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By Howard B. Owens
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Smith, Burns combine rushing yards for Batavia's 42-12 win over Eagles

By Steve Ognibene

Batavia opened up their 2019 season last evening with a big win 42-12 over the Wayne Eagles at Wayne High School.

Batavia took the first lead midway through first quarter on a 41-yard burst from junior running back Terrez Smith. Smith coming from Alexander, made a jump from Class D to Class B this season. Alex Rood carried for a touchdown late in the first quarter to give the Blue Devils a 14-0 lead.

Wayne’s tricky plays led to some penalties for Batavia early in the second quarter. Batavia adjusted the defense, got the ball back and Jesse Reinhart scored his first touchdown on a pass from Alex Rood to make it 21-0.

Then minutes later Smith scored again after a blocked punt by Matt Beach to give the Devils a commanding 28-0 lead with 22 seconds left at the half.

On the kickoff, Wayne got past Batavia’s defense to bring the Eagles in scoring range with seconds left. Next play, quarterback Mason Blankenburg threw a jump ball to the right pylon to Richie Cassano to put the Eagles on the board at the half 28-6.

Right out of the gate after halftime, Batavia answered back with a 60-yard touchdown score from running back Cody Burns, who is back from last year's injury that took him out of the season early on.

Wayne would score next on touchdown pass from Blankenburg to Brian Sills for a 70-yard throw and catch. Batavia’s Cody Burns scored minutes later to end three quarters for Batavia to lead 42-12, which also was the final score.

Batavia plays Livonia next Friday night, the inaugural game at the new VanDetta Stadium on turf at 7 p.m.

Photos by Steve Ognibene. To purchase or view photos click here.

Grand Jury: Woman accused of driving drunk and leaving scene of serious injury accident in Le Roy

By Billie Owens

Lorie A. Litolff is indicted for the crime of driving while intoxicated as a misdemeanor. It is alleged that on March 30 in the Town of Le Roy that Litolff drove a 2003 Chevrolet on Route 19 (Lake Street) while intoxicated. In count two, she is accused of leaving the scene of an incident without reporting it, a Class E felony. It is alleged in count two that she drove the Chevrolet when an incident occurred that resulted in serious physical injury to a person and she knew this but failed to stop. And when no police officer was in the vicinity when the injury was sustained, she failed to report it as soon as she was able to.

Ronald G. Besemer-McLean is indicted for the crime of aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle in the first degree, a CLass E felony. It is alleged that on March 2 in the Town of Le Roy that Besemer-McClean drove a 2006 Acura on I-490 when he knew his driver's license was suspended or revoked and while he was under to influence of alcohol or a drug. In count two, he is accused of driving while intoxicated as a Class E felony. In count three, he is accused of tampering with physical evidence, a Class E felony. It is alleged in count three that he defied police orders and placed a plastic baggie containing an unknown substance in his mouth and swallowed it. In count four, Besemer-McClean is accused of resisting arrest, a Class A misdemeanor. In Special Information filed by the District Attorney, the defendant is accused of having been convicted of DWI, as a misdemeanor, on Nov. 7, 2012 in City of Rochester Court. The conviction forms the basis for the suspension or revocation referred to in count one of the current indictment.

Muckdogs fall in extra innings, 4-3, Lowell advances to NYPL championship game

By Billie Owens

Submitted photo and press release:

LOWELL, Mass. -- The incredible, award-winning and division championship season for Batavia Muckdogs came to an end Friday night as the Muckdogs fell to the Lowell Spinner, 4-3 in extra innings.

Joe Davis, who hit a walk-off-home run on Thursday night to stun Batavia, drove in the winning run in the 10th on an infield fielder's choice. The runner from third beat the throw home for the win.

Lowell (Red Sox) will take on Brooklyn (Mets) in the New York-Penn League best-of-three championships. It was a banner year not just for the Muckdogs, but the entire Miami Marlins minor league system.

Batavia had a game plan to get the most out of every pitcher on the staff as seven pitchers held Lowell to four runs while giving up 12 hits. Jackson Rose struck out two in 1.2 innings, then lefty Andrew Miller shut Lowell's runners down going an inning with a strikeout and no runs.

Miller's runners were stranded when Geremy Galindez came in and struck out two over 1.2 innings. Josh Simpson tossed two outs without giving up a run. M.D. Johnson had a two inning stint with two strikeouts and Brock Love continued his dominating season with four strikeouts in two innings. Evan Brabrand took the hard-luck loss, giving up the run in the 10th after two intentional walks with the winning run on third and one out.

Troy Johnston had two hits including a RBI double. Nic Ready also had a RBI double and J.D. Orr had a hit, two walks and stole two bases while scoring.

Harrison Dinicola, Nasim Nunez and Andres Stormes had hits.

There was one tough call against the Muckdogs in the bottom of the sixth with two outs. Batavia appeared to strikeout the final batter of the inning but the umpire believed the batter did not swing and the next pitch resulted in a RBI single tying the game.

Batavia finishes the season as Pinckney Division Champions and won Field of the Year from the New York-Penn League, an honor which will be presented again during the minor league winter meetings and awards.

Photo: Brock Love had a strong outing for Batavia, striking out four in two innings.

GOW youth coordinator attends national tobacco-control conference

By Billie Owens

Submitted photo and press release:

Brittany Bozzer got a back-to-school experience last week that was positively inspiring.

The youth coordinator for Tobacco-Free Genesee, Orleans and Wyoming counties (TF-GOW) took a seat at The National Conference on Tobacco or Health (NCTOH 2019) held Aug. 27-29 in Minneapolis, Minn.

She says it was an energizing experience that brought her new insights in education, science and policy making.

NCTOH, one of the largest, long-standing gatherings of the United States tobacco-control movement, attracts a diverse set of public health professionals and scientists to share and learn about best practices and policies to reduce tobacco use — the leading preventable cause of disease and death in the United States.

Bozzer spent three days learning, networking and collaborating with public health colleagues from across New York State and the United States.

She attended sessions on tobacco-control issues including:

  • Communications and Media to educate and promote; 
  •  Evaluation and Surveillance of tobacco use among different populations;
  • Health Equity around tobacco use;
  • Nicotine and the Science of Addiction;
  • Non-Cigarette Tobacco and Nicotine Products;
  • Tobacco Product Regulation;
  • Tobacco Control Policies and Legal Issues;
  • Tobacco Industry Current Strategies and History;
  • Youth and Young Adult Advocacy and In-school Prevention;
  • Tobacco Control Skill Building Workshops.

Two internationally renowned  experts from Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center in Buffalo, doctors Andrew Hyland and Maciej Goniewicz, were among the conference panelists for a presentation titled "What Do We Know About E-Cigarette Use and Toxicity.”

They talked about the impacts of vaping, raising evidence-based awareness in the wake of recent mysterious and potentially deadly lung illnesses that appear to be linked to vaping. 

Hyland, Goniewicz, as well as additional researchers from Roswell Park, provide the science-based evidence that advances the work that Bozzer does to reduce tobacco use in communities throughout Genesee, Orleans and Wyoming counties.

About Tobacco-Free Genesee, Orleans, Wyoming

Tobacco-Free Genesee, Orleans, Wyoming is funded through the New York State Department of Health, Bureau of Tobacco Control, and is a part of Tobacco-Free Western New York, managed by Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center. Learn more at tobaccofreewny.com.

(Photo: Brittany Bozzer is on the far right. On the far left is Jonathan Chaffee, youth coordinator of Tobacco-Free Chautauqua, Cattaraugus and Allegany counties (TF-CCA); then Gretchen Galley, PR and media manager, Tobacco-Free Western New York; and third from left is Ken Dahlgren, community engagement coordinator, TF-CCA.)

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By Lisa Ace


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GCC Women's Volleyball Team gets first win on the season

By Billie Owens

From Genesee Community College:

The Genesee Community College Women's Volleyball Team swept the visiting Erie Community College Kats 3-0 Thursday night (Sept. 5).

The win is first for new collegiate Head Coach Emilee Piechocki and the Cougars are now 1-0 on the season and in Western New York Athletic Conference play.

In a match that went back and forth throughout the entirety, Genesee would get the lead early in set one and would go on to the 25-15 victory.

Set two saw Erie respond to an early lead by the Blue and Gold. Alexis Eighmey would tie the set at 12-12.

After exchanging the lead several times, Genesee would score the 26-24 win in set two.

The third and final set would see Erie get the lead early. Genesee would then answer to take the lead, including back to back aces by Ana Carolina Cerezer Pinto.

The home squad would go on to earn the 25-20 win, taking set three and winning the match.

Neely Abrams led the team with 28 assists and Grace Masse had 24 assists. Cerezer Pinto had two service aces in a row as did Eighmey. Cerezer Pinto led the team with five kills with Kaitlyn VanSkiver having four.

The volleyball team will travel to Jamestown Community College on Tuesday, Sept. 10 for a 6 p.m. match against the Jayhawks.

Photo courtesy of reader Brittney Yerger-Moe.

Six Flags Darien Lake to begin annual Harvest Festival on weekends this month, starting Saturday

By Billie Owens

Six Flags Darien Lake’s annual Harvest Festival will be held Sept. 7, 8, 14, 15, 21 and 22.

It will feature specialty food, beer and entertainment.

They will also be offering an exclusive beer garden with more than a dozen seasonal brews and exquisite culinary creations.

Live music and performers will take the stage for an afternoon of live entertainment and guests can participate in crafts, slides and games.

Harvest Festival activities are included with park admission, but food and beer require an additional fee.

Road to success: BHS grad earns Class B CDL license, goes to college and works on farm

By Billie Owens

Submitted photo and press release:

Hard working and motivated are just two of the words that instructors used to describe Jay Lewis, who recently earned a Class B commercial driver's license through an Adult Education program of the Genesee Valley Educational Partnership.

A 2019 graduate of Genesee Community College (GCC) and 2017 graduate of Batavia City Schools (he graduated from high school at the age of 16), Lewis completed this CDL training while attending college full time.

Though this is no small feat, Lewis is modest about this accomplishment.

“I work part time at Torrey Farms, my cousin’s farm in Elba, and I knew that they needed drivers for their hay trucks, so I knew that it would be helpful to them if I earned my CDL license," Lewis said. "I thought that if I got this license, these skills could also help me to be more marketable in the future."

The 30-Hour CDL Class B License training course was a lesson in time management for Lewis.

“I’m grateful that the instructors were flexible with scheduling my coursework because I was able to fit this into my schedule of GCC classes,” Lewis said.

“The instructors were thorough and detailed," he said."Besides the specific training for this CDL Class B license, I learned so much about being a safe and aware driver, which is valuable training that any driver can apply."

Art Keicher is a CDL instructor for Adult Education at the Genesee Valley Educational Partnership, a position he’s held for 23 years.  He described Lewis as a solid student and also explained how the CDL Program is structured.

“Jay was a terrific student; he was eager to learn, always on time and very responsible," Keicher said. "He will be a great driver. We offer full- and part-time programs. The goal is to offer CDL instructional programs that work for everyone.

"So many people in this day and age change careers. We aim to meet the needs of our customers by being as flexible as possible so we can create a plan that works for everyone. That’s what trucking is all about."

The training includes one-to-one instructor-to-student training ratio, field training for highway, rural and city driving including day and nighttime traffic conditions. Defensive driving, backing, emergency procedures and safety are emphasized. Keicher noted the many opportunities available in this field.

“This is a great occupation!" Keicher said. "Where else can you invest six weeks of training and start in a career making between $40-45,000 per year? We see people who were financially struggling before they begin the training and after they completed the training, they now own a trucking company."

Lewis currently attends Rochester Institute of Technology, where he is studying Mechanical Engineering Technology. He continues to work part time at Torrey Farms.

The Genesee Valley Educational Partnership offers four different driving training programs including: two Class A License courses; a Class B course; and a School Bus Driver 42-Hour Program.

For more information about any of these Commercial Driver’s License Programs or any Adult Education Program, contact (585) 344-7704.

Top photo: Art Keicher, CDL Instructor, watches as Jay Lewis completes a tire check before operating a dump truck.

Accused drug dealer from Rochester has bail set at $10K

By Howard B. Owens
       Edwin Peart Jr.

A suspected drug dealer from Rochester arrested on Pearl Street in Batavia this week will have a chance to make his $10,000 cash bail (or $20,000 bond) with the help of friends and family, the public defender told Judge Charles Zambito at a bail review hearing this afternoon.

Edwin Peart Jr., 36, of Brookridge Drive, Rochester, was initially held on no bail following his initial arraignment in Batavia City Court because of, by law, his prior felony convictions. Only a county court judge can set bail for a defendant facing a felony charge with prior felony convictions.

Public Defender Jerry Ader argued that soon changes in state law would mean his client would automatically be released without bail since he was held on a nonviolent felony, and given that, he suggested Zambito release Peart under the supervision of Genesee Justice. 

Ader said bail should be set at a reasonable amount -- he asked for that to be $10,000 -- because his client is accused of a nonviolent felony, and if for some undisclosed reason Peart is unable to work and earn money, bail should not be untenable.

Assistant District Attorney Kevin Finnell cited Peart's lengthy criminal record and previous failures to appear in court and a parole violation as well as a fleeing police charge as a reason to set a higher bail. He asked for $20,000 cash or $40,000 bond.

Bail is intended to ensure a defendent's future court appearance not as a punishment.

Zambito set bail at Ader's requested amount of $10,000 cash (or $20,000 bond).

Peart's criminal record goes back to 2002 when he was convicted of criminal contempt. In 2004, he was arrested from criminal possession of a weapon. In 2015, ID theft, and he had warrants out for his arrest in 2017 (though Ader said Peart turned himself in and the warrants were revoked). In 2017 he was also accused of fleeing a police officer.

Environmental agencies continue to work on Lehigh TCE spill, but contamination will linger for decades to come

By Howard B. Owens

Federal and state environmental agencies are continuing to monitor and work on cleanup of contaminants at the Lehigh Train Derailment Superfund Site off of Gulf Road, according to information obtained by The Batavian.

The elimination of TCE contaminants from groundwater in the four-mile-long plume area, which stretches from Gulf Road to four miles east and southeast of the derailment site, is not likely to occur in most of our lifetimes.

The derailment site cleanup was largely forgotten until 2011 when it became the focus of speculation during the Le Roy tic issue when about a dozen high school girls developed spontaneous tic-like movements.

Bob Bowcock, an environmental scientist brought to Le Roy by environmental activist and lawyer Erin Brockovich, determined then that there was no TCE reaching the school property, and it was unlikely the spill site and the tics were linked (the girls were diagnosed with conversion disorder and no scientific evidence ever emerged to contradict that diagnosis).

Information about the spill site made public by the Environmental Protection Agency since then confirm Bowcock's analysis.

In 2017, the Lehigh Valley Railroad corporation, under the direction of the EPA and the DEC, completed a vapor-extraction program at the spill site.

Michael Basile, regional spokesman for the EPA, said the vapor removal effort, which lasted for two years, did remove some TCE, but vapor extraction cannot remove all of it.

"It has been determined that there is TCE embedded in the rock/gravel at the site that cannot be removed via the SVE system," Basile wrote in an email. "Consultants for the responsible party have recently completed a study that has looked at several remedial measures that may be feasible to address the contamination at the site. It is under review by EPA and New York State. EPA will determine the appropriate next steps."

TCE, or trichloroethylene, according to the EPA website, is "a volatile organic compound." It is a clear, colorless liquid that has a sweet odor and evaporates quickly. TCE is a toxic chemical with human health concerns."

After the Lehigh Valley derailment in 1970, a plume of TCE quickly spread to the east and southeast for about four miles, in a human-foot-shaped pattern and groundwater forces around it have kept it contained to that area. It has become embedded in the bedrock of the plume area making it impossible to completely remove.

Eventually, it will all evaporate as hydraulic action brings more and more of it to the surface, but that process will take five decades or more.

"Considering the railroad derailment occurred in December 1970 -- where it was estimated that 30,000 to 35,000 gallons of TCE were spilled onto the ground contaminating the soil and groundwater -- even with the most sophisticated hydrogeological equipment it is very difficult to estimate how much contamination still exists in the area," Basile said.

The EPA says current vapor levels in the plume area are generally below the levels of human health concerns.

Basile said 13 residences in the plume area have been affected by the spill and have vapor-mitigation systems installed in their homes and the EPA continues to monitor these properties.

The public water supply has been protected from the plume, according to the EPA.

"With the extension of the public water supply to the affected homes and businesses, the installation of the soil-vapor mitigation systems on the affected homes, plus continual monitoring of the groundwater, public health and safety concerns continue to be achieved," Basile said.

Top photo: Vapor removal pipes still in place at the derailment site. The vapor removal effort has ended but the pipes remain in place while the EPA and DEC evaluate what steps to take next.

FIle photo: What the site looked like in 2012. The barrels were removed within weeks after this photo was taken, which was during Bob Bowcock's inspection of the site.

Below is a video produced by the EPA in 2017 about the spill cleanup. It goes into a great amount of detail about the hydraulics of the spill, its history, and how it's being monitored and remediated.

Boy Scout leader from Elba accused of first-degree sexual abuse at summer camp

By Billie Owens

From the New York State Police:

On Sept. 5, State Police arrested Ronald L. Rowcliffe, 55, of Elba, after investigating several reports of sexual abuse.

Rowcliffe, a Boy Scout leader, reportedly had inappropriate sexual contact with several victims ranging in age from 12 to 14 years, who were attending the Massawepie Boy Scout Camp in the Town of Piercefield during the summers of 2017-2019.

Rowcliffe was charged with two counts of sexual abuse in the first degree, and one count each of forcible touching and one count of endangering the welfare of a child.

He was arraigned in the Town of Piercefield Court, and put in St. Lawrence County Jail in lieu of $10,000 cash bail, or $20,000 bail bond.

This remains under investigation, and further charges are pending.

If anyone has information regarding this investigation or believes they may be a victim, they are asked to contact the New York State Police at (518) 873-2750.

Rochester teen accused of selling heroin in Bergen

By Howard B. Owens
     Jahmiere Smith

A traffic stop by Rochester police led to the arrest Wednesday of a teenager wanted in Genesee County for allegedly dealing drugs in Bergen.

Jahmiere D. Smith, 18, of Rochester, was the subject of an active arrest warrant out of Genesee County stemming from two alleged drug deals between Smith and an agent of the Local Drug Task Force.

Smith is suspected of dealing in heroin in Bergen and accused of selling heroin to an undercover agent on two separate occasions.

He is charged with two counts of criminal sale of a controlled substance, 3rd, and two counts of criminal possession of a controlled substance, 3rd.

Smith was arraigned in Genesee County Court and ordered held on bail of $1,500.

The Task Force was assisted in the investigation by Genesee County Sheriff's deputies and the District Attorney's Office.

GCEDC approves incentives for Graham Manufacturing and Provident Batavia

By Billie Owens

Press release:

The Genesee County Economic Development Center (GCEDC) approved incentives for two projects and accepted an application for incentives at its Thursday, Sept. 5, board meeting.

Graham Manufacturing will invest $2.03 million across multiple projects at its City of Batavia campus which will include an expansion of the company’s welding school, repurposing an existing 4,000-square-foot structure and construction of a new 8,875-square-foot warehouse.

The project would start this fall and be in operation by the end of the first quarter of 2020. The project also will contribute to the Batavia Pathway to Prosperity (BP2) Program. The company will receive sales, mortgage and property tax exemptions of approximately $210,000.

Provident Batavia LLC received approval for incentives to construct a 13,000-square-foot addition to an existing office, warehouse, and distribution facility leased to SCP Pools. The $1.194 million project will retain 15 jobs in the Town of Batavia.

This project is estimated to produce a state and regional economic impact of $594,122 and $61,516 in property taxes over 10 years. Total incentives are approximately $156,312.

Finally, the GCEDC Board accepted an application for incentives from Six Flags Darien Lake LLC for a new $1.575 million 60-foot-tall water ride at the Hurricane Harbor water park in the Town of Darien. If approved, Six Flags would receive sales tax incentives of approximately $126,000. The project will help retain 380 jobs at one of the county’s largest sales tax revenue generators.

GCEDC approves nearly $30 million budget, bulk of it for STAMP infrastructure

By Billie Owens

Press release:

The Board of Directors of the Genesee County Economic Development Center (GCEDC) adopted their 2020 budget at a board meeting today, projecting expenditures of $29.7 million.

The budget includes $25.5 million in grants for the development of infrastructure at the Western New York Science and Technology Advanced Manufacturing Park (WNY STAMP).

Of that total, $20.2 million is dedicated to the advancement of Phase I infrastructure at the campus (remaining funds from the original $33 million state allocation); and $5.3 million is dedicated to the advancement of Phase II infrastructure (initial funds from the $8 million Empire State Development grant).

The 1,250-acre WNY STAMP campus in the Town of Alabama is the largest high-tech greenfield site in New York, and connects low-cost hydropower, large-scale infrastructure, and the Buffalo-Rochester Metro Corridor’s workforce talent.

“The GCEDC is building WNY STAMP to be a market-ready site, and a catalyst for the success of the people of Genesee County and companies that will create a stronger future for our region,” said Paul Battaglia, chairman of the GCEDC.

As a public benefit corporation, the GCEDC generates fees from economic development projects and other sources to run the agency’s operations, programs and services.

The GCEDC anticipates $375,000 in revenues from project origination fees and $3,800 in revenues from revolving loan fund interest; $300,000 in annuities from projects approved in previous years.

Revenues also include $300,000 that will be received from the Genesee Gateway Local Development Corporation (GGLDC), and $50,000 anticipated from the Genesee County Funding Corporation, to support the agency’s overall Economic Development Program.

“There is a large body of work that occurs at this agency each year, and I am pleased that we continue to find resourceful ways to serve the businesses and citizens of Genesee County,” said Lezlie Farrell, CFO of the GCEDC.

“Operating expenditures have been controlled and reduced wherever possible.”

The GCEDC budget anticipates a $233,000 allocation by Genesee County to support economic development and a growing return on investments to the county.

In 2018, the last full year of data available, GCEDC projects (current and expired) produced more than $4.4 million in combined PILOT -- Payment In Lieu Of Taxes -- payments and property taxes to local taxing jurisdictions.

“Genesee County is a vital partner in our efforts to bring new business and growth to our region," Battaglia said. "We rely on the Genesee County Legislature to support our budget and operations so we can continue to enable business and community success.

"In 2018, Genesee County benefited from $19 returned on every one dollar allocated to GCEDC operations.”

County releases budget adoption schedule

By Howard B. Owens

Here is the anticipated schedule for review and adoption of Genesee County's 2020 budget:

Sept. 11, Wednesday, 4:30 p.m.
Budget Discussion
Conference Session before Legislature Meeting

Sept. 11, 6 p.m.
Comprehensive Plan presentation after Legislature Meeting                       

Sept. 6, Friday
Date for departments to submit budget request to County Manager

Sept. 9 – 30
Final review of department and agency budgets by County Manager with meetings scheduled between County Manager and department heads on budget and staffing requests

Oct. 2, Wednesday, 5:30 p.m. 
County Manager reviews overall County budget with Legislature. Legislature selects which departments to review services and respective budgets for Saturday morning meeting

Conference Session after Ways & Means Committee meeting               

Oct. 5, Saturday, 8 a.m. to noon              
Legislature meets with selected departments

Oct. 9, Wednesday, 4:30 p.m.
Review department discussions held on the 5th and further review of the budget and direction for County Manager
Conference Session before Legislature Meeting          

Oct. 16, Wednesday, 5:30 p.m.
County Manager reviews status of budget and summarization of major issues
Conference Session after Ways & Means Committee meeting                 

Oct. 21, Monday
County Manager files Recommended Budget with Legislature Clerk and releases budget information to the media

Oct. 23, Wednesday, 4:30 p.m.
County Manager provides overview of Recommended Budget to Legislature
Conference Session before Legislature Meeting

Nov. 6, Wednesday, 6 p.m.
Public Budget Hearing – County Manager’s Recommended Budget -- in Courthouse Chambers

Nov. 13, Wednesday, 4:30 p.m. 
Legislature considers feedback from Public Hearing and makes further recommendations
Conference Session before Legislature Meeting        

Nov. 20, Wednesday, 4:30 p.m.
Ways and Means Committee Budget Review with referral to full Legislature
Ways and Means Meeting

Nov. 25, Monday, 5:30 p.m.
Legislature Meeting – Budget Adoption

NY Sires Stakes and Batavia Downs to livestream draw Sept. 11 for 'Night of Champions'

By Billie Owens

Press release:

The New York Sire Stakes (NYSS) and Batavia Downs will be livestreaming the draw for the 2019 “Night of Champions,” via Facebook on Wednesday, Sept. 11. Assemblyman Stephen M. Hawley (Batavia) will serve as Honorary Drawmaster.

Wednesday's draw will begin at 12 p.m. and can be accessed through the NYSS website and Batavia Downs and NYSS Facebook pages.

The draw is open to the public and will take place in the End Zone Room, located just off 34-Rush Sports Bar. No RSVP is required.

The finals for New York State’s premier harness racing program for 2- and 3-year-olds are set to take place Saturday, Sept. 14. The eight race event will feature $1.8 million in purse money.

“We have made an effort this year to expand our livestreaming capabilities as we continue to increase access to fans and the harness racing community across the state,” said M. Kelly Young, executive director, Agriculture and New York State Horse Breeding Development Fund.

“I invite owners and horsemen to join us live or online as the excitement builds toward next Saturday’s finals at Batavia.”

Updated points standings for all divisions of the NYSS are available at: www.nysspoints.com.

About the Agriculture and New York State Horse Breeding Development Fund

The Agriculture and New York State Horse Breeding Development Fund is a public benefit corporation established in 1965 by the Laverne Law (Laws of New York, Chapter 567 of the Laws of 1965).

The mission of the fund is to promote agriculture through the breeding of Standardbred horses and the conduct of equine research within the state. To carry out its legislative mission, the Fund administers the New York Sire Stakes races, Excelsior/State Fair Series races, and County Fair Races.

Additionally, the Fund provides assistance to county agriculture societies and contributes to the statewide 4-H program and to the Harry M. Zweig Fund for Equine Research.

Lowell takes second game from Batavia on walk-off homer for 2-1

By Howard B. Owens

Press release:

Joe Davis hit a home run in the bottom of the ninth inning to lift the Lowell Spinners over the Batavia Muckdogs 2-1 in game two of the New York-Penn League playoffs.

With Brooklyn defeating Hudson Valley as both series are tied 1-1. The final game in both series will be Friday night. Batavia is at Lowell, Mass.

If Batavia and Hudson Valley win, the Muckdogs will have home field advantage in the championship series and play Sunday in Hudson Valley, with Monday and Tuesday games in Batavia. If Brooklyn wins, Batavia would host Brooklyn here on Sunday.

Lowell managed both run-off home runs, and received a record-breaking pitching performance by Yusneil Padron-Artilles, who struck out 12 in a row. The old record in the major leagues (Tom Seaver) was 10 and the minor league record was also 10.

Batavia had strong pitching as starter Julio Frias went 4.2 innings giving up one run and struck out five. Bryan Hoening was almost perfect going 3.1 innings, striking out seven and giving up just one hit. Joey Steele struck out one in the ninth and took the loss.

Lowell had just four hits. For Batavia, Milton Smith II was 2-for-3 and Nasim Nunez doubled and scored on a groundout from Dalvy Rosario.

Photo: Batavia starter Julio Frias went 4.2 innings and struck out five.

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