Sports

Shallow digs deep to score Batavia Open win

By Tim Bojarski
Sep 15, 2022, 1:03pm

After winning two straight top paces for fillies and mares at Batavia Downs, Shallow was handicapped by post eight and seven the following two weeks and did not hit the board. This week she caught a short field but still had to dig deep to win the $15,000 Open I pace for fillies and mares on Wednesday evening (Sept. 14).

They were three deep into the first turn when Shallow (Ray Fisher Jr.) out-tussled So Admirable (Jim Morrill Jr.) for the lead motoring to the quarter in :28.2. But Morrill wasn’t content with a pocket trip and pulled So Admirable in front of the stands and took control of the top before they hit the half in :58.1.

Heading past the five-eighths, Tres Chic Bluechip (Kevin Cummings) pulled first-up but couldn not get closer than third on the rim as So Admirable was stretching out to a 2-¼ length advantage by the three-quarters. Heading into the lane, Shallow ducked into the passing lane while Tres Chic Bluechip went outside of So Admirable, making it three across the track. They stayed even for several strides but Shallow got the advantage in deep stretch and won by three-quarters of a length in 1:55.

Shallow ($10.40) hit double digits in the win category, now sporting 10 victories in 2022 and they earned $82,616 for her owner Room4040 LLC Stables. Andy Gardner trains the winner.

In the $11,000 upper-level conditioned event also written for distaff participants, Faithful Desire (Jim Morrill Jr.) drafted perfectly behind Misty Memory N (Dave McNeight III) through fractions of :29, :59.3 and 1:27.3 before tipping off cover and pacing home in a stiff :27.4 to win by one-half length in 1:55.3.

Scoring her second win in the last three starts and sixth win of the year, Faithful Desire ($5.00) is owned by Crazy Parrot Farm and is trained by Shawn McDonough.

Faithful Desire was the fourth win of the night for Morrill, who led all drivers for output on Wednesday. Tom Mays led all trainers for wins with two.

Live racing resumes at Batavia Downs on Friday (Sept. 16) with post time at 6 p.m. Free full past performance race programs for all live race days can be downloaded by visiting the track's website at bataviadownsgaming.com and clicking the "Live Racing" tab.

Photo by Wendy J. Lowery

Le Roy's football 'patriarch' Robert F. 'Sully' Sullivan to be honored at Friday's game

By Howard B. Owens
Sep 15, 2022, 12:40pm

Robert F. "Sully" Sullivan, who dedicated decades of his life to Le Roy High School football and passed away this year will be honored at the Oakan Knights first home game of the season tomorrow night. Game time is 7:15 at Hartwood Park.

Video courtesy Le Roy Central School District.

Batavia Boys soccer gives up goal with two minutes left for 1-0 loss

By Howard B. Owens
Sep 14, 2022, 3:12pm

The Batavia Boys soccer team fell to 2-2 on the season with a 1-0 loss on Tuesday to Greece Odyssey.

Greece Odyssey scored the winning goal with two minutes left in the contest.

Goalkeeper Jack Pickard had 15 saves.

Byron-Bergen beats Batavia in boys soccer, 4-2

By Howard B. Owens
Sep 11, 2022, 4:40pm

The Byron-Bergen Bees beat the Batavia Blue Devils at Van Detta Stadium in boys soccer on Saturday, 4-2.

Goals for Byron-Bergen:

Gianni Ferrara to Jack Farner
Colin Martin
Jack Farner to Colin Martin
Colin Martin to Jack Farner

Goals for Batavia:

Owen Halpin assisted by Quintin Cummings
Matt Wittmeyer

Photos by Kristin Smith. For more, click here.

Just Plain Loco wires Batavia Open field

By Tim Bojarski
Sep 11, 2022, 3:55pm

Taking full advantage of a soft second quarter, Just Plain Loco hit the gas in the second half and put away the field in the $15,000 Open I Handicap pacing feature at Batavia Downs on Saturday night (Sept. 10).

Dave McNieght III left hard with Just Plain Loco, seated fellow leaver Stratosphere (Drew Monti) in the first turn and then took the field to the quarter in :27.4. With the six-horse field staying single file from there, McNieght grabbed leather and backed off the second panel to :30.1 and that was the game changer. Surfer Beach (Jack Rice) made the first over move and tried to advance towards the leader, but Just Plain Loco had another plan in mind.

He sped to three-quarters in 1:25.3 and put some distance between himself and the field before heading into the last turn. At the top of the stretch Just Plain Loco had a two-length advantage and a lot left in the tank as he paced home in 1:53.1, which was just one-fifth of a second off his season's best effort.

It was the seventh win of the year for Just Plain Loco ($4.30) who is owned by Paul Lang and Mark Toth. Jennifer Giuliani trains the winner.

McNeight had two wins during the night.

The $14,000 Open II Handicap pace was a real slugfest and only the photo finish camera could separate three horses at the wire.

Drunkonaplane (Jack Rice) left and got the cold shoulder from the pylon-starter Yankee On The Move (Kyle Cummings). The two went at it through quarters of :27.3 and :56.1 before Ideal Artillery (Drew Monti) rolled up first in the breeze and tipped three wide around the fading Drunkonaplane at the five-eighths pole.

Ideal Artillery then hooked up with Yankee On The Move at three-quarters and they paced in unison around the far turn and into the stretch. It was there that American Trademark (Keith Kash) shook loose and made it three across the track. Under heavy urging, the trio battled all the way to the line where Ideal Artillery got a nose in front to win in 1:53.4.

Ideal Artillery ($5.70) is owned by Howard and Michael Ouriel and is trained by Don Rothfuss.

Kevin Cummings was the top driver on Saturday with three wins during the proceedings.

Live racing resumes at Batavia Downs on Wednesday (Sept. 14) with post time at 6 p.m. Free full past performance race programs for all live race days can be downloaded by visiting the track's website at bataviadownsgaming.com and clicking the "Live Racing" tab.

Photo by Wendy J. Lowery.

Pembroke girls pull out another OT win in soccer

By Howard B. Owens
Sep 10, 2022, 5:52pm

The Pembroke girls soccer team once again came from behind and won in overtime 4-3, this time beating Eastride.

Head coach April Meier provided the scoring summary:

Nevaeh Bunch (#3) for Eastridge Time: minute 11
Madison Harisis (#11) for Eastridge Time: minute 34
Karli Houseknecht (#25 senior captain) for Pembroke Time: minute 35
Karli Houseknecht (#25 senior captain) for Pembroke Time: minute 45
Isabel Breeden (#8 senior captain) for Pembroke Time: minute 47
Haley Sweet (#18 senior) for Pembroke Time: overtime minute 2, Assisted by Molly Chittenden (#11 senior) off a direct kick.

Notable Defensive plays made by: Ameilia Berghorn, Isabel Breeden and Emma Groff

Notre Dame runs away with game against South Seneca

By Howard B. Owens
Sep 10, 2022, 5:12pm

The Fighting Irish of Notre Dame dispensed of South Seneca pretty easily on Saturday, securing a 56-0 win.

James Fanara was 8-10 passing for 140 yards and two TDs. Fanara added another 25 yards rushing on six carries.

Hayden Groff gained 85 yards on 13 carries and Gabe Castro picked up 40 on 10 carries. Groff scored twice. Castro scored on a six-yard run in the fourth quarter.

Bryceton Berry returned the second-half kickoff 92 yards for a touchdown. Ryan Fitzpatrick had a pick-six in the third quarter.

Photos by Kristin Smith. For more, click here.

Trojans shut out Clyde-Savannah, 34-0

By
Sep 10, 2022, 5:05pm

Game report by Head Coach Tim Sawyer.

Alexander used a dominant first half to grab this victory against a tough Clyde-Savannah team that never quit trying.

The Trojans won 34-0.

Alexander scored on its first four offensive possessions and then scored a pick-six defensive TD.

Placekicker Dalton Selapak was 4 for 4 on the PATs.

The scoring opened on a nice drive by the Trojan offense that culminated with a 3-yard TD pass from QB Trent Woods to Flanker Mason Bump from 3 yards out.

On the 2nd drive, RB Ricky Townley scored on a 9-yard run. He also scored the Trojans' third TD of the game a few minutes later on a 28-yard gallop.

Townley ended his night with 5 carries for 66 yards.

On the fourth drive of the game, Fullback Kaden Lyons used his speed and toughness to break away for a 22-yard touchdown run. He ended the night with 4 carries for 35 yards.

The final TD for the Trojans was a 70-yard interception return by Trenton Woods from his free safety spot.

First-year senior RB Brice Feldman had a good night running the ball with 4 carries for 36 yards.

Defensively, the Trojans picked up their first shutout of the season. Led by Townley from Strong Safety with a whopping 12 tackles. Christian Kissell had a QB sack.

The Trojans have a bye in week 3.

Photos by Philip Casper.

Top photo: Alexander’s Defensive line putting in work stopping the run.

RB Ricky Townley #5, Senior

QB Trent Woods #2, Junior, scrambling

WR Christian Kissell #1, Senior

WR Christian Kissell #1, Senior

Pembroke drops to 1-1 on season with loss to Canisteo

By Howard B. Owens
Sep 10, 2022, 4:45pm

Pembroke lost to Canisteo-Greenwood on Friday in eight-man football 28-14.

No stats were submitted for the game.

Photos by Elizabeth Gabby.

Le Roy's reliable placekicker lifts Knights to win in Bath

By Howard B. Owens
Sep 10, 2022, 4:04pm

The Oatkan Knights pulled out a close win in Bath over Bath-Haverling to open their season on Friday night, with placekicker Katelynn Everett providing the margin of victory.

She was 5-5 in point-after-attempts in the 35-32 win for Le Roy.

Both teams scored five touchdowns with Bath-Haverling unable to convert one PAT because of a blocked kick and failing to convert twice on two-point plays.

Tony Piazza rushed for 136 yards and scored twice on 15 attempts. Tommy Condidorio gained 90 years and scored twice on 14 attempts.

Jackson Fix scored a touchdown on 11 carries for 54 yards.

On defense, Jack Tonzi had 6.5 tackles and a sack. Tony Piazza had 5.5 tackles and Xavien Walker had five.

Photos by Ed Henry.

Top photo: LeRoy’s Bryce Lathan (42) and Jack Tonzi (no helmet) engulf the Bath RB.

Tony Piazza (22) leads the sweep for LR QB Tommy Condidorio.

LeRoy WR Cal Koukides snags a 30-yard reception from QB Condidorio.

Tony Piazza runs hard through the Bath defense.

LeRoy place kicker Katelyn Everett splits the uprights.

LeRoy place kicker Katelynn Everett was a perfect 5 of 5 on PATs for the Knights.

LeRoy linemen Ayden Riggi (67) and Will Eschberger (65) celebrate the team win.

OAE crushed Geneseo 70-6

By Howard B. Owens
Sep 10, 2022, 3:37pm

The final score was lopsided but it didn't necessarily look like it was going that way early in the game said OAE Head Coach Tyler Winter following the Aggies 70-6 win over the Geneseo Blue Devils.

"Contrary to the final score, we faced a little bit of adversity early in the game," Winters said. "It was good to see this group respond the way they did. After our opening score, Geneseo came right back down the field and answered with a score of their own. We needed to see if we could take one on the chin and not waver. I'm proud of our guys for keeping their composure and keeping the pedal down for the remainder of the game."

Noah Currier helped lead the way with 132 yards rushing on 11 carries. He scored four touchdowns and also had an interception on defense.

QB Bodie Hyde tossed a 10-yard TD pass and gained 138 yards and scored two touchdowns on seven carries.

Conor Scott scored a touchdown and gained 49 yards on four caries. He had five tackles on defense.

Avery Watterson scored a touchdown on an 11-yard run.

On defense, Austin Pangrazio had seven tackles and a sack. Brayden Smith had seven tackles as did T.J. Andrews.

Photos by Kristin Smith. For more photos, click here.

Batavia rolls past Livonia 42-6 in Home Opener

By Steve Ognibene
Sep 10, 2022, 10:26am

Batavia dominated long-time rival Livonia in their home opener at Van Detta Stadium on Friday night, beating the Bulldogs 42-6.

The Blue Devils are now 2-0 in the young season.

Batavia scored midway through the first quarter on Javin McFollins' quarterback sneak.

The score was 14-0 at the end of the opening quarter after Carter McFollins snagged a touchdown pass tossed by Javin McFollins

Just before the half, Livonia made it 14-6 on a Kyle Wetterings run (the two-point conversion attempt failed).

After the kickoff by Livonia to start the second half, Carter McFollins took the ball on the first play from scrimmage and dashed 65 yards to score the Blue Devils third touchdown.

Minutes later, Javin McFoolins hits Cole Grazioplene for a 31-yard TD. The half ends 28-6

Late in the third quarter Mehki Fortes made an interception to give the ball back to Batavia with three minutes left in the quarter. Cam McCliniic scored on a 9-yard run to increase the lead 35-6.

on a 4-yard run, Aavion Bethel scores Batavia’s sixth touchdown midway through the fourth quarter.

Julia Petry was 6 for 6 on extra point coversions.

Javin McFollins was 5-6 passing for 118 yards and two TDS Cam McClinic rushed for 62 yards and a TD on seven Carrie's Carter NcFollins gained 73 yards and scored on three carries. He also had 63 yards and a TD on two receptions. Aiden Anderson gained 72 yards on five carries.

in addition to the interception, Mekhi Fortes had seven tackles.

Batavia's next game is home against Monroe next Thursday night at VanDetta, with kickoff 6 p.m.

Photos by Steve Ognibene

To view or purchase photos, click here.

Richard R. Mays, horseman with ties to Batavia Downs, dies at 65

By Tim Bojarski
Sep 9, 2022, 6:31pm

Richard R. Mays, of Hamburg, passed away on Sept. 7, 2022, after a fierce battle with cancer.

Mr. Mays was a lifelong horseman who competed in western New York for 50 years. He was first licensed in 1973 at the age of 16 and has been competing at tracks across New York state ever since. He experienced great early career driving success with the Open pacing mare May O’neighs (2:01.1, $83,925) and Open pacing gelding Lyron Hanover (1:59.3, $127,242) along with a list of other top horses that he raced at Batavia Downs. Later in his career when he switched to training more than driving, Mr. Mays developed many solid racehorses including the multiple stakes winner Two Twentytwo (1:51.3, $293,729).

During his career, Mr. Mays drove 1,638 winners that earned $4,222,626. He trained another 321 winners which added $1,585,531 to his purse total. His total career efforts won him 1,959 races that benefited his horse’s connections $5,808,157. Mr. Mays was actively racing right up until the time of his passing.

Mr. Mays was the beloved husband of Karen M. Mays (nee Babcock), loving father of Christopher (Frances) Mays, Jamie Simmons, and Scott Mays, dear grandpa of Tyler, Mayson, Maddie, and Hudson, dearest son of the late Frank and Marion Mays, loving brother of Frank Jr., Robert, Terry, Tom, and Joyce. Mr. Mays is also survived by a large loving family and many dear friends.

The family will be present to receive relatives and friends on Thursday, Sept. 15 from 3 to 7 p.m. at the Hamburg Chapel of the John J. Kaczor Funeral Home, 5453 Southwestern Blvd. (corner of Rogers Rd.) where a closing prayer will be said at 7 p.m. Please share condolences at www.kaczorfunerals.com.

Batavia boys soccer gets second win

By Howard B. Owens
Sep 8, 2022, 12:58pm

The Batavia boys soccer team improved to 2-0 on the season with a 5-0 win on Wednesday over East/LAFYM/SWN/NE N Douglass.

Owen Halpin led the way with a hat trick with Alex Bartz and Dima Havens also scoring.

Both of Batavia's wins have been shutouts led by goalkeeper Jack Pickard and the defensive line of Ryan Dillon, Hunter Mileham, Rashawd Christie, and Trevor Tryon.

Photo and info submitted by Graham Halpin, Batavia Boys Soccer Varsity Coach

Saulsbrook Olympia back on track in Batavia feature

By Tim Bojarski
Sep 8, 2022, 12:48am

Beaten only a nose last week after winning three in a row, Saulsbrook Olympia got back to her winning ways after she parlayed a lot of early movement into a late stretch score in the $15,000 Open I Handicap pace for fillies and mares at Batavia downs on Wednesday night (Sept. 7).

Dontustopbelievn N (Jim Morrill Jr.) grabbed the front and made fellow leavers Demeter N (Larry Stalbaum) and Dashintothebeach N (Luke Hanners) work hard to take it from her. Demeter N cleared at the :28 quarter and Dashintothebeach N supplanted that one at the top of the stretch, heading to the half. And just as the field had finally achieved single file, Tres Chic Bluechip (Kevin Cummings) pulled first-over from fifth and brought Saulsbrook Olympia (Dave McNeight III) with her to push the issue even further.

Dashintothebeach N continued to lead up the backstretch until she hit three-quarters where Tres Chic Bluechip drew alongside, but that was just part of the evolving story. Saulsbrook Olympia who had been drafting one out and two back in the breeze was now winging it three-wide halfway into the final turn. By the time they hit the straight, Tres Chic Bluechip had overtaken Dashintothebeach N, but then Saulsbrook Olympia overtook Tres Chic Bluechip and pulled away to 1-½ length victory in 1:53.4.

It was the fourth win in the last five starts and eighth win overall this year for Saulsbrook Olympia ($9.40) who is owned by William Mcneil and Edward Gorc and trained by Jeniffer Giuliani.

McNeight III had a driving double on Wednesday.

There were also two $11,000 upper-level condition races for distaff participants and the winning pair went nearly identical miles.

In the first So Admirable (Jim Morrill Jr.) started from post one and was never headed. After cutting quarters of :28.1, :57.1 and 1:25.3 while extending her lead to three lengths by the top of the stretch, she closed out the deal in 1:54.2, equalling her lifetime mark.

So Admirable ($3.50) is owned by Joe Amico Jr. and trained by Shawn McDonough.

Then in the second, Winning Words (Kevin Cummings) also left from pylon position and went gate to wire in handy fashion. After splits of :28, :57.1 and 1:26, Cummings let Winning Words pace home on top by 1-¾ in 1:54.3.

Winning Words ($4.50) is owned by Steven Goehle and Norene Mego. Angelo Nappo trains the winner.

Cummings ended the night with three wins while Nappo wrapped it up with two.

Other horsemen with doubles on Wednesday were driver Dan Yetman and trainer Dave Russo.

Live racing resumes at Batavia Downs on Saturday (Sept. 10) with post time at 6 p.m. Free full past performance race programs for all live race days can be downloaded by visiting the track's website at bataviadownsgaming.com and clicking the "Live Racing" tab.

Photo by Wendy J. Lowery

Pembroke Dragons top Attica in girls soccer in OT, 4-3

By Howard B. Owens
Sep 8, 2022, 12:01am

Pembroke pulled out a 4-3 OT win in overtime in girls soccer at home on Tuesday night.

Attica Goals:

Skylar Savage (28 min)
MacKenzie McLeod (42 min)
Skylar Savage (45 min)

Pembroke Goals:

Kayla Weyrauch (10th grade) (49 min) assisted by senior captain Karli Houseknecht
Kayla Weyrauch (10th grade) (52 min) assisted by Morgan Coniber
Morgan Coniber (9th grade) (79 min) to tie game, assisted by senior captain Karli Houseknecht
Morgan Coniber (9th grade) (87 min overtime goal to win) assisted by captain Seneca Calderon

The Dragon's goalkeeper, Arianna Hale, made 12 saves.

Leaders on defense were Ameilia Berghorn, Isabel Breeden, and Emma Groff, who all contributed multiple stops and a strong defensive line, said Head Coach April Meier.

Photos by Kristine Groves

Pembroke opens season with 55-22 win

By Howard B. Owens
Sep 4, 2022, 5:00pm

The Pembroke Dragons were in total control in their eight-man match up Saturday against C.G. Finney/North Star, leading to a 55-22 victory at home to start their 2022 season.

The Dragons amassed 460 yards on offense with the line of Chase Guzdek, Jayden Mast, Ben Steinberg, and Jayden Bridge leading the way.

Cayden Pfazler carried the ball 10 times for 193 yards and was 3 for 3 passing for 33 yards. He scored four times.

Caleb Felski and Sean Pustkulla also scored touchdowns.

Tyson Totten rushed for 190 yards and two touchdowns on 9 carries.

On defense, Cayden Pfalzer led the way with 10 tackles while Totten had 8, Jacob Von Kramer, Jacob Dulski, Chase Guzdek, and Nate Duttweiler, had six each.

Dulski had four fumble recoveries and snagged the ball on three separate successful onside-kicks to open the game.

Photos by Elizabeth Gabby. Game information provided by Brandon Ricci.

OAE Aggies dominate in season opener

By Howard B. Owens
Sep 4, 2022, 1:09am

The Oakfield-Alabama/Elba Aggies started off the 2022 season with a convincing win over Cardinal O'Hara, 76-6.

Noah Currie had six carries for 114 yards and four touchdowns. QB Bodie Hyde carried the ball three times for 78 yards and three TDs.

Aiden Warner scored on a 66-yard run and on defense had four tackles and an interception that he returned for a 25-yard TD.

Connor Scott returned a kickoff 75 yards for a score and had five tackles and an interception on defense.

Jake Walczak also returned a kickoff 75 yards for a TD.

T.J. Andrews had six tackles and a sack and Brayden Smith had six tackles.

Head Coach Tyler Winter said: "It's always good to start the season off with a win. It's even better when you can do it with this type of performance. We had a high level of execution on all three sides of the ball, we came out healthy, and a lot of our guys got to eat today. We'll take what we can from the film and look to get ready for the next opponent."

Photos by Kristin Smith. For more photos, click here.

Football Round Up Week 1: Notre Dame, Batavia, OAE, Pembroke, Alexander open with wins

By Howard B. Owens
Sep 4, 2022, 12:28am

In its season opener, Attica hosted Notre Dame and won the game Friday evening 28-14.

The Batavian has not received stats for the game.

In other games:

Batavia beat Wayne Central, 27-7
Oakfield-Alabama/Elba beat Cardinal O'Hara 76-6 (click here for the game story).
Pembroke (eight-man) beat C.G. Finney/Northstar 55-22
Alexander beat Avon 33-15. The Trojans racked up 407 yards of total offense.

Notre Dame game photos by Pete Welker.

Blue Devils boys soccer team opens season with win over Holley

By Howard B. Owens
Sep 3, 2022, 11:29pm

The Batavia Boys Varsity Soccer team beat Holley in their first game of the season.

Goals were scored by Dima Havens, with an assist from Owen Halpin, and Matthew Wittmeyer, assisted by Dima Havens.

"A fantastic performance by the defense led by Ryan Dillon while with Jack Pickard earned a shutout," said Head Coach Graham Halpin.

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