Sunday, August 18, 2024

News & notes

 After tormenting the Tri-City Valleycats a week ago, Jake Reinisch (Shenendehowa/Wake Forest) is sitting out this weekend's series in Paloma due to an injury.

Reinisch is currently hitting .227 with 3 homers. We do not know if the injury was such that it placed him on the 7 day minor league injured list.
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You've heard of the injured list. You've heard of the restricted list in the majors for players who've had some off-field, or even on-field, issues that make them a liability. But, a developmental list??

The Chicago White Sox placed Zach Remillard (LaSalle) on this list while he is in Triple A with Charlotte, per the Albany Times-Union. Remillard's current stats have him batting an anemic .146 with 3 homers & 15 RBI in 47 games. That suggests he won't be called up when the rosters expand on September 1.
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Tommy Kahnle (Shaker) and the Yankees are in Williamsport, PA, home of the Little League World Series, for tonight's Little League Classic vs. Detroit, after the two teams split the first two games of the weekend series at Comerica Park.


For the season, Kahnle is 0-1 in 35 games, but has a 1.80 ERA with 33 strikeouts in 30 innings. As we write, there is rain in Williamsport, putting a LLWS game in a rain delay. Hmmmmmmm.
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Let's take a look at some more Section II alumni:

Luke Gold (Ballston Spa/Boston College): Playing for West Michigan in the Midwest League, Luke is hitting .236 in 103 games with 11 homers and 48 RBI.

Brian O'Keefe (Colonie): In 59 games with Omaha, O'Keefe is hitting .274 with 13 homers and 44 RBI. Could Kansas City call him up in September? Maybe.

Kevin Smith (Columbia): Kevin is batting .243 with 3 homers and 28 RBI in 68 games for Scranton-Wilkes-Barre. With the injury issues the Yankees have had, Kevin could be back in the Bronx next month.

Adam Zebrowski (CBA): Adam has appeared in just 2 games for Mississippi in the Southern League. He is hitting .286, but, so far, no homers or runs batted in.

Ian Anderson (Shenendehowa): In 5 games for Gwinnett, Ian is 2-1 with a 4.21 ERA in 25 2/3 innings with 23 strikeouts.

Ben Anderson (Shen): For Frisco in the Texas League, Ben is 5-6 in 64 innings with a 3.75 ERA and 72 strikeouts. One gets the feeling the twins will both be in the majors in 2025-6.

Matt Gage (Broadalbin-Perth/Siena): Matt has pitched in 10 games for Syracuse. While he has 13 strikeouts in 9 1/3 innings, he also has an unsightly 6.75 ERA. Will the Mets call him up? We'll see.

Jeff Hoffman (Shaker): The Phillies' All-Star reliever is 3-2 in 53 games with a 1.92 ERA and 73 strikeouts in 51 2/3 innings.

Mike Kennedy (Troy): Mike has appeared in 14 games for Bradenton. He's 2-5 with a 4.05 ERA in 66 2/3 innings with 74 strikeouts That tells me he's been starting.

John Rooney (Hoosic Valley): Rooney has appeared in 40 games for Oklahoma City, with a 2-2 record, a 5.12 ERA, and 50 strikeouts in 45 2/3 innings. The Dodgers may need the ERA to go down before he moves to the majors.

Dale Stanavich (Amsterdam): In 21 games for Pensacola, Dale in 2-0 with a 2.32 ERA. He has 42 strikeouts in 31 innings. The Marlins could use him, given they're in the basement in the NL East.

Danny Watson (Columbia): Danny's been struggling for Somerset in the Eastern League. He's 1-4 with 12 strikeouts and a gnarly 6.15 ERA in 26 1/3 innings over 23 games.

Friday, August 16, 2024

News & notes

 Dog racing hasn't been a thing 'round these parts since Green Mountain in Vermont closed its doors for good a few years back, ending a run of greyhound racing at the fabled track.

This week, the Altamont Fair is experimenting with dog racing, but not with greyhounds. Instead, they're racing corgis, cute little dogs who will attract the kids as well as parents. These races are not for pari-mutual betting, unlike the greyhound or horse races, but, rather, for the entertainment value it brings.

Well, it's better than dog fighting......!
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Saratoga native Dylan Davis has been rolling, even though he won't catch Irad Ortiz, Jr. for the riding title at Saratoga.

Davis picked up a winning mount with She's Got Will, trained by Mark Casse, in the 6th race on Thursday. She's Got Will returned $24 on a $2 win ticket. Davis now has 20 winners on the season, with 2+ weeks remaining.




Meanwhile, Mountain Twist, a 2 year old trained by Todd Pletcher, and owned by a consortium that includes WROW's Ben Patten, was a winner in Thursday's opener. Ridden by Jose Ortiz, Mountain Twist led wire to wire, and returned $6.70 on a $2 win ticket. 
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The Tri-City Valleycats' game at New England was cancelled by rain on Thursday, and will not be made up. A previous rainout at the NY Boulders in Paloma will be made up this afternoon as the first half of a single admission doubleheader. First pitch at 5:05 pm. That means Jake Reinisch (Shen/Wake Forest) will have another opportunity to torment the 'Cats. 

Now, if only one of those teams could get a cable TV contract......!
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At least one Olympian from the 518 is getting his flowers.

Melique Garcia (Watervliet) was given a day in his honor Thursday by the Cannoneer City. Garcia raced for Honduras in the Olympics, but finished 5th in a 100 meter heat nearly 2 weeks ago. Garcia will be back in the Olympics. He'll likely return in Los Angeles in 2028.
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A sad note to close.

Troy High is mourning the passing of former soccer coach & physical education teacher Bill Barr, who passed away on August 8.

Barr taught at THS for 37 years (1971-2008), and in 27 of those years was the head coach of Troy's men's soccer team. He also was the women's varsity coach for a time, and was an assistant basketball coach as well, at the freshman & junior varsity levels. Under Barr, the Flying Horses were perennial contenders in the Big 10 in men's soccer in the 70's & 80's.

Rest in peace.

Thursday, August 15, 2024

Troy High "final" fall 2024 sports schedule

 We can now confirm, via the Colonial Council website, Troy High's fall sports schedule, complete with event times.


We'll leave football aside, and focus on golf, volleyball, tennis, swimming, & soccer.

September:

3: Golf home opener vs. Ichabod Crane, 4:15 pm.

Volleyball opener @ Albany, 5:30 pm.

4: Golf @ Catholic Central, 4:15 pm. (Troy, Catholic Central, & LaSalle share the use of Frear Park) 

5: Golf vs. Albany Academy, 4:15 pm.

Women's soccer opener @ Academy of Holy Names, 4:30 pm.

Tennis opener @ Mohonasen, 4:30 pm.

Volleyball opener @ Holy Names, 6 pm.

7: Men's soccer opener @ Amsterdam, 10 am.

9: Golf vs. Ravena, 4:15 pm.

10: Golf @ Schalmont, 4:15 pm.

Men's soccer @ Schalmont, 4:30 pm.

Tennis home opener vs. Schoharie, 4:30 pm.

Volleyball @ Schalmont, 6 pm.

Women's soccer home opener vs. Schalmont, 7 pm.

11: Women's swimming opener vs. Shaker-Colonie, 4:30 pm.

12: Golf @ Mohonasen, 4:15 pm.

Women's soccer @ Catholic Central, 4:30 pm.

Men's soccer @ South Glens Falls, 4:30 pm.

Tennis vs. Holy Names, 4:30 pm.

13: Golf @ Voorheesville, 4:15 pm.

Volleyball @ Averill Park, 5:30 pm.

16: Golf vs. LaSalle, 4:15 pm.

Tennis vs. Emma Willard, 4:30 pm.

17: Volleyball vs. Ravena, 6 pm.

Women's soccer vs. Ravena, 7 pm.

Men's soccer @ Ravena, 7 pm.

18: Golf @ Ichabod Crane, 4:15 pm.

Swimming @ Saratoga, 4:30 pm.

Tennis @ Ichabod Crane, 4:30 pm.

19: Men's soccer vs. LaSalle, 7 pm.

Volleyball @ LaSalle,  6 pm.

20: Tennis vs. Albany Academy, 4:30 pm.

21: Volleyball tournament @ Averill Park, 8 am.

Women's soccer @ Schenectady, 1 pm.

Men's soccer vs. Averill Park, 1 pm.

23: Golf @ Ravena, 4:15 pm.

24: Men's soccer @ Cohoes, 4:30 pm.

Tennis @ Schalmont, 4:30 pm.

Volleyball vs. Cohoes, 6 pm.

Women's soccer vs. Cohoes, 7 pm.

25: Swimming vs. Bethlehem, 4:30 pm.

26: Golf vs. Catholic Central, 4:15 pm.

Women's soccer @ Lansingburgh, 4:30 pm.

Men's soccer vs. Lansingburgh, 7 pm.

Volleyball @ Lansingburgh, 6 pm.

27: Swimming @ Niskayuna, 4:30.

Colonial Council golf championships, 9 am.

28: Men's soccer vs. Ballston Spa, 1 pm.

30: Golf vs. Schalmont, 4:15 pm.

Women's soccer vs. Mohonasen, 7 pm.

Men's soccer @ Mohonasen, 7 pm.

October:

1: Volleyball vs. Mohonasen, 6 pm.

2: Golf vs. Mohonasen, 4:15 pm.

Women's soccer @ Albany Academy, 4:30 pm.

Men's soccer vs. Albany Academy, 4:30 pm.

Swimming vs. Schenectady-Mohonasen, 4:30.

3: Volleyball vs. Albany, 6 pm.

Women's soccer vs. Ichabod Crane, 7 pm.

4: Men's soccer @ Voorheesville, 4:30.

Tennis @ Voorheesville, 4:30 pm.

Women's soccer vs. Voorheesville, 7 pm.

5: Swimming meet @ Shenendehowa, time TBA.

7: Golf @ Albany Academy, 4:15 pm.

8: Golf @ LaSalle, 4:15 pm.

Tennis vs. Ravena, 4:30 pm.

Volleyball vs. Ichabod Crane, 6 pm.

Women's soccer @ Cohoes, 7 pm.

Men's soccer vs. Cohoes, 7 pm.

10: Men's soccer @ Lansingburgh, 4:30 pm.

Volleyball @ Albany Academy, 6 pm.

Women's soccer vs. Lansingburgh, 7 pm.

15: Men's soccer vs. Mohonasen, 7 pm.

Volleyball vs. Voorheesville, 6 pm.

Women's soccer @ Mohonasen, 7 pm.

16: Swimming v. Albany, 4: 30 pm.

17: Volleyball @ Cohoes, 6 pm.

18: Volleyball vs. Tamarac, 6 pm.

Swimming vs. Ballston Spa, 4:30 pm.

19: Men's soccer @ Ichabod Crane, 11 am.

22: Volleyball @ Lansingburgh, 6 pm.

23: Swimming vs. Burnt Hills, 4:30 pm.

24: Volleyball @ Mohonasen, 4:30.

Schedules are subject to change in case of inclement weather for tennis & soccer.

Wednesday, August 14, 2024

Time is running out for the Valleycats

 When the Tri-City Valleycats began play last week, they had the 3rd playoff spot in the Eastern Division of the Frontier League, and swept Trois Rivieres in a rain shortened series.

But, then, the 'Cats dropped a weekend series to the NY Boulders, and were held to two runs by New England's Sam Ryan in a complete game performance last night, as the Knockouts beat the 'Cats, 7-2.


Back to the Boulders. It's not just ex-Valleycats Chris Kwitzer & Austin Dennis that the 'Cats need to be concerned with. As Tri-City signed former Queensbury star Brett Rodriguez last month, the Boulders also looked to Section II's recent past to fortify their offense, signing Jake Reinisch (Shen), who graduated from Wake Forest in May. Reinisch, the son of Troy High AD Paul Reinisch, himself a Wake grad, wasn't drafted during last month's MLB Entry Draft.

No stranger to Bruno Stadium, Reinisch hurt the 'Cats on Saturday with a homer to help the Boulders mount a comeback en route to a win. He also drove in the only run in Sunday's nightcap with a sacrifice fly as the 'Cats salvaged the finale, 2-1.

Tri-City's series at New England continues tonight, but there are just six home dates left, the period from August 20-25, before the 'Cats close out on the road, and they'll need to win out to secure their first Frontier League playoff berth.

Stay tuned.

Friday, August 9, 2024

News & notes

 The remnants of Tropical Storm Debby have forced the NY Racing Association to cancel today's card at Saratoga. The announcement was made right after the final race at the track on Thursday.

The cancellation of the card also postpones the debut of a 2 year old named Manhattan Twist, owned by WROW morning host Ben Patten, to a later date. It's Patten's first foray into the racing business as an owner. Best of luck to Ben and Manhattan Twist when the latter makes its debut.
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You might've noticed that last night's Giants-Lions game aired on WNYA (Spectrum channel 1215) as WNYT, the NBC affiliate, is tied up with the Olympics until Saturday. Subsequent Giants pre-season games will air on WNYT.

Additionally, the team has ended its affiliation with WNBC in New York, shifting over to WNYW, the Fox flagship station. Makes sense, considering most, but not all, of the team's regular season games will air on Fox during the season.
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The Tri-City Valleycats suffered their 2nd rainout in a week, as Thursday's game vs. Trois-Rivieres was cancelled. Since it was the Aigles' final visit to Troy, the game won't be made up at Bruno Stadium, and there is still no indication that the 'Cats will make up last Saturday's rainout at the NY Boulders while the Boulders are in town this weekend.

The 'Cats won both games that were played in the mid-week series. Arlo Marynczak (Bethlehem/Siena) was the winning pitcher Wednesday despite getting strafed for 5 runs on 6 hits in 3 innings of relief. It happens.


Heading into play tonight (maybe), the 'Cats maintain the 3rd & final playoff spot in the Eastern division.

Update, 3:51 pm.: Tonight's game has been rained out, and will be part of a single admission doubleheader on Sunday afternoon.

Tuesday, August 6, 2024

News & notes

 The Tri-City Valleycats open a 3-set with Trois Rivieres tonight at Bruno Stadium, weather permitting, coming off winning Sunday, 8-5, over the NY Boulders.


Saturday's game was rained out, and likely will be made up this weekend when the Boulders come to Troy, as Tri-City made its final trip to Poloma last weekend. Next week brings a road trip to New England to pay a call on Ben Seiler & the Knockouts.
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We're halfway through the Saratoga meet, and Dylan Davis has 15 wins, picking up a win on Sunday with the Queens M G in the Adirondack Stakes. Rodger Wyland, writing in the Albany Times-Union Monday, doesn't think Davis will win the riding title, but, ya never know.
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Elisa Mevius, newly graduated from Siena, earned a gold medal for Germany in the women's 3 x 3 basketball tournament at the Olympics on Sunday.

Conversely, Jimmer Fredette (Glens Falls/BYU) tore a couple of ligaments in his groin, and missed the rest of the men's 3 x 3 tournament as Team USA failed to medal. The US women's team finished 3rd.

In track & field, Rudy Winkler (Averill Park), in his likely final Olympiad, finished 6th in the hammer throw.

Friday, August 2, 2024

News & notes

 The Tri-City Valleycats split a doubleheader with the New England Knockouts on Thursday, taking two of three in the series, which was also a mini-convention of former 518 high school stars.

Arlo Marynczak (Bethlehem/Siena) picked up his 4th win of the season Tuesday, going 6 1/3 innings.

Tommy Kretzler (Colonie), who was with the 'Cats last year, went 1-4 in game 1 Thursday for New England with an RBI & a run scored.

Ben Seiler (Albany Academy/Siena) picked up his 2nd save in that game, going 3 innings to close a 7-0 Knockouts win.

Brett Rodriguez (Queensbury), who was signed by the 'Cats in late July, played game 2, but went 0-2.

The 'Cats visit the NY Boulders, starting tonight.
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Saratoga native Dylan Davis is enjoying the home cooking at Saratoga.

Davis picked up 3 wins in the last two days to raise his meet total to 14, good for a tie for 3rd place with Manny Franco on the jockeys list. One of Wednesday's winners was trained by Todd Pletcher, who has 10 for the season, trailing Mechanicville's Chad Brown.
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Shaker graduates Jeff Hoffman & Tommy Kahnle had a little meeting in Philadelphia earlier this week, as the Phillies & Yankees played each other.

Hoffman went 2 innings on Tuesday, giving up a run on two hits with a strikeout.

Between Tuesday & Wednesday, Kahnle pitched 1 2/3 innings, giving up just a walk with two strikeouts.

The Yanks swept the NL East leaders, who may be hearing footsteps in their own division from the Braves & Mets. Speaking of Atlanta.......
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Ian Anderson (Shenendehowa) was set for a rehab start for Gwinnett on Thursday.


File photo courtesy Getty Images via Albany Times-Union.

In an interview with the Times-Union, Anderson wouldn't speculate on when he'd be recalled to Atlanta, knowing that's up to Atlanta manager Brian Snitker and the front office. I've said all along he might be back in the bigs by September, but sometime this month would be nice, too. Twin brother Ben is pitching in the minors in the Texas Rangers' chain, so one wonders when they'll pitch against each other in a game.......!
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The media is already spoiling it, but Rudy Winkler (Averill Park) will be part of the Olympic track & field coverage tonight on NBC, as he is competing in the hammer throw. Suffice to say, AP fans will be tuning in, if they haven't already seen the live coverage on Peacock.

Wednesday's sectional scoreboard, 10/21

  Field hockey: Class A: Guilderland 5, Colonie 0. Shenendehowa 4, Niskayuna 3. Bethlehem 12, Columbia 0. Saratoga 2, Shaker 0. Next Wednesd...