In its second year, for a second time, Batavia's flag football team has a shot at a sectional title in Class B1 after beating Greece Olympia/Odyssey on Thursday 24-0.
The championship game will be played on Tuesday at Monroe Community College, with a game time of 5 p.m., against Greece Athena.
Batavia is the #1 seed in the tournament, and Athena is the #2 seed. Athene won its semifinal game over Monroe 33-0.
On Thursday, Anna Varland was 16-24 passing for 134 yards and two touchdowns. Varland also ran for 91 yards and a TD.
Ella Radley rushed for 117 yards and a TD.
Isabella Walsh had six catches for 55 yards.
Jaimin McDonald, five receptions, 51 yards and a TD.
Kylee Brennan, six flag pulls and an interception. Grace Parker also snagged an interception.
Norte Dame ace pitcher Loretta Sorochty finished her regular season career in style on Wednesday, reaching the 600 career strikeout mark in the second inning of tonight's game, and then went on to set a new ND record for strikeouts in a game with 20.
Sorochty pitched a complete game, two-hit shutout. In addition to striking out 20 hitters, she assisted on the only other out in the game by throwing out a batter in the 7th inning who bunted to her.
Offensively for the Lady Irish, Sorochty, Emma Sisson, Mia Treleaven and Gianna Falleti each had 2 hits. Sorochty had a triple, scored three runs and added two RBIs; Sisson scored two runs and had three RBIs. Treleaven scored a run and added an RBI, and Falleti scored a run and added an RBI. In addition, Katie Landers, Hannah Tenney, Olivia Gillard and Amelia Sorochty each added base hits.
Notre Dame finishes the regular season at 15-3 and clinches the #2 seed in Class D. They also finish the regular season with a perfect record in the Genesee Region at 12-0 and won the Genesee Region Division title.
Alexander opened the scoring in the top of the first, putting up four runs.
Elba fired back in the bottom of the frame and cut the lead to 4-3 but a tag up by Ava Yax extended the Trojans lead to 5-3 in the top of the second inning.
The Trojans committed an error, which helped Elba tie the game at five in the bottom of the fifth.
The contest remained a deadlock until Alexander flipped the game on its head in the top of the seventh, scoring five runs on five hits to take a 10-5 lead.
Ava Yax, Madison Boyce, Melissa Sawyer, Faith Goodenbury, Lilly Szymkowiak, and Carley Shepard all had multi-hit games for the Trojans. Goodenbury and Szymkowiak both knocked doubles, while Emily Pietrzykowski crushed a triple during the contest. Pietrzykowski and Szymkowiak both had 3 RBIs on the day.
Senior slugger Madison Boyce reached her 100th Varsity hit during her first at-bat of the game.
Pietrzykowski earned the win for the Alexander Trojans. The junior allowed seven hits and five runs (one earned) over seven innings, striking out 10 and walking two.
"This was an exciting game today, and we wanted this one to keep us in tight seeding contention for sectionals," said Coach John Goodenbury. "The umps were patient and let a front blow through that delayed our start so we could get their senior recognition game in. Elba girls are fighters; they won’t give you an inch; I really like what Coach Dean has done with his team this year. Elba is young but has improved substantially since last season. For us, we played a solid team game on both sides of the ball, and everyone contributed to this one. Emily had trouble with her chang-up and the humidity wasn’t helping, so it was nice to see her overcome that and pitch a solid game."
If its performance during a scrimmage game last Saturday afternoon at the Town of Pembroke football field is any indication of future success, this season’s version of the Genesee County Spartans will do very well in the Northeastern Football Alliance semipro league.
The Spartans rolled past the Auburn Pride, 34-6, getting a pair of touchdowns from running back Jed Reese and TD passes from quarterbacks Alex Rood and Corey Turpin.
“The 34 points is the most we’ve ever scored, so from that aspect it was a great tune-up for the season opener on June 1 (against the visiting Lockport Wildcats, 3:30 p.m.),” Spartans Head Coach Harry Rascoe said. “Overall, our new organizational push to create a better team on and off the field really showed.”
Receivers Jazon Henderson and Rayshawn Huitt caught touchdowns passes while fellow wideout Deyonci Farley led all players with in receiving yards, said Rascoe, noting the QB competition will continue right through to the first regular season game.
On defense, Anthony Natrigo recovered a fumble in the end zone for a touchdown, while Cody Wenner and Max Rapone each had an interception and Karen Marucci and Matt Dillon forced fumbles. Gunner Rapone led the way in tackles, with newcomers Ryley Elliott and Jalen White also leading the way.
New kicker, Julie Petry, was good on four of five extra point attempts.
Brea Smith was 4-4 at the plate with three singles and a double, along with six RBIs and a run scored. She also pitched a complete game with six strikeouts and no walks.
Lydia Ross was 3-5, with three runs scored, an RBI and four stolen bases.
Brothers Tom, left, and Tim Rohl were inducted into the Genesee Region USBC Hall of Fame on Saturday night at the local bowling association's Annual Banquet and Awards Ceremony at Batavia Downs Gaming.
Respect for the sport of bowling was front and center on Saturday night as brothers Tim and Tom Rohl were inducted into the Genesee Region USBC Hall of Fame at the local association’s Annual Banquet and Awards Ceremony at Batavia Downs Gaming.
Honored for their achievement on the lanes, the Le Roy natives were enshrined before 70 people at the newly remodeled Genesee Banquet Room.
Their presenters – former GRUSBC President and Hall of Famer Paul Spiotta for Tim and Hall of Famer Mark Brown for Tom – each spoke of the way the gentlemanly demeanor displayed by the soft-spoken left-handers over the past 40 years.
Both Spiotta and Brown mentioned the word “respect” in their introductory speeches – noting that the Rohls earned the respect of their peers by showing respect for the game.
Tim Rohl, 57, who has resided in Florida for the past 18 years, is a four-time GRUSBC Masters champion, while Tom Rohl, 50, who continues to live in Le Roy, won the prestigious scratch singles tournament twice.
They have multiple GRUSBC Association Tournament titles, including the Johnson-Ianni Doubles event as teammates in 1999, as well as victories in tournaments throughout the area.
Many others were recognized at the banquet, including Batavia High senior Benjamin Sputore, who received the Barbara J. Kreiley Scholarship Award ($750) and also a plaque and ring for his 300 game on Oct. 14, 2023. Sputore also had the high series for boys with 720.
Sputore (photo at right) said he plans to attend Genesee Community College in the fall in pursuit of an associate’s degree in general studies/criminal justice.
ASSOCIATION LEADERS – 2023-24
Adult
High Game, Men – 300 – (28)
High Series, Men – 857 – Brian Cline (Mancuso Bowling Center)
High Average, Men – 239 – Brian Cline (Mancuso Bowling Center)
High Game, Women – 289 – Amanda Coniglio (Mount Morris Lanes)
High Series, Women – 745 – Amanda Coniglio (Mount Morris Lanes)
High Average Women – 212 – Traci (Spanitz) Gustke (Le Roy Legion Lanes)
Youth
High Game, Boys – 300 – Ben Sputore (Mancuso Bowling Center)
High Series, Boys – 720 – Ben Sputore (Mancuso Bowling Center)
High Average, Boys – 194 – Dominic LaPiana (Mount Morris Lanes)
High Game, Girls – 211 – Ava Tortorice (Mount Morris Lanes)
High Series, Girls – 534 – Emma Balduf (Mancuso Bowling Center)
SEASON LEADERS: Individual leaders in various league categories this season are, front from left, Shyann Covell, Benjamin Sputore, Ava Tortorice; back, Dominic LaPiana, Amanda Coniglio, Tracy (Spanitz) Gustke.
ASSOCIATION TOURNAMENT CHAMPIONS
Open Team – Christ Recycle, 2,860. Team members are Marvin Christ, Larry Boyce, Albert Burch and Robbie Hanks.
Women's Team – Splitz & Giggles, 2,501. Team members are Sharon Stefanini, Tiffany Crawford, Barbara Casavant and Breanna Seever.
Open Doubles – Daryl Dillon and Greg Gilman, 1,524.
Women's Doubles – Karen Allis and Jane Chaddock, 1,284.
Open Singles – Jeremy Yasses, 775.
Women's Singles – Breanna Seever, 654.
Open All-Events – Scott Culp, 2,262.
Women's All-Events – Breanna Seever, 1,937
ASSOCIATION TOURNEY CHAMPIONS: Placing first in the 2024 Association Tournament at Oak Orchard Bowl in Albion are, front from left, the Christ Recycle team of Larry Boyce, Albert Burch, Marvin Christ and Robbie Hanks; back, Open Doubles winners Daryl Dillon and Greg Gilman; Open All-Events winner Scott Culp, and Women's Doubles winners Jane Chaddock and Karen Allis.
TWO DIRECTORS ELECTED – DUES INCREASE APPROVED
GRUSBC members in attendance elected Matt Bourg of Alexander and Troy Fanton of Kendall to the association’s board of directors. Bourg’s term runs through 2026 while the term of Fanton, who is replacing Pat Fuller of Medina, starts on Aug. 1 and runs through 2027.
A proposition to increase the membership dues by $1 – to $25 for a Standard membership and to $9 for a Local Only Adult membership passed by a 43-6 vote.
The GRUSBC’s local portion of the dues had been fixed at $8 for a Standard membership since 2019-20, and now will increase to $9. The USBC's national office receives $15 and the New York State USBC gets $1.
GRAND PRIZE DRAWING WINNERS
Association members Donna Pike of Mount Morris, Danielle Schultz of Batavia and Jack Duyssen of Le Roy each won $500 in the grand prize drawing that concluded the awards ceremony.
Twenty-five-dollar winners were Tim Fonte of Dansville, Keith Holland of Alexander, Joe Connolly of Le Roy and Christina White of Kendall.
Andy Martin of Le Roy won the Brunswick Rhino Pro bowling ball.
Ron Funke throws first pitch to Jessica Edwards. Photo by Kara Richenberg
On Wednesday a little rain couldn't stop the Pembroke community from coming out and honoring one of its own with one of the highest honors for a coach.
Ron Funke, retired Pembroke teacher and Varsity Softball coach, was honored with Funke Field and a dedication ceremony.
More than 100 community members, alumni, and teachers came out to honor Funke before the Lady Dragons' home game against Oakfield-Alabama. The Pembroke Marching Band also entertained the crowd.
Arron Brown, a sixth-grade teacher and president of the Pembroke Teachers Federation began the ceremony and spoke "Many of us had the pleasure and the privilege to coach with Ron. What he shared during long bus rides or early morning practices helped us all become better coaches, educators, and people. Those conversations mean so much to so many of us."
Superintendent Matthew Calderon and John Cima, Board of Education president, both spoke about Ron's legacy and commitment to the Pembroke community.
"I would have never been able to do this alone. I would like to thank Bruce Phalzer, Ken Maurer, JC Kabel, and Al Miano," Funke said. "I have many great memories and have all the former Lady Dragons to thank for that."
After the unveiling of the official Funke Field sign, all past and current Lady Dragon softball players were asked to gather around the pitcher's mound for the first pitch of the game.
Funke threw the first pitch to Jessica Edwards, who is a Pembroke graduate, a former Lady Dragon softball player, and a Board of Education member.
The umpires then officially ejected Funke from the game. Everyone in attendance laughed. Calderon congratulated Funke.
Superintendent Matthew Calderon, congratulates Ron Funke. Photo by Kara Richenberg
Pembroke Marching Band entertains the crowd. Photo by Kara Richenberg
Funke family gets ready for the unveiling of the sign. Photo by Kara Richenberg
Unveiling of the Funke Field sign. Photo by Kara Richenberg
Ron Funke with the new Funke Field sign. Photo by Kara Richenberg
Junior right-hander Emily Pietrzykowski spun a gem for Alexander in softball on Thursday, going the distance and surrendering only one hit in a 5-0 shutout over Perry.
Sophomore Ava Yax led the Trojans at the plate, going 2-2 with an RBI, two walks, a run scored and a stolen base.
Pietrzykowski was 1-2 with a double, a walk, and a run scored and a stolen base.
Melissa Sawyer, Melanie Bump and Ella Felski all landed singles on the day.
"This was a bit of a pitcher’s duel today, and both girls pitched very well," said Coach John Goodenbury. "Emily really had her changeup working great and kept their hitters off-balance in the box. Our girls also played a very solid game on defense to back her up. I feel like we turned a corner after a tough 1-3 loss to Avon on April 23. Since then we have gone 7-1 and have outscored our opponents 94-17. Today, Perry showed us their ability to put the ball in play, and I am sure they will be a tough matchup for anyone moving forward. We look forward to a difficult 5 p.m. matchup with Notre Dame on Friday at GCC."
Pitcher Mia Treleaven lead the offense for Notre Dame. Photo by Steve Ognibene
Press release:
Sophomore Mia Treleaven got the start in the circle for the Lady Irish tonight and pitched a gem, going seven innings, giving up 2 hits, 2 runs (0 earned) and striking out 9 batters while only walking one.
Brea Smith took the loss for Elba, pitching 6 innings, giving up 11 hits, 10 runs (7 earned) and striking out 1 batter and walking two.
Leading the way offensively for the Lady Irish were Emma Sisson, Katie Landers and Anna Panepento, each contributing 2 hits. Sisson also added a run scored and an RBI, Landers had a double, runs scored and an RBI, and Panepento scored 2 runs. Loretta Sorochty, Mia Treleaven, Sofia Falleti, Amelia Sorochty and Olivia Gillard each contributed hits. L. Sorochty had a run scored, and an RBI, Treleaven had a double and 2 RBIs, A. Sorochty added a run and 2 RBIs and 7th grader Gillard added a double, a run scored and 2 RBIs, along with drawing a walk.
For the Lady Lancers, Smith and Thompson each had a base hit, and Thompson drove in 2 RBIs.
The win moves the Lady Irish to 13-2 on the season and drops Elba to 7-7.
Mavrik Hall, a senior at Notre Dame High School, broke a school record in shot put at the Batavia Track & Field Invitational on Saturday that has stood for 48 years.
Hall threw 51 feet, one inch, breaking Mike Cordes's 1976 record of 50 feet, eight inches.
According to Mike Rapone, Notre Dame's principal and athletic director, Hall is a five-sport athlete who excels in football, basketball, indoor track, golf and outdoor track.
He is the defending Section V B5 champion in both the shot put and the discus.
Loni Hall, Mavrik's proud mother, said her son hasn't had a shot put coach at Notre Dame and that he is self-coached.
She said Mavrik intends to attend Columbia College in South Carolina for business, where he will also throw shot put.
Sophomore pitcher Amelia Sorochty got the start on the mound for the Lady Irish and picked up the 4-2 win over Kendall on Tuesday in Kendall.
Sorochty went 6 innings, allowing 7 hits, 2 runs (1 earned) and struck out 8 batters. Big sister Loretta Sorochty came in for the save in the 7th inning, striking out the side. Kendall pitcher Danielle Offhaus went the distance, pitching 7 innings, giving up 6 hits, 4 runs (2 earned) and striking out 4 batters.
Mia Treleaven led the way offensively for ND, collecting 3 doubles and scoring a run. Emma Sisson had a triple and 3 RBIs, Sofia Falleti had a hit, run scored, and RBI and Hannah Tenney had the other Lady Irish base hit. Katie Landers scored 2 runs, and Amelia Sorochty drew 3 walks.
Alea Barrett led Kendall with three base hits. Isabella D'Agostino, Maggie Zastrow, Teagan Shaw and Makaila Abrams each had hits for Kendall. D'Agostino had an RBI, Zastrow had an RBI, Shaw scored a run, and Abrams hit a double.
The win moves the Lady Irish to 12-2 on the season, with a matchup against Elba at GCC on Wednesday
Notre Dame pitcher Loretta Sorochty picked up right where she left off after Thursday's no-hitter over Elba by pitching a 5-inning no-hitter against Kendall on Friday at Genesee Community College.
Sorochty accounted for all 15 outs with 15 strike outs, only allowing three base runners via walks.
Offensively for ND, Loretta helped her cause with 3 hits (including a double and single), 1 run scored and 4 RBIs. Katie Landers and Sofia Falleti each had 2 hits for the Lady Irish, with Katie adding a double, 2 runs scored, 3 RBIs and a walk, and Falleti scoring 1 run and adding 3 RBIs. Mia Treleaven and Hannah Tenney each contributed a hit, with Tenney scoring 2 runs and adding an RBI. Amelia Sorochty drew 3 walks and came around to score each time.
Alexander trailed 4-2 in the bottom of the third on Thursday when Emily Pietrzykowski tied the game with a 2-run homer to right center.
Melanie Bump knocked in the go-ahead run, but the Trojans never looked back.
Carley Shepard, Ella Felski and Faith Goodenbury lead the Trojans in the batter’s box with hits, each of them finishing the day going 3-for-4 at the plate.
Melissa Sawyer, Ava Yax, Melanie Bump, and Brianna Neyman all finished the day with 2-hit performances.
Senior Madison Boyce pitched for Alexander, allowing 5 hits, 3 walks, and 3 earned runs with 7 strikeouts in 6 innings.
For Pembroke, Reagan Schneider, Aleena Maynard, Taylor Bischoff, Peyton Liss and Ashley Johnson all had singles on the day.
It was a picture-perfect evening to play softball, and we took advantage of it," said Alexander Coach John Goodenberry. "Jen is doing a good job coaching Pembroke, but this one just went our way today. Their catcher (Schneider) has a rifle for an arm, and if you’re not paying attention to the corners, she’s not afraid to let you know it. I like that. Madison didn’t have her best stuff today, but isn’t that how life goes? She still tossed a good game, and our girls came through on offense, putting up 21 hits to support her."
Notre Dame won its eighth straight game on Thursday, downing league rival Elba 13-2.
The Irish's record improves to 8-1 with the victory.
Ace, Loretta Sorochty pitched a complete game no-hitter, with 0 earned runs, two walks allowed and striking out 17 batters.
Offensively for the Lady Irish, Amelia Sorochty had 3 hits, 1 run scored and 1 RBI. Cayleigh Havens, Katie Landers and Mia Treleaven each had 2 hits apiece. Havens also had 2 runs scored, and an RBI, Landers scored 3 runs and added an RBI, and Treleaven had a double, 1 run scored and 2 RBIs. Emma Sisson, Sofia Falleti and Anna Panepento each contributed a hit.
"I'm happy with the overall performance of the team tonight, we hit pretty well, ran the bases well and got another strong performance from our ace pitcher," said Coach Otis Thomas. "It's always nice to see one of our pitchers get a no-hitter. We are on a bit of a roll now and hope we can continue it with three league games over the next couple of days."
Notre Dame pulled out the close victory over Holley at home on Wednesday at GCC.
With the score tied at 8 in the bottom of the sixth, the Lady Irish scored 4 runs to provide a little cushion and ace pitcher Loretta Sorochty entered the game and sat down the side in the the top of the 7th to get the save.
Sophomore pitcher Amelia Sorochty got the start on the mound and went 3 innings, giving up 1 hit, 2 runs (1 earned) and striking out 5. Sophomore pitcher Mia Treleaven was credited with the win tonight, also going 3 innings, giving up 4 hits, 6 runs and striking out 9. Loretta Sorochty pitched the 7th inning, giving 0 hits, 0 runs and striking out 2 batters.
Houseknect went the distance for the Holley Hawks, giving up 9 hits, 12 runs (4 earned) and striking out 1.
Leading the way offensively for the Lady Irish was Sofia Falleti with 2 hits, 2 runs and 1 RBI and Penny Jo Thompson with 2 hits and 2 runs scored. Mia Treleaven had a hit (double), a run scored and 3 RBIs, Olivia had a hit (double) and 2 RBIs, Gianna Falleti and Clairissa Milliman each had a hit, 2 runs scored and an RBI, and Anna Panepento accounted for the other ND hit and added an RBI.
Walker and Church each had 2 hits for Holley, with Walker getting 2 runs scored and an RBI and Church chipping in with a run scored and RBI. Foose accounted for the other hit for Holley and scored a run.
Melissa Sawyer went 3-for-3 with a double, three runs scored and a stolen base to lead Alexander at the plate as they beat Pembroke 9-2 Wednesday evening.
Faith Goodenbury went 2-for-4 with two RBIs, two runs scored and a stolen base. Madison Boyce went 2-for-4 with a triple, an RBI, and a run scored. While Ella Felski went 2-for-4 with two RBIs.
One the bump for Alexander was Emily Pietrzykowski, who went the distance to earn the win. Pietrzykowski pitched sevening innings while surrendering five hits, two earned runs, issued two walks and struck out eight Dragons.
For Pembroke, Aleena went 2-for-3 with a triple and two RBIs. Lefty hurler Jayden took the loss while striking out five Trojans.
"We keep gaining momentum, and we are starting to play ball as we know we can," said Coach John Goodenbury. "Our pitchers are hitting their spots and gaining confidence. Our hitters are continuing to find holes in the defense, and the weather is helping us get consistent games in. We have more work to do, but it was nice to start the second half of the season with a solid game and earn our fourth consecutive win. Tomorrow we host Pembroke at 5 p.m. and we are excited to get back at it."
