broom Service again.

After sweeping Three Rivers earlier this week, Tri-City is on the verge of doing the same to Quebec, trimming the Capitals' lead to 8 games after a 12-2 blowout on Saturday. David Glancy, Jake Reinisch, & Dylan Broderick all homered for the 'Cats in support of Stephen Still.

First pitch is around 5 pm.

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Heading into action today at Saratoga, Chad Brown had moved atop the trainers standings, just ahead of mentor Todd Pletcher. Brown has saddled 11 winners so far in the meet, which is finishing week 3 today.

On the jockey's side, Dylan Davis has had three winners this week, doubling his total to 6, heading into today's card.

News & notes

 Linda Rice pulled back into a tie for 1st in the trainer's standings at Saratoga on Wednesday afternoon. Rice saddled All Class, which won the 8th race with Kendrick Carmouche aboard. Rice is now tied with Todd Pletcher atop the leaderboard, but Joe Sharp & Chad Brown also took one trip to the winner's circle each to get within one of the leaders.

Today's 10 race card begins at 1:10 pm.

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After a spectacular fall last season, UAlbany football is projected by the coaches of the Coastal Athletic Conference to finish 12th this season.

Interim coach Jared Ambrose must feel like Rodney Dangerfield with all the disrespect. Remember, the Great Danes are still nearly 2 years removed from a playoff run that nearly netted them a FCS championship.

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Given the hometown obsession with building apartment complexes, it's easy to understand how a new business built from the ground up was left ignored.

Capital Rock Gym has not yet, as of this writing, formally opened at Hoosick & River Streets, but they'll bang the drums for sure when it does open later this year.

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The Tri-City Valleycats will play their final road game vs. Three Rivers tonight, having already taken the first two games in this triad. Duke Brotherton went 5 innings to pick up the win last night, as Tri-City blew out the Eagles, 11-3. The 'Cats plated 5 in the 6th and 3 in the 7th to ice the game.

Tonight's game starts at 7:05 pm. The Eagles make one last visit to Troy August 8-10. The 'Cats return home to play Quebec tomorrow, weather permitting.

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The AUSL regular season ended last night, with the Blaze losing to the Bandits. The Blaze finish at 7-17 for the season. 

3rd baseman Ana Gold (Ballston Spa/Duke) is bringing home some hardware, though. Gold was named Rookie of The Year Wednesday morning.

News & notes

 Racing resumes today at Saratoga with a 9 race card, starting at 1:10 pm. Per tradition, steeplechase races kick off the Wednesday card, with the AP Smithwick Memorial as the opening race. Trust me, steeplechases are harder to figure than the usual races. 

Entering week 3 of the traditional meet, Todd Pletcher has taken over the trainers' lead with 7 wins, followed by Linda Rice with 6. Chad Brown & Joe Sharp are tied for 3rd with 5. Expect this to change frequently over the rest of the meet.

In the jockeys' race, the Ortiz brothers, Irad, Jr. (17) & Jose (15), are already starting to pull away. There's a 4 way tie for 3rd. Dylan Davis has but 3, while sister Katie hasn't picked up a winner yet.

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Gavin Doty has worn #4 since he was in middle school. When he came to Siena, however, that number was retired, when Marc "Showbiz" Brown had his jersey raised to the rafters in 2010.

In a surprise move, Siena's John D'Argenio reached out to Brown, now the coach at New Jersey City University, to unretire #4, and give it to Doty. Brown agreed, so one of Siena's most famous uniform numbers will be back on the court this winter.

Now, the challenge is for Doty to uphold the legacy left by Brown. Stay tuned.

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Connor Wilford pitched six innings, scattering six hits while giving up a run and fanning three. Ian Walters homered, and the Tri-City Valleycats took down Three Rivers again, 7-1, on Tuesday. Duke Brotherton gets the start tonight for Tri-City. First pitch is at 7:05 pm.

News & notes

 Lost amidst the headlines, except in Schenectady County, is the fact that the Scotia-Glenville Little League could be in line to head to Williamsport and the Little League World Series.

Teams from the 518 in the big dance are few & very far between. Regional play will begin airing on ESPN soon, leading up to the tournament itself. Stay tuned.

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The AAU Junior Olympics have added flag football to the lineup for the 59th renewal, taking place this weekend in Houston. The 518 will be well represented at the Olympics with several teams, both men's & women's.

The Clifton Park Bills, after getting national exposure on ESPN last week, will be playing for a gold medal in the 14U category.

518 Crush, a local non-profit as part of It's A Family Thing, is sending 5 teams (4 boys, 1 girls) to Houston in various age groups, starting at 7U for the boys. The Lady Crush, a 12U team, is the lone girls team.

Best of luck to all the teams.

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Joseph Girard III (Glens Falls/Syracuse/Clemson) didn't want to play in the NBA. Instead, he's playing in a pro league in Slovenia later this year.

I guess he realized that after Jimmer Fredette, another Glens Falls icon, didn't make a significant impact in the NBA, he figured his best option was playing overseas. Best of luck to Joseph.

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As the AUSL winds down its season, there's another pro softball league that's flown under the radar.

The NY Rise signed Ravena alum Meaghan Houk, who made her debut July 17 in a 10-6 win over Oklahoma City. Houk played college ball at Colgate, Tennessee Tech, & Bryant before signing with the Rise, whose league does not have a television contract, unlike the AUSL, which has its games airing on ESPN & MLB Network.

News & notes

 After a nearly 90 minute rain delay, the Tri-City Valleycats ended up losing to Three Rivers, 10-5, on Sunday at Bruno Stadium. Demias Jimerson homered, but the bullpen let the game get away late.

The teams will return to Canada tomorrow.

In other 'Cats news, the team will host Tunnel to Towers night on Tuesday, August 5.

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After graduating from Albany High last month, Azera Gates is taking her considerable talents to Siena, following the path of former Falcons teammate Ahniysha "Baby" Jackson, who graduated in May. With Valencia Fontanelle-Posson (Guilderland) set to return after missing the balance of the last two seasons due to injuries, Terry Primm should have a stronger club this coming winter.

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For the 2nd straight day, a jockey swept the early daily double at Saratoga.

This time, it was Luis Saez, who was part of a 3-way tie for 3rd in the jockey standings going in. Irad Ortiz, Jr. & Jose Ortiz also won 2 races each. Dylan Davis (Saratoga native) had only one mount finish in the money, and is stuck on 3 wins through two weeks of the traditional summer meet, which resumes on Wednesday.

News & notes

 Ricardo Santana, Jr. muscled his way into the jockeys top 5 at Saratoga on Saturday. Santana swept the early daily double, and added one more winner for good measure. He now has 7 winners heading into action today at the Old Spa.

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They went to sudden death after 10 innings at Bruno Stadium on Saturday night. Under Frontier League rules, if the home team cannot score in the 11th inning, the visiting team wins the game.

Well, guess what happened? That's exactly what befell the Tri-City Valleycats, as the Three Rivers Eagles won by that same rule, 7-6.

Turns out they will play three more games in Canada after today. Come Thursday, the Eagles & 'Cats will likely be tired of seeing each other.

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We would like to remind folks that, yes, boys play flag football, too.

While we have women's flag football in Section II, the guys aren't too shabby, either.

The Clifton Park Bills have advanced to the semi-finals of the NFL 14U tournament after winning on Saturday. 

Following are highlights of all four quarterfinal games. Bills-Raiders, the latter representing Henderson, Nevada, comes up 2nd in the reel.

Edit, 7/21/25: The NFL has restricted the video's availability to YouTube. Shame on them.

Chances are the Bills players here will ultimately swap flags for shoulder pads & cleats, assuming they eventually attend perennial Section II power Shenendehowa. Notice, too, that these games are played in halves, like men's college basketball. Hmmmmmmm.

News & notes

 Saratoga has a 12 race card today, with first post at 12:35 pm. Local favorite Dylan Davis picked up just his 3rd win of this meet on Friday. Sister Katie has yet to pick up a win.

Seems as though the Ortiz brothers are threatening to run away and hide, with only Luis Saez within shouting distance of them going into today's card.

Mechanicville trainer Chad Brown is in 2nd behind Linda Rice in the trainer standings.

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After finishing 2nd in the Women's Amateur earlier this week, Kennedy Swedick was the featured attraction at the Casella Open, the local stop on the Epson Tour.

Swedick didn't even finish the first round, disqualified for using a non-approved yardage book, supplied by her teacher & caddie, who accepted the blame for the mishap. Swedick was removed from the tournament after 10 holes in round 1.

Suddenly, ACC play in Virginia would be a welcome relief.

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Coming out of the All-Star break, Tri City Valleycats 3rd baseman Ian Walters, Wednesday's hero, kickstarted the offense with a game tying homer in the 2nd inning, leading the 'Cats to a 3-2 win over Three Rivers.

A win tonight, with fireworks to follow, would wrap up the six game home & home series, which concludes tomorrow. Tri-City has already won 3 of the 4 games played.

First pitch tonight is at 6:30 pm, with a 5 pm start on Sunday.

News & notes

 Niskayuna's Cam Grasso enters his senior season knowing where he'll play in 2026.

On Wednesday, Grasso committed to UAlbany, where his father, Mike, played baseball. Cam was also being recruited by Syracuse & Pittsburgh, now in the Atlantic Coast Conference.

In the same Albany Times-Union piece, we learned that Seven McGee, a recent UAlbany grad, is now playing in Canada with British Columbia.

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To a man, the players of the Frontier League's Midwest All-Stars felt like the host Tri-City Valleycats treated them like superstars heading into Wednesday's All-Star game at Bruno Stadium. They even felt like they were in the big leagues with the accommodations.

Stephen DiTomaso of the Down East Bird Dawgs won the Home Run Derby. Brockton's Tommy Kretzler (Colonie) finished 4th, but a certain local station whiffed on the fact that Kretzler had already been in town twice this season with the Rox.

The Atlantic All Stars won the game, 5-4. Tri-City's Ian Walters had the game winning hit.

Tri-City resumes a home & home series with Three Rivers tomorrow night.

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The two best women golfers in Section II's recent history finished 1-2 in the NYS Women's Amateur Golf Championship Tuesday in East Setauket, Long Island.

Hayden Knapp, who will be a sophomore at South Glens Falls this fall, won the tournament. 2024 Albany Academy grad Kennedy Swedick, entering her sophomore season at Virginia, finished second. Knapp's victory follows a 2nd place finish in the state tournament last month.

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Mechanicville's Chad Brown moved into a tie for 1st in the trainer standings at Saratoga when he saddled  Mommy's Turn in the Wednesday finale, the Suzie O'Cain Stakes. Brown is now tied with Linda Rice with 4 winners each. The Ortiz brothers, Irad, Jr. (11) & Jose (9), are 1-2 on the jockey leaderboard after Irad won 2 races, and Jose 1, on Wednesday. Dylan Davis has been stuck on 2 winners, and finished 2nd in the Suzie O'Cain with Disco Star for his only money mount of the day.

Davis is scheduled for at least three mounts today, with a 4th if the finale is taken off the turf and moved to the main track in case of rain. Sister Katherine is listed for four mounts, and, like Dylan, could add an extra if they 10th race is moved to the main track.

First post is 1:10 pm.

News & notes

 A quick reminder that the Frontier League All Star Game takes place tomorrow at Bruno Stadium. The fun starts with the Home Run Derby, starting at 5 pm. The game itself is scheduled for 6:30 pm, but I wouldn't count on it, if the MLB Derby is any barometer.

Due to injuries, the Tri-City Valleycats will have infielder Ian Walters and pitcher Easton Klein available. Pitcher Arlo Marynczak (Bethlehem/Siena) at last check was on the IL (shoulder), and may not be ready. Catcher Oscar Campos (appendix) has been scratched.

Colonie grad Tommy Kretzler (Brockton) will not only represent the Rox but the 518 as well in the Derby.

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The AUSL regular season ends a week from tomorrow, and it can't come soon enough for the Blaze, locked in the basement among the four teams in the league, and this was despite winning 2 of 3 from the Volts over the weekend, their first series win of the season.

Ana Gold (Ballston Spa/Duke) homered to lead the Blaze to a 10-2 win on Sunday. The Blaze open a 4 game series with the Bandits tomorrow in Salt Lake City, Utah (ESPN2, 8:30 pm.).

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As we said when we posted Lansingburgh's football schedule the other day, it's way past time we gave the Knights some equal time. That said, here's their fall schedules for golf, soccer, & volleyball.

Golf is something new at the 'Burgh this year. You were expecting maybe hockey?

August:

21: Golf opener @ Mohonasen.

22: Golf home opener vs. Catholic Central at Frear Park.

26: Golf vs. Ichabod Crane.

28: Golf @ Ravena.

29: Men's soccer opener @ Watervliet. Golf vs. Schalmont.

September:

2: Golf @ Voorheesville. Women's soccer home opener vs. LaSalle. Volleyball opener @ Mekeel Christian Academy. Men's soccer @ LaSalle.

3: Volleyball home opener vs. Cambridge (home matches will stream on YouTube).

4: Golf vs. Albany Academy. Women's soccer @ Voorheesville. Men's soccer home opener vs. Voorheesville.

9: Women's soccer vs. Academy of Holy Names. Volleyball vs. LaSalle.

11: Golf vs. Troy. Women's soccer vs. Mohonasen. Men's soccer @ Mohonasen. Volleyball @ Voorheesville.

13: Volleyball tournament. Teams to be announced.

16: Golf vs. Mohonasen. Women's soccer @ Troy. Men's soccer vs. Troy. Volleyball vs. Academy of Holy Names.

18: Women's soccer @ Cohoes. Men's soccer vs. Cohoes. Golf @ Catholic Central at Frear Park.

20: Women's soccer vs. Gloversville.

22: Men's soccer vs. Loudonville Christian Academy.

23: Volleyball vs. Mohonasen.

24: Golf @ Schalmont.

25: Golf vs. Voorheesville. Women's soccer @ Schalmont. Men's soccer vs. Schalmont.

27: Women's soccer vs. Albany Academy.

29: Volleyball @ Cohoes.

30: Golf @ Ichabod Crane. Men's soccer vs. Ichabod Crane. Women's soccer @ Ichabod Crane.

October:

2: Women's soccer vs. Schenectady. Volleyball vs. Berlin-New Lebanon.

3. Men's soccer vs. Watervliet.

7: Women's soccer @ Ravena. Men's soccer vs. Ravena. Volleyball vs. Albany Academy. Senior night for men's soccer.

9: Women's soccer @ Mohonasen. Volleyball @ Ichabod Crane. Men's soccer vs. Mohonasen.

11: Men's soccer @ Albany Academy. 

13: Women's soccer @ Mekeel Christian Academy.

14: Men's soccer @ Troy. Volleyball @ Ravena.

16: Women's soccer vs. Cohoes. Men's soccer @ Cohoes. Volleyball @ Mohonasen. Senior night for women's soccer.

17: Volleyball @ Fonda-Fultonville.

18: Volleyball tournament @ Fort Plain. Teams to be announced.

21: Volleyball vs. Troy.

23: Volleyball senior night vs. Cohoes.

Schedule is subject to change due to weather.

News & notes

 The first week of the "official" Saratoga racing season is in the books. Defending riding champion Irad Ortiz, Jr. moved to the top of the jockey standings with his 2nd straight riding triple, giving him 9 wins in the first four days of the meet.

Sunday's feature, the Quick Call, now with corporate sponsorship from the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation, was won by Governor Sam, the last of Ortiz's winning rides on the day. Governor Sam is co-owned by the Boston Red Sox's All Star 3rd baseman, Alex Bregman.

Racing resumes Wednesday with a 9 race card at 1:10 pm.

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The Tri-City Valleycats head into the All Star break with some momentum, after thrashing the Three Rivers Eagles, 11-2, on Sunday. Jake Reinisch (Shenendehowa/Wake Forest) hit 2 homers to lead the way. Mikell Manzano went 6 innings to pick up the win.

The two teams will meet Friday at Bruno Stadium (weather permitting) at 6:30 pm.

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Matt Quatraro (Bethlehem) may be thankful his Kansas City Royals salvaged a game against the Mets on Sunday.

The teams weathered a pre-game rain delay for the 2nd time in the series. The Royals spoiled the season debut of Sean Manaea, who pitched 3 1/3 innings in relief of starter Clay Holmes, by walking off Manaea & the Mets, 3-2.

News & notes

 Jose Ortiz has taken over the lead among the jockeys at Saratoga with 4 winners on Saturday's card. Brother Irad, Jr., the defending champion, had 3. Joel Rosario also had 2 winners. Dylan Davis didn't pick up any wins after scoring in the finale on Friday, but had 2 mounts finish in the money on Saturday.

We're back to a 10 race card today at 1:10 pm.

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The Tri-City Valleycats have split the first two games of their series vs. Three Rivers. The Eagles won last night's slugfest, 11-5, despite the 'Cats getting homers from Jake Reinisch and All-Star Ian Walters. Easton Klein was the hard luck loser, so it's uncertain whether or not Klein will pitch on Wednesday in the All Star Game.

The series concludes (for now) today at 1:10 pm, and the teams will reconvene in Troy on Friday.

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For the 3rd time in 4 years, the Upstate-Downstate football event will take place at Union College's Frank Bailey Field next month. Makes ya wonder if UAlbany wasn't interested in hosting.

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Former WNYT anchor Phil Bayly was in a skiing accident at West Mountain back in March, but, as Bayly shared with the Albany Times-Union earlier this week, he can't remember the events of that day, or the month after. Bayly, if you saw the photos, also has lost his sight in his right eye. Prayers for full recovery.

News & notes

 The Tri-City Valleycats salvaged the final game of their series in Ottawa Thursday night, downing the Titans, 9-5. The 'Cats open a weekend series vs. Three Rivers tonight, and the Eagles will return the favor next Friday.

Meanwhile, catcher Oscar Campos is out of next week's Frontier League All Star Game after undergoing surgery on his appendix. No timetable for his return.

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At Saratoga, Flavian Prat rode the first three winners of the day, beginning his quest to unseat defending riding champ Irad Ortiz, Jr., who had 1 winner on the day, while brother Jose had 2. Local favorite Dylan Davis won with Ozara in the 8th race, and had a 2nd mount in the money. Sister Katherine had just 1 horse in the money.

Today, Katherine has just 1 mount as of now, while Dylan is listed for 5. Perennial training champion Chad Brown is saddling just 1 runner this afternoon, and it's in the 10th & final race.

Post time is 1:10 pm.

News & notes

 They won't exactly roll out the red carpet, but former Siena coach Jamion Christian will be returning to Albany in November with Bryant for Siena's home opener, set for November 3 at MVP Arena. Christian was hired at Bryant in March after spending the last two seasons coaching pro ball in Italy.

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Seems as though there's one less summer sports team in the 518.

A quick check reveals that the Troy Fighting Irish have called it a day, quietly closing up shop after diminishing returns over the last few seasons. The league they were in is down to 6 teams, and none in the Northeast. Translated: Semi-pro football is dead in the 518 again.

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The Tri-City Valleycats will look to avoid being swept in Ottawa tonight, after the Titans shut out the 'Cats, 8-0, on Wednesday, following a 6-4 win on Tuesday.

  

                                     

In other 'Cats news, pitchers Easton Klein & Arlo Marynczak (Bethlehem/Siena) were added to the Atlantic Conference all star team for next Wednesday's All Star game at Bruno Stadium. However, Marynczak is on the injured list for the 2nd time this season after experiencing shoulder issues after his last start, a loss to Quebec.

Marynczak & Klein join Ian Walters & Oscar Campos as All-Stars for the Valleycats.

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Racing resumes today at Saratoga with a 10 race card, kicking off at 1:10 pm. Local jockeys Dylan & Katherine Davis will compete against each other in one race. Dylan has 3 mounts overall so far, while Katherine has just 2. Live calls will be on OTB TV (Spectrum digital channel 1250).

News & notes

 When the Frontier League holds its All-Star game next Wednesday at Bruno Stadium, the host Tri-City Valleycats will have two players on the Atlantic Conference roster. The only problem is, neither one is starting.

Catcher Oscar Campos & 3rd baseman Ian Walters were named as reserves on Monday. Campos will back up starter Jason Agresti of the NY Boulders, while Walters will follow Sean Roby, Jr. of Sussex County.

For those of you scoring at home, Brockton will only have one player on the roster, outfielder Tommy Kretzler. Derek Bender (Albany Academy/Coastal Carolina) didn't make the cut. Ex-Valleycat Austin Dennis, now with the Boulders, returns to Troy on the Atlantic Conference pitching staff. Dennis was drafted by Houston in 2018.

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In the interests of equal time, since we've all but ignored them since launching this blog, we'll give Lansingburgh some love and post their football schedule for 2025. 9 games, as opposed to 8 for Troy & LaSalle.

September:

5: @ Averill Park.

12: Home opener vs. Green Tech.

19: Gloversville.

26: @ Ravena.

October:

3: Cohoes.

10: Ichabod Crane/Chatham. The Riders & Panthers will merge in football this season.

17: @ Glens Falls.

24: @ Schalmont.

31: Senior night vs. Scotia-Glenville.

News & notes

 There is no replay in minor league baseball. Yet.

The Tri-City Valleycats have a case to implement replay after David Glancy was robbed of a home run in Sunday's 4-2 loss to New Jersey. It was a fair ball, but ruled foul by the game umpires.

If this sounds familiar, the same thing happened to the Yankees' Aaron Judge earlier this season in a game against Tampa Bay, which is using the Bombers' spring base at Steinbrenner Field in Tampa while Tropicana Field is being rebuilt.

Easton Klein was the hard-luck loser, going 7 strong innings, but the 'Cats' offense was missing on Sunday.

The team is in Canada for a six game road trip vs. Ottawa and Three Rivers this week.

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Former LaSalle standout Elijah Burns is back in the 518, as he has joined Dwayne Killings' staff at UAlbany. Burns, who played his college ball at Notre Dame & Siena, will debut when the season starts in November.

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6 1/2 months after his passing, former Amsterdam baseball coach Brian Mee will be honored with a celebration of his life in Amsterdam on Tuesday. This would be a perfect time for many of Mee's former players to come together to honor their mentor.

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Saratoga native Dylan Davis had three winners over the weekend as the July 4 Racing Festival wrapped at Saratoga. The big star of the weekend was Flavian Prat, who had five winners on Saturday.

Racing resumes Thursday, as the traditional summer meet begins.

News & notes

 In case you missed it, East Greenbush native Matt Murtagh was drafted by Philadelphia in the NHL draft on June 28. While the Flyers will retain his rights, Murtagh will play at Boston University this winter, as he & the Flyers know he's not NHL-ready yet.

Murtagh went the prep school route, including a stop at Bishop Kearney, after leaving Albany Academy following his 8th grade season.

We'll see if Murtagh gets to return home to play either Union, RPI, or both, down the line.

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The July 4 Racing Festival opened at Saratoga on Thursday with an 11 race card. Hometown hero Dylan Davis had one 2nd place finish on the card, and has 8 mounts scheduled for today. Sister Katherine either is not yet at Saratoga for the meet, or hasn't gotten any mounts over the first two days.

Post time for the 11 race card today is 1:10 pm.

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David Glancy hit his first homer as a Tri-City Valleycat, and Tri-City beat Quebec, 3-2, on Thursday night. Arlo Marynczak (Bethlehem/Siena) started, went 6 innings, and was no-decisioned, with 3 walks and 4 strikeouts. Gino Sabatine was credited with the win.

Tri-City opens a weekend series with New Jersey tonight at 6:30, followed by the annual July 4 fireworks show after the game. They're expecting a packed house at the Joe, as usually happens this time of year.

News & notes

 The Quebec Capitals, kingpins of the Frontier League, evened their series with the Tri-City Valleycats at a game each, beating the 'Cats, 7-1, on Wednesday night at Bruno Stadium. The Capitals' lead in the North division is back to 9 games, pending the outcome of tonight's game.

The series finale is set for 6:30 pm tonight.

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Albany Academy already has teams in the New England Prep School Athletic Council (NEPSAC) in football, men's lacrosse, & hockey, the latter of which sees them also fielding a team in Section II.

Now, you can add men's basketball to the list.

The school announced Wednesday what had been rumored for weeks, that the Cadets and coach Jim Driggs would move to NEPSAC for the 2025-6 season, taking with them one of Section II's best players in Daniel Smalls, who just transferred from Niskayuna, and retaining newly graduated Jamar Macon, who will gain an extra year of eligibility as a post-graduate player, per NEPSAC rules. Antonio Fairley has transferred from Canajoharie to Academy, which retains Yale commit Jack Louridas for the coming season.

The problem is, NEPSAC doesn't get press coverage here in the 518, and the departure of the men's basketball team ends the "Battle of The Cadets" in hoops with LaSalle. Academy will be a Class AA team in NEPSAC, and will not compete in sectionals in Section II.

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Bethlehem graduate Claire Hutton scored her first goal as a member of the Women's National Soccer Team Wednesday as Team USA defeated Canada. Hutton tallied an assist in an earlier game. Dare we think the Olympics are on the horizon?

News & notes

 Every now & then, local college teams will play bigger programs, and there's always the chance for an upset.

Siena has a chance to make a statement in basketball during the 2025-6 season vs. a Big 10 power.

The Saints will travel to Bloomington, Indiana right before Christmas to play the Hoosiers of Indiana University. Indiana has changed coaches in the off-season, signing away Darian DeVries from Drake to replace ex-NBA player & coach Mike Woodson, who was let go at the end of the 2024-5 season. It's worth noting that Siena's Gerry McNamara owns three wins over Indiana, all as an assistant coach at his alma mater, Syracuse.

The game will take place Monday, December 22. Figure on television coverage on either the Big 10 Network or ESPN.

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Tragedy has struck at Saratoga again, just days before the July 4 Racing Festival, set to launch the 2025 summer meet tomorrow.

AP Kid, a winner during last month's Belmont Racing Festival, had to be put down after a training accident resulted in an "irreparable fracture". Trainer Todd Pletcher had been pointing AP Kid toward the Belmont Derby Invitational, to be run on the 4th. AP Kid won the Pennine Ridge Stakes on June 7.

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There are concerns that the Epson Futures Tour's Casella Championship, set for July 18-20 at Pinehaven Country Club, could be the end for the Epson Tour in the 518.

Tournament director Jim Miller told the Albany Times-Union that he is stepping down after this year. Money seems to be an issue, as both Miller and Epson tour director Jody Brothers have wanted to keep the tour coming to the capital region, but getting sponsors has been a problem. 

Albany Academy grad Kennedy Swedick has earned a sponsor's exemption to compete after winning the Women's Open of Virginia last week. Swedick, who just finished her freshman season at Virginia, will almost certainly be a draw for area fans.

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They're breaking ground on a new aquatic center at Knickerbacker Park in Lansingburgh to replace the pool closed nearly a decade ago. If I were to venture a guess, the new pool will open within a year or two.

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The Tri-City Valleycats have shown they won't roll over for Quebec, the leaders of the Frontier League's North division, after beating the Capitals, 7-3, on Tuesday. Easton Klein went 6 innings to pick up his 2nd straight win. Jake Reinisch (Shenendehowa/Wake Forest) went 1-4, with his average now at .295.

Game two is tonight at 6:30 pm.

LaSalle's appeal is denied, but it's not over yet

 On Monday night, the worst possible result of LaSalle Institute's appeal of its athletic program being barred from postseason play in the 2025-6 school year was handed down. The appeal was denied, meaning that, barring any further appeals, the school faces a 1 year virtual death penalty from postseason play.

Not good for a school, as the logo indicates, that had just finished its 175th anniversary season. School president Kevin Calacone is not taking this lying down.

"La Salle Institute has learned that our NYSPHSAA appeal to overturn the unfair and unfounded disciplinary actions of Section 2 has not been granted. We do not accept this decision or the related penalties, which we believe are disturbingly arbitrary. La Salle Institute will now take this matter to the New York State Commissioner of Education and, if needed, to the courts to overturn the ruling.

La Salle’s entire athletics program deeply values the tenets of true sportsmanship and fair play. As such, La Salle adamantly maintains that our baseball team was in full compliance with all regulations regarding a scrimmage on March 22, 2025, in Myrtle Beach, S.C. We believe the penalties reflect a bias against private schools and a blatant disregard of NYSPHSAA’s mission."

Calacone also took the time to announce that the school has hired Patrick Moran away from Notre Dame-Bishop Gibbons, where he'd been the principal the last 3 seasons, and the athletic director for 15 seasons before that, to take over the AD's job. Kevin Galuski, the brother of new head coach Mark Galuski, will be the assistant AD. Barring a miracle, 2025-6 will be a transitional year at LaSalle, which has already lost one of its star basketball players, amid rumors that a 2nd one could be headed out of town as well.

News & notes

 To follow up on a report from last week, Hall of Fame trainer D. Wayne Lukas passed away Saturday at 89 after a lengthy illness.

They'll likely pay tribute to Lukas when racing resumes at Saratoga on Thursday.

Also, two-time Whitney winner Commentator passed away at 24. In horse years, that's a long life lived.

Condolences. Rest in peace.

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The Tri-City Valleycats are back in town for the week, and will open a series vs. North division leader Quebec tonight, weather permitting, at 6:30 pm. 

It sure seemed as though the 'Cats' offense woke up Sunday at Sussex County after spanking the Miners, 11-5, to salvage the series. However, Tri-City is 9 games behind the Capitals, who are threatening to run away with the division.

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The Albany Times-Union revealed its softball all-stars in today's edition. Unfortunately for Troy High supporters, the Lady Horses, despite a dominating first year in the Colonial Council, got the Rodney Dangerfield treatment.

With the large school first team consisting of nothing but Suburban Council players, Troy placed two on the 2nd team, pitcher Kaylee Kussler and infielder Olivia Ashline, who graduated last weekend. The pro-Suburban bias is too obvious to ignore. I would guess that El Cheapo Media probably showed Troy a little more respect. Yeah, right.