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Hornets beat Royalton 15-8 in baseball

By Howard B. Owens

Oakfield-Alabama beat Royalton on Saturday 15-8.

Colton Yasses went 4-5, driving in four runs and scoring twice.  Bodie Hyde was 3-5 with four RBIs and two runs scored.  Kyle Porter had two hits in five ABs and scored twice.  Brenden Westcott collected three hits in five ABs and drove in four runs.

Porter was the winning pitcher, going 6 1/3 innings, giving up five hits and seven runs, but only three were earned. He struck out 8.  Yasses finished out the game with an inning and two-thirds work giving up three hits and an unearned run.  He K'd two.

In other baseball action: Elba Lancers lose to Northstar, 10-3

Photos by Kristin Smith.

Elba Lancers lose to Northstar, 10-3

By Press Release

Press release:

Northstar Christian Academy downed Elba 10-3 in varsity baseball action Saturday at the Field of Dreams in Alexander.

Tim Leary collected the victory on the mound for Northstar, striking out eight while allowing six hits.

The Knights were led by Dominic Kurmis with three hits, including an RBI double and AJ Mitchell added a team-high four RBI on two hits.

The Lancers stayed in it for six innings behind strong pitching by Caden Muehlig. Muehlig went the distance for Elba, allowing four runs over the last six innings, striking out eight.

Jayden Allport led Elba with two hits and an RBI, while Lucas Walls smacked an RBI double. Hunter Gaylord, Connor Scott and Jake Engle also added hits for Elba.

In the second game of the day for Elba, the Lancers fell to Byron-Bergen 6-2.

Carter Prinzi and Brody Baubie led Byron-Bergen at the plate with two hits apiece. Braeden Chambry also singled for the Bees.

Baubie and David Brumsted combined to strikeout nine with Brumsted earning the win.

Elba got six strong innings on the mound from Scott, as the junior hurler struck out 11. Tyler Kauffman, Gaylord and Walls had hits for the Lancers.

Brasky to host annual summer Basketball Training Camp

By Press Release

Press release:

Batavia High School Coach Buddy Brasky will hold a Basketball Training Camp at The Batavia City Schools this summer.

Brasky will be joined by Matt Shay, boys varsity coach at Pembroke HS,  Billy Truitt, former Division 1 and professional basketball player,  Tim Sullivan, well respected skills instructor and Tim Stevens, boys varsity assistant coach at Batavia HS.

Basketball Training Camp will be held from July 5th- August 8th.  There will be 2 sessions:

1. Monday/Wednesday from 10-12:30 and Friday from 11-1 for boys in grades 10-college.

2. Tuesday/Thursday from 10-12:30 and Friday from 9-11 for boys in grades 7-9.

This is a five-week program that will emphasize offensive skill development.  The program is open to boys grades 7 to college.  The cost for the program is $350.  For an application, email Buddy Brasky at  mbrasky@bataviacsd.org

Photo: File photo of 2017 camp.

Bryar Biracree pitches no hitter for Le Roy 12U softball team

By Howard B. Owens

Bryar Biracree pitched a complete game no-hitter for the Le Roy 12U Black Team on Thursday against Geneseo.  She gave up four unearned runs in Le Roy's 8-4 victory. She struck out 14.

LeRoy’s offense was led by Biracree and Abby Valdes scoring two runs each. Kallia Shannon and Annora Karcher both had RBIs.

The girls play Cal-Mum at home on Tuesday.

Information and photo submitted by Shannon Karcher

Travel cheer team from Pembroke racking up win after win in first year

By Howard B. Owens

A first-year travel cheer team from Pembroke, aged 9 to 13, have competed in a total of four competitions and won first place in all four.

Kelly Abramski, one of four coaches for the teams, said the project began with cheerleaders from the Pembroke Youth Association football team and that the girls worked hard all winter.

"The big news here is our little squad from Pembroke is traveling all the way to Virginia Beach to compete in the nationals this weekend," Abramski said. 

UPDATE: Additional information in this press release:

Sunday, March 6 in Erie PA, the Pembroke Youth Association’s new travel cheer squad took home their third consistent first-place banner this season. The squad consists of 12 girls ranging in age from 8-12 and one 11-year-old boy. They are coached by head coach Jasmine Bowser, assistant coaches Robin Czwojdak and Kelly Baker and are choreographed by Lisa Blaun of Law Dance Studio in Batavia, NY. All athletes are students in the Pembroke Central School District. The team competed in the Performance Cheer Division in the 2022 SHOUT Cheer and Dance Competition. Receiving no deductions, the squad was less than one point away from taking Grand Champion for the overall competition.

In February, the team also competed in their first national competition at the SHOUT Rock the Falls Cheer and Dance National Championship in Niagara Falls, NY where they placed first in the Performance Cheer and Division, earning them a bid to the national competition in May to be held in Virginia Beach. They also placed first at the American Cheer Power Buffalo Showdown DISCO Championship in the 12 and under Performance Recreation division later the same month.

This team impresses me each and every time they hit the mat. They work hard, they have fun and they put everything they have into their performances. I couldn’t be prouder of this group of young, talented kids,” said Jasmine Bowser, head coach, sport commissioner and president of Pembroke Youth Association.

Pembroke Youth Association has offered traditional cheer in support of tackle football for years. Listening to the feedback of the parents and athletes, it has long been a goal to establish a competitive arm of the traditional squads to provide the athletes with more relevant competitive experiences. This will better prepare them for the high school level and expose them to other all-star or elite cheer opportunities.

Strengthening our youth program benefits our high school level squads as they move up. The youth cheer program had a solid base, it was my goal to build off of that and make it more competitive. It’s what the athletes asked for and our mission in PYA is about access, and providing the athletic experience kids want and deserve. I am proud of the progress we have made in just a few months’ time. I can only imagine where we will go from here,” said Bowser. 

Ballers can level up their game with 'Back to Basics' clinic hosted by Dave Pero

By Howard B. Owens

Batavia resident, a former coach at Notre Dame, has announced new basketball clinics for children in kindergarten through their senior year in high school called Back to Basics.

For players K-2, 3-4, and 5-6, clinics will be Saturday mornings.

On Monday evenings, clinics will be held for players 7-8 and 9-12.

Clinics are $30 per session or $200 for all eight sessions.

Registration is open at www.basicbasketballclinic.com

I will have current high school and college coaches and players helping me," Pero said. "I'm really looking forward to it."

Colton Yasses Ks 14 in five innings, no hits allowed, in O-A 13-0 win

By Howard B. Owens

Colton Yasses tossed a five-inning no-hitter today to help lead Oakfield-Alabama to a 13-0 victory.

He struck out 14 of the 15 batters he faced. 

Yasses was also 2-4 at the plate, scoring two runs.

Kaden Cusmano also had two hits. He also knocked in three runs and scored a run. 

Photos by Kristin Smith. For more, click here.

O-A shuts down Attica for 6-0 win

By Howard B. Owens

The Oakfield-Alabama Hornets shut out Attica in baseball on Thursday for a 6-0 victory.

The Hornets notched 14 hits with catcher Aiden Warner going for 4-4. Colton Yasses was 2-4 with two RBIs and two runs scored. Bodie Hyde also had two hits.

Hyde tossed a complete game (seven innings) shutout, striking out 13 batters and giving up only two hits. He walked to batters.

Photos by Kristin Smith.  For more, click here.

Three Batavians to participate in Florida championship

By Joanne Beck

Two local girls and a coach, all from Batavia, will be attending their first-ever competition in Florida with Dynamic Elite Athletics, Batavia resident Robin Cook says.

They will be attending the Summit cheer and dance Championship at Walt Disney World Resort’s ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex beginning Thursday through May 1.  

Kayla Gangarossa, a Batavia High School graduate, is the coach of the Level 2 ICE team, and her daughter, Payton Spikes, will be going with Level One Junior D1amonds, Cook said in an email to The Batavian

Payton is a fifth-grader at Batavia Middle School. Her mom Kayla was a coach for Batavia Bulldawgs cheerleading, and Payton and her Batavia school peer Hailey Armison were Bulldawgs cheerleaders. Both Payton and Hailey will be participating in the Florida event. Dynamic Elite Athletics is a cheer and tumbling center based in Rochester. 

"This will be our first-ever D2 Summit, as well as our first-ever world finals for our open level 6 team Legacy,” Gangarossa said. “We will be kicking off our decade of purple and teal and celebrating 10 years of Dynamic Elite Athletics the week after we return from the summit."

The Summit Championship, founded by Varsity All-Star in 2013, will celebrate its 10th anniversary in 2022 and will showcase more than 1,500 teams and 24,000 competitors from around the globe. The Summit Championship is promoted as a way to provide a unique experience for athletes to compete against the best of the best across all levels of competition. 

Top photos of Payton Spikes and Hailey Armison; the girls' cheersport team and Coach Kayla Gangarossa and Payton, her daughter. Photos submitted by Robin Cook.

Professional soccer team from Rochester to play game at Van Detta on May 4

By Howard B. Owens

Flower City Union, a professional soccer team in Rochester playing its inaugural season, is coming to Batavia on May at 7:30 p.m. for a game against California United Strikers.

The teams are part of the National Independent Soccer Association, a third division professional soccer league.  The team is partly fan-owned.

"This is very cool to have this game in Batavia," said Michael Bromley, athletic director for Batavia City Schools.

The game will be played at Van Detta Stadium.

The price of the game is $10. Tickets can be purchased at tickets.flowercityunion.com.

Cheerleader coach sisters from Batavia lead team championship in Orlando

By Press Release

Press release:

Batavia residents Jacklyn (Borrelli) Pratt and Nicole Borrelli co-coach together for a competitive cheerleading program, New York Icons. The sister coaching duo is honored to have their team, Celebrities, representing their program at the upcoming Summit Championship in Orlando, Florida. The Borrelli sisters have been coaching cheerleading for over 10 years and have been co-coaching their Allstar team together for the past three seasons. These sisters have shown that they are a force to be reckoned with within the cheerleading community.

New York Icons, a local Allstar cheerleading and tumbling training facility, in Rochester is proud to announce that Celebrities will be attending The Summit Championship on a PAID bid in the Small Junior Level Two Division to compete at one of the nation’s most prestigious cheerleading competitions produced by Varsity All-Star. Varsity All-Star is a division of Varsity Spirit – the global leader in cheerleading.

The Summit Championship, held at Walt Disney World® Resort’s ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex from April 28 to May 1, is the season-capping goal for many competitive all-star teams. The Summit Championship, founded by Varsity All-Star in 2013, will celebrate its 10th anniversary in 2022 and will showcase more than 1,500 teams and 24,000 competitors from around the globe. The Summit Championship provides a unique experience for athletes to compete against the best of the best across all levels of competition. The Summit Championship and The Dance Summit Championship continue to grow offering multiple paths for teams to have a competitive, prestigious, and celebratory end to their seasons.

The Borrelli sisters and their team have worked extremely hard this season, especially coming off the pandemic and the challenges they faced last season. “We could not have asked for more from our athletes this season,” says the Borrelli sisters. “They have consistently scored the highest overall score throughout our in-season competitions, and we are very proud.” They are heading down to Florida as the TOP Northeast Region Team on the Varsity Leaderboard. 

Jacklyn is a Special Education Teacher at Gates Chili Middle School and the Program Assistant for Gates Chili’s Cheerleading Program. In addition, she has worked with several Genesee Region High School Cheerleading Programs over the last several years and has worked closely with Attica High School. Most importantly, her number one role is being a mom to her one-year-old, Jackson. Nicole is an office manager in Rochester and is the JV Cheerleading Coach for Gates Chili High School along with her other coaching duties and apparel coordinator at New York Icons.

Photos: 70th opening day for Le Roy Little League

By Howard B. Owens

Le Roy Little League opened its 70th season on Saturday.

Board President Jeremy Warner said Le Roy is the last league in GLOW still affiliated with Little League based in Williamsport, Pa.

Photos by Ed Henry.

 

Fitzpatrick leads Notre Dame to 8-4 win over O-A

By Howard B. Owens

Notre Dame beat Oakfield-Alabama in high school baseball at Dwyer Stadium today, 8-4.

The winning pitcher was Ryan Fitzpatrick, who worked all seven innings giving up five hits and one earned run while striking out 11.

For the Irish, Colin McCulley, Gavin Schrader, and Fitzpatrick all had two hits each and Fitzpatrick knocked in three runs while scoring twice.

For the Hornets, Bodie Hyde and Gaige Armbrewster each had two hits.  Hyde drove in four runs. He was also the starting pitcher and took the loss.

Photos by Kristin Smith. For more, click here,

Foss rolls 808; Batavian 3rd in Medina event

By Mike Pettinella

Curtis Foss of Medina closed out the Sneezys Monday Night League season at Oak Orchard Bowl in Albion on a high note last week by rolling an 808 series -- his seventh 800 in league play since last October.

The right-hander's games were 260-290-258.

In the Wednesday Men's Handicap League at Rose Garden Bowl in Bergen, Josh Elliott posted 258--733 and Frank Jarkiewicz shot 278--723.

In league play at Medina Lanes, Amy Allis rolled 279--717 on April 4 and followed that up with 256--735 on Thursday night.  A solid 10-pin in the 10th frame of the 279 cost her a chance at a perfect game.

ROCHESTER BOWLER TRIUMPHS

Nicholas Manioci of Rochester claimed the $750 first prize in the Hop Between Singles Handicap Tournament at Medina Lanes, defeating Hayden Allis of Medina, 206-204, in the title match. Allis earned $500.

Rounding out the top five were Derek Leach of Batavia ($350), Teagan Miller of Albion ($250) and Chris Foss of Medina ($175).

Eighteen of the tournament's 60 bowlers cashed.

Mancuso Bowling Center will be hosting a three-person handicap no-tap tournament on April 30, with squad times at noon and 2 p.m. The entry fee is $75 per team and first place, based on 40 entries, is $750. Call 716-474-7960 to enter.

Genesee Region USBC Annual Banquet is May 14; Fluker, VanAlst, Fonte to be inducted into Hall of Fame

By Mike Pettinella

Three longtime Genesee Region USBC members will be inducted into the bowling association’s Hall of Fame at its annual banquet at 6 p.m. May 14 at Batavia Downs Gaming on Park Road.

In the Meritorious Service category, Tom Fluker of Batavia and William VanAlst of Stafford, will be enshrined while in the Outstanding Achievement Veteran category, Tim Fonte of Dansville will be honored.

TOM FLUKER, BATAVIA

Fluker made his mark as a GRUSBC director and officer for 12 years – including six years as president – and also as a United States Bowling Congress Level I bowling instructor. He was instrumental in creating numerous adult and youth tournaments in the association and oversaw the growth of the Genesee Region Youth Travel League.

He served as president of the Turnbull Heating Junior League at Mancuso Bowling Center for 14 years and previously was an officer of adult leagues at Mancuso’s. Fluker also had a lead role in creating the GRUSBC’s website and creating the association’s awards program, which is one of the strongest in New York State.

On the lanes, Fluker, 51, has recorded 11 300 games and has high league averages of 225 and 221. He also placed first in the GRUSBC Bracket Challenge tournament in 2019 and inthe association scratch singles event in 2017.

WILLIAM VANALST, STAFFORD

VanAlst, 71, has been an association member for 48 straight years – all with the Tuesday Night League at Le Roy Legion Lanes, where he has served as secretary-treasurer since 1977.

He also was director and coach of the Legion Lanes junior bowling program and Le Roy Junior Travel League from 1987-2001, coaching more than 160 young bowlers over that time.

Prior to the formation of the GRUSBC, VanAlst was secretary-treasurer for 10 years of the Genesee Valley Young American Bowling Alliance that included programs from nine bowling centers – Le Roy, Oakfield, Caledonia, Livingston, Mount Morris, Perry, Letchworth, Bennington and Dansville.

TIM FONTE, DANSVILLE

Fonte is one of Mount Morris Lanes’ most consistent bowlers over his 47 years as a member of the Perry Bowling Association and GRUSBC – averaging over 190 for many years before the era of high scores and over 200 for nine of the past 10 seasons.

He rolled a 300 game in 1997, 299 in 1998 and recorded another milestone – an 806 series – on Dec. 1, 2021 at the age of 73. Fonte has excelled in tournament competition as well, cashing in the Lilac City Tournament in Rochester and the Wild Irish Rose Tournament in Canandaigua, as well as in local association events.

Off the lanes, he worked at the pro shop at Mount Morris Lanes for 18 years, serving as manager from 1994-2003. He also coached youth bowlers there for 15 years.

Alexis Patterson of Dansville, a bowler in the Mount Morris Youth League and GR Youth Travel League, will receive a $750 scholarship given annually to graduating seniors.

The guest speaker for the evening will be Ramon “Ray” DiSanto Sr., a member of three Halls of Fame in New York State – GRUSBC (1976), Rochester NY USBC (1978) and NYS USBC (1995). DiSanto recently retired after many years as owner-operator of Bowlers World pro shop in Henrietta.

The event also will serve to honor tournament champions and individual season leaders.

The cost of the dinner is $30, with the following exceptions:

  • NO CHARGE -- GRUSBC directors, Hall of Fame inductee(s) and one guest, adult tournament champions (limit one tournament only), youth tournament champions and one guest (limit one tournament only), guest speaker if applicable, scholarship recipient(s) and one guest.
  • HALF PRICE -- Past GRUSBC Hall of Famers, league secretary or representative (limit one per league).

The deadline for reservations is May 5. No reservations will be taken after that date and no one will be allowed to "walk in" on May 14. Seating is limited, so ask fast.

Open to all GRUSBC members and guests, the banquet also will include a brief memorial service and election of officers and directors.

RSVP by May 5 by sending an email to mikep@bowlgr.com or by calling 585-343-3736.

Townsend posts 300 game at Mancuso Bowling Center

By Mike Pettinella

Batavian James Townsend notched his second 300 game of the bowling season last week, starting with a perfect game en route to a 730 series in the Tuesday Coed League at Mancuso Bowling Center.

The 24-year-old high-revving right-hander also rolled a perfect game on Oct. 12, 2021, as well as a 299 on Nov. 18, 2021 and a 298 on Jan. 1, 2022.

Other high series for the week included Josh Elliott's 769 and Ron Lawrence's 748 in the Wednesday Men's Handicap and Thursday Owls leagues, respectively, at Rose Garden Bowl in Bergen, and Mike DeVay Jr.'s 750 and Jeremy Vallance's 743 in the Mancuso Real Estate Doubles and Toyota of Batavia Thursday 5-Man leagues, respectively, at Mancuso's.

For a list of high scores around the Genesee Region USBC, click on the Pin Points tab at the top of the home page.

TWO LOCALS CASH

Two Genesee Region USBC members -- Reid Cole of Albion and Kevin Gray Sr. of Honeoye Falls -- cashed at the Tommy Kress 60-and-Over Tour event at Pleasure Lanes in Hilton last week.

Cole rolled a 700 series in qualifying and made it to the second round of the eliminator finals, earning $100. Gray qualified with 681 before being eliminated in the first round, winning $70.

John Danielwicz of the Buffalo area placed first, earning $330.

The final tournament of the season is set for 11 a.m. May 1 at Sunset Lanes in Rochester.

 

McCarthy's #6 being retired by BND United

By Howard B. Owens

The #6 David McCarthy wore when he played hockey for Batavia will be retired in a ceremony at the David McCarthy Memorial Tournament in December, it was announced last night at the BND United Awards Banquet. 

A banner will be raised in McCarthy's honor at the game in the recently renamed David McCarthy Memorial Ice Arena in Batavia.

McCarthy died in a motor vehicle accident in November 2006 at the age of 29.  He was a 1995 graduate of Batavia High School, where he excelled in baseball and hockey.

Photo and information submitted by Guy Pellegrino.

Vallance: 795; Medina Lanes tourney is April 9-10

By Mike Pettinella

Batavian Jeremy Vallance came oh so close to his first United States Bowling Congress-certified 800 series in the Toyota of Batavia Thursday 5-Man League at Mancuso Bowling Center. 

The 44-year-old right-hander posted games of 257-259-279 for a 795 series. A 4-pin in the ninth frame of the third game stopped him from the 800 and also from a chance at a 300 game.

Lefty Mike Johnson of Batavia was next for the night with a 742 series.

In other Genesee Region USBC league action, Keith Czamara rolled a 746 series in the Wednesday Men's Handicap League at Rose Garden Bowl in Bergen.

For a list of high scores for the week, click on the Pin Points tab at the top of the home page.

MEDINA HOSTING TOURNAMENT SATURDAY

Medina Lanes will be running the Hop Between Singles Handicap Tournament next weekend with qualifying squads (three games) at noon and 3 p.m. Saturday and 9:30 a.m. Sunday.

Finals are scheduled for noon Sunday. The top 18 bowlers will advance to the eliminator finals, where half the field advances each game.

The top two places are guaranteed -- $750 for first and $500 for second. The entry fee is $55.

To enter, call 585-318-4474.

Fleet of foot. Genesee Valley Harriers 4x800-meter relay team shatters U.S. record in 65-69 age group

By Mike Pettinella

A quartet featuring two longtime standout Batavia runners shattered the American record in the 65-69 age group, 4x800-meter relay at the USA Track & Field Masters Indoor Championships in New York City.

The national competition took place from March 18-20 at the New Balance Track & Field Center at The Armory in Manhattan.

Competing for the Genesee Valley Harriers club, Batavians Frank Gioia and Bill McMullen teamed with Tim McMullen of Chili and Joseph Chimino of Bergen for a time of 12 minutes, 30.38 seconds – nearly 2 ½ minutes faster than the previous record of 14:57.49.

Gioia led things off, running his leg in 3:06, and Bill McMullen followed at 3:31. Tim McMullen (no relation) took the baton and ran a 2:54 split before handing off to Chimino, who closed things out with a time of 2:57.

It was the first time the four combined to run the relay, Gioia said, but plans are to enter the same competition next year at Lexington, Ky.

“By that time, all of us will have turned 70, so we’ll be racing in the 70-74 age group,” he said.

And, undoubtedly, they’ll have their sights set on another U.S. record.

Submitted photo. From left, Tim McMullen, Joseph Chimino, Bill McMullen, Frank Gioia.

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