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Notre Dame wins over Keshequa

By Eric Geitner

The Notre Dame Boys and Girls Cross Country Teams opened the regular season up on winning notes in beating Keshequa in a meet held at Avon High School.  Kevin Pawlak was the race winner in 17:39.  The Irish took the next four spots with Nate Flumerfeldt (18:23), Andrew Fischer (18:50), Nick Flumerfledt (19:38), and Luke Calla (19:57).  Jason Harasimowicz (20:37) and Matt Sausner (21:27) finished 9th and 10th respectively.  Conlan Edwards and Woody Clark (24:19) finished neck and neck with Conlan out-leaning Woody to take 12th and 13th in the race.  The final score was ND 15 and Keshequa 44.  The score of Cross Country is based on places so that the team with the low score wins.

The girl's had an easy day as the Keshequa girl's had an incomplete team.  The top four Irish ladies all finished within 15 seconds of each other.  Rachel Berggren was second in the race with a 24:30, with Bailee Welker in third (24:32), Meghan Zickl fourth (24.35) and Kristen Antolos fifth (24:45).  Teresa Jackson (30.19) placed 6th, Jenny Calarco (31:13) was 7th and Sydney Moag (41.28) placed 8th.

The Irish will be off this weekend and back in action on next Tuesday in Livonia.

Arm and a Leg does it again at Batavia

By Howard B. Owens

Press Release:

Batavia, NY --- It was a special night in Western New York as the Downs honored former leading driver Gaston Guindon, and a special horse, Arm and a Leg won the featured $8,000 Open Handicap.

With 2009 leading reinsman Kevin Cummings in the bike, Arm and a Leg notched his fourth Open win of the 2009 Summer-Fall meet in 1:55.3, for owners Mark Jakubik and John Cummings Sr.

Arm and a Leg ($3.70) fired out of the gate from his assigned outside post and put up all the numbers, including a :30.2 second quarter breather, enroute to a neck victory over a  fast closing Triple Bars with Jimmy Whisman, Sparky and Tom Agosti wound up third.

The victory was the 11th of the season for Arm and a Leg who raised his seasonal earnings to almost $70,000. The 6 year-old altered son of Nobleland Sam is trained by John Cummings Sr. 

I had a great evening “The Gasser,” Gaston Guindon said, “I can’t believe how many of my friends came out to see me.” The French-Canadian raced in Western New York for 29 years. “The memories I have of this track are incredible, I want to thank all the people I drove for especially Dennis Cummings, I think we won about 700 races together.”

America’s oldest lighted harness track is currently racing every Tuesday-Wednesday-Friday and Saturday nights, post time is 7:05p.m.

Todd Haight
Promotional Marketing Specialist
Batavia Downs Casino 

Photo of Arm and a Leg with driver Kevin Cummings holding off Triple Bars to win Downs feature. Courtesy of Paul White

ND Harriers open up in Plattsburgh Invite

By Eric Geitner

The Notre Dame Cross Country Team opened up in great fashion over the weekend at the Pre-State Invitational held at SUNY Plattsburgh.  The girls finished in a tie for 7th place, but lost the tie breaker to North Warren.  Rachel Berggren finished in 33rd place on a great kick to the finish.  Meghan Zickl set the pace for the Irish early on to hold on to a 36th place finish with 8th grader Bailee Welker just ahead in 34th.  Kristen Antolos was just behind to finish 45th and Teresa Jackson rounded out the Irish top five in taking 66th.

The boy’s team also ended up in a tie for 8th place and won on the tie-breaker over Lake George.  Kevin Pawlak led the Irish with a 20th place finish with Nate Flumerfeldt close behind in 23rd place.  Andrew Fischer fought hard to finish 42nd, Nick Flumerfeldt held on to finish 56th and Luke Calla 59th.  Jason Harasimowicz was the deciding factor in the meet for the Irish and won the tie breaker over the sixth runner of Lake George.  Matt Sausner rounded out the top seven with a 77th place finish.  In the JV race, Woody Clark was 46th and Conlan Edwards 50th. 

The Irish Cross Country Team opens open its regular season tomorrow in Avon against Keshequa.

Razor Sharp Fessup Fred Win Batavia Feature

By Howard B. Owens

Press Release:

Batavia, NY --- Lee Deyermand’s  Fessup Fred, a razor-sharp 7-year-old altered son of Super Freddie, made it three in a row winning Friday's (Sept. 11) featured $8,000 Open II Handicap Trot at Batavia Downs Casino.

With the summer-fall meet’s dash-leading driver Kevin Cummings in the sulky, Fessup Fred left enough from his rail post-position to string out A Work In Progress (Robert Verney) and a three-wide Jack Sparrow (Jim McNeight) as the field of seven clicked the first quarter beam in 28.2.

Moving up around the clubhouse turn on the payoff half and heading to three-quarters, Fessup Fred assumed command and trotted strongly to the wire for a 1-1/4 length score in 1:58.4.

Craiger with Jimmy Whisman closed from far back to be second while A Work In Progress finished third.
 
D J Millner is the conditioner of Fessup Fred ($5.20), who won for the sixth time season and raised his lifetime earnings to over $118,000.
Kevin Cummings was the driving star of the evening guiding home five winners. He also won with Shrewsbury Falcon, Midnight Jogger, Clay Hill King Pin and Educator. Jack Flanigen had three winners on the program while Ray Fisher had a double.
Racing resumes on Saturday night, post time is 7:05 p.m. The Downs will honor Gaston Guindon with a special night, he will be in track lobby from 6 until 7 p.m. to meet and greet his many friends and race fans. “The Gasser” was one of the leading drivers at the Genesee Country oval from 1969 until the early 90’s.

Todd Haight
Promotional Marketing Specialist
Batavia Downs Casino

Alexander tops struggling Pembroke 21-0

By Howard B. Owens

Alexander put the ball into the end zone three times in the first half to spark a 21-0 win over Pembroke.

For the second-straight week, Pembroke struggled to move the ball. The offense managed only two first downs in the second half.

The first Trojan's first score came on an 80-yard run by Jay Schafer. 

On the next drive, Schafer again carried the load, capping the effort with a 19-yard run.

Ryan Piechocki scored the third and final touchdown of the game midway through the second quarter, crossing the goal line with a three-yard run.

Pembroke, along with Oakfield-Alabama, has dominated the Genesee Region League in recent years, but has opened this season with a 0-2 record. O-A is now 1-1 after losing to Holley today, 16-7.

Both Alexander is now 1-1.

Holley starts a season at 2-0 for the first time.


 

Fighting Irish defense shuts down Attica for second shut out to start season

By Howard B. Owens

Five Attica turnovers helped Notre Dame nail down a 14-0 victory Friday evening.

The Fighting Irish defense has put together eight straight quarters of shut out ball and running back Mike Pratt, with the help of a dominating offensive line, put together a second straight solid game.

Pratt carried the ball 24 times for 135 yards and scored two touchdowns.

The defense picked off three passes, in addition to two fumble recoveries.

Playing defense, Pratt recovered a fumble and made a key interception in the third quarter to stop an Attica drive.  After the interception, Pratt's 32-yard run followed by a five-yard burst put Notre Dame up 14-0.

Attica was shut down again late in the fourth quarter when Cam McDonald snatched a pass from the air, denying Attica one last chance to score.

Quarterback Nick Bochicchio put together another fine game, passing for 60 yards on nine attempts with only two incompletions.  Gianni Zambito led the Fighting Irish receivers with three catches for 51 yards.

GCC acknowledges recruiting violation by volleyball coach

By Howard B. Owens

GCC officials today acknowledged that popular volleyball coach Roger Majeski violated recruiting rules, but asserted that GCC officials brought the violation to the attention of the athletic governing board.

The National Junior Athletic Association suspended Majeski, as first reported in The Batavian, for a recruiting violation. The team was also forced to forfeit five games, and the freshman player is ineligible for the remainder of the season.

School officials today issued a press release that said the school was fully cooperative with the NJCAA and agreed the organization's response was appropriate.

Majeski reportedly personally paid for a visit to Batavia by a recruit from California, and in such circumstances, the player must return home within 48 hours. In this case, the player did not return home within the stipulated time.

Full press release after the jump:

Batavia, NY – In response to a recent inquiry, Genesee Community College Athletics Department has confirmed that the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) has issued a statement of disciplinary action relating to Roger Majeski, Genesee’s Women’s Volleyball Coach. The action came about as a result of a single recruitment violation. Coach Majeski has been suspended from Genesee’s next seven volleyball matches. The action also required that the Women’s Volleyball team forfeit the first five games of this season. 

Coach Majeski personally funded a recruitment visit of a prospective volleyball player from California. NJCAA Guidelines stipulate that prospective players must either pay for their own transportation, or return to their home residence after a 48 hour period. The player did not meet the required time stipulation for returning home.

Coach Majeski took full responsibility for not staying within the guidelines. Both he and Margaret Sisson, Genesee’s Athletic Director, acknowledge the appropriateness of the NJCAA findings and their actions. Ms. Sisson was quick to point out that the action by the NJCAA came about only after the College found about the violation and the College self-reported the issue to the NCJAA. Ms. Sisson said that while it is regrettable, the College feels it must adhere to the spirit and the literal interpretation of the rules and regulations established by the NJCAA. ]

Freshman pacers in NYSS Late Closers at Batavia

By Howard B. Owens

Press Release:

Batavia, NY --- The summer-fall meet continued on Wednesday (Sept. 9) at Batavia Downs Casino, with three divisions of New York Sire Stakes Late Closers for 2-year-old colt and gelding pacers, each carrying a purse of $12,800.

Steel Rein was the fastest of the three divisional winners, going coast to coast in 1:58.2. William Bailey was in the sulky for trainer Ann Yurenka. The Teeth Of The Dog-Mindy’s Sister gelding had to withstand a serious challenge from Lislea Reardon (John Stark, Jr.) around the last turn before going on to a one length score. Steel Rein is now a three-time winner for owners Nancy Swede and New York Standardbreds LTD.

Talk To Tony, with Vernon Downs regular Jimmy Whittemore, did all the talking in the final Late Closer of the evening, as he held off odds-on favorite Park Lane Midnight and Stephane Bouchard to win by one length in 1:58.4, in wire-to-wire fashion. Talk To Tony, an Artiscape-Muggins Hanover gelding, is owned by Jay Sears and John Campagnuolo. Ray Van Dreason does the conditioning. The win was Talk To Tony’s third of the season.

Favorite Bullville Player kicked off the Late Closers as he was put right on the lead by Stephane Bouchard and they never had an anxious moment, winning by a comfortable three lenghts in 2:00.2. Breeder Crevani Farms owns the Bettor’s Delight-Bullville Gabettie gelding. Steve Crevani is the trainer. The victory was Bullville Player's third of the 2009 campaign.

NYSS Late Closers continue next Wednesday night, Sept. 16, as the 2-year-old trotting fillies will be in town.

Pauline Seelster, with Ray Fisher, Jr., won the $9,000 Filly and Mare Open Handicap Pace. She was well driven by Ray Fisher, Jr., who took advantage of post one and a speed bias that produced eight gate-to-wire winners on the Wednesday evening program.  Dennis and Paula Cummings own the 7-year-old daughter of Camluck. Dennis Cummings is also the trainer. The win raised Pauline Seelster's lifetime bankroll to more than $189,000.

America’s oldest lighted harness track is currently racing every Tuesday-Wednesday-Friday and Saturday night, post time is 7:05 p.m.

Todd Haight
Promotional Marketing Specialist
Batavia Downs Casino 

Photo: Talk to Tony with Jimmy Whittemore taking the final Late Closer of the evening.
Photo courtesty of Paul White.

Alexander Knocks off Attica

By Chad Flint

Alexander played at Attica Wednesday night and came away with a strong 7-0 victory.  Alexander took a bit to get going but once they took control of the game they didn't slow down.

In the 13th minute Senior Defender Jamie Neth took a pass from fellow Senior Defender Leah Johnson and sent a high shot over the keepers head for the 1-0 lead.  5 minutes later Senior Forward Anna Dominick headed a corner kick from Junior Defender Savannah Vanson to make it 2-0.  Junior Forward Megan Schmieder made it 3-0 in the 27th minute (assists to Junior midfielders Autumn Atkinson and Kylie Bank).  3 minutes later Freshman Forward Abby Shilvock made it 4-0 (assists to Dominck and Bank).  A mere 2 minutes later Neth had her 2nd of the game (unassisted) to make the halftime score 5-0.

In the 2nd half Alexander continued to control play but wasn't getting the ball to the front of the net until Junior Midfielder Claire Hartl won a 50/50 ball and scored in the 31st minute (unassisted).  With 90 seconds left in the game Dominick had her 2nd (assisted by Atkinson) making the final 7-0.

Junior Goalkeeper Hannah Wilson made 3 saves for her 2nd shutout of the season with a strong help from her defense of Neth, Johnson, VanSon, Freshman Gabby Kwaitek, Junior Taylor Antinore, and Junior Summer Bliss.

Alexander moves to 2-0 on the season and is off until they face Holley at home next Tuesday.

GCC's much-heralded volleyball coach suspended by NJCAA

By Howard B. Owens

GCC volleyball coach Roger Majeski has been suspended for an apparent recruitment violation, a spokesman for the National Junior College Athletic Association confirmed this evening.

The NJCAA is also forcing the team to forfeit its games played with the player in question, and the player will be ineligible to play with the team for the remainder of the season. The player is reportedly a freshman who joined the team this year from California.

Mark Krug, director of sports information and media relations for NJCAA, confirmed the details in an e-mail, but said he could not say more about the situation.

Calls late this afternoon to GCC have not yet been returned.

Majeski is a highly regarded coach, having led the GCC team since 1987 and notching more than 800 wins in his career. His teams have made 11 appearances at the national tournament, and he's been awarded Region III Coach of the Year nine times, as well as AVCA Northeast/Southeast Regional Coach of the Year three times.  He has coached 14 All-American athletes.

Photo above is a file photo provided to The Batavian in December.

Batavia Muckdogs 2009 Year in Review

By Mollie Radzinski

37-39 record, 4th place in Pinckney Division, 12 games behind division leader

Longest win streak: 5 games, August 8-August 13

 

NYPL STATS LEADERS:

  • Alan Ahmady:46 runs (4th), 71 hits (T-9th), 47 walks (3rd), .407 OBP (2nd),
  • Devin Goodwin:19 doubles (T-5th)
  • Kyle Conley:8 homeruns (T-2nd)
  • Santo Maertz:26 games (T-8th)
  • LaCurtis Mayes:26 games (T-8th)</li>
  •  
  • As a team…

    Hitting: .249 BA (5th), 333 runs (5th), 630 hits (4th), 125 doubles (5th), 37 homeruns (3rd), 264 walks (5th), .357 SLG (4th),

    Pitching: 233 walks (5th fewest), 626 strikeouts (3rd)

    PLAYERS OF THE WEEK:

  • Alan Ahmady (June 29-July 5)
  • Kyle Conley (August 3-9, August 31-September 7)

    Moved on up:

  • Matt Carpenter:.219 BA, 2 homeruns, 9 RBI with Palm Beach Cardinals

 

  • Eric Fornataro:0-5, 5.24 ERA, 11 strikeouts with Quad Cities River Bandits
  • Scott Schneider:1-3, 3.45 ERA, 29 strikeouts with Quad Cities River Bandits
  • Jack Cawley:.222 BA, 2 homeruns, 13 RBI with Quad Cities River Bandits
  • Xavier Scruggs:.295 BA, 7 homeruns, 33 RBI with Quad Cities River Bandits (Midwest League Player of the Week August 3-9)
  • D’Marcus Ingram:.246 BA, 8 doubles, 11 RBI, 7 stolen bases with Quad Cities River Bandits
  • Ryde Rodriguez:.222 BA, 9 doubles, 19 RBI with Quad Cities River Bandits

 

Wayne Fuller to exit press box for Muckdogs games

By Howard B. Owens

There was a standing ovation in Dwyer Stadium on Saturday night, but it wasn't for a great diving catch, or a rare triple play or a bomb hit over the dead center field fence -- it was for the stadium announcer, Wayne Fuller.

Fuller, the voice of Batavia baseball for 25 years, announced his retirement from the PA mic, and the crowd paid Fuller the ultimate sporting honor -- a Standing-O.

Fuller, who also served as the official scorer, has been positioned in the Dwyer press box -- dubbed "Wayne's World" -- calling out starting line-ups and determining hits and errors through the baseball eras of the Trojans, Clippers and Muckdogs.

"There is a trick to determine when you leave on your own or are asked to leave," Fuller told the crowd. "I have decided this is my time to retire and leave the two jobs. As I have gotten older it has become harder, as they say today, to multi-task, and that's the principle reason for my decision."

Fuller continues on in his afternoon shift with WBTA and will also remain in the booth for high school and college games.

Fuller told me this morning he's looking forward to a trip to Alaska next summer -- a dream he couldn't fulfill while obligated to the Muckdogs for home-game announcing.

23rd Annual Batavia Area Jaycees Labor Day 5K Run/Walk Results

By Melissa George

And they are off!  2009 Batavia Area Jaycees Labor Day 5k Run/Walk

23rd Annual Batavia Area Jaycees Labor Day 5k Run/Walk                 First Name Last Name Town Age Time   1 Jon Valente Pavilion 18 18'01:80   2 Kevin Pawlak Albion 17 18'24:63   3 Eric Kowalik Akron 18 18"31:46   4 Kevin Sheehan Victor 47 18'37:00   5 Kevin Tillery Batavia 16 18'42:31   6 Guy Pirdy Castile 50 19'19:25   7 Max Lord Wyoming 16 19'22:52   8 Justin Cotter Batavia 17 19'27:50   9 Liz Valente Pavilion 16 19'31:07   10 Paul Jones Batavia 47 19'51:49   11 Jason Bibler   35 20'04:17   12 Aaron Sherman Batavia 27 20'04:95   13 Bill McMullen Batavia 56 20'12:50   14 Collin Mulcahy Batavia 15 20'19:87   15 Kenneth Scott   47 20'23:76   16 Paul Persia Batavia 58 20'35:00   17 Angela Jarvela Batavia 17 20'35:86   18 Rich Boyce Batavia 32 20'38:57   19 Luke Caila Oakfield 15 20'44:01   20 Eric Leffel Corfu 17 20'55:22   21 Bernie Valento Pavilion 43 21'08:29   22 Mark Heberger Rochester 54 21'23:80   23 Brian Hilburger Batavia 39 21'40:78   24 Jim  Lane Batavia 44 21'54:26   25 David Chua Batavia 42 22'06:75   26 Dennis Rettke Oakfield 50 22'08:27   27 Cody Mulcahy Batavia 17 22'23:60   28 Alan Seaner Akron 15 22'28:81   29 Guy Clark Batavia 49 22'35:35   30 Greg  Sharp Batavia 44 22'39:63   31 Jeffrey Scott Batavia 53 22'46:47   32 Zachary Shine Batavia 11 22'57:15   33 Ryan Fuller Batavia 13 22'57:93   34 Susan Francis Batavia 43 23'19:60   35 Lauren Ciurzynski Attica 17 23'23:14   36 Pam Johnson Canandaigua 47 23'29:31   37 Rick Erb Rushville 61 23'29:90   38 Cory Berardi Brockport 30 23'45:99   39 Matt Surtell Batavia 35 23'51:95   40 Edward Jones Batavia 48 23'56:60   41 Nancy Jo Rademateur Alexander 38 23'57:89   42 Bill White Hilton 67 24'12:96   43 Kervin Jonathan Basom 15 24'24:51   44 Vernon Howard Elba 35 24'26:12   45 Jorden Prescott E. Bethany 15 24'35:07   46 Todd Masters Batavia 28 24'45:20   47 Tom Mancuso Batavia 53 24'46:48   48 Tom Hawkins Williamson 51 24'53:98   49 Deegah Lotz Akron 13 24'58:25   50 Bob Kowalik Akron 55 24'59:14   51 Matt Britt Batavia 55 25'00:11   52 Peter  Coughlin Elba 54 25'06:23   53 Jane Geer Batavia 46 25'25:22   54 Irwin Crosby South Byron 65 25'29:67   55 Mark Cutcliffe Pavilion 50 25'33:28   56 Kevin Clary Pavilion 52 25'45:16   57 James McGee Asheville, NC 63 26'14:42   58 David Ciurzynski Attica 43 26'15:92   59 Sid Bolton Albion 67 26'33:80   60 Jessica Maurer Corfu 22 27'14:69   61 Carolyn Kriesen Webster 66 27'19:72   62 Bailee Welker Batavia 13 27'30:08   63 Mitzie Lenandawski Rochester 62 28'24:27   64 Jerry Godfrey Batavia 33 28'24:75   65 Joe Nicosia Corfu 25 28'26:59   66 John Albone Medina 48 28'34:59   67 Stephen Priber Batavia 56 28'54:60   68 Kevin Nickerson Byron 14 28'56:77   69 Janice Spiotta Batavia 52 29'02:54   70 Laurinda Liszewski Batavia 45 29'24:45   71 Jenna Mancuso Batavia 14 29'28:19   72 Jinny Mancuso Batavia 45 29'29:52   73 Debra Gisleson Canandaigua 31 29'55:30   74 Brenda Hoffman-Case Batavia 37 30'06:03   75 Al  Smith Rochester 71 30'23:41   76 Taylor Soule Albion 14 31'33:79   77 Norm Greiner Rochester 69 31'42:04   78 Loren Jones Basom 58 31'43:61   79 Gregory Vleck Rochester 60 31'55:11   80 William  Carrigan Pavilion 56 32'01:63   81 Colleen Morrissey Amhesrt  31 32'05:68   82 Jame Haggett Batavia 41 32'14:57   83 Andrew Kiebala LeRoy 28 32'33:48   84 Christine Nickerson Byron 45 32'44:64   85 Brad Nickerson Byron 47 32'44:98   86 Samantha Hilburger Batavia 14 33'15:12   87 Christian Valento Pavilion 10 35'40:36   88 Missy Valento Pavilion 45 35'42:71   89 Dick Lewandowski Rochester 65 35'44:46   90 Dot Carrigan Pavilion 51 36'23:88   91 Edye Radice Tonawanda 72 36'27:69   92 Margaret Peri Batavia 55 37'00:68   93 Brytney Orbaker Batavia 15 37'37:03   94 Lynn Pierce Stafford 56 51'34:24   95 Jodi Wolcott Oakfield 48 52'44:81   96 Don Cyprys Amhesrt  74 54'08:43  

Arm And A Leg victorious again in Batavia Open Handicap

By Howard B. Owens

Press Release:

Batavia, NY --- Again proving he’s the best pacer in Western New York, the popular sidewheeler Arm And A Leg was victorious in the $8,500 Open Handicap on Saturday night (Sept-5) at Batavia Downs Casino.

Arm And A Leg was sent right to the front by Downs dash leading driver Kevin Cummings and they never had an anxious moment in cruising to an easy 5-1/4 length score in 1:54 flat. Triple Bars (Jimmy Whisman) was second and Oh Gee Whiz (Jim McNeight) completed the top three.

This was Arm And A Leg’s third Open win during the 2009 Summer-Fall meet and his 10th win this season. He’s a 6-year-old son of Nobleland Sam. John Cummings Sr. trains and co-owns with Mark Jakubik. Going off as the favorite Arm And A Leg paid $4.30 to win.

America’s oldest lighted Harness track will present a special Labor Day matinee program; post time is 1:15 p.m. Food specials include an $8.00 Chicken Barbeque and $1.00 Hot Dogs served in the Paddock room and a $6.95 lunch buffet in the Clubhouse, all available from noon until 4 p.m.

In addition to live racing from August to December, Batavia Downs Casino offers simulcast wagering from some of North America’s top tracks. The gaming floor, featuring over 600 of the area’s hottest slot machines is open from 10:00 a.m. until 2 a.m. daily. For more information call 585-343-3750 or go on-line at www.bataviadownsasino.com.

Todd Haight
Promotional Marketing Specialist
Batavia Downs Casino

Photo of Arm And A Leg with Kevin Cummings cruising  to victory in Batavia featured pace. Courtesy of Paul White.
 

Batavia Drops Third Straight With One Game to Go

By Mollie Radzinski

As the season winds down, the Muckdogs (37-38) couldn’t provide a win in their last game at home, losing 7-3 to the Jammers (33-42).  Batavia was 0-for-9 with runners in scoring position on the night.

The offense was scattered with one run each in the 4th, 7th and 8th innings.  In the 4th, Kyle Conley doubled, moved to third on a wild pitch and came home a batter later on a sacrifice fly by Niko Vasquez.

Later in the 7th, Ivan Castro singled and Devin Goodwin hit a RBI double.  And in the 8th, Conley placed his eighth homerun of the season over the left field wall.

Michael Blazek (4-9, 4.50) picked up the loss as the starter going four and two-thirds innings with four runs (three earned) on five hits and one walk while striking out six.  Daniel Calhoun followed him with three runs, six hits and four strikeouts in four innings.  Santo Maertz pitched to two batters in the 9th with one strikeout.

Kyle Conley ended the night 2-for-3 with a double and a homerun.  It was his second consecutive night with a both a two-base hit and a round-tripper.  Ivan Castro also had two hit, going 2-for-4 with a run scored.

Batavia finishes up the season Sunday in Jamestown.

Notre Dame blanks Pembroke in season opener

By Howard B. Owens

De-fense. De-fense. De-fense.

A crushing Notre Dame defense led the Fighting Irish to a 21-0 victory over Pembroke.

Pembroke managed only 15 yards of total offense in the first half, while Mike Pratt lead Notre Dame on offense all game, ripping some big runs while Nick Bochicchio connected with Gianni Zambito on two touchdown passes.

The Irish scored on their first possession after Pratt marched the team down the field before Bochicchio hit Zambito on a 35-yard bomb.

A missed field goal by Matt Thompson deprived Notre Dame of the chance to score a second time in the first quarter.

Thompson would redeem himself later in the came when he recovered from a bad snap to get off a great punt.

After two long runs in the second quarter, Pratt dove in from the three-yard line to put the Fighting Irish up 14-0.

In the second half, Pembroke continued to struggle on offense, putting up only a couple of first downs, and finished the game with less than 100 yards total offense.

Notre Dame's final score came in the third quarter when Bochicchio found Zambito again for a 31-yard strike.

Thanks to a reader for the info.

New track records posted at Batavia Downs

By Howard B. Owens

Press Release:

Batavia, NY --- As advertised the New York sired 3-year-old colt and gelding pacers were expected to put on quite a show, Friday night (Sept-4) at Batavia Downs Casino, and show they did not only breaking the track record once but in all three divisions.

Getting Personal’s 1:53.2 record for 3-year-old male pacers, set in 1993, was clearly on the line with 22 extremely talented sophomores in town to compete for more than $200,000 in New York Sire Stakes money.

It didn’t take long for a new record to be established as it came in the very first race. OK Braveheart, with Jim Morrill, Jr., went right to the front, opened an insurmountable lead at the half and cruised to a 10-1/2 length score in 1:52.2 to break the previous record by a full second. The final time was just two-fifths of a second off Kenneth J’s 1:52 all-age track record.

OK Braveheart (Bettor's Delight-Color Me Beachy) scored his ninth win of the season and raised his 2009 bankroll to more than $199,000 for owners David Scharf, Rick Phillps and Chuck Pompey. Former Batavia Downs trainer Chris Oakes is the conditioner. OK Braveheart is currently the points leader for the New York Bred Night of Champions finals to be held at Vernon Downs on September 26.

““He felt so good. I just let him roll,” reinsman Jim Morrill, Jr. said. “If I would have chased after him he might have paced in :51 (1:51) and a piece.”

Morrill also drove Kenneth J to the all-age record last year.

Tim Bojarski, President of the Upstate New York Chapter of the United States Harness Writers Association made a special presentation.

Division two, the slowest of the three divisions, wasn’t slow at all; in fact it was faster than Getting Personal's previous record.

Handsome Harry (Dream Away-Princess Jocelyn), again with Jim Morrill, Jr., brushed to command coming to the half and paced a :28 final stanza to score in 1:53. Mark Ford is the trainer. Ralph Del Priore, Jr. and Harry Doyle are the owners of Handsome Harry, who notched his 12th win of the season. His 2009 earnings now stand at more than $211,000.

The last, but certainly not least, NYSS division came in race nine. This race would be the closest of the three with the unbeaten gelding Go Go Solano (Bettor's Delight-Real Excitement) and Aaron Merriman and the very well regarded colt Hypnotic Blue Chip and Jim Morrill, Jr. hooking up around final turn and putting on quite a stretch battle.

Pacing his last quarter in a sizzling :27.2, Hypnotic Blue Chip was able to get up at the wire to prevail by a quarter-length in 1:52.3 over the previously unbeaten Mark Capone-trained gelding. Capone was the trainer of former track record holder Getting Personal.

Hypnotic Blue Chip’s (Art Major-A Traceofmagic) 11th win of 2009 raised his seasonal earnings to more than $360,000 for owners Rachel Frost, Stable 45, Robert Murphy and Mark Harder, who is also the trainer.

“I had to work harder than I thought I would,” Morrill said in the winner’s circle. “I’m a little out of breath, that other horse (Go Go Solano) gave us all we wanted.”

For the second time this season Morrill swept all three NYSS divisions.

Live racing at America’s oldest lighted harness track continues this holiday weekend on Saturday night; post time is 7:05 p.m. The Downs will present a special matinee racing program on Labor Day, post time is 1:15 p.m.

                      #   #   #   #
Todd Haight
Promotional Marketing Specialist
Batavia Downs Casino

Pictured, OK Braveheart. Photo courtesy Paul White.

Muckdogs final home game tonight at Dwyer!

By Russ Salway

The Batavia Muckdogs take on the Jamestown Jammers tonight at 7:05pm. This will be the last home game for the Muckdogs 2009 season.  Its Fan Appreciation Night and also Rock the Park Night at Dwyer! Come on out for a beautiful Saturday night of great baseball action at the best baseball venue in WNY! There isn't a bad seat at all in Dwyer stadium.  The fun starts at 6:05pm with the pregame concert by Papa and Mama Root presented by Tim Horton's of Batavia and New Buffalo Impact. Enjoy great end of summer fun at Dwyer with your Batavia Muckdogs!

Batavia Blue Devils drop opening game 33-11

By Howard B. Owens

Miscues and mistakes sent the Batavia Blue Devils to an opening season defeat tonight.

Batavia dropped the game to Greece Arcadia 33 to 11.

After grabbing a quick 3-0 lead on a field goal by Renee Glafenhein (an exchange student from Germany), the Blue Devils quickly let the game slip away with turn overs.

The long snapper twice sent the ball sailing over the punter's head. One of the missed snaps led to a safety.

QB Joe Canzoneri lead the Blue Devils to the team's first score with a key play. He had the ball knocked from his hands, but was able to scoop it up and find a wide open Joe Pedro for a critical first down.

But the Blue Devil's defense couldn't overcome the powerful running of Greece Arcadia's Joe Britton, who carried the ball 26 times for 166 yards. He scored two touchdowns.

For the Blue Devils, senior Spencer Byrne and junior Fred Gemp each had eight tackles and combined for four sacks.

Scoring summary:
Batavia - FG Rene Glafenhein 29
Greece Arcadia - Joe Britton 24 run (Kyle Reilly kick)
Greece Arcadia - Coty Paige 9 pass Josh Hotchkiss (Reilly kick)
Greece Arcadia - FG Reilly 24
Greece Arcadia - Britton 2 run (Reilly kick)
Greece Arcadia - Safety (Forced punt)
Greece Arcadia - Hotchkiss 14 run (Reilly kick)
Batavia - Mitch Francis 39 pass Joe Canzoneri (Vin Pedro run)

Thanks to a reader for the info.

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