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Girls fastpitch softball is back in Batavia

By Howard B. Owens

After running teams for a couple of years in Byron-Bergen, Stan Kaus and Matt Landers got to talking last year about getting more girls involved in fastpitch softball and bringing the teams back to Batavia.

"After last year we decided there are more girls in Batavia who want to play softball, so we kind of looked at each other and said, ‘Are you sure you want to go bigger?’ and we said, ‘as long as the parents step up and help,' " Kaus said.

The response, Kaus said, "has been phenomenal."

The new Batavia Girls Fastpitch is incorporating as a nonprofit with an eight-person board. There are eight new coaches, 17 sponsors and so far 35 girls signed up.

There are two 12-and-under teams and for the first time a 10-U team. Next Tuesday, they will host a meeting to form at least one, and maybe two, 15-U teams, which will add another 12 to maybe more than 20 more girls participating.

"I think the word will get out," Kaus said. "I think a lot of girls felt their only choice for playing ball was Little League. I think if they can come out and watch softball and see fastpitch, I think it will be great."

The Stingers, as the teams are known, also have new uniforms.

"The fact that it's back and we're breathing new life into fastpitch softball is kind of exciting," Kaus said.

O-A varsity baseball field dedication for late Coach Dan Gilbert is May 13, money and donations gladly accepted

By Billie Owens

On Saturday, May 13th  the community and school district in Oakfield-Alabama will be having a varsity baseball field dedication ceremony for the late Dan Gilbert. The longtime coach and teacher was a great guy and is sorely missed after losing a long and couragous battle with cancer.

  • At 10 a.m. on May 13, there will be a community softball game for adults and home run derby for kids. There will also be basket raffles, concessions and face painting.
  • At noon will be the field dedication and ceremony.
  • At 1 p.m. there will be a varsity baseball game O-A vs. Lyndonville. 

Organizers are asking the public to consider donating an item to be raffled or making a monetary donation to benefit the Oakfield-Alabama Central School baseball program and to fund a scholarship in honor of Coach Gilbert. All proceeds to benefit the OACS Baseball Program in memory of Coach Dan Gilbert.

Anything that you can donate to help make Dan's dedication ceremony a special day will be greatly welcomed and appreciated. Make checks payable to: OACS, and send attention to Dan Gilbert Memorial, 7001 Lewiston Road, Oakfield, NY 14125.

If you have any questions, do not hesitate to contact Mary Kalinownski at: mkalinowski@oahornets.org --  or Marc Johnson at 948-5838, or  mjohnson@2ki.net

Here is a summary of Coach Gilbert's coaching achievements:

●  Section V Coach of the Year – 2001, 2003, 2005, 2008

●  Genesee Region Coach of the Year – 2000, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2008, 2010

●  Genesee Region Coach of the Year, Softball – 2011 (Dan’s only season as softball coach)

●  Coach Gilbert’s teams won 12 Genesee Region League Baseball titles

●  Coach Gilbert’s teams won four Section V titles (2000, 2001, 2003, 2009) and advanced to States in 2003

season.

●  Overall record of 284-Wins against 58-Losses

According to his family and friends, "less quantifiable, yet just as impressive as his coaching accolades, was Dan’s uncanny ability to see something special in each of his students and/or players. He made believers out of his players and students which allowed them to dig deeper, become more confident and excel at levels they never knew were possible. This talent seemed to come easy to Dan, and for that, thousands of kids from our community are grateful."

Third ball is the trick for Busmire in 214-277-300--791 effort; Budde rolls 300 at Elks tournament

By Mike Pettinella

If at first you don’t succeed, try, try again – with a different bowling ball -- until you do succeed!

For Harris Busmire, a lifelong Bergen resident and 25-year assistant chef at the Viking Valhalla Restaurant, that was the story of a memorable night of league bowling last Tuesday (April 4) in the G&W Vending League at his hometown lanes, Rose Garden Bowl.

Busmire recorded 30 strikes in his three games – a notable achievement – but what makes it more remarkable is that all of those 1-3 pocket hits came after the fifth frame of the first game. In other words, the 52-year-old right-hander struck on 30 of his last 31 deliveries!

His games were 214, 277 and 300 for a 791 series, with the last game marking his third USBC-certified perfect game. His previous 300 was part of an 811 series (his lone 800 effort) in March of 2003.

“I really struggled early,” Busmire said, pointing out that he used two bowling balls in the first five frames before switching to a Columbia 300 Enigma in the sixth frame. “Nothing was working.”

Indeed. He missed a single pin spare in the first frame and spared in the second frame with a MOTIV Talon before leaving two splits (and failing to convert them) and then getting a spare with an Ebonite Disruption.

“When I switched to the Enigma, the whole lane opened up,” he said. “I just kept my hand behind the ball and I was able to use three different lines.”

Busmire said every ball from the sixth frame of game one to the end of game three was solid in the pocket except for the fourth frame of game two when he left the 3-6-10 on lane 8.

“I came too much off the side of the ball, almost over the top,” Busmire said of the errant shot. He did pick the spare, however, and went on to string 20 consecutive strikes.

Despite chronic knee problems (he wears a knee brace when he bowls, along with a hat and shorts), Busmire bowls in three leagues at Rose Garden and averages 203 on Tuesday, 195 on Wednesday and 190 on Thursday.

Busmire wasn’t the only high scorer last week as Chris Bardol of Rochester continued his super bowling in the G&W Vending League with a 299 game and 811 series – his third 800 set to go along with a pair of 300 games and the 299.

Other recent honor scores:

-- Scott Budde of Albion registered his first 300 game, capping a 716 series, on April 2 during the New York State Elks 70th Annual Bowling Tournament at Boulevard Bowl in Schenectady.

His perfect game came on the first weekend of the tournament, which runs for five weekends at Town & Country Lanes in Guilderland (Team event) and at Boulevard Bowl (Doubles & Singles).

Budde, who turned 53 last month, started with 202 and 214 before burying all 12 balls in the 1-3 pocket for the 300.

A sales rep for Kaman Automation in Tonawanda, Budde said he was more nervous after the game was over than during it.

“I didn’t know what do to after it was over,” he said.

Budde used a new Roto-Grip Daredevil bowling ball to eclipse his previous high game – what he termed a “wacky” 284 in the early 1990’s.  He took about 18 years off from bowling before starting up again a couple years ago.

His 300—716 came during the Doubles event where he and his partner, Dan Ward, posted 1,470 with handicap (1,260 scratch) to top the standings.

-- Danny Hunt of Geneseo posted a 300 game at Livingston Lanes in his hometown on April 9 in the Sunday Evening Mixed League.

MOTHER, DAUGHTER DUO WINS GRUSBC TOURNAMENT DOUBLES

Perry residents Joann Van Duser and daughter, Rachel, combined for a 1,306 score with handicap on the final day of competition to claim the Women’s Doubles title at the Genesee Region USBC Association Tournament.

Joann (143 average) rolled 431 scratch while Rachel (176 average) posted 603 scratch to edge another mother-daughter team in Laurie Cole and Virginia Metzger of Albion (1,278). Ironically, both teams were bowling on the same pair of lanes during the tournament’s last squad.

While the number of entries continues to lag, there were more bowlers than last year. In the Open Team event at Letchworth Pines in Portageville, entries rose from 16 to 20, and in the Women's Team event, entries increased from five to 10. Also, in Open Doubles, (Doubles & Singles took place at Perry Bowling Center) entries jumped from 32 in 2016 to 51 this year.

According to GRUSBC President Tom Fluker, a committee of GRUSBC directors and selected bowlers will be put together to evaluate the tournament and to implement changes next year in an effort to increase participation.

Unofficial champions:

Open Team -- McClurg Five, Perry Bowling Center, 3,755. Members are Tracy Werner, Steve Werner, Wes McClurg, Beth Ann Kaczmarek and Dave Kaczmarek.

Women's Team – King Brothers, Bennington Lanes, 2,572. Members are Debbie Huber, Carley King, Angela Zymowski and Mary Meyer.

Open Doubles -- Casey Palmer Sr. and Casey Palmer Jr., 1,623.

Women's Doubles -- Joann Van Duser and Rachel Van Duser, 1,306.

Open Singles -- Al Vlietstra, 860.

Women's Singles -- Caroline Appleby, 664.

Open All-Events -- Casey Palmer Jr., 2,358.

Women's All-Events -- Patricia Gilbertson, 1,913.

EAST TOPS WEST IN 3RD ANNUAL SENIOR CUP MATCH IN OAKFIELD

The Genesee Region USBC East (Wyoming and Livingston counties) defeated the GRUSBC West (Genesee and Orleans counties), 45-43, in the third annual Senior Cup match at Scopano’s Lanes in Oakfield on Saturday (April 8).

Competition in the 50-and-over event took place in Doubles, Singles and Baker Team. The teams tied after the Doubles, and the East led by two points after Singles. The teams split the 18 points awarded during the Baker Team match, enabling the East squad to break a 1-1 tie in the series.

Bob Santini led the way for the East by winning all three of his matches, posting 290—732 in Singles. Team captain Kevin Gray Sr. also won his three matches while Brenda Komenda averaged 220, second only to Santini’s 234.

Other East members were John LaGeorge, Jerry Davis, Al Vlietstra, Mark Comstock, Eric Galton, Brett Van Duser and Don Parrott.

For the West, Roger Stone and Bruce Kraus each averaged 217.

Other East members were captain Paul Spiotta, Scott Gibson, Scott Shields, Joe Mortellaro, Gregg Wolff, Bob Hodgson, Jerry Currier and Joe Trigilio.

GRUSBC BANQUET & HALL OF FAME DINNER IS MAY 13TH

The GRUSBC Association Banquet & Hall of Fame Dinner is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. on May 13 at Batavia Downs Gaming on Park Road.

Tournament champions, scholarship winners and Hall of Fame inductee Robert Foss Jr., who is being enshrined posthumously, will be honored.

Tickets are $25, with GRUSBC directors, league secretaries and Hall of Famers receiving a 50 percent discount. Reservations can be made through May 1 by sending an email to mikep@bowlgr.com.

No reservations will be taken after May 1 and no one will be allowed to “walk in” on May 13. The banquet is open to all GRUSBC members.

The final Pin Points column for the 2016-17 season is scheduled to appear on The Batavian on April 27.

Bardol, Busmire star in league action at Rose Garden Bowl in Bergen

By Mike Pettinella

Chris Bardol tacked on another 800 series (811) while Harris Busmire struck on 30 of his last 31 deliveries for 277-300--791 in G&W Vending League play last week at Rose Garden Bowl in Bergen.

For a list of high scores from the week of April 4, click on the Pin Points tab at the top of this page.

Fans of Mike Pettinella's Pin Points column can read his article a day early this week as it will appear on Wednesday, exclusively on The Batavian, the area's No. 1 source for online news.

Registration open for second annual Cougar Classic Golf Tournament to fund GCC student scholarships

By Billie Owens

Press release:

The 2017 Cougar Classic Golf Tournament is just a few months away and registration is now open for the second annual event scheduled for Monday, July 24, which will once again take place at the prestigious Stafford Country Club, 8873 Morganville Road, (Route 237) Stafford. With 88 golfers, 22 teams, 60 sponsors and tons of fun the inaugural event in 2016 raised approximately $25,000 for student scholarships!

The registration deadline is June 16, so don't wait until the last minute!

"We're looking forward to building on last year's success," Jerry Reinhart, who is returning as chair of the Cougar Classic Golf Tournament. Reinhart is member of GCC's Class of 1971, founder of Access Rentals and president of Reinhart Enterprises Inc.

"Although we saw a few raindrops last year, we're anticipating another day of quality golfing among friends and colleagues, and all for a great cause," Reinhart said. "As an alumnus myself, I can attest to the value a GCC degree and the important contribution the College makes to our community overall."

Up to 36 foursomes will once again take part in the 18-hole event, which tees off in "shotgun" style at 12:30 p.m. New this year will be a bocce tournament, welcoming more than just golfers to join the fun. Registration will begin at 11:30 a.m. with a light lunch available. Beginning at 5:30 p.m., participants are invited to attend dinner in the club house where a silent auction and prize drawings will conclude the event. Games including Skins, Beat the Pro, Longest Drive (Men's and Women's), Closest to the Pin and a Putting Contest add excitement to the day and gives everyone a chance to walk away with one of a number of prizes.

Sponsorships of all kinds are currently being sought to support the event and student scholarships. The sponsorship levels are: Platinum $3,000; Diamond/Dinner $2,000; Gold/Lunch $1,500; Silver/Beverage Cart Sponsor/$1,000; Titanium/Tee $500; and Bronze/Hole $100. In-kind support, golf games, and clever or creative sponsorships are also appreciated. The first gracious sponsor is the John W. Danforth Company, which pledged at the $1,000 Silver Level.

The cost per foursome is $500, or $125 per individual golfer. The cost to participate in the Bocce Tournament is $200 per team of four or $60 per individual player. For anyone interested in attending the event and supporting local students but cannot make the golf tournament, the dinner-only option is only $20 per person.

To receive a Cougar Classic printed invitation, participate as a golfer, bocce competitor, sponsor, volunteer or dinner guest, please contact Jennifer Zambito at (585) 343-0055, ext. 6265 or email the alumni office at alumni@genesee.edu. For further information, including golf and sponsorship registration and event updates, check out the Cougar Classic website at www.genesee.edu/home/offices/alumni/cougar-classic/.

Wrestling and track teams recognized by school board for Section V titles

By Howard B. Owens

The Batavia High School wrestling team, and boys and girls track teams, were honored by the City School District board on Tuesday night with proclamations for their 2016-17 Section V titles.

The wrestling team: Joseph Allegue, Richard Lamkin, Lazavia Price, Bohdan Andriychuk, John Folger, Eric Gimlin, Zeshan Armstrong, Jeffrey Cherry, Ryan Kuhn, Gavin Schmidt, Dylan Zurek and Kaden Marucci, and coaches – Richard Stewart, Kenneth Darch and Thomas Garlock.

Boys track: Campbell Andersen, Samuel Bartz, Ryan Bieniek, Isaiah Ciociola, Freddie Cunningham, Trey Kemp, Jerry Reinhart, Ian SanFratello, Chandler Baker, Andrew Cunningham, Eric Davis Jr., Damian Escobar, Marques Hargrave, Ryan Kabel, Nathan Loria, Luke Maltese, Nichalas Neid, Anthony Ray, Tyler Stewart, Julio Vazquez, Valentino Zinni, Matthew Adams, Cameron Austin, John Bruggman, Evan Bartz, Taiyo Iburi-Bethel, Zakariah Jantzi, David Pillo, Jaheim Smith, Jaydon Barber, Brock Every, Garrick Havens, Daemon Konieczny, Mario Rosales, Nate Crane (Letchworth CSD), Job Smith (Alexander CSD), and Kyle VanSlyke (Letchworth), and coaches – Nick Burk, William McMullen, Richard Boyce, William Buckenmeyer, Andrew Cowan, Daniel Geiger, Aaron Sherman and John Williams.

Girls track: Natalie Bigelow, Edmarie Calderon-Torres, Margaret Cecere, Samantha Cohen, Lindsie Cook, Alexis DeLong, Taler Fonda, Aja LeCointe-Wilkinson, Madison Moore, Katherine Wiseley, Rachel Denise, Kiaya Franklin, Tanner Kolb, Madison Murray, Alexis Stork, Paige Wasilewski, Claire Zickl, Brianna Bromley, Emily Caccamise, Elisabeth Cohen, Hannah Finkney, Regan Henrici, Sarah Adams, Juliana Branche, Arianna Brown, Camryn Buck, Sydney DellaPenna, Brianna Gutman, Madeline Taggart, Jadin Vasciannie and Kaitlin Ange, and Coaches – Nick Burk, William McMullen, Richard Boyce, William Buckenmeyer, Andrew Cowan, Daniel Geiger, Aaron Sherman and John Williams.

Photos: Top, wrestlers Joe Allegue and Jack Folger with school Board President Pat Burk and Coach Rick Steward; and girls track members Katherine Wiseley and Madison Murray with Burk and Coach Nick Burk.

Muckdogs announce participation in scholarship fund

By Howard B. Owens

Press release:

The Class-A Short-Season New York-Penn League and its member clubs are proud to announce that the league's philanthropic arm, the NYPL Charitable Foundation, will once again award more than $10,000 in scholarships this summer to deserving high school graduates from the league's 14 markets.

Now in its ninth year, the 2017 NYPL Scholarship Contest is open to any graduating senior from a public or private high school within the league's footprint. Any student who has been accepted at a two- or four-year college or university, vocational school, or technical education institution is eligible.

Applicants will be judged based on academic performance, volunteer and extracurricular activities, and the impact their local NYPL club and Minor League Baseball have had on their lives.

The scholarship contest will consist of two stages -- a local round and a league round. In the local stage, students will apply directly to their local NYPL team, with one applicant chosen by each of the 14 teams to advance to the league/final round. The 14 finalists will then be judged by league representatives. Three applicants will be selected to receive the top prize of a $2,500 scholarship. All other finalists will receive a $250 book award.

“The New York-Penn League Charitable Foundation and our 14 member clubs are pleased to have the opportunity to assist outstanding high school seniors within our league’s footprint for the ninth consecutive season,” said Ben J. Hayes, president of the New York-Penn League.

“This program will again recognize those seniors who not only meet and exceed traditional scholarship criteria, but demonstrate the positive community impact and lifelong memories fostered by their local NYPL clubs throughout the year.”

High school seniors interested in entering the 2017 Scholarship Contest can obtain the official application from their local NYPL club, or by visiting the league's official website, NewYork-PennLeague.com.

The deadline to submit applications to the nearest NYPL team is June 5. Each club's winner, including the three $2,500 scholarship recipients, will be selected in mid-July.

The New York-Penn League and its 14 member clubs created the New York-Penn League Charitable Foundation, a 501(c) (3) charitable organization, in 2003. The mission of the Foundation is to provide focus and support for the collective and individual charitable and community efforts of the New York-Penn League, its Clubs, and their staff.

Perry team, Vlietstra, Palmer duo top list after week one of Genesee Region USBC Tournament

By Mike Pettinella

Update, March 31 -- The Sunday Team squads at the Genesee Region USBC Tournament have been cancelled due to a lack of entries. Team openings exist at 7 tonight or at 11 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. on Saturday (April 1).

I can’t tell you how many times I have heard so-called “handicap” bowlers say they can’t compete against “those scratch bowlers” when it comes to participating in the annual local association tournament.

Unfortunately, that perception exists despite the fact that the local association tournament – in our case the Genesee Region USBC – is set up with a handicap format to give bowlers of all skill levels a fair chance at succeeding.

Results from the first of two weekends of the 2017 tournament at Letchworth Pines in Portageville (Team event) and Perry Bowling Center (Doubles & Singles events) are, once again, proof that this perception is not reality.

-- In the Open Team division, McClurg Five out of Perry Bowling Center featuring bowlers with averages ranging from 119 to 194 posted 2,573 scratch – nearly 300 pins better than its team average – en route to a 3,755 score with handicap to move into first place.

Team members are Tracy and Steve Werner, Dave and Bethann Kaczmarek, and Wes McClurg.

-- In the Open Doubles division, Casey Palmer Jr. and Casey Palmer Sr., league bowlers in Batavia and Albion, combined for 1,623 with handicap to take the lead. Palmer Jr., a 178 average bowler, posted 706 scratch, and his dad (182 average) added 593 scratch.

Palmer Jr. rolled 608 in Singles and is in position to surpass All-Events leader Steve Maher of Castile, who rolled 603 in Team, 643 in Doubles and 572 in Singles – all above his 176 average.

Maher’s 2,334 score with handicap is in first place, but Palmer Jr. is scheduled to compete in Team event this weekend and needs 687 with handicap to move past the Castile resident.

-- In Open Singles, 68-year-old Al Vlietstra of Geneseo (200 average) is in first place after rolling 258-225-269—752 for an 860 with handicap score.

Four others broke the 800 mark with handicap – Steve Krna of Batavia, 834 (718 scratch); Gary Roberts of Medina, 821 (635 scratch); Dan Dixon of Attica, 803, (685 scratch), and Dean Cadieux Sr. of Byron, 802 (662 scratch).

-- In Women’s Singles, Deborah Say of Attica rolled 461 scratch – slightly higher than her 139 average – to take the lead with a handicap score of 652.

Other leaders after the opening weekend are as follows:

-- Women’s Team – Huber Farms, Bennington Lanes, 2,572.
-- Women’s Doubles – Deborah Say and Rachel Tibold of Marilla, 1,231.
-- Women’s All-Events – Cathi Fournier of Dansville, 1,863.

Complete standings can be found on the GRUSBC website – www.bowlgr.com.

The tournament resumes Friday night with Team and D/S squads at 7 p.m.  On Saturday, Team squads are at 11 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. and D/S squads are at 11:30 a.m. and 3 p.m. On Sunday, both Team and D/S squads are scheduled for 11:30 a.m. and 3 p.m.

Open division teams consist of five bowlers (all men, all women or any combination) while Women’s division bowlers consist of four women.

Openings exist on all squads.  Entry forms can be downloaded from the GRUSBC website.

SPIOTTA REACHES MILESTONE AT USBC OPEN CHAMPIONSHIPS

Longtime Batavia bowler Paul Spiotta hit a milestone worthy of celebration last week when he competed in the USBC Open Championships at South Point Bowling Plaza in Las Vegas, Nev.

The 59-year-old right-hander took part in his 25th national tournament and received a plaque for his accomplishment.  And he bowled fairly well with a 1,684 All-Events score (187 average) on the extremely challenging Open Championships oil pattern.

He was part of the Joe’s Awards & Trophies team, which also included Todd Mortellaro, Joe Trigilio, Joe Mortellaro and Gregg Wolff.

They flew to Vegas with a companion team, Striking Effects Pro Shop, which consisted of Jim Pursel, Brian Green, Matt Balduf, Mark Brown and Geoff Harloff.

Green posted 645 in Doubles, combining with Brown for an 1,168 total, while Pursel had 641 in Team and 625 in Singles en route to a 1,766 All-Events score.

Trigilio and Joe Mortellaro are closing in on milestones, as well. By competing at next year’s tournament in Syracuse, Trigilio will have 25 years and Joe Mort will move within a single year of 50 years at the national event.

SPARE SHOTS: BIALUSKI, TRIGILIO CLAIM TOURNEY TITLES

Norm Bialuski of Rochester rolled a 239 game in the final round to capture the $1,100 first prize at the T.F. Brown’s Scratch Eliminator Tournament on March 18 at Mancuso Bowling Center in Batavia.

The 47-year-old right-hander, a frequent competitor in Genesee County events, defeated Mike Rose of Rochester (236), Dana Voytovich of Cheektowaga (181) and Kristina Szczerbinski of North Tonawanda (176) in title match.

Rose earned $550, Voytovich $400 and Szczerbinski $300.

Joe Trigilio of Attica was the lone local qualifier and he finished in ninth place for $160.

This past weekend, Trigilio notched his second 60-and-Over Bowlers Club tourney title this season by topping 40 other bowlers at Rose Garden Bowl in Bergen.

Trigilio posted 244 to defeat Steve Nowicki of Rochester (205) and Bob Oster of Hilton (203) in the three-person finals. 

In the three-game qualifying round, Trigilio placed fifth with 704 and Bob Hodgson of Medina also advanced with 655. Trigilio then rolled 213 and 206 in the next two rounds to reach the finals

In youth league action on March 11th at Medina Lanes, 14-year-old Morgan Allis rolled a 277 game, registering nine consecutive strikes after an opening spare.  She is the daughter of Scott and Peggy Allis.

BYRON YOUTH QUALIFIES FOR STATE TOURNAMENT FINALS

Megan Jarkiewicz, a third-grader at Byron-Bergen Elementary School and junior bowler at Rose Garden Bowl, placed first in the girls’ handicap grades 4 and under division last month at the NYS Youth Scholarship Region 2 Tournament at AMF Empire Lanes in Rochester.

Megan entered with an 83 average but came through with games of 117, 106 and 134 for a 357 three-game series to take top honors in her division with a 726 score with handicap.

The daughter of Frank and Sarah Jarkiewicz of Byron now moves on to the state finals on April 29 at Kingston Lanes in Kingston, where she will compete for a scholarship.

BATAVIA STRIKE FORCE PLACES FIRST IN YOUTH TRAVEL LEAGUE

The Batavia Strike Force team won the final game to hold off Scopano’s I and finish in first place in the Genesee Region Youth Travel League this season.

Scopano’s won the match, 12-7, but fell six points short in its bid to overtake the Batavia team, which lists Corinne Saluste, Jordan Fluker, Skylar Laesser and James Townsend as its regular bowlers.

Regulars on the Scopano’s team are Mason Cadieux, Austin Kotarski, Collin Scheiber and Trevor O’Dell.

The league’s no-tap tournament and awards banquet are set for this Sunday, beginning at 12:45 p.m., at Mancuso Bowling Center.

300 GAMES RECORDED AT LIVINGSTON LANES, ROSE GARDEN BOWL

Congratulations are in order to Doug Johnston of Livonia and Mark Mothersell of Rochester on their 300 games at Livingston Lanes in Geneseo and Rose Garden Bowl in Bergen, respectively.

Johnston rolled his on March 22 in the Wednesday Night 7 P.M. League and Mothersell posted his two nights ago (March 28) in a 710 series in the G&W Vending League. 

(Mike Pettinella’s Pin Points column appears every other Thursday on The Batavian, the region’s No. 1 source for online news. To advertise on this page, contact Mike at mikepett2002@yahoo.com or at 585-343-3736).

Le Roy fighter wins title during MMA event in Batavia

By Howard B. Owens

Ground Force Fights hosted its second mixed martial arts tournament at Quality Inn & Suites on Saturday night.

Here are the results of the fights:

  • Jeremy Stopa vs. Dave Scerbo -- submission grappling match -- draw at the end of 10-minute match
  • Jim Perl defeated John Gearhart round one, submission due to strikes
  • Nolan Brant defeated Mike Taylor, :57 round one, TKO/ref stoppage
  • Eric Bonner defeated Shawn Henderson, round two, referee stoppage due to strikes
  • Ben Horton defeated Jesse Neal, round two, TKO/ref stoppage
  • DaJuan Robinson defeated Sequoyah Sethi, round one TKO
  • Matt Norstrand defeated Pete Flanagan, ref stoppage -- guillotine choke
  • Matvei Skvortsov defeated Corey Lauth, round one, ref stoppage -- guillotine choke
  • Jillian Decoursey defeated Emme Weber by unanimous decision
Top photo: Cory Lauth, of Pembroke, throws a kick during his match vs. Matvei Skvortsov.

Photos by Richie Casado.

Pete Flanagan, of Batavia, throws a punch during his match against Matt Norstrand.

Emme Weber vs. Jillian Decoursey.

Matt Norstrand, of Le Roy, won the title at 185 pounds.

Notre Dame considering adding boys lacrosse, girls ice hockey to school's athletics

By Howard B. Owens

Press release:

On Wednesday, March 29th, Notre Dame High School will hold informational meetings to gauge community interest as they consider the addition of Boys Lacrosse and Girls Ice Hockey to their sports offerings.  

The Girls Ice Hockey meeting will be held at 6 p.m. followed by the Boys Lacrosse meeting at 7 p.m. 

Contact Mike Rapone or Wade Bianco at 343-2783 more information.

Stars beat Sabres in Men's Hockey League title game

By Howard B. Owens

Kelly's Holland Inn Stars beat the Bud Lite Sabres by a score of 3-1, scoring two quick goals about midway through the third period to seal the deal, in the Men's Hockey League Championship at Falleti Ice Arena this morning.

NOTE: The host for my photo site is having difficulty so the link below and the slideshow are not working right now, but I'm including the link and slideshow code so that as soon as service is restored, everything will be available.

To purchase prints, click here.

Coach dedicated to the youth of Batavia passes at age 54

By Howard B. Owens

James “Beef” Soggs, who coached youth sports pretty much year around -- football, basketball, baseball -- for two decades passed away yesterday at age 54.

He will be missed.

"He was always upbeat and very positive," said Buddy Brasky, who coached with him and against him in baseball, and worked with him as one of the coaches in his youth basketball program. "He never looked at anything in a negative way, which is why the kids loved him. He had a special way of making the kids feel good about themselves. He made them feel like a million dollars. Kids loved playing for him."

Dave Hall, who coached Little League with Soggs for 18 years, said he's never known a coach more dedicated to the kids. He said they talked daily, sometimes three or four times a day, about baseball or particular young athletes. Soggs always had the best interest of the kids at heart.

He got down to their level and communicated with them in a way they got, Hall said.

"He just had a way with the kids," Hall said. "He knew what to say. He knew when to put his foot down. He knew when to put an arm around a kid and give him a hug and show them a little love.

To meet Beef was to make a new friend. He always had a smile and a positive word.

"He was just a good-hearted guy," Brasky said. "You won't find anybody who has a bad thing to say about him. He just made you feel good when you were around him."

Rick Mancuso said the thing he admired about Soggs was he was into youth sports for all the right reasons.

"Beef was in it for the kids and you can't always say that about every coach these days," Mancuso said. "He always did the right things in the right way."

He said Soggs contributions to the community went beyond sports and went beyond Batavia.

"He did a lot for the community and for a lot of different people and the kids are better for it," he said.

Hall said he will miss his good friend. He already does. But he also said the community will miss him.  

Soggs, he said, had plans to coach in the minors this year so he could coach his grandson.

"He was looking forward to that," Hall said. "That's the sad part. He will miss that opportunity."

Notre Dame hockey players and coach selected for Scotty Bowman Cup

By Howard B. Owens

Press release:

Notre Dame High School is proud to announce that three members of its hockey team as well as Coach Marc Staley have been selected to participate in the prestigious Scotty Bowman Cup to be held on Wednesday, March 22nd at KeyBank Center.

Cameron Clark and Ryan Webster have been selected to play on the Rochester Senior Team and Ethan Conrad has been selected to play on the Rochester Junior Team. Coach Staley has been selected as the Rochester Senior Team Coach.

The Scotty Bowman Cup is hosted by the Buffalo Sabres and honors the best high school aged hockey players across Buffalo and Rochester. Three games will be held that evening beginning at 5 p.m. Admission for the event is $5 per person.

Congratulations Cameron, Ryan, Ethan and Coach Staley! We are proud of your accomplishments and can’t wait to cheer you on!

King & Queen victory 'a shock' to Batavia couple; GRUSBC Association Tournament starts on March 24

By Mike Pettinella

A victory for the “little guy (and gal).”

This year’s T.F. Brown’s Restaurant King & Queen mixed doubles handicap tournament proved to be just that as Marshall and Megan Trykowski Faron chopped down a few “Goliaths” on their way to capturing

the $500 first prize last Saturday at Mancuso Bowling Center in Batavia.

“It is definitely a shock, especially since we went into the tournament thinking it was a no-tap (where nine pins counts as a strike),” Marshall said. “This is only our second tournament, and we just picked up the league on Thursday nights this season.”

Both are new members of the North Pole Restaurant/Family Affair Boat Repair League on Thursdays at Mancuso’s, where Marshall has a 150 average and Megan has a 124 average.

At the King & Queen event, the Batavia couple bowled slightly better than their averages – qualifying 14th out of the 59 entrants to advance to match play and then winning four one-game head-to-head matches to take the title.

“We tried to keep it fun,” Marshall said, adding that it was nerve-racking as well. “We’re built for three games, and here we were in game (number) seven.”

The Farons received 116 pins per game handicap and needed just about all of those pins in two of their matches – a 462-459 victory over scratch bowlers Michelle Sterner of Niagara Falls and Roger Thaine of Rochester, and a 391-389 win over scratch bowlers Tracy Spanitz of Rochester and Mark Brown of Attica.

The victory over Spanitz and Brown propelled the Farons into the finals, where Megan rolled 134 and Marshall 169 in a 419-365 triumph against Batavians Kathy Stearns and Rob Stefani.

Marshall, an Akron native, recently started his own business, C.J.’s Heating & Cooling, which he named after his 3-year-old son, Colton James. The couple is expecting their second child in nine weeks – a son who they will name Connor Joseph in keeping with the C.J.’s theme.

Megan, who has family in Batavia and Darien, starts a new job next week as a Licensed Practical Nurse at the VA Medical Center.

Stearns and Stefani earned $300 for placing second while Spanitz/Brown and Stephanie Alexander of Canandaigua and Scott Culp of Lima each won $200 for reaching the semis.

Other cashers were as follows:

Quarterfinalists, $130 each -- Andrea Pizzo of Rochester and Rob Sease of Brockport, Frank Jarkiewicz of Byron and Laurie Morgante of Bergen, Jeanette Sease of Brockport and Mike Lavender of Medina, and Sandy Restieri and Norm Bialuski of Rochester.

First round, $100 each – Chase Cone of Bergen and Jen Merle of Batavia, Sterner and Thaine, Penny Brown of Attica and Rich Culver of Medina, Rich and Jen Wagner of Batavia, Scott and Christine Shields of Batavia, Joanna and Jerry Menzie Jr. of Bergen, Dana and Christopher Charvella of Batavia, and Kelly and Shayne Herold of Batavia.

Spanitz and Brown were the high qualifiers with 1,382 for three games. Rob Sease had the tournament’s high game (290), while Culver (751) and Spanitz (744) posted the high three-game series.

HACKETT, GILMAN HIT 300 MARK FOR FIRST TIME

Mike Hackett said he is optimistic about his bowling future now that he has made a successful switch to a two-handed delivery.

The 27-year-old Pavilion resident rolled his first 300 game on March 7 on lanes 3-4 in the Industrial B League at Legion Lanes in Le Roy while filling in for a regular league member.

“I’ve gone from a 155 average to a 193 average in a year and a half since I went to two hands, and I plan to take the game more seriously,” said Hackett, a PRC tank processor at Pcore Electric Co. Inc. in Le Roy. 

A league bowler for three years, Hackett said he got a couple breaks on the first two balls in the 10th frame – a light hit that collapsed the pocket and then a late-falling 10-pin – before putting the ball squarely into the 1-3 pocket for the 300.

“I was really nervous, but the last ball put them all in the back of the pit,” he said. “After that, my nerves were crazy.”

The pins didn’t cooperate as well after the perfect game as Hackett ended with a 632 series, but he wasn’t too upset.

“I finally got the 300,” he said, eclipsing his previous high of 289, which he said he reached six or seven times.

A regular in two leagues in Le Roy last season, he suffered a broken arm while playing softball last summer and is subbing at Legion Lanes and at Gates Bowl in Rochester this season.

At Oak Orchard Bowl in his hometown of Albion, Greg Gilman said he stayed with the new Loch Ness Monster bowling ball to spin his first 300 game in the Saturday Mixed League on March 11.’

“It’s been 57 years in the coming,” said Gilman, referring to his age. “I just got the ball a couple weeks ago, but I hadn’t bowled too well with it as I was getting used to the way it hooked.”

The ball is the first offering from Monster Bowling, a company co-founded by Rochester pro shop owner Brad Buckert.

Gilman, a right-hander, registered 189 and 205 before zeroing in on the second arrow to finish with the 300 and a 694 series.

“As long as I stayed smooth, it read the lane and hooked into the pocket,” he said. “I got a couple of light mixers where it took out the 7-10, but they all were right there.”

A 190-plus average bowler, Gilman’s previous high game was 289. A recent New York State retiree, he also bowls on Monday and Thursday nights in Albion.

Three other perfect games were reported last week:

-- Rob Sease of Brockport posted 300—741 on March 7 while subbing in the G&W Vending League at Rose Garden Bowl in Bergen.

-- Chris Bardol of Rochester, a frequent flyer in this column, popped another 300 en route to a 687 series in the North Pole/Family Affair Boat Repair League at Mancuso’s on March 9.

-- Rob Dennis of Medina fired 228-222-300—750 in the Thursday Firefighters League at Medina Lanes on March 9.

Honorable mention: Jason Quilliam of Batavia, 290, in the North Pole/Family Affair League and Paul Baney of Holley, 296, in the Sneezy’s Monday Night League at Oak Orchard Bowl.

GRUSBC ASSOCIATION TOURNAMENT BEGINS MARCH 24

Letchworth Pines in Portageville and Perry Bowling Center are hosting the 11th annual Genesee Region USBC Association Tournament, a team, doubles, singles and all-events competition scheduled for March 24-26 and March 31-April 2.

The team event will take place at Letchworth Pines and doubles and singles events will be contested at Perry Bowling Center.

In the Open Division, teams consist of five bowlers; in the Women’s Division, teams are made up of four bowlers.

For more information and to download an entry form, go to www.bowlgr.com.

Information about other tournaments this month can be found by scrolling down this page to the March 2 Pin Points column.

BOWLERS TURN OUT TO SUPPORT PERRY FD

Forty-one teams supported the Perry Fire Department’s “Sonny Yencer” three-person handicap no-tap tournament fundraiser last weekend.

The team of Shawn Illerbrun of Warsaw and Marie and Richard Stone of Perry placed first with a 2,420 total to take home the $440 top prize.

They were followed by Ed Doody of Pavilion, Brian Wetmore of Perry and Joe Rosowski of Warsaw, 2,413, $210; Brett Van Duser of Perry, Marty Weaver of Castile and Jamie Schery of Pike, 2,411, $120; and the Perry trio of Rachel Van Duser, John Huntz and Chris Huntz, 2,372, $90.

At Mount Morris Lanes, the Motley Crew team captained by Dave DiSalvo won the Bob Bertram Memorial five-person no-tap tournament’s first prize of $1,000.

A team captained by Tom Sweeney placed second, good for $500.

DiSalvo also won the singles tournament with 878 – earning another $200.

More than $1,200 was generated for both Livingston County Hospice and Teresa House by the event’s 40 teams.

BATAVIA, PERRY BOWLERS CAPTURE YOUTH TEAM TITLES

Bowlers from Mancuso Bowling Center and Perry Bowling Center combined forces to take first place in Division A of the Genesee Region USBC Youth Team Tournament on March 4-5 at Rose Garden Bowl in Bergen.

The Thrown Together squad of Brooke Jurek, Emma Miller, Tony Sprague and Matt Hurlburt posted a 2,555 score with handicap to edge Scopano's Scrappers team by eight pins and capture the top prize of $100 scholarships each.

In Division C (there was no Division B), scholarships went to the Mancuso's team of Lily Martin, Jonah Martin, Noah Martin and Zach Wester with 2,440.

The Genesee Region Youth Travel League concludes its season this Sunday afternoon at Mancuso Bowling Center. Batavia Strike Force holds an 11-point lead with 19 points up for grabs as it takes on second-place Scopano’s Lanes No. 1.

CONDOLENCES TO ORLEANS COUNTY BOWLING FAMILIES

Thoughts and prayers go out to the Allis family from the Medina area and the Ecker family of Albion on the passing of their loved ones – Sydney Allis and Bill Ecker.

Syd was the patriarch of a multi-generational and extremely skilled bowling family that lists around 20 USBC-certified adult and youth members. He passed away on March 12 at the age of 92.

Bill, who died suddenly on March 9 at the age of 55, leaves behind his wife, Kay, and sons, Cameron and Dallas, all avid bowlers at Oak Orchard Bowl.

(Mike Pettinella’s Pin Points column appears every other Thursday on The Batavian, the region’s No. 1 source for online news. To advertise on this page, contact Mike at mikepett2002@yahoo.com or at 585-343-3736).

Notre Dame's season comes to an end with lost in Far West Regionals

By Howard B. Owens

Too many missed shots and too many turnovers made it hard for Notre Dame to keep up with Panama yesterday at Buffalo State College in the Far West Regional championship for Class D girls basketball.

Notre Dame lost 49-40.

Callie McCulley scored 13 points, Margaret Sutherland, eight; Morgan Rhodes and Natalie Thornton had six each.

Elba misses chance to advance to regional championship round

By Howard B. Owens

Elba had plenty of chances to beat C.J. Finney in the Section V Class D consolidation game. They had second and third and fourth chances -- the kind of chances you get by snagging offensive rebounds and putting them back for baskets.

But in the third and fourth quarters, those balls weren't rolling in.

"We stressed crashing the offensive rebounds," said Head Coach Ciaci Zambito. "We felt we would have an advantage on the glass tonight. The first half, we capitalized on some those and in the second half, we didn't. That's just how the game is. The ball didn't roll our way and that's the unfortunate part of the story of the night."

Putting in more of those shots would have helped the Lancers overcome the sharpshooting of Finney's guards, who netted 13 three-point shots helping Finney advance to the Far West Regional Championship with a 52-48 win.

Max Harris hit six three-pointers for Finney and Dylan Occur hit four, all in the first quarter.

All those swishes put Elba in a mood to try a little outside shooting to start the second half and that got them in a little trouble.

"We haven't been a great shooting team all year," Zambito said. "Our thing is we need to attack the basket. Sometimes when other teams do things well you try to match them. They shot the ball well tonight and we tried to match them doing that and we came up short."

Finney's guards can also handle the ball well, so the Lancer's attempt to trap and press wasn't as effective as Zambito would have liked, so Elba dropped back into a half-court offense.

"They're just such good shooters," Zambito said. "There isn't much you could do about that."

Zambito praised his seniors, who came up in a program that a few years ago only got five or six wins, but starting last year, when Zambito became coach, they bought into the new scheme of things and worked hard to come together as a team and help Elba get its first Section V title in boys basketball since 2005.

"To end their career with a sectional championship just goes to show you how hard they've worked," Zambito said. "It's incredible."

For Elba, Tucker Bezon scored 20 points. He hit three threes. Shane O'Hallaran scored 10. Jon Boyce scored nine.

Notre Dame beats rival Elba to advance to Far West Regional championship

By Howard B. Owens

Whether through fatigue, Notre Dame's defense or just that's the way the ball bounces, a dearth of scoring in the fourth quarter last night cost the Elba Lady Lancers a chance to advance to the regional championship round of post-season basketball.

The Lady Irish prevailed in the Class D consolidation game between the two Section V champions. The final, 44-31.

Elba had a first half lead after scoring 15 points in the second quarter, going into the locker rooms up 19-18, were down by only two points, but a four-point fourth quarter for Elba enabled Notre Dame to pull away and secure the win.

Head Coach Tom Redband said his girls struggled with free throws and layups in the second half and fell out of rhythm.

"I don’t think it was adjustments they made," Redband said. "We just missed free throws and some layups that normally we make and that’s basketball. Sometimes they fall, some times they don’t. It just kind of caught up to us."

Tom McCulley, head coach of Notre Dame, said he thought Elba trying to guard a couple of his bigger players, such as Callie McCulley and Margaret Sutherland, took a toll on Elba.

"Eventually our size and strength just wore them down to where we could get the ball to where we wanted to and make our shots down the stretch," McCulley said.

He said he was exceptionally proud of his team.

"All season long I’ve been telling the girls, 'we just have to do what we do,' " McCulley said. "We are going to have nights where we can’t find the basket and nights where we’re a little sluggish but if we stay to who we are, we just don’t press and try to relax, these girls are good enough to where eventually it’s going to happen for them.

"That’s what you’ve seen in the second half of the season. We’ve figured out what works and doesn’t work and these girls are playing phenomenally well together and it’s nice to watch."

For Notre Dame, Sutherland scored 16 points, McCulley, 13, Morgan Rhodes, 9.

For Elba, Maddie Muehlig scored seven, as did Nicole Boldt. Tatum Draper scored six and Madison Howard scored five.

Notre Dame plays for the Far West Regional Championship in Class D at 3 p.m., Saturday, at Buffalo State.

Top three photos by Destin Danser. For more photos of the game and a chance to purchase game photos, click here. Bottom photo by Howard Owens.

Batavia's indoor track team members do well at state championships

By Howard B. Owens

Members of the Batavia Blue Devils indoor track team performed well at the NYS champions Saturday at the Ocean Breeze Athletic Complex in Staten Island.

Anthony Ray placed ninth in the shot put with an overall throw of 50' 10". In the weight throw, an event he holds the record in for Section V, he earned all-state honors by placing sixth in the NY Federation and fourth among state competitors with a throw of 62' 7". That is his second-best throw ever and led all WNY competitors. He will compete in the shot put and weight throw next weekend at the Indoor National Championships at the Armory in Manhattan.

The girls 4x400 relay team finished ninth with a time of 4:04.11, which broke an existing school record. They also qualified for nationals next week. The team is Claire Zickl, Regan Henrici, Brianna Bromley and Kiaya Franklin.

Nate Crane is a team of one for Letchworth, so he trained with Batavia this season. In the pole vault he placed sixth in the NY Federation and fourth among state competitors. He cleared 14' 6" and will also compete next week at nationals.

Photos and info submitted by Coach Nick Burk.

Elba Lancers win defensive match against Prattsburg to take Section V title

By Howard B. Owens

The Elba Lancers didn't dominate Prattsburg in the Section V Class D1 match at Alfred State yesterday, but there was never a time when it didn't seem like the squad was anything but in control of the game.

That comes from experience, said Ciaci Zambito, in his second year as head coach of Elba.

The Lancers started four seniors.

"They’ve played in a lot of big games," Zambito said. "They don’t get rattled by this kind of environment. Obviously, this is the biggest game they’ve ever played in up to this point, but it’s hard work. If you work hard and prepare yourself for moments like this, when you get to it it’s going to be a little bit easier."

Four seniors and a freshman, Collin O'Halloran, a point guard who scored 16 points, grabbed seven rebounds and had four assists and four steals to make him the most valuable player of the tournament.

The low score on both sides -- Elba won 50-38 -- really shows the game was really a defensive battle, Zambito said.

"When you hold a team that good to 38 that just speaks volumes to the effort and the defensive attitude that we have as a program," Zambito said.

The other top scorer for Elba was Tucker Bezon, who had 12 points to go with 13 rebounds. Shane O'Halloran had seven points and six rebounds, and Jon Boyce had seven points and seven rebounds. 

This is the fourth sectional title for Elba and the first since 2005, when Zambito was a junior on the team. That year both the boys and the the girls won Section V titles, a feat repeated this year.

Zambito said he wanted to acknowledge last year's seniors because they really helped make this year's championship possible, he said, by embracing a young coach and setting the example of hard work and leadership for the younger players.

"They kind of created the blueprint to our program and these guys just took it and put up the building, if that’s the way you want to look at it," Zambito said.

Next up for Elba, a Class D consolidation game to be played Wednesday. The time and location is not yet available.

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