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Girls Volleyball: Batavia battled but came up short vs. Notre Dame 3 sets to 1

By Steve Ognibene

In a rare volleyball matchup, the Notre Dame Fighting Irish and the Batavia Blue Devils met on Batavia's home court Tuesday night as part of the school's homecoming week events. In recognition of Domestic Violence Awareness Month, the Batavia squad wore purple socks and headbands.

At first the two teams played nearly even score early on, then Notre dame pulled away to take a 17-12 lead. Batavia took a timeout and settled down, but were soon down eight points and lost by a final of 25-18. 

The second set was a little different. Batavia took the lead early and went up 8-7, with the two teams swapping leads throughout the match. Batavia held on for the win 25-22.

Batavia’s Head Coach Jeremy Mettler said “I challenged them to play harder defense and more aggressive serving and they stepped it up in game two, which led us to victory."

In the third set Batavia rallied early going up 4-1 but then Notre Dame went on a hot streak scoring the next six points. Batavia took a time out. Mettler talked with his team about a few fundamentals and encouraged his players to relax and just play volleyball.

Notre Dame Head Coach Rhonda DiCasolo, with more than 40 years experience coaching, told her players to stop giving away points, get their serves over and not let the crowd get to them. Notre Dame held the lead by eight points most of the set, eventually winning 25-16.

Down two sets to one, Batavia needed a win in the fourth set and never gave in. Down by four early, they rallied and tied the score at six apiece. DiCasolo told her squad to settle down.

"Our passing had to get closer to Mary Cate so she can run the offense," DiCasolo said. "We ran a couple plays that were effective, sparked them to get back on track and started going back to the hitting. I told them to stop the tipping.

"We picked it up. They were scrappy. They were taking everything we were giving them, so I told them to go with our power hitters, Shea Norton, Becca Krenzer and Taylor DiMartino."

Notre Dame took the lead and led the middle of the set and was up 19-15 when Batavia called time out.  

Mettler said Notre Dame is a good team. Mettler told his team to play hard, work hard and hit their target with their passes.

Batavia battled, but Notre Dame held the lead and eventually won 25-17 to take the night three sets to one.

"Tonight’s crowd was awesome on both schools that brought tons of kids out to support their schools," Mettler said. "It was one of the most fun games I have coached in the Batavia High gymnasium. We missed a couple crucial serves here and there in the fourth set.

"Notre Dame played well and they didn’t let up. We kept swinging at them and attacked. We didn’t give up and we fought to the end."

Batavia’s stats:

Tessa Engel -- 15 digs, seven kills & two aces

Taylor Stefaniak -- six digs, 12 kills & two aces

Maddie McCulley -- 10 digs, two kills & 18 assists

Courtnee Yasses -- six aces

Notre Dame's stats:

Shea Norton -- 27 kills, six digs

Mary Cate Miceli -- 28 assists, 13 digs

Rebecca Krenzer -- eight kills

Lexi Gerhardy -- nine digs, five kills

Batavia’s record is now 6-7 and the team plays its next game at home today vs. Greece Olympia. Notre Dame improves to 10-1 and plays away tomorrow at Holley.

For more photos visit to: Steve Ognibene Photography

Atta Boy Dan wins Kane at Batavia; Morrill Jr. wins 7

By Billie Owens

(Atta Boy with reinsman Jim Morrill Jr., courtesy Paul White.)

By Tim Bojarski, Batavia Downs Media Relations

The marquee event at Batavia Downs on Saturday night (Oct. 3) was the $50,000 Robert J. Kane Memorial Pace. But history and outstanding performances in other races combined to provided a show that those in attendance won’t soon forget.

In the main event, Atta Boy Dan led at every post en route to a three-length victory in the 13th annual Robert J. Kane Memorial Pace.

Off the gate, Atta Boy Dan (Jim Morrill Jr.) rebuffed early challenges from Fireyourguns (Mike Caprio) and Doctor Butch (Jim Marohn Jr.) and seated them both past the eighth pole. Then after the field followed in single file to a :27.4 quarter, Morrill backed off the half to :56.3 and took full control of the race.

Royal Heart (Drew Monti) started an outer flow into the clubhouse turn and had Aslan (Sean McDonough) in tow, but no one got closer than two-lengths before they hit the head of the stretch. From there, Fireyourguns pulled the pocket for one last shot but Atta Boy Dan, pacing his last quarter in :27.4, was just too good and pulled away to an easy win in 1:52.1.

Fireyourguns hung on to be second and Aslan came up to be third.

“I had a smooth journey to the half and as soon as I called on him, he was on cruise right to the wire. That was a good horse (Fireyourguns) sitting on my back and I was a little worried about him, but mine felt pretty good too. I wish I could have a Burke horse off the rail every year in this race,” said winning driver Jim Morrill Jr.

It was the 16th victory of the year for Atta Boy Dan ($2.30) and the winner’s share boosted his earning to $222,757 in 2015 for owners Burke Racing Stable and Weaver Bruscemi.

Atta Boy Dan was just part of the story for Jim Morrill Jr. on Saturday night as he won seven races out of the 11 he had on the card. Combine those with a second and third he also had and Morrill posted an amazing .717 UDR for the evening.

The all-time pacing track record of 1:51.1 was not broken in the race; however trotting history was made instead.

(Lutetium with reinsman John Cummings Jr., courtesy of Paul White.)

Lutetium got back to his front-running comfort zone and destroyed the field in the $12,500 Brian Schroeder Memorial Trot.

In a late driver change, John Cummings Jr. was tapped to steer Lutetium and wasted no time earning his keep. When prohibitive betting favorite, Tall Cotton made a break in the first turn, Cummings rushed Lutetium away and opened up a gap of as much as 15 lengths between himself and the rest of the field through fractions of :27.1, :55.4 and 1:25.1 before scooting home to a six-length victory in 1:55.2.

The winning time broke the existing track record of 1:56 for aged trotting geldings that was co-held by Lutetium and Second Hand News, both who set that mark in 2014.

“They said he hasn’t been leaving well lately, so I scored him down fast. Once he got the front in the race; the more I grabbed him, the more he went on. I was a passenger,” said Cummings Jr.

It was the ninth win of the year for Lutetium and it pushed his bank account to $68,886 for owner Colleen Girdlestone and trainer Mark Laidlaw. Overlooked at 10-1, Lutetium returned $22.60.

This was just one of three wins for John Cummings Jr., who scored the hat trick on the night.

There were also two, $50,000 New York Sire Stakes (NYSS) consolation events on the card for 2-year-old colts and geldings and also fillies.

The boy’s division was won by Southern Palms (RC Royalty-Pacific Elegance) in 1:59.2. The post-time favorite went wire to wire and won by four-lengths. It was the first career win for Southern Palms ($4.40) who is trained by Erv Miller for owners Ronald Michelon and Anthony Lombardi.  

After the race, winning driver Jim Marohn Jr. said “Erv (Miller) tipped me off that he was a handful tonight; and he was!”

The distaff leg went to Royal Surprise (RC Royalty-Miss Conway), also in 1:59.2. After getting away fourth, the filly tipped three-deep at three-quarters and pulled away to a two-length win. It was also the first career win for Royal Surprise ($6.50) who is trained by Dan Daley for owners Ann-Mari Daley, James Crawford, Richard Lombardo and Michael White.

“She was good the whole mile and when I asked her, she just trotted away. She was good tonight,” said winning driver Jim Morrill Jr.

There was a huge crowd on hand Saturday night and the fans both in the stands and watching remotely, were putting some money through the windows. The total handle was up 15 percent this year, versus Kane night of 2014.

The Paddock Room and enclosed grandstand were very crowded and the clubhouse was sold out once again. There were so many people in line to receive their free Kane Pace T-shirt, it took over two races to distribute the goods.

Racing will reconvene at Batavia Downs on Wednesday night (Oct. 7) for a 12-race program that will commence at 6:35.

Friday Night Football: Le Roy lets Hornell slip away

By Howard B. Owens

Five flags thrown against Le Roy when the Knights were within striking distance of Hornell's goal line may have made a huge difference in a battle that went into overtime and eventually to Hornell by a score of 14-7.

The Oatkan Knights controlled the ball all night, running 75 plays to Hornell's 25, but wins are notched by points, not plays.

Nick Egeling had 39 rushes for 157 yards and a touchdown. Dom Filio had 12 carries for 28 yards.

Josh Laurie was 3-11 passing for 49 yards.

Reed Kacur had seven tackles and Luke Hogle, four. Justin DiFalco had a sack to go with his three tackles.

Also on Friday night:

  • Alexander tramples O-A in homecoming game
  • Pembroke hauls in win over Holley
  • Batavia topped Penn Yan, 50-20, to remain undefeated.
  • York/Pavilion beat Perry, 20-12.
  • Notre Dame suffered its first loss of the season, dropping a match to Bishop Kearny 30-15. Connor Logsdon was 4-9 passing for 85 yards and TD. Jack Sutherland rushed for 102 yards on 22 carries and Peter Deversa scored a TD on eight carries and 39 yards. Sutherland also had 85 yards on four receptions. C.J. Suozzi had eight tackles.

Photos by David Boyce.

Alexander tramples O-A in homecoming game

By Howard B. Owens

A throng of fans turned out Friday night for Alexander's homecoming game and they went home happy after the Trojans secured a 46-12 victory over the Oakfield-Alabama Hornets.

On a night when the Trojans mostly kept the ball on the ground, they gained 327 yards on 43 carries.

The team was also 5-12 passing for 100 yards.

Jake Wozniak was an offensive powerhouse, tossing an 11-yard TD pass to Derrick Busch to close the second half and rushing 21 times for 219 yards and a TD, tacking on a two-point conversion.

Dane Heberlein scored four touchdowns (one of them pictured above) on 16 carries. He gained 100 yards. He also had a two-point conversion. On defense, he had six tackles and three interceptions. The junior free safety now has seven INTs on the season.

Dustin Schmeider had two catches for 44 yards. Josh Szymanski had a catch for 22 yards and six tackles on defense.

Zack Jasen had six tackles in the middle.

Alexander is now 3-2 on the season.

To purchase prints of photos, click here.

Pembroke hauls in win over Holley

By Rick D. Franclemont

The Pembroke Dragons notched the team's first win of 2015 with a 27-12 victory over Holley.

Batavia Downs horsemen raise $9,200 for the Hanners family

By Billie Owens

Picture, courtesy of Paul White, shows some of the horsemen who donated their training and driving percentages to the fundraiser.

By Tim Bojarski, Batavia Downs Media Relations

Batavia Downs race track held a fundraiser Wednesday night (Sept. 30) to help support the family of driver Brad Hanners.

The event was overseen by Jami Rae Chatt, whose enthusiasm and passion to help others definitely rubbed off on the owners, trainers, drivers and even the fans of the Downs, as they all pitched in together to raise $9,200 for the Hanners family.

Brad’s Aunt, Ann Coe, was on hand Wednesday and was truly moved by the outpouring of support that everyone at the races that night provided. She spoke with many on hand near the silent auction area and was greeted by all in a winner’s circle presentation after the tenth race.

“Batavia Downs would like to thank everyone for their generosity in making this fundraiser a huge success," said Todd Haight, director/general manager of Live Racing at Batavia Downs. "It was truly a touching and remarkable night. I would also like to thank Jami Rae Chatt for once again leading the way with this effort and making it a winner for Brad's family.”

Climate Hanover trips out for Batavia Open win

By Billie Owens

(Photo of Climate Hanover with reinsman Drew Monti, courtesy of Paul White.)

By Tim Bojarski, Batavia Downs Media Relations

Taking full advantage of post and position in the race, Climate Hanover ($5.10) scored an impressive victory in the $8,500 Open mares pace at Batavia Downs on Wednesday night (Sept. 30).

Starting from the pylons, Climate Hanover (Drew Monti) yielded the lead to a hard charging Country Delight (Jack Flanigen) who left from post eight. With the field then following the leader in post-position order, Country Delight led the girls to a modest :58 half.

Past that station, Call Me Maybe (Shawn McDonough) was motoring on the outside and drew near-even with the leader at three quarters in 1:26.4. Those two then battled on top until the head of the stretch when the passing lane opened and left clear passage for the pocket-sitting Climate Hanover to shoot through and pull away to a two-length victory in 1:55.4.

It was the seventh win of the year for the 5-year-old Western Ideal mare and the winner’s share of the purse boosted her 2015 income to $57,284 for owner James Caradori. Climate Hanover is trained by Darrin Monti.

Climate Hanover’s triumph capped off a three-win night for driver Drew Monti, who also took post-race pictures with Maradona ($14.60) and Old Mcheath ($11.40). Drivers Dave McNeight III and Ray Fisher Jr. also had driving doubles.

Batavia Downs returns live on Friday night (Oct. 2) with a 12-race card that will begin at 6:35.

Batavia Downs to hold Brad Hanners fundraiser Wednesday

By Billie Owens

By Tim Bojarski, Batavia Downs Racing Media Relations

The racing community has once again come together at Batavia Downs to help out the family of one of their own. Wednesday night (Sept. 30) is the “Helping the family of Brad Hanners Fundraiser” night.

There are many facets to this endeavor but one singular goal as horsemen are donating purses and donated items will generate revenue through a silent auction.

Drivers who will be donating their entire 5-percent income for the Wednesday night card include Drew Monti, Shawn McDonough, Dave McNeight III and Jack Rice. Trainers who have also agreed to donate their entire 5% are Dave McNeight Jr., Maria Rice, Mike Carrubba and Bob Gruber.

Drivers and trainers who will be making a general donation include, Ron Beback Jr., Russell Bratt, Denny Bucceri, Mike Caprio, Kevin Cummings, James Clouser Jr., Lee Dahn, Alex Giuliani, Brad Jackson, Lisa Lederhouse, Jim McNeight, Darrin Monti, Jim Mulcahy, John Mungillo, Angelo Nappo, Jerry Nugent Jr., Courtney Ohol, JD Perrin, Don Rothfuss, Rose Russo, Ron Van Wagoner and Mihajlo Zdjelar Jr.

Owners who have agreed to donation a portion of their Wednesday earnings include Steve Andzel, Dave Bratt, Louis Frascella, Mike Torcello and Howard Ouriel.

Organizations who will be donating funds include the Upstate New York Chapter of the United States Harness Writers Association (USHWA) and the Western New York Harness Horsemen’s Association.

Those attending the races live can also make cash donations or bid on any of the silent auction items that will be available. The auction will be held in the Paddock Room and bids will be accepted from 6:15 p.m. until five minutes after the 10th race.

Auction items include:

-- A set of bobbleheads consisting of Jim Marohn Jr., Wendy Ross, Tim Tetrick, Drew Monti and Jody Jamieson;

-- An autographed whip from William O’ Donnell, David Miller and Jody Jamieson and a Sweet Lou cup;

-- A Future Hall of Famer, Yannick Gingras, autographed jacket and driving gloves;

-- A Hall of Famer, Ron Pierce, autographed driving jacket;

-- An autographed full set of driving colors from Hall of Famer, Ron Pierce;

-- A Breyer Foiled Again horse signed by Yannick Gingras.

Jami Rae Chatt is the driving force behind the fundraiser and is well qualified to do it. Chatt also organized the Anthony Coletta fundraiser that raised $12,835 in 2013; an effort that garnered her the Unsung Hero Award from USHWA last year.

“Because we did so well for Anthony Coletta, we wanted to help the Hanners family any way we could. When everyone is on the racetrack, it’s all business. But other than that, we’re all one big family and I have seen how generous the Western New York racing community can be on many occasions. I’m just glad to be a part of it,” Chatt said.

Todd Haight, director/general manager of Live Racing said “Jami is an amazing young lady. When she came to me asking if the track would help put this on we were more than happy to help anyway we could. Jami is a very caring individual and her efforts for Anthony Coletta proved that. I only hope we can be as successful for this family as they go through this very bad time.”

Robert J. Kane Pace entries close Wednesday

By Billie Owens

By Tim Bojarski, Batavia Downs Racing Media Relations

Horsemen are advised that Batavia Downs will be accepting entries for the $50,000 Robert J. Kane Memorial Pace through Wednesday morning (Sept. 30) at 9 a.m. The race will be held Saturday (Oct. 3) on one of the richest cards ever offered at the oldest lighted harness track in America.

Known as the Downs signature event, The Robert J. Kane Memorial is named for the former Chairman of the Board of the Western Regional Off-Track Betting Corporation, owner of Batavia Downs. The race has had three millionaires win it, including Foiled Again ($7.1M), who won it twice; Bolt The Duer ($1.8M) and Aracache Hanover ($1.7M) who set the all-time track of 1:51.1 in 2011.

Other premium racing opportunities that night include the $12,500 Brian Schroeder Memorial Trot and a $10,000 Open pace. Also scheduled are two $50,000 New York Sire Stakes 2-year-old consolation races.

Entries or inquiries can be made by calling the race office at 585-344-6161.

Notre Dame comes out on top on homecoming night

By Howard B. Owens

The Notre Dame Fighting Irish played their homecoming game under the lights Saturday night, defeating the Pembroke Dragons 34-7.

The Irish are now 4-0 on the season and alone atop the Genesee Region standings, with Attica losing this weekend to University Prep. 

Notre Dame and Attica square off Oct. 9 at 7 p.m. in Attica.

Against the Dragons, Notre Dame amassed 383 total offensive yards, with 360 coming on the ground. 

Jack Sutherland had 26 carries for 252 yards and three touchdowns. Peter Daversa added another 74 yards and a TD on 10 carries. Etan Ozborne had a rushing touchdown and 33 yards on five rushes.

Connor Logsdon was 3-6 passing for 23 yards, no TDs and no interceptions.

For Pembroke, Reid Miano was 6-12 passing for 105 yards and a TD. Jake Jasinski had 18 rushes for 21 yards. Zack Swank had four receptions for 93 yards. Zach von Kramer had Pembroke's lone TD reception.

On defense, C.J. Suozzi had six and a half tackles, Jake Weatherwax and Etan Ozborne had four apiece. Ozborne also had a sack. For Pembroke, Brian Seweryniak had seven, Dylan Miserantino six and a half, Brandon Kowalski, six, von Kramer, five and a half, and Jack Thomas, five.

At halftime, Notre Dame honored Bill Sutherland, a former head coach who won 111 games, eight GR titles and four Section V titles in 23 seasons. He's been with the school for 41 years. He's a member of the Notre Dame High School Athletic Hall of Fame and the Section V Football Hall of Fame. Standing alongside Sutherland is his nephew, running back Jack Sutherland. Presenting the award is current Head Coach Rick Mancuso along with Athletic Director Mike Rapone.

To purchase prints, click here.

Alexander at Holly varsity football

By Rick D. Franclemont

Alexander beat Holley 51-22. QB Jared Browne was 10-16 for 194 yards passing and had a career-high four touchdown passes. WR Derrick Busch had six catches for 106 yards and four TDs. WR Josh Szymanski had four catches for 105 yards and a touchdown. RB Jake Wozniak had 12 carries for 147 yards and two TDs. Wozniak was 3-4 on PATs. Wozniak also had 72 return yards.

Cobble Beach wires the field in Batavia feature

By Billie Owens

(Photo of Cobble Beach with driver John Cummings Jr., courtesy of Paul White.)

By Tim Bojarski, Batavia Downs Racing Media Relations

Cobble Beach was in full command the entire way as he put a circle around the five-horse field in the $9,000 Open pacing feature at Batavia Downs on Saturday night (Sept. 26).

Leaving from post four, Cobble Beach (John Cummings Jr.) shot right to the lead and took instant control of the race. While about five lengths back, prohibitive betting favorite Fireyourguns (Mike Caprio) got away fourth and was content to stay there until the half.

After hitting that station in :56.4, Caprio unleashed Fireyourguns and advanced as far as second at the three-quarter pole. But the assault creased when the gelding faded uncharacteristically around the far turn. From there, Cobble Beach paced home in a speedy :27.4 to win by three-lengths in 1:52.4.

It was the eighth win of the year for Cobble Beach ($4.70) and the fourth top-class victory for him at Batavia Downs. The winners share boosted his bankroll to $67,565 for owner Leonard Segall and trainer James Clouser Jr.

Saturday was a night of multiplicity for several horsemen. The driving/training team of Dave McNeight III and Dave McNeight Jr. scored a hat trick with Goldstar Thumper ($3.50), Maple Leaf Matt ($14.20) and Outoftexas ($7.30) while the driving/training team of John Cummings Jr. and James Clouser Jr. registered a double with Bad Bad Boy ($3.40) and Cobble Beach ($4.70). Shawn McDonough, Jack Flanigen and Ray Fisher Jr. also had driving doubles as well.

The next card of live racing will be Wednesday (Sept. 30) at Batavia Downs with post time set for 6:35 p.m.

BZ Glide scores an easy victory in Batavia Downs trot feature

By Billie Owens

(Photo of BZ Glide with driver Mike Caprio, courtesy of Paul White.)

By Tim Bojarski, Batavia Downs Racing Media Relations

BZ Glide ($6.10) made a change in race strategy pay off by going wire to wire in the $9,500 Open trot feature at Batavia Downs on Friday night (Sept. 25).

In what seemed to be a race from a parallel universe, nothing that is known to normally happen, occurred. BZ Glide (Mike Caprio), who almost always comes from off the pace, went right for the lead. And habitual frontrunner, Lutetium (Kevin Cummings), settled in the garden spot, opting to let someone else dictate the race.

In the end the contrary methodology of one paid off while the other, not so much.

BZ Glide performed like a well-oiled machine on top, covering scads of ground with his long, fluid stride. He controlled the field by a loose length the entire race under a passive hand-drive by Caprio, setting fractions of :28.2, :58.4 and 1:28.4 before rounding the final turn.

As they headed down the stretch, Cummings directed Lutetium off his cover and tried to gain momentum on the pylons, but their attempt was ineffective as BZ Glide trotted home without issue in 1:57.4.

It was the sixth win in 15 starts for BZ Glide this year and the winner’s share of the purse boosted his earnings to $42,695 for owner Caprio LLC. The 6-year-old Yankee Glide gelding is trained by Alana Caprio.

Batavia routs Edison Tech 42-0

By James Burns

On a cool Friday night under a full moon in Vandetta Stadium the Batavia Blue Devils played against the Edison Tech Inventors.

The final score is a little misleading because even with a 42-point win it failed to show just how dominant undefeated Batavia was in the first half of the game. 

The offensive scoring in the first half was impressive. The Batavia defense also shined with stop after stop and, thanks to an interception, had more offensive yards in the first quarter than Edison Tech.

The second half of the game was a stalemate with Batavia resting many players and giving time and experience to the bench. Pictured left, a game official in a pose those in attendance saw him in for most of the first half. 

 

More pictures http://jimburns.org/p846436851#h598db131

Greg -- 7-13 for 102 yards and three TDs

Ray Leach -- 10 carries 149 yards, three TDs

Malachi -- three receptions for 60 yards and one TD and one INT

Ryan Hogan -- one TD

Andrew Mruczek -- one TD

Terren Lovria -- seven tackles, three for loss

Dom Mogavero -- six tackles

Adonis Davis -- INT

Bath beats Le Roy, 32-6

By Howard B. Owens

Le Roy and Bath entered Friday night's game at Hartwood Park with identical 3-0 records and tied for the lead in Livingston County Division I, but the game soon proved the simularities stopped there.

Amassing 361 total yards on offense, the bigger, faster, stronger Bath team took control of the game early and never let go, winning with a final of 32-6.

The Oatkan Knights are a good football team. Bath looks unstoppable.

Nick Egeling carried the ball for 119 yards on 18 rushes. Josh Laurie was four for 11 passing for 20 yards.  Dom Filio scored Le Roy's only TD and carried the ball 26 yards on five attempts. Reed Kacur had two receptions for 12 yards. On defense, Egeling had six tackles, Luke Hogle, six and Filio, four.

In other Friday Night Football:

  • Batavia defeated Edison Tech, 42-0
  • University Prep over Attica, 40-26
  • Elba/Byron-Bergen over Oakfield-Alabama, 42-18
  • Cal-Mum over York/Pavilion, 12-0

In today's action, Alexander travels to Holley. Game time is 1:30 p.m. It is homecoming for Notre Dame, so the school has rented lights for a rare night game on its home field. The Fighting Irish host the Pembroke Dragons. With Attica's loss, Notre Dame, at 3-0, sits alone atop the GR league.

Batavia to induct seven into Athletic Hall of Fame

By Howard B. Owens

The Batavia Coaches Association hosts the 14th annual Batavia Blue Devil Athletic Hall of Fame Dinner tomorrow Terry Hills Restaurant and Banquet Facility.

Cost is $30 per person. Social hour begins at 5 p.m., followed by dinner at 6.

Tickets are available at the Athletic Director's Office at Batavia High School. For more information, call 343-2480, ext. 2003.

Below, reproductions of the plaques to be presented and hung at the school.

Act Now is no pretender at Batavia Downs

By Billie Owens

(Act Now with driver Kevin Cummings, courtesy of Paul White.)

By Tim Bojarski, Batavia Downs Media Relations

What does a mare that raced the likes of Anndrovette, Table Talk, Color’s A Virgin and Rocklamation just two months ago do when she comes to Batavia Downs? Win by four lengths in the $10,000 Open distaff pacing feature on Wednesday night (Sept. 23).

The 4-year-old pacing mare Act Now, who just scorched the Open class ladies at Flamboro Downs in 1:53 flat last week, came south of the border on Wednesday to take on the best in Western New York. However the best weren’t good enough to even challenge the invader who toured the facility unencumbered this night.

Act Now (Kevin Cummings) left the gate and shot right to the front, opening up a three-length advantage; a lead that was extended up to six-lengths during the race. Cummings had a stranglehold on the mare through fractions of :27.2, :55.1 and 1:23.4 when talk of another track record started swirling through the press box.

With the plugs popped and Cummings clearly driving with the time in mind, Act Now flew home with no opposition nearby, to win by four lengths in 1:53.3. The finishing time was only three-fifths of a second off the track record of 1:53 for aged pacing mares set by Xenia Hanover in 2013.

It was the second win in 10 starts this year (including two in a row) for Act Now ($4.10) and her share of the purse boosted her lifetime earnings to $521,717 for owners Joseph Davino and Patrick O’Brien. The Western Ideal mare is trained by Nikolas Drennan.

The Downs leading driver, Kevin Cummings, had five winners on the card Wednesday night. He took a picture with Socialdelight ($4.10), Dedalos ($4.20), Most Happy Rider ($4.70), Act Now ($4.10) and Mystical Danica ($5.10). Sean McDonough and Dave McNeight III both scored driving doubles.

Racing resumes at Batavia Downs on Friday night (Sept. 25) with the first race post time set at 6:35.

Nationally-ranked Cougars sweep Cayuga CC in soccer

By Andrew Crofts

The No. 5 nationally-ranked GCC women's soccer team bounced back after a road loss at SUNY Broome on Monday with a 5-2 win over Cayuga Community College at home on Wednesday afternoon.

Kayla Doyle put the Cougars in front in the 14th minute with her eighth goal of the season. Shawna Adams earned the assist.

Adams scored herself just six minutes later and Gabriella Garcea gave GCC a 3-0 going into halftime with a goal in the 40th minute.

The Spartans cut the Genesee lead to one with back-to-back goals in the 45th and 50th minutes to make a 3-2 game.

Nikki Mauro gave the Cougars an insurance goal and a 4-2 lead with a tally in the 59th  minute after a failed clear in the Cayuga end.

Doyle added her second goal of the game off of a penalty kick in the 63rd minute and GCC held Cayuga scoreless the rest of the way to improve to 8-2 on the season.

Mauro and Garcea also added an assist apiece and Katlynne Tubo made three saves in net. The Cougars outshot the Spartans 25-5 (shots on goal) in the game.

Genesee will return to action at home on Saturday when it hosts Erie CC for a 1 P.M. start.

 

The second-ranked Cougars made it 10 wins in a row to start the season, beating visiting Cayuga Community College 6-3 on Wednesday afternoon.

Genesee took the lead just over four minutes into the game after Austin Richardson scored unassisted. William Stone followed just two minutes after with his first of three goals in the game, scoring off of an assist from Jack Speakman to make it 2-0 GCC.

Cayuga answered with a goal in the 18th minute to cut the GCC lead down to one, but Stone responded a minute later finding the back of the net to put Genesee on top 3-1.

After a Spartans goal in the 25th minute to make it a 3-2 game, Rafael Godoi sent Genesee into the half with a 4-2 lead, scoring unassisted in the 40th minute.

GCC scored the first two goals of the second half as Stone and Richardson struck in the 45th and 61st minutes respectively. 

Cayuga netted its final goal on a penalty kick in the 62nd minute and Genesee controlled possession the rest of the half to put away the visitors.

Godoi also added an assist and Connor Halstead and Lee Payne split time in net, combining to make six saves.

Genesee (10-0) will return to action at home on Saturday against Erie CC at 3 P.M.

Photos: Serious about the game

By Howard B. Owens

I took Rocky out for a nightime walk and came across Alex Asselin and Brian Wowk having a catch on Jackson Street.

"Can you even see the ball?" I asked.

"Oh, yeah," Brian said.

Alex asked if I had ever seen them out before. Only during the day, I replied.

"We're out here nearly every night," he said.

The two young men are freshmen at GCC and part of the baseball program. Asselin is a third baseman and catcher from Gatineau, Quebec, Canada, and Wowk is a shortstop and second baseman from Toronto.

The night catches have "definitely helped my eye-hand coordination," Asselin said.

Alex Asselin

Brian Wowk

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