News & notes

 Last year, the Sussex County Miners seemed to have the Tri-City Valleycats' number.

Last night, not so much.

The Valleycats scored all of their runs in one big chunk in the 4th inning, capped by a Brantley Bell grand slam, to beat the Miners and end a 3 game losing streak, 7-3. The two teams will finish the series this afternoon at 2 pm

Other 'Cats news: former major leaguer Jay Bell, Brantley's father, was a guest coach for the 'Cats on the last homestand. Bell's major league resume included stops in Pittsburgh, Arizona, and with the Mets.

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Miami Dolphins receiver Tyreek Hill was in town Saturday for a clinic at UAlbany. The event was a one day event, four hours in all, and you have to believe there were plenty of kids----and adults, too----who had trading cards of Hill for him to autograph. Hill was traded from Kansas City, where he won a Super Bowl in 2020, to Miami in the offseason.

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The Epson tour's Twin Bridges Championship is wrapping up as we write, but among the missing is Albany Academy's Kennedy Swedick. The Section II & state champion missed the cut Saturday after going 11 over par over the first two rounds. Albany Times-Union golf columnist Joyce Bassett is covering the event, and said that Swedick's massive following was one of the biggest among the field. That said, I'd imagine the attendance will be much smaller for the final round today.

For Kennedy, Section II play begins at the end of next month, and, there's always next year, if the Epson tour returns to the 518.

News & notes

 It was not the ending to the season Albany Patroons fans had hoped for.

The Shreveport Mavericks were just as hungry, if not more so, than the Patroons themselves, and the end result was a 137-132 overtime upset in the third and final game of the TBL finals.

Paul Harrison had 36 points to lead all scorers for Shreveport. AJ Mosby led four Pats in double figures with 30 points.

The Patroons will be back. Count on it.

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The Cincinnati Reds had a doubleheader on Thursday vs. Pittsburgh, and Shaker grad Jeff Hoffman was tapped as an opener in the first game.

Hoffman pitched 1 1/3 innings, as he did vs. the Mets on Tuesday, did not give up a run or hit, and struck out three, as he appears to be on a pitch count coming off an injury. Cincinnati won that first game, but dropped the nightcap.

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The Mets won't see Ian Anderson (Shenendehowa) when they visit Atlanta next week. Anderson is set to pitch on normal rest on Sunday.

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As the Tri-City Valleycats open a weekend series with Sussex County in New Jersey, they're smarting from losing in blowout fashion, 15-4, to Quebec on Thursday night. The Capitales never trailed after taking an early 2-0 lead.

Here's to hoping things are better beginning tonight.

News & notes

 After Siena's basketball season ended in March, Ahniysha Jackson (Albany High) had entered the transfer portal. Emphasize the had.

That's because last week, Jackson changed her mind, and decided to return to Siena for next season. Apparently, Jackson realized, as Neil Diamond sang 40 years ago, "home is the most excellent place of all" ("Heartlight").

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One game remains in the TBL finals.

After injuries to Mike Williams in game 1 and Anthony Moe early in game 2, Kam Williams, out of Ohio State, led the Albany Patroons with a season high 28 points to force a 3rd and final game vs. Shreveport, as the Patroons evened the championship series with a 112-102 win Wednesday night before over 2,000 fans at the Washington Avenue Armory.

Mike Williams (no relation to Kam) is a game time decision for tonight's season finale at 7 pm.

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We are a week away from the start of racing season at Saratoga Race Course. However, Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert won't be there, serving a suspension enforced in NY for his assistants using PED's of the equine kind on some of his horses.

Also, Belmont Stakes winner Mo Donegal will not be racing at Saratoga due to a training injury which takes him out of next month's Travers Stakes.

The 2022 meet runs from July 14-September 5.

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The Tri-City Valleycats split a doubleheader with Quebec on Wednesday night at Joe Bruno Stadium.

In the opener, Tri-City extended its winning streak to six in a row, but had to hold off a 7th inning rally by the Capitales to pick up a 7-6 win. However, Quebec gained a split with a 7-1 win in the nightcap. The series finale is tonight at 6:30 pm before the 'Cats visit Sussex County tomorrow.

News & notes

 Mere hours before first pitch Tuesday, the Tri-City Valleycats postponed their game with Quebec City due to rain, so they'll play two today, a single admission doubleheader, with first pitch after 4 pm. Each game will be 7 innings. The 'Cats have won five in a row after beating Ottawa on Monday.

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With their collective backs against the wall, the Albany Patroons are once again encouraging fans to bring plenty of noise for game 2 of the TBL finals tonight vs. Shreveport at 7 pm. Albany has yet to lose a home game this season at the Washington Avenue Armory.

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Shaker graduate Jeff Hoffman, back on the active roster for the Cincinnati Reds, pitched 1 1/3 innings of scoreless relief vs. the Mets Tuesday night before the Reds walked off the NL East leaders, 1-0.

Meanwhile, in Atlanta, Ian Anderson rebounded from a poor showing vs. Philadelphia one week ago, dominating the St. Louis Cardinals for 5 innings.

Anderson gave up just the one run, walked one, and struck out eight in picking up his 7th win of the season. Depending on the schedule, his next start likely will be against the Mets next week at Truist Park.

News & notes

The TBL finals are following a familiar script so far.

The Shreveport Mavericks won game 1 on Saturday night, 123-115, setting up another do-or-die situation for the Albany Patroons Wednesday night at the Washington Avenue Armory, with game 3 to follow if needed on Thursday.

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Make it 2 in a row for the Albany Empire.

The Empire returned to San Antonio, and collected a receipt from the Gunslingers, 61-47. Check the video:

San Antonio's three game winning streak, which started with a win over Albany the first time, ended with this game.

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The Tri-City Valleycats confirmed that Kumar Rocker has pitched his last game for the team as he prepares for the MLB draft later this month.

Then, the 'Cats went out and routed the Empire State Greys for the 2nd straight night, 9-4. Leo Crawford picked up the win, but things did get a little dicey in the 9th inning, as the Greys plated three runs against the Valleycats' bullpen. The 'Cats will look for the sweep this afternoon at Bruno Stadium.

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The Albany Times-Union released its 2022 sports awards edition on Thursday. Troy High supporters are just plain giddy after learning that softball ace Olivia DeCitise was named Large School Softball Player of The Year, and LSU commit Mike Kennedy was named Large School Baseball Player of the Year.

To be fair, the small school equivalents went to Gavin Van Kempen (Maple Hill baseball) and Emma Scheltinger (Ichabod Crane softball).

We'll remind that Kennedy and Van Kempen are on a short list of 518 players who could wind up going in the draft, giving local viewers a reason to watch.

News & notes

 The Albany Patroons were given a police escort from the Washington Avenue Armory to Albany International Airport Friday, as they left for Shreveport, Louisiana, for tonight's 1st game in the TBL finals.

Shreveport is also home to Centenary College, which is the site of tonight's game. The Mavericks may be just one of the few teams other than the Patroons to have top-shelf playing facilities in the league. Game 2 is Wednesday at the Armory.

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After four seasons in Atlanta, Shenendehowa grad Kevin Huerter is on the move in the NBA.

Huerter was traded by the Hawks to the Sacramento Kings on Friday, in exchange for Mo Harkless, Justin Holiday, and a 2023 draft pick. Huerter becomes the first 518 player to play for Sacramento since Jimmer Fredette. The question is, will he last longer in a Kings uniform than Fredette did? We'll see.

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If this was Kumar Rocker's finale with the Tri-City Valleycats, he went out with a bang.

Rocker went 5 innings, giving up just a run on 7 hits with a walk and 7 strikeouts, as the 'Cats dispatched the Empire State Greys, 8-3. Brad Zunica & Denis Phipps homered for the 'Cats to back Rocker. Tom Kretzler (Colonie/Brockport) pitched the final 2 innings to secure the win, giving up 2 hits and striking out 2.

News & notes

 The Tri-City Valleycats split a doubleheader Thursday at Trois-Rivieres, losing the 1st game, 6-4, and taking the nightcap, and the series, 7-3. The final series between the two clubs will again be at Trois-Rivieres August 19-21. Meanwhile, Tri-City comes home for a rematch with the Empire State Greys tonight.

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Not a good night for Ian Anderson and the Atlanta Braves on Thursday at Philadelphia.

The Phillies strafed Anderson for 7 runs on 7 hits, with a walk and a strikeout in 2 innings, en route to a 14-4 win. Easily Anderson's worst outing of the season.

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LaSalle Institute's fall 2022 sports schedule is out, at least for the most part. The women's sports program will play a JV schedule in volleyball and soccer, and a varsity schedule in golf and swimming & diving. Not all of the dates are set at the present time.

More dates will be added as the schedule is firmed up further.

August 30: Men's golf home opener vs. Ravena. Home matches are now at Frear Park, which they're sharing with Troy High.

August 31: State champion Kennedy Swedick and Albany Academy will be the 1st opponent for the LaSalle women at Frear Park. The men will play the first of two meets vs. Catholic Central, which, as of press time, does not have a home course. LaSalle men's soccer kicks off at Mohonasen.

September 1: Men's golf vs. Ichabod Crane.

September 2: Soccer vs. Ichabod Crane.

September 7: Women's golf vs. Mohonasen. Men's golf @ Schalmont. Soccer @ Lansingburgh.

September 8: Men's golf vs. Voorheesville.

September 9: Women's golf @ Academy of Holy Names. Men's golf @ Ichabod Crane.

September 10: Soccer vs. Catholic Central.

September 14: Men's golf vs. Mohonasen. Soccer @ Albany Academy.

September 16: Men's golf @ Cobleskill-Richmondville. Soccer vs. Ravena. Swimming @ Ravena.

September 19: Men's golf @ Mohonasen. Soccer vs. Voorheesville.

September 20: Men's golf vs. Catholic Central.

September 21: Men's golf @ Albany Academy. Soccer vs. Cobleskill-Richmondville.

September 22: Swimming @ Mohonasen. Soccer @ Schalmont.

September 27: Golf (Men's & women's) vs. Voorheesville. Soccer vs. Cohoes.

September 28: Soccer vs. Schalmont.

September 29: Men's golf vs. Albany Academy. Swimming vs. Berne-Knox-Westerlo-Duanesburg @ Mohonasen.

October 4: Soccer @ Ichabod Crane.

October 6: Men's golf @ Ravena. Soccer vs. Lansingburgh.

October 7: Swimming @ Emma Willard.

October 11: Soccer @ Catholic Central. Site TBA.

The LaSalle football schedule, including their September 23 home game vs. Troy, is not on the Colonial Council website as of press time. The rest of the schedule is subject to change.