News & notes

 The last sectional titles in Section II were decided Monday night. Now, it's on to state play.

Troy was the center of the Section II universe, with softball finals at Lansingburgh High, and baseball across town at Joe Bruno Stadium.

Monday's results:

Softball:

Class AA final:

Columbia 5, Queensbury 4.

Class AAA final:

Saratoga 10, Shenendehowa 8.

Baseball:

Class AA final:

Bethlehem 6, Mohonasen 3. The Eagles win their 2nd title in 3 years.

Class AAA final:

Saratoga 3, Colonie 1. The Blue Streaks repeat as champions.

State regional pairings:

Baseball:

Class AAA:

Saratoga vs. TBA, site TBA.

Class AA:

Bethlehem vs. West Genesee, Saturday at 3 pm at Onondaga Community College.

Softball:

Opponents for both Saratoga & Columbia will be finalized tomorrow.

Oddsmakers are treating Saratoga native Cherie DeVaux like she was related to Rodney Dangerfield.

DeVaux's horse, Kentucky Derby winner Golden Tempo, is the 3rd choice for Saturday's Belmont Stakes at Saratoga Race Course, with opening odds of 9-2. Instead, Renegade, who finished 2nd in the Preakness, is the morning line favorite for trainer Todd Pletcher, followed by Chief Wallabee, who was 4th in the Derby, then, Golden Tempo. Chief Wallabee's trainer, Bill Mott, won last year's Belmont with Sovereignty. Post time for the Belmont is set for just after 7 pm on Saturday night.

Even though he finished his college career at Florida State, the local press still treats ex-UAlbany star Jared Verse like he was one of us.

So, it was a shock to learn Monday that Verse, the 2024 Defensive Rookie of The Year, was traded, along with draft picks over the next three years, to Cleveland for Myles Garrett, who broke the single season sack record last year, surpassing Michael Strahan & TJ Watt. This speaks to the "win now" mentality with the Los Angeles Rams, who decided to give up Verse, swapping potential for veteran experience.

Prediction: The Rams will make the playoffs with Garrett. Verse will miss the postseason.