News & notes

 For a while, it looked like it'd be a competitive game between Iowa & UAlbany on Saturday night.

By the end of the 3rd quarter, that was not to be, as the Hawkeyes ran off 31 unanswered points to defeat the Great Danes, 34-7. Iowa's defense shut down Albany in the 2nd half.

The Danes stay on the road next week to play Delaware State, while Iowa will face in-state rival Iowa State (Fox, 12 noon).

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

The Tri-City Valleycats ran their current winning streak to 7 with a 5-4 win over Ottawa on Saturday night. Stephen Still picked up the win with another stellar showing. Tri-City will close the season seeking their 8th straight win today at 1 pm.

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

Saturday's high school soccer results:

St. Joe's (Buffalo) 7, LaSalle 1.

Burnt Hills 6, South Glens Falls 0.

CBA-Syracuse 2, CBA-Albany 0.

Averill Park & Queensbury played to a scoreless draw.

Amsterdam & Schenectady played to a 2-2 draw.

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

Unheralded Edgard Zayas took advantage of the Ortiz brothers' absence, and had a riding triple Saturday at Saratoga. Kendrick Carmouche also had a hat trick, and Dylan Davis had a pair.

Racing resumes today at 11:10 am with a 14 race card.

News & notes

 Irad Ortiz, Jr. has all but wrapped up the riding title at Saratoga after notching 4 winners on Friday, bringing his season total to 59, and opening up a 7 win lead over brother Jose, who is in Kentucky for the weekend. Irad joins him there today, then returns to the Old Spa on Sunday.

Hometowner Dylan Davis had two winners to bring his total to 21.

A 13 race card is on tap today, with the first race at 12:05.

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

The Tri-City Valleycats, in the midst of blowing out New Jersey Thursday, found out who their first round opponent will be in the Frontier League playoffs, starting Wednesday.

The Sussex County Miners will be in town Wednesday, and then, the Miners will host game 2 Thursday, and, if needed, game 3 next Friday.

The 'Cats gave the Miners food for thought by pummeling Ottawa, 15-0, on Friday, having scored 32 runs in their last two games.

Uh-oh. Imagine what it's going to be like come Wednesday.......

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

Friday's college & high school scoreboard:

Colleges:

Field Hockey:

Skidmore 2, Thomas 1.

UAlbany 3, Hofstra 2.

Geneseo 2, RPI 0.

Men's soccer:

RPI & Emerson College played to a 1-1 draw.

Women's soccer:

New Paltz 4, Russell Sage 0.

Suffolk 1, RPI 0.

Skidmore & Brockport played to a 1-1 draw.

WPI 1, Union 0.

Volleyball:

UAlbany 3, St. Francis 0.

Rhode Island 3, Siena 0.

High schools:

Field Hockey:

Niskayuna 3, Shenendehowa 0.

Men's golf:

Albany Academy 159, Troy 165. Troy has dropped two straight.

Mechanicville 5, Waterford 0.

Women's golf:

Broadalbin-Perth 143, Saratoga Catholic 166.

Troy's women's tennis opener at Schalmont was rained out. No make-up date has been set as of press time.

Women's soccer:

Chatham 3, Maple Hill 1.

Canajoharie-Fort Plain 7, Watervliet-Heatly 0.

Red Hook 5, Catskill 0.

Stillwater 2, Schuylerville 1.

News & notes

 Call it a settlement. Call it a compromise. Call it however you want, but LaSalle no longer is under the death penalty in Section II.

The school reached an agreement with the NYSPHSAA to lift the wide-range, 1 year postseason ban on the athletic program, with the exception of baseball, which is understandable, since the crux of the current problem began with a premature scrimmage out of state in South Carolina in March.

The decision comes just in time for the Cadets as they've begun the fall season. The school will be on probation until the end of the 2027-8 season. LaSalle had dropped its appeal of the ban, leading to the settlement.

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

With four days left, including today, Irad Ortiz, Jr. leads brother Jose, 55-52, in the jockey standings at Saratoga. On the trainers' side, Chad Brown leads Linda Rice, 28-22, with Todd Pletcher in 3rd at 21 winners. Local standouts Dylan & Katie Davis have 17 & 3 winners each.

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

The Colonial Council is slowly getting their 2025-6 standings grid started. Keep in mind that, just like us shlubs on the fringes of the press, they don't have all the results available.

For example, Troy's first two matches of the season, which took place last week, still have not been reported. Bearing this in mind, Jack O'Keefe's club is, going by what we have, 1-1 after losing to Voorheesville on Wednesday. Troy hosts Albany Academy at Frear Park today at 4 pm.

Now, let's take a look at Thursday's action.....

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

Colleges:

Women's soccer:

UAlbany & Long Island University played to a scoreless draw.

Siena & LeMoyne played to a scoreless draw.

High schools:

Men's golf:

Patroon Conference:

Maple Hill 7, Taconic Hills/Hawthorne Valley 5.

Suburban Council:

Guilderland 157, CBA 166.

Colonie 158, Averill Park 168.

Women's golf:

Suburban Council:

Shenendehowa 201, Burnt Hills 239.

Niskayuna 187, Shaker 188.

Non-league:

Guilderland 132, Queensbury 185.

Volleyball:

Burnt Hills 3, Niskayuna 2.

Bethlehem 3, Queensbury 2.

Men's soccer:

Colonial Council:

LaSalle 3, Ravena 0.

Voorheesville 5, Albany Academy 0.

Ichabod Crane 2, Mohonasen 0.

Suburban Council:

Shaker 5, Albany 0.

Non-league:

Glens Falls 5, Mechanicville 2.

Coxsackie-Athens 4, Hoosic Valley 3.

Cornwall 1, Bethlehem 0.

Monroe Woodbury 2, Shenendehowa 0.

Stamford 3, Middleburgh 2.

Women's soccer:

Non-league:

Greenwich 3, Amsterdam 0.

Tennis:

Non-league:

Queensbury 5, Ballston Spa 2.

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

The Tri-City Valleycats dialed up Broom Service Thursday in battering the New Jersey Jackals, 17-3. 'Cats starter Duke Brotherton pitched just 2 innings, and Wesley Albert went 7. The two combined for 7 strikeouts, while Jake Reinisch, Ian Walters, & Dylan Broderick homered for Tri-City. Reinisch now has 20 homers on the season. Walters is 2nd on the team with 17. Broderick, leading off as the DH, hit 2 homers, and had 5 RBI.

Tri-City heads north of the border to play Ottawa, tonight at 7.

Wednesday's high school scoreboard, 8/27

 We will have some late scores from Tuesday, too.

Men's golf:

Wednesday:

Colonial Council:

LaSalle 160, Albany Academy 162.

Foothills Council:

South Glens Falls 164, Scotia-Glenville 174. Hayden Knapp, playing with the guys because the Bulldogs don't have a women's team, was the day's medalist with 39.

Suburban Council:

Bethlehem 150, Guilderland 154.

Colonie 167, Columbia 176.

Tuesday:

Glens Falls 140, Scotia-Glenville 170.

Patroon Conference:

Maple Hill 11, Catskill 1.

Suburban Council:

Ballston Spa 160, Columbia 179.

Shenendehowa 161, Averill Park 177.

Shaker 170, CBA 171.

Wasaren League:

Waterford 3 1/2, Tamarac 1 1/2.

Western Athletic Conference:

Cobleskill-Richmondville 15, Mayfield/Northville 0.

Johnstown 13 1/2, Scoharie 1 1/2.

Women's golf:

Wednesday:

Suburban Council:

Bethlehem 200, Shenendehowa 210.

Tuesday:

Foothills Council:

Broadalbin-Perth 163, Queensbury 164.

Suburban Council:

Columbia def. Ballston Spa.

Men's soccer:

Argyle 6, Saratoga Catholic 0.

Greenwich 1, Schuylerville 0.

Columbia 14, South Glens Falls 1.

Loudonville Christian 8, Stillwater 0.

Women's soccer:

Foothills Council:

Glens Falls & South Glens Falls played to a 1-1 draw.

Non-league:

Averill Park & Queensbury played to a 1-1 draw.

Stillwater 4, Maple Hill 0.

News & notes

 Jake Reinisch struck again Tuesday, hitting his 19th homer of the season to lead the Tri-City Valleycats past New Jersey, 8-5.

Game 2 is the last camp day of the season, today at 11:05 am.

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

A quick reminder that UAlbany's season opening football game vs. Iowa will be nationally televised Saturday night at 6 pm on FS1 (Spectrum cable channel 400). It would be nice if the Danes cut a deal for their home games to be broadcast locally if fans can't get to the campus.

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

James Allen (Spectrum News 1/Albany Times-Union) toured the LaSalle camp on Tuesday, and the news isn't promising.

1st year coach Mark Galuski admits that the roster is "light on numbers", including his son, Mark (different middle initial, so this is not senior & junior), but the focus should be on the field, not worrying about the legal hassles over being barred from postseason play.

We'll see.

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

Time to check on two days worth of high school action.

Men's golf:

Monday:

Colonial Council:

LaSalle155, Voorheesville 172.

Foothills Council:

South Glens Falls 165, Amsterdam 205.

Patroon Conference:

Hudson 9 1/2, Chatham 2 1/2.

Suburban Council:

Bethlehem 152, Shaker 161.

Niskayuna 167, Columbia 170.

Wasaren League:

Mechanicville 4, Saratoga Catholic 1.

Hoosick Falls 4, Cambridge-Salem 1.

Waterford 4, Stillwater 1.

Western Athletic Conference:

Duanesburg 13, Schoharie 2.

Cobleskill-Richmondville 9, Johnstown 5.

Tuesday:

Colonial Council:

Mohonasen 159, Ravena 227.

Wasaren League:

Mechanicville 4, Hoosick Falls 1.

Women's golf:

Monday:

Suburban Council:

Saratoga 178, Shaker 197.

Shenendehowa 189, Ballston Spa 297.

Non-league:

LaSalle 125, Broadalbin-Perth 175.

Tuesday:

Suburban Council:

Bethlehem 209, Burnt Hills 233.

Guilderland 182, Colonie 227.

Saratoga 178, Niskayuna 201.

Men's soccer:

Non-league:

Schalmont 5, Amsterdam 2.

Glens Falls 4, Albany Academy 2.

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

A quick reminder that today's women's tennis match between Troy & Ravena has been postponed to September 11. Neither school bothered to inform the papers of the change.

News & notes

 2 1/2 months ago, Will Brown was the women's basketball coach at Queens College.

Today, Queens College is looking for a new coach, while Brown returns home to the 518.

This is because Brown accepted an offer from Green Tech to become their new men's basketball coach, succeeding TJ Jones, who left in June to be the men's coach & athletic director at KIPP-Capital Region.

Green Tech plays an independent schedule, which would be akin to the college schedule Brown is accustomed to. Brown will be introduced at a presser later today.

This is going to be fun, especially if, with Brown's resume, the Eagles get some TV time this winter on WNYA.....!

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

Siena has finalized its women's basketball schedule by adding its MAAC calendar.

We'll remind you of their non-conference schedule:

November:

4: Home opener vs. Colgate.

8: @ UMass-Amherst.

13: @ Army.

16: Dartmouth.

19: @ UAlbany.

24: @ Rutgers.

26: @ Cornell.

December:

2: New Haven.

15: Central Connecticut State.

League play starts right before the holiday break:

19: @ Niagara.

21: @ Canisius.

January:

1: @ Mount St. Mary's.

8: Rider.

10: Merrimack.

14: @ Sacred Heart.

17: St. Peter's.

19: @ Fairfield.

22: @ Marist.

29: Niagara.

31: Canisius.

February:

5: @ St. Peter's.

7: Manhattan.

12: @ Quinnipiac.

14: @ Merrimack.

19: Iona.

21: Fairfield.

26: @ Rider.

28: Senior night vs. Marist.

In other Siena news, coaches Terry Primm & Gerry McNamara will be special guests at Saratoga race course on Wednesday, as the season's final week begins.

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

Hoosic Valley graduate John Rooney made his major league debut Sunday for Houston at Baltimore. Rooney went 1 1/3 innings vs. the Orioles, with 2 strikeouts. However, the Astros lost, 3-2.

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

None of Monday's golf matches in Section II were reported as of press time. Maybe tomorrow. Just not enough space available in today's edition, it seems.

News & notes

 Troy High's women's tennis team will have to wait an extra two days for their season opener.

The school has postponed the home opener vs. Ravena, originally set for Wednesday, to Thursday, September 11. No reason was given for the change. Troy will now open at Schalmont, weather permitting, on Friday, and the home opener will now be September 2 vs. Voorheesville.

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

The Tri-City Valleycats closed the home portion of their schedule Sunday by beating Joliet, 2-0. Jake Reinisch provided all the offense with a 2 run homer, his team-leading 18th, to back winning pitcher Stephen Still.

The 'Cats are in New Jersey tomorrow, then head to Ottawa on Friday to close the regular season.

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

Irad Ortiz, Jr. is all alone in 1st among the jockeys once again, while brother Jose was shut out Sunday at Saratoga.

While Dylan Davis is stuck at 15 winners with a week to go, sister Kathy finally hit the winners circle, scoring with On The Hill in the 3rd race. She also had a 2nd place finish, as did Dylan.

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

Per the Albany Times-Union, LaSalle Institute is still trying to reverse a full-season ban from post-season play due to an accumulation of violations over the course of the last three years. LaSalle president Kevin Calacone has filed an appeal with Education Commissioner Betty Rosa, and is waiting for a final decision. The Cadets have already begun the 2025-6 sports season, but no reports have been submitted as of press time (same as Troy).

News & notes

 The Tri-City Valleycats got back on the winning track, walking off Joliet, 9-8, on Saturday at Bruno Stadium. Austin Dill picked up his 2nd relief win this week, and Amani Larry homered for the 'Cats.

Weather permitting, the series ends today at 5 pm, and with it, the Tri-City home schedule, as they'll be on the road until the playoffs begin September 3.

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

Travers Day at Saratoga had a packed house, as per usual, and form held in the big stakes races on the Saturday card.

Sovereignty, as expected, won the Travers, with Bracket Buster, owned by Troy High grad Brendan O'Brien, finishing 2nd. Thorpedo Anna, who became a crowd favorite last year, won the Personal Ensign. Book'em Danno won the Forego. Have to believe the owners of this one were fans of the original Hawaii Five-O back in the day.

In the jockeys' race, the Ortiz brothers, Irad, Jr. & Jose, each had a riding triple to remain atop the standings with 52 winners each. Fravian Prat & Luis Saez each had a riding double. Linda Rice moved past Todd Pletcher into 2nd place in the trainer standings behind Chad Brown.

10 races today, with a first post of 1:10 pm.

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

We have to close on a sad note.

Ron Turcotte, who rode Secretariat to the 1973 Triple Crown, passed away Friday at his home in New Brunswick, Canada at 84.

After his career ended in a spill that left him paralyzed in 1978, Turcotte became an ambassador for the sport that he had given nearly two decades to before the accident that ended his riding career.

Rest in peace.

News & notes

 It's Travers Day at Saratoga, much more of a spectacle than it was when I made my first foray to the track 40 years ago.

14 races are scheduled, with the Travers set to go just after 6 pm.

On Friday's card, Joel Rosario had a riding triple, and Jose Ortiz had 2 winners to draw even with brother Irad, Jr., who was shut out.

1st post today is 11:10 am.

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

When a team wins a division or clinches a postseason berth, as the Tri-City Valleycats did Thursday, there's bound to be a bit of a letdown.

Which is exactly what happened Friday, as the 'Cats dropped a 5-1 decision to Joliet. Jake Reinisch (Shenendehowa/Wake Forest), who had homered Thursday, was 0-4, with his average dropping to .274.

The series continues tonight at 6:30 pm.

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

We're finally seeing some results from Section II golf, as some schools chose not to report results or that they were just a little slow in sending the results in to the papers.

Men:

Colonial Council:

Thursday:

Schalmont defeated Mohonasen & Lansingburgh. The Knights, in a 1st year golf program, did not submit a final score. 

Friday:

Ichabod Crane 159, Mohonasen 170.

Foothills Council:

Friday:

Queensbury 165, Scotia-Glenville 170.

Suburban Council:

Thursday:

Niskayuna 178, Ballston Spa 179.

CBA 176, Burnt Hills 188.

Averill Park 179, Columbia 182.

Colonie 156, Shaker 177.

Saratoga 145, Guilderland 156.

Shenendehowa 147, Bethlehem 157.

Friday:

Bethlehem 155, Colonie 167.

Saratoga 147, Shaker 167.

Ballston Spa 171, CBA 172.

Niskayuna 167, Burnt Hills 170.

Wasaren League:

Thursday:

Waterford 4 1/2, Hoosic Valley 1/2.

Friday:

Hoosick Falls def. Tamarac via tiebreaker.

Women:

Suburban Council:

Thursday:

Niskayuna 156, Ballston Spa 224.

Friday:

Niskayuna 202, Burnt Hills 233.

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

Siena has released a 9 game non-conference schedule for women's basketball. They'll start with an exhibition vs. RPI on October 29 before beginning the regular season.....

November:

4: Home opener vs. Colgate.

8: @ UMass-Amherst.

13: @ Army.

16: Dartmouth.

19: @ UAlbany.

24: @ Rutgers.

26: @ Cornell.

December:

2: New Haven.

15: Central Connecticut State.

News & notes

None of Thursday's high school golf matches were reported to the local press. However, we do have some college soccer scores:

Women:

Siena 2, Holy Cross 1.

The Lady Saints are 2-0 at home, 2-1 overall. Next up is Bryant, Sunday at 4 pm. The game can be streamed on Siena All-Access.

Sacred Heart 3, UAlbany 2. The Lady Danes (0-2) host Army Sunday at 3 pm.

Men:

UMass 3, Siena 2. The Saints will move on to Boston to play Boston College on Monday.

UAlbany & Fairleigh Dickinson played to a 1-1 draw. The Great Danes will have their home opener next Thursday vs. Central Connecticut State.

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

The Tri-City Valleycats dialed up Broom Service once again, and wrapped up a post-season berth, as they swept the NY Boulders, 6-2 & 4-3, on Thursday night at Bruno Stadium.

Tickets are already on sale for a 1st round home playoff game on September 3.

The 'Cats will close the home portion of the schedule by opening a 3 game series vs. Joliet tonight at 6:30.

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

Duanesburg grad Jeff Mulhern will play his college ball at Mercy University this winter. Mulhern averaged 38.1 points per game as a senior leading the Eagles to the Class C title game, where they lost to Berne-Knox-Westerlo in March.

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

You might be wondering why last night's Giants-Patriots preseason game didn't air on local television. Amazon Prime had the game, which Big Blue won with a monster 2nd half, 42-10. The regular season starts in 2 1/2 weeks.

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

Siena & UAlbany have announced their league schedules for 2025-6 in men's basketball. If you go to either team's website, you won't find the non-league schedule. Editing, you know.

Siena (MAAC):

December:

5: Niagara.

7: Canisius.

January:

2: @ Iona.

4: @ Rider.

9: Merrimack.

11: @ Mount St. Mary's.

14: Sacred Heart.

17: @ Monmouth.

19: Fairfield.

22: Marist.

30: @ Niagara.

February:

1: @ Canisius.

5: Iona.

7: @ St. Peter's.

13: Quinnipiac.

15: @ Marist.

20: @ Merrimack.

22: St. Peter's.

27: @ Fairfield.

March:

1: Senior Day vs. Rider.

UAlbany (America East):

January:

3: @ UMass-Lowell.

10: Bryant.

15: Binghamton.

19: Vermont.

22: @ Maine.

24: @ New Hampshire.

29: New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT).

31: University of Maryland-Baltimore County (UMBC).

February:

5: @ Bryant.

7: UMass-Lowell.

14: @ Binghamton.

19: @ NJIT.

21: @ UMBC.

26: Maine.

28: Senior Day vs. New Hampshire.

March:

3: @ Vermont.

News & notes

 The season is over for Tri-City Valleycats pitcher Arlo Marynczak (Bethlehem/Siena).

Marynczak is back on the IL with shoulder issues that have plagued him most of the season. Marynczak finishes 2025 with a 3-1 record and a 3.51 ERA with 51 strikeouts.

The 'Cats & NY Boulders will play a doubleheader today at 5 pm, and then, Joliet comes in Friday, but rain as of now is in the forecast for Saturday & Sunday. Here we go again.

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

CBS sportscaster Jim Nantz is being honored today by the Saratoga Senior Center. The event will take place at the Fasig-Tipton Pavilion beginning at 12 noon. Saratoga native & CBS golf reporter Dottie Pepper will join Nantz for a fireside chat.

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

Perennial Suburban Council women's volleyball champion Burnt Hills will open their season next Thursday vs. Niskayuna, but the real story is that the match will be played outdoors for the Lady Spartans' home opener. I wonder if this isn't just more than an experiment. The match will be played on the Burnt Hills football field.

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

Troy High grad Brendan O'Brien is hoping to spoil the party for everyone at Saratoga on Saturday.

O'Brien has gotten into the business of owning horses, and has a longshot, Bracket Buster, entered in the Travers as one of four challengers to prospective Horse of The Year Sovereignty. As you can guess, O'Brien played basketball at Troy back in the day.

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

This morning, Section II begins its 2025-6 season, as there are 10 Suburban Council matches (6 men, 4 women) scheduled to tee off between 8:30 & 11 am. Over in the Colonial Council, 5 matches are scheduled, according to listings in the papers, starting at 4 pm. Two of those matches (Ichabod Crane @ Troy & Ravena @ LaSalle) are both at Frear Park, and will run concurrently. Check with the venues, however, as some courses might not be ready after Wednesday's rains.

News & notes

 The Tri-City Valleycats swept the NY Boulders Tuesday, 5-2 & 5-1, reducing their magic number for clinching a playoff berth to 4.

Tonight's game, unfortunately, has been rained out, so the 'Cats & Boulders will play another doubleheader tomorrow at 5 pm.

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

The rain has also forced Saratoga to cut today's card to 8 races, all on the main track, as the Jonathan Sheppard Memorial Steeplechase has been postponed to August 27. The 2nd race on the card is the first that will go on the sloppy course, in just a few minutes as I write.

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

UAlbany interim football coach Jared Ambrose has named Jack Shields as his starting QB for the season opener in a couple of weeks.

In other UAlbany news, the school & Siena have finalized a new 4 year deal to continue the Albany Cup basketball series, as the schools will alternate home sites. In other words, 2 games at MVP Arena, 2 at SEFCU Arena. The deal is good through the 2028-9 season.

News & notes

 The other shoe dropped for lacrosse fans in the 518 Monday with confirmation that the FireWolves are leaving Albany, and will play in Oshawa, Ontario, starting this winter.

This is the last time you'll see this logo.

Despite signing an extension on their lease at MVP Arena prior to the 2024-5 season, the 'Wolves had struggled at the gate, as some folks opted to stay home and watch the games on WNYA (Spectrum channel 1215) than spend the money at the arena on tickets and overpriced concessions.

Official confirmation from the National Lacrosse League should come later this week. At the end of the day, pro lacrosse is still a tough sell in this area, though the 'Wolves outlasted the Albany Attack (2000-3) by playing 4 seasons at MVP Arena.

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

With two weeks left in the regular season of the Frontier League, the Tri-City Valleycats have an 8 game lead in the wild card race with 13 games remaining, starting with tonight's doubleheader vs. the NY Boulders. After the home finale vs. Joliet on Sunday, Tri-City closes out with road games at New Jersey & Ottawa, hoping to lock down a Wild Card berth for the 2nd straight season.

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

LaSalle hockey & golf coach Tim Flanigan confirmed what James Allen had reported in the Albany Times-Union the other day, that Albany Academy has indeed pulled out of the Capital District High School Hockey League for the 2nd time. That leaves Flanigan with two dates to fill, December 12, which was a road game, and February 6 at home, likely at Knickerbacker Arena. Flanigan said the schedule will be updated soon, and that applies to all the remaining teams in the CDHSHL. Stay tuned.

News & notes

 College sports has started for the 2025-6 season. Unfortunately, the offenses for UAlbany & Siena's women's soccer teams didn't get the memo.

The Lady Danes fell to Georgia, 5-0, while the Lady Saints were defeated by North Carolina, 4-0, on Sunday. Siena will have their home opener Thursday vs. Holy Cross, while UAlbany opens their home schedule vs. Sacred Heart, also on Thursday.

Men's soccer kicks off (pun intended) Thursday, with UAlbany at Fairleigh Dickinson, while Siena is at UMass-Amherst.

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

The Tri-City Valleycats gained a split of their weekend series at Brockton, staving off a Rox rally to win, 7-6, on Sunday. The Rox plated four runs in the 8th to make it interesting against the 'Cats' bullpen, denying Easton Klein the win. Instead, reliever Jalon Long picked up the win. Brockton reliever Heisell Baro not only took the loss, but was ejected from the game in the 9th.

As for local talent:

Tri-City's Jake Reinisch went 1-4 with 2 RBI, a walk, and 2 runs scored, including his team leading 16th homer. Demias Jimerson also homered for the 'Cats.

After being a hero Saturday night, Brockton's Derek Bender went 1-3 with a walk and an RBI. Tommy Kretzler (Colonie) was 3-4 with an RBI. Each scored a run. Brett Young & Ben Seiler did not play. Seiler wasn't used at all in the series.

The 'Cats return home for a 4 game series with the NY Boulders on Tuesday.

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

Irad Ortiz, Jr. had two winners on Sunday's card at Saratoga, moving him to 48 winners on the season. Fravian Prat also had a riding double, and Jose Ortiz had 1 winner, so he now trails brother Irad by 5 (48-43).

Racing resumes Wednesday.

News & notes

 School doesn't start for another 2 1/2 weeks, but Saratoga senior Alex Landau, a star outfielder for the Blue Streaks, already knows where he'll play baseball in 2027 and beyond.

File photo courtesy Albany Times-Union.

Landau has committed to Siena for his college ball, and the Saints could certainly use the help after a dismal 2025 campaign.

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

The Brockton Rox swept the Tri-City Valleycats in a doubleheader Saturday. 

After 7 scoreless innings in game 1, the 'Cats plated the 1st run in the top of the 8th, but the Rox came right back. Pinch runner Brett Young scored the game winner in a 2-1 verdict, the same score by which Tri-City had won on Friday.

In game 2, Derek Bender provided all the offense with a solo homer, as the Rox won again, 1-0.

The series concludes today at 3:30 pm.

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

Could the Albany FireWolves, 10 months after signing a 3 year extension on their lease at MVP Arena, be ready to break the lease?

The Times-Union is reporting that there are trademarks that have been filed in Oshawa, Ontario, Canada, that would have the 'Wolves moving to the Great White North. Any such move would require a buy-out of the existing lease, which expires in 2027. Many of the players, as well as coach-GM Glenn Clark & CEO Oliver Marti, live in Canada, and whatever issues existed as the 'Wolves suffered through a dismal 2024-5 campaign, have yet to surface to justify any changes.

Stay tuned.

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

Luis Saez had 4 winners, while the Ortiz brothers, Irad, Jr., & Jose, each had 1, on Saturday's card at Saratoga. Irad continues to lead the jockey standings with 46 winners, and Jose is 2nd at 42. Saez, for those keeping score, has 19.

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

For those of you watching last night's Giants-Jets game on WNYT, you'd notice that Big Blue has moved their flagship back to WNBC in NYC after a year on WNYW. I guess enough fans thought the change last summer was unnecessary, or something.

For what it's worth, the Giants won, 31-12.

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

High school sports starts later this week with golf teeing off. Other sports, such as tennis & soccer, begin next week.

News & notes

 The Tri-City Valleycats split a doubleheader with the NY Boulders Thursday, taking the opener, 7-2, before the Boulders walked 'em off in the nightcap, 5-4, against the Tri-City bullpen.

Arlo Marynczak (Bethlehem-Siena) went 6 innings, and would've been in line for the win, but the Boulders tied it late, and won with a walk off in the 7th. The teams will meet again in Troy on Tuesday for yet another doubleheader. 

Meanwhile, the 'Cats are in Brockton, and, well, another doubleheader is on the docket for today at 5 pm.

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Irad Ortiz, Jr. had two more winners on Thursday, while brother Jose had just 1, at Saratoga. With just over two weeks remaining in the meet, it doesn't look like anyone will catch the Ortiz brothers, who have the top two spots in the jockey race locked up.

Today's card begins at 1:10 pm.

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Writing in The Land of Whatever the other day, I joked that Topps would produce a special trading card for umpire Jen Pawol.

Little did I know that she was a former player, and already has at least two cards that are collector's items, in the hands of a former Hall of Fame official from Guilderland.

Pawol was a member of the US Women's National Baseball team in the women's World Series in Toronto in 2001. The card was published by Sports Illustrated's website and the Albany Times-Union three years later. A 2nd card was issued by the Minnesota Girls Baseball Association in 2016. After working the Braves-Marlins series in Atlanta last weekend, Pawol is awaiting her next assignment.

News & notes

 What was supposed to be a doubleheader in Paloma on Wednesday turned into a single game between the Tri-City Valleycats & NY Boulders.

The game went 7 innings, as planned, since doubleheaders in the Frontier League are 7 innings each. Tri-City blew out the Boulders, 8-2, using a 6 run 4th inning to ice it. Stephen Still went the distance to pick up the win. The rain resumed, and forced game two to be postponed to today at 5 pm, so they'll do a doubleheader tonight.

Javeyan Williams & Chris Burgess were the hitting stars for the 'Cats.

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Fresh off rolling through AF1 earlier this summer, the Albany Firebirds have lost 4 key players to the UFL for 2026.

QB Sam Castronova, receivers Isiah Scott & Duane Brown, & lineman Isaiah Hardy have all signed with the Memphis Showboats, who finished last in the USFL division of the UFL earlier this year.

This means, of course, that Damon Ware & the 'Birds will be looking to rebuild in order to repeat next season.

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Jose Ortiz had a riding triple, while brother Irad, Jr. booted home two winners, on Wednesday's card at Saratoga. Irad leads with 42 winners, while Jose has 39, as they're leaving the rest of the jockeys in the dust.

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

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We told you before about CBA's Jack Donohue leaving the Brothers for the Newman School, where he'll join Davon Maloney, formerly of LaSalle. Now comes word that Maloney's former teammate, Tre'Dell "Treddy" Faison, is going to the Winchenden School, which, like the Newman School, is in the New England Prep School Athletic Council (NEPSAC).

Now, New York needs to start a similar league to try to stem the tide of Section II defections to NEPSAC.........

News & notes

 The sad fall of former Northville women's basketball coach Jim Zullo isn't over yet after all.

Unfortunately, in this writer's view, Hailey Monroe may have herself become a victim yet again, this time of a lawyer who convinced her and her family to file suit against Zullo and the Northville district  on Monday, alleging, among other things, that Zullo supposedly had a "reputation and history of inappropriate, aggressive, & dangerous conduct" toward Northville players, not just Monroe, in his 2 seasons there (2023-5), and that the district was aware of it.

Apparently, a fine of $200 to pay court costs two weeks ago wasn't enough to satisfy the Monroe family in the eyes of attorney Peter Moschetti, who filed the suit. As far as Zullo's alleged "reputation", I'd say maybe Moschetti should talk to Zullo's past employers, such as Shenendehowa, to see if they can verify the claims. If not, then there's going to be more issues, this time against Moschetti.

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Another Section II standout is going the prep route.

Rodger Wyland (WNYT/WTMM), writing in today's Albany Times-Union, is reporting that CBA's Jack Donohue is transferring to the Newman School in Boston, with 2 years of high school eligibility remaining. We've noted before that transferring to prep schools enhances a player's chances of gaining a college scholarship, not just Division 1, but anywhere. You didn't see a lot of this years ago, when there were no travel teams, just AAU summer leagues. Travel teams attract prep school scouts, as well as college scouts, which is why you see a smallish exodus from Section II virtually every summer now.

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Francisco Cupp of Saratoga captured the NYS Men's Jr. Amateur Golf Championship in the 14U division on Tuesday at Eagle Crest Country Club in Clifton Park. Cupp finished at just -1, and, by his own admission, didn't play his best golf, as he bogeyed the final 2 holes, but did enough to win.

Section II golf season starts next week, and Cupp will have some momentum if he's on the varsity for the Blue Streaks.

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Inasmuch as Troy Mayor Carmella Mantello is taking heat for moving City Hall to Proctors Theatre on 4th Street, she's also a sports fan, and got to spend some time Tuesday at Knickerbacker Ice Arena with former members of the NY Rangers.

The occasion was the launch of a 10 week program for kids, presented by the Rangers' "Learn to Play" program. Brian Mullen, who retired before the Rangers won the Stanley Cup in 1994, was among the Ranger alumni in attendance.

Photo courtesy Albany Times-Union.

Registration for the "Learn to Play" program begins this week. The Troy-Albany Youth Hockey Association will manage the local program.

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The Tri-City Valleycats defeated the NY Boulders, 8-5, Tuesday, to kick off a 7 game road trip. Jake Reinisch (Shenendehowa/Wake Forest) homered in support of starter & winner Easton Klein. The win was the 100th in Greg Tagert's managerial career. The teams will play a doubleheader today at 5 pm.

News & notes

 Well, these are the dog days of summer, after all.

Saratoga hosted the first ever Corgi Cup Sunday afternoon, though there have been smaller events, some sponsored by NFL teams such as the Giants and Buffalo.

Photo courtesy Albany Times-Union.

In all, 48 dogs ran on the track in three heats in between the 3rd, 5th, & 7th races on a hot Sunday afternoon. By the end of the final heat, Sam, a 6 year old who'd previously won the Giants Corgi Cup, took home the grand prize. A Troy dog, Spike, 18 months, got a bit of stage fright and ran straight to the winner's circle, where his mom was waiting. Abbey, one of the oldest entrants at 12 1/2, ran on wheels after her hind legs were amputated several months back.

I guess you had to be there.

In other Saratoga news, the Sword Dancer Handicap is being renamed in honor of the late trainer, Christophe Clement, who passed away earlier this year. The Sword Dancer was originally run at Aqueduct, if memory serves me correctly, for many years before being moved to Saratoga.

Saturday's 12th race was supposed to be run on turf at a mile & a 16th, but due to an error in gate placement, it went a mile and an 8th, something the stewards missed. All the money has been paid out, so the result cannot be changed.

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The Tri-City Valleycats are on the road this week at the NY Boulders & Brockton Rox before returning home August 19 for their final homestand of the season. Tri-City remains 5 1/2 games behind Quebec for first place in the North Division after beating Three Rivers, 9-8, in 10 innings Sunday night.

News & notes

 Suddenly, LaSalle has two dates to fill on its hockey schedule.

James Allen, reporting in today's Albany Times-Union, says that Albany Academy is leaving the Capital District High School Hockey League for the 2nd time, and will have either 1 or 2 teams playing in the New England Prep School Athletic Conference. Plans call for Academy to move their swimming teams to NEPSAC, as soon as they can find a league affiliated with NEPSAC, which could be either this season or next. The men's basketball team has already left for NEPSAC, and other sports could follow. For now, they'll still field men's & women's soccer & golf teams, baseball, volleyball, & softball.

LaSalle had already scheduled their annual home & home series with Academy (@ Academy December 12, at Knickerbacker Arena February 6), so we'll see if the Battle of The Cadets will still be on the ice this winter.

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Ian Walters homered to back up starter Connor Wilford, and the Tri-City Valleycats took down Three Rivers, 4-3, on Saturday night at Bruno Stadium.

The series concludes today at 5. Bring sunscreen.

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Irad Ortiz, Jr. & trainer Linda Rice swept the early daily double Saturday at Saratoga. Ortiz finished with a riding triple, while brother Jose had just one winning mount.

Meanwhile, Chad Brown added two more winners, as he now leads Rice by 5 in the trainers' standings. Todd Pletcher has dropped to 3rd with 15 wins. Brown saddled Dylan Davis' lone winner of the day in the 11th race. Fravian Prat, appealing his suspension, had 2 winners on the day.

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

News & notes

 Dylan Davis & Irad Ortiz, Jr. each had a riding double on Friday at Saratoga. Davis now has 13 winners this season. Ortiz remains atop the jockeys' leaderboard, with 36. Chad Brown continues to be the top trainer.

Today's 12 race card starts at 12:35 pm.

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A day after being hired as an assistant coach at CBA, Matt Shell was inducted into the Capital District Football Hall of Fame for the 2nd time on Friday.

Shell had first gone in as a player 14 years ago, after a stellar career at Gloversville. 14 seasons at Burnt Hills produced 10 sectional titles and a state championship in 2022.

Shell isn't the only high profile coach inducted, either. Ravena's Gary VanDerZee went in as well. The rest of the 2025 Class, being feted today at the Polish Community Center in Albany:

Retired referee Fritz Brownell.

1991 Watervliet Cannoneers.

Assistant Coach Jim Dempsey, who served at Burnt Hills in the pre-Shell era (1982-4), then spent 30 years at Saratoga.

Service to youth: Dan Martuscello, who ran South Troy Pop Warner from 1986-2018.

Service to the sport: Jack Siedlecki.

WXXA Sports (now united with WTEN).

Player list:

Mike Altieri (Amsterdam 2001-3).

Mike Angeloitti (Amsterdam 1988-91).

John Barbieri (Hudson Falls 1992-5).

Dan Cole (Bishop Maginn 1997-2000). Cole might be better remembered for his time with RPI.

Matt Frese (Ravena 1994-6).

Mike Gaunay (Troy 1996-9). A 4 year player for Jack Burger, Gaunay helped Troy to their first two state titles (1996, '98).

Aaron Kuzmich (Greenwich 1997-9).

Mike O'Shaughnessy (Vincentian Institute 1960's).

Chris Phillis (Saratoga). 

Matt Robbens (Saratoga 1997-9).

Steve Ross (Ravena 1995-7).

Matt Sala (Shaker 1980's). After graduating from Lafayette, Sala was an original Albany Firebird (1990-1).

Matt Vittengi (South Glens Falls).

Don Wemple (Gloversville 1933-5).

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The Tri-City Valleycats dropped a 10-9 decision to Three Rivers Friday at Bruno Stadium. Arlo Marynczak (Bethlehem/Siena) went 5 innings, and did not pick up a decision.

The series continues tonight at 6:30.

News & notes

 The Tri-City Valleycats called Broom Service again Thursday, as they completed a 3 game sweep of the New Jersey Jackals, 5-4.

Stephen Still picked up the win. Tri-City entertains Three Rivers beginning tonight at 6:30 pm.

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Local NFL fans will have a choice Saturday afternoon, when the Bills & Giants meet in Orchard Park.

You can either watch the game on WNYT, which has had the rights to Giants pre-season games the last several years, or on WTEN, which shares the Bills' pre-season rights with step-sister station WXXA. 

Kickoff is shortly after 1 pm.

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Saratoga stewards have suspended jockey Fravian Prat for careless riding. Pending an appeal, Prat is scheduled for 7 mounts on today's 10 race card, which gets underway at 1:10 pm. Prat is 4th in the jockey standings with 20 wins. Irad Ortiz, Jr's lead over brother Jose has been cut to 1 (34-33), heading into today's card.

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After 2 years away, former Burnt Hills football coach Matt Shell is back, this time as an assistant to old nemesis Bob Burns at CBA. That should make for an interesting storyline should the Brothers & Spartans meet either this season or down the road.

News & Notes

 Rudy Winkler's not ready to retire just yet.

Per a feature piece in today's Albany Times-Union, Winkler, now 30, won another national title in track & field, and is now aiming for the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles. The Averill Park native now calls Washington home, where he lives with his wife. When not competing, Winkler is a throws coach at Maryland.

Being an Olympian stays in your blood, it seems.

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Now, we know preseason football kicks off in earnest (pun intended) tonight (check NFL Network listings), but the Tri-City Valleycats apparently have football on their minds. That shouldn't be a surprise, since Hudson Valley Community College's football field is a short distance away, but the 'Cats have just gone off on the New Jersey Jackals.

After 14 runs Tuesday, the 'Cats added two more touchdowns, two extra points, and a field goal to blow away the Jackals again Wednesday night, 17-5. Easton Klein pitched into the 7th inning to get the win, and Demias Jimerson & David Glancy homered for the 'Cats.

Stephen Still gets the start tonight as the 'Cats go for the sweep.

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The jockeys race is tightening up at Saratoga.

Jose Ortiz narrowed the gap between himself and his brother, Irad, Jr., to two with 2 wins on Wednesday's card, while Irad won 1, and Fravian Prat had a riding double as well, as he's in 4th place. Ricardo Santana, Jr., in 3rd, had a winner to keep some distance between himself & Prat.

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

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Guilderland is joining Bethlehem in the Cal Ripken World Series, which begins today in Branson, Missouri, a city better known for is country music-centric dinner theatres. Guilderland's team will be in the 12 & under tournament. Best of luck to both Bethlehem & Guilderland.