Troy's Kyle Ishman makes a leaping touchdown grab over the reach of Averill Park's Dan Galinski during Sunday's third annual Tiger Shootout at Alumni Track at Field at Cohoes High School. (Photos by J.S. Carras - The Record).

Averill Park's Ryan Macari eludes two Troy defenders during the Tiger Shootout. Troy defeated Averill Park in their opening round matchup and beat them again in the loser's bracket, advancing to the championship match against Schuylerville. Schuylerville outlasted the Flying Horses, knocking off the two-time champs.

"It’s a good taste of football before it even starts," Schuylerville rising senior quarterback Austin Bateman said. "I was just proud of the underclassmen, because they stepped up big here."

It's a great event the coaching staff at Cohoes has put on the past three years to get the kids out playing football about a month before preseason practices begin. Without summer leagues or AAU action, high school football players have 356 days a year to think about those nine days each autumn when they get to suit up for their high school team.

With more events like this - as well as the Lineman Challenge at the University at Albany - many of the young coaches in Section II are trying to make football a year-round sport to great success.

"This is probably the first true football outside of team camps this season," Cohoes head coach and tournament organizer James Ducharme said. "Yes, you have team competitions like weightlifting, but this is the first true football event of the season and we need to have more things like this throughout the year. It’s tough with the weather, but we need to do this to keep our kids into football and make football in Section II and New York State better."

Schuylerville head coach Greg O’Connor said his players have peppered him with this line at the end of the past two school years: "Are we going to Cohoes this year, Coach?"
"They love this," O'Connor said. "They get excited for it."

"It’s exciting for the kids to get out here at this time of year and play football," said Troy head coach Jack Burger. "Every other sport has something they can compete in, but for us it seems to be just powerlifting meets and camps. This is a great thing that James (Ducharme) and his staff started a few years ago."

Make sure to check out the full version of the story in Monday's edition of The Record.

Tiger Shootout Champions
2007 – Troy
2008 – Troy
2009 – Schuylerville

2009 Tiger Shootout order of finish
First – Schuylerville
Second – Troy
Third – Lansingburgh
Fourth – Broadalbin-Perth
Fifth – Cohoes
Sixth – Averill Park
Seventh – South Glens Falls
Eighth - Voorheesville

South Troy Dodgers starting pitcher Mike Doyle delivers during Sunday's second game against the Long Island Titans. South Troy lost both games and was eliminated from the Mickey Mantle World Series qualifier. The Titans advanced to the 2009 World Series in McKinney, Texas. (Photos by J.S. Carras - The Record)

South Troy Dodgers shortstop Josh Ingham comes up throwing after making a diving play Long Island Titans Stephen Laurino's ground ball during second inning of Mickey Mantle baseball action at Geer Field. Laurino was safe at first.

It was a sloppy day fundamentally for the Dodgers. They committed eight errors and grounded into four double plays in the two games and their pitchers were pounded for 24 hits by a patient and scrappy Long Island lineup.

“We had our chances in the first game, but we had too many errors,” South Troy manager George Rogers said. “The first game was the key. I felt we had a shot at winning the first game and it just didn’t happen. In the second game I think we came out flat and it just steamrolled from there.”

They'll get back at it this week in the New York State Tournament, beginning Thursday.

LONG ISLAND 7, SOUTH TROY 6 (9)
Long Island 010 401 001 – 7 11 2
South Troy 000 300 300 – 6 11 6
Fernandez, Gatto (7) and Falconi Cioffi, Miller (5) and Gallupi.


Long Island 9, South Troy 5
LONG ISLAND SOUTH TROY
ab r h bi ab r h bi
Guiliano lf 4 0 1 0 Dalcol 3b 4 0 0 0
Leonello cf 2 1 1 1 Remillard 2b-ss 3 1 0 0
a-Nassayan ph-ss 2 1 1 0 Ziter cf 3 1 1 0
Tracy 3b 4 1 1 0 Ingham ss-p 3 1 2 1
Gatto dh 4 1 2 3 Scarsone 1b 4 0 1 1
D’Angelo rf 4 1 1 1 Gallupi dh-rf 3 0 1 1
Falconi c 4 1 3 0 LaCrosse lf 2 0 0 0
Marietta 2b 4 1 1 1 1-Castiglione 2b 4 0 1 0
Vitulano ss 1 0 0 1 VanVleet rf-lf 3 1 1 0
b-Molinaro ph-lf 2 0 0 0 Adams c 1 1 1 2
Laurino 1b 4 2 2 2
Totals 35 9 13 9 Totals 27 5 7 5
Long Island ......................................314 100 0 - 9 13 0
South Troy ........................................010 040 0 - 5 7 2
a-singled for Leonello in fourth. b-grounded out for Vitulano in fourth. 1-grounded out for LaCrosse in sixth.
E-Ingham 2. DP-Long Island 1 (Barry, Vitulano & Laurino). GIDP-Dalcol. LOB-Long Island 6, South Troy 6. SF-Vitulano. 2B-Gatto, Ingham, Ziter, Van Vleet 3B-Falconi. HR-Laurino, Adams. SB-Guiliano, Tracy, Gatto, Remillard.
Long Island ip h R er BB SO
Barry, W 6 7 5 5 4 3
Marine 1 0 0 0 0 1
South Troy ip h R er BB SO
Doyle, L 4 12 9 7 0 3
Miller 1 0 0 0 0 0
Ingham 2 1 0 0 0 2
WP-Barry 2. HBP-by Marine (Ingham).

Matt Raymond is a newcomer to the South Troy Dodgers - he pitched for Sorensco last summer - but he felt right at home Friday afternoon against the North Colonie Padres in the Mickey Mantle World Series qualifier at Geer Field.

Raymond, a rising junior at Columbia High School who pitched for the Blue Devils' junior varsity squad this spring, pitched out of a bases-loaded, no-out jam in the third inning by inducing a pair of sacrifice flies. He faced the minimum the rest of the way, leading the Dodgers to a 5-2 victory and a berth in Saturday's championship round, which begins at Noon at Geer Field.

"I wanted to get the strikeout or get a groundball to get out of it with a double play," Raymond said of the third inning jam, "but the fly balls, they were all right."

"I’ve been saving Matt for the right situation," said South Troy manager George Rogers. "Matt has been a huge addition to this team and I know he wants the ball in those situations. That’s why I brought him in. He did the job and shut them out the rest of the way."

South Troy pitcher Peter Quandt deals during the Dodgers' opening game against the Long Island Titans. He earned the win in 2.1 innings of one-hit relief and started the second game, combining on a two-hit performance against the Padres with Raymond. (Photos by Tom Killips - The Record)

South Troy shortstop Josh Ingham applies the tag to a Long Island baserunner caught stealing second in the sixth inning of Friday's 13-5 victory for the Dodgers. Ingham reached base all four times in that game (three singles and a walk) scoring three runs and driving in two more.

South Troy pitcher/outfielder Mike Doyle had a pretty nifty day on the diamond, too.
The rising junior at Catholic Central delivered the go-ahead single in the game against Long Island and added an outfield assist and an insurance RBI in the victory over North Colonie. He pitched a few days ago, but just like Raymond, he's awaiting the call to pitch and help out the team whenever he's needed.

"We have a ton of pitching," Doyle said. "We have four guys left that haven’t really pitched yet. We have a lot of arms left and that’s always useful in this kind of tournament."

I was out of the office for a few days, so we have some things to catch up on here.

McNall the man at Lansingburgh
Al McNall was officially announced as the new head football coach at Lansingburgh High School earlier this week. He has been an assistant coach for the Knights for a decade and will take over for Pete Porcelli, who moved on to Albany High in June after nine seasons with Lansingburgh.
It will be an interesting season for the Knights, who slide back down to Class B after a few competitive seasons in Class A.

Petilli to High Point
Mike Petilli, a Shaker High School graduate, has committed to High Point University in North Caroline for baseball, along with Maple Hill's Jaime Schultz and Averill Park's Tim Murdick.
Petilli topped out at 88-miles per hour at the Perfect Game Tournament in Georgia earlier this month and had a number of Division I schools looking for his services.

South Troy's Mantle team faring well in qualifier
As soon as the Connie Mack team wrapped up action on Sunday, South Troy's Mickey Mantle team took the field for a chance at the World Series. They won both games on opening day on Wednesday.
The Connie Mack Dodgers will be hosting the North Atlantic Regional beginning July 22 and other local Connie Mack teams will be competing in the New York State tournament, coming up soon.

Maple Hill High School graduate Jaime Schultz was named the 2009 New York State Class C Player of the Year by the New York State Sportswriters Association.

Baseball
2009 NYSSWA All-Star team

Class AA

First team
P/1B --Sean Hagan, 12, Mamaroneck-1
P/OF --Nolan Gaige, 12, Columbia-2
CF --Jeremy Baltz, 12, Vestal-4
OF --Kyle Hoppy, 12, Orchard Park-6
C --Camden Maron, 12, Hicksville-8
P/1B --Steve Matz, 12, Ward Melville-11
SS/P --Marcus Stroman, 12, Patchogue-Medford-11
SS --Mike Antonio, 11, George Washington-P
P --Mariel Checo, 12, Norman Thomas-P
2B/P --Henry Cartagena, 12, James Monroe-P
Second team
OF/P --Zach Graczyk, 12, Carmel-1
OF/P --Matt McGovern, 12, Mamaroneck-1
OF/P --Jim Brennan, 12, Suffern-1
3B/P --Kyle Charron, 12, La Salle-2
C --Brian Marotta, 12, Shenendehowa-2
SS --Aaron Barley, 12, Rush-Henrietta-5
P --Zach Lauricella, 10, Clarence-6
P/SS --Andrew Grann, 12, Oceanside-8
P/OF --Anthony Hajjar, 12, Xaverian-C
P/OF --Kyle Olsen, 12, North Babylon-11
Third team
P --Michael Hughes, 12, Albany-2
OF --Mike Fish, 12, Bethlehem-2
C --Tom Murphy, 12, Central Square-3
SS --Pat Talbut, 12, Vestal-4
P/INF --Jake Coleman, 12, Hilton-5
P/OF --Frankie Vanderka, 11, MacArthur-8
P --Matt McCormick, 12, Massapequa-8
P --Matt Petro, 12, Kingston-9
P/1B --Kevin Courtney, 11, St. John the Baptist-C
C --Kevin Primm, 12, North Babylon-11
Fourth team
SS --Anthony Iaccomini, 12, John Jay Cross River-1
SS --Nick Camastro, 12, Arlington-1
SS --Branden Cogswell, 10, Shenendehowa-2
P --Grant Nadeau, 12, Cicero-North Syracuse-3
1B --Jason Norsen, 12, Frontier-6
P --John Krause, 12, MacArthur-8
3B/P --Brandon Martineson, 12, Warwick-9
P --James Lomangino, 12, Connetquot-11
P --Jonathan Bobea, 10, Frances Lewis-P
P --Sal Lisanti, 12, Fordham Prep-C
Fifth team
OF --Matt Wild, 12, Auburn-3
P --Steve Sarcone, 11, Utica Proctor-3
P --Tim Lewis, 12, Vestal-4
P/1B --Ben Gielow, 12, Webster Schroeder-5
INF --Adam Neubauer, 11, Jamestown-6
P --Garrett Neubauer, 11, Frontier-6
2B --Travis Dwyer, 12, Calhoun-8
SS --Greg Victor, 12, Warwick-9
OF --James Briggs, 11, Lindenhurst-11
P/SS --C.J. Ferraggi, 12, Kellenberg-C
Sixth team
OF --Patrick Puentes, 12, Columbia-2
INF --Mike Weakley, 12, Liverpool-3
C --Greg Schworm, 12, Churchville-Chili-5
OF --Marcus Grazen, 12, Clarence-6
SS --John Pliego, 12, Newburgh FA-9
C --Chris Rave, 10, Minisink Valley-9
SS/P --Max Greenough, 12, Half Hollow Hills West-11
P --Dylan McNamara, 12, Moore-C
P --Nolan Becker, 12, Stuyvesant-P
P --Nick Pavia, 11, St. Joseph-by-the-Sea-C
Seventh team
P --Robbie Aviles, 11, Suffern-1
1B --Chris Sand, 12, Albany CBA-2
P --Eric Skutch, 12, Ithaca-4
SS --Chris Culver, 11, Irondequoit-5
C --Ryan DiFlavio, 11, West Seneca West-6
2B --John Adornetto, 12, Commack-11
P --Vinny Messana, 12, Centereach-11
2B/P --Anthony Gatto, 10, Smithtown West-11
1B --Alibay Barkley, 12, George Washington-P
P --Tommy Cardona, 12, Mount St. Michael-C

Class A

First team
P --Dan Zlotnik, 12, Somers-1
C --Kody O’Connor, 12, Mexico-3
P/1B --Brian Rudy, 11, Maine-Endwell-4
2B --Ben Bostick, 12, Aquinas-5
SS --Chris Roeder, 11, Victor-5
INF --Jason Radwan, 12, Lake Shore-6
OF/P --Bryan Verbitsky, 11, Island Trees-8
P/3B --John Schilt, 12, Clarke-8
P/SS --Kevin Chenicek, 11, Levittown Division-8
C --Matt Resistetter, 11, Hauppauge-11
Second team
SS --T.J. Olesczuk, 11, Hendrick Hudson-1
P --Josy Espinal, 11, Beacon-1
P --Robert Tedesco, 12, Mohonasen-2
C --Sean McGraw, 11, Syracuse CBA-3
INF/P --Andrew Barbarina, 12, Maine-Endwell-4
2B --Brad Kaczka, 10, Pittsford Sutherland-5
P --Jordan Cave, 12, Cheektowaga-6
SS --Matt Demitroff, 11, Manhasset-8
2B --Peter Craig, 12, Rocky Point-11
P/OF --Mike Massa, 12, John Glenn-11
Third team
P/SS --Joe Arena, 10, Lakeland-1
P --Mike Swerdloff, 12, Ardsley-1
P/1B --Jordan Zareski, 12, Lansingburgh-2
P --Joel Klock, 11, Grand Island-6
OF --Matthew Corigliano, 12, Iroquois-6
P --Scott McClennan, 11, Cornwall-9
C --Taylor Zappia, 12, Massena-10
INF/P --Casey Warner, 12, Malone-10
P/1B --Ed Maccaluso, 11, Islip-11
1B/P --Jimmy Luppens, 11, Shoreham-Wading River-11
Fourth team
C --John Consenza, 12, Lakeland-1
OF --Jared Teta, 12, Lansingburgh-2
P --D.J. Forbragd, 12, Camden-3
OF --Joe Carcone, 12, New Hartford-3
OF --Nate Reynolds, 11, Maine-Endwell-4
P/OF --T.J. Rocklein, 12, Eastridge-5
P/3B --Brian Sundberg, 12, Clarke-8
P/OF --Trevor Cannella, 12, North Shore-8
P --Dennis Cohen, 12, Red Hook-9
P/OF --Thor Miller, 12, Miller Place-11
Fifth team
2B --Matt DeSilva, 12, Hendrick Hudson-1
SS --Kyle McKelvey, 12, Schalmont-2
P --Jon Silva, 12, Mexico-3
3B/P --Nate Mallinder, 11, Oneida-3
P --Mike Kitts, 11, Syracuse CBA-3
P/3B --Rich Baird, 12, Batavia-5
C --Kevin Whitehead, 12, Kenmore East-6
1B --Brad Rush, 11, Albion-6
CF --Tyler Bell, 11, Cornwall-9
1B/P --Chris Catan, 12, Shoreham-Wading River-11

Class B

First team
P --Ryan Pennell, 11, Rye Neck-1
U --Josh Nethaway, 12, Fonda-Fultonville-2
INF --Mike McMullen, 11, Westhill-3
P/INF --Mike DeCarr, 12, Westhill-3
C --Brian Stilson, 12, Chenango Valley-4
P/INF --Montana Yastremski, 12, Bath-Haverling-5
P --Robert Nalepa, 12, Dunkirk-6
OF --Brett Roeske, 12, Cold Spring Harbor-8
P --Kyle Hansen, 12, St. Dominic-C
SS/P --J.J. Franco, 12, Poly Prep-A
Second team
SS --Mike Mercurio, 12, Somers JFK-1
OF --Shane Matthews, 12, Saratoga Catholic-2
P --Ryan Malley, 12, Westhill-3
SS --Matt Ford, 12, Lansing-4
SS --Alex Foster, 12, Wellsville-5
INF --Aaron Benton, 12, Gowanda-6
P --Corey King, 12, Fredonia-6
P/SS --Brad Reimer, 11, Sullivan West-9
P/1B --Alex Antilety, 12, Southampton-11
SS/P --Zack Tax, 12, Rye Country Day-A
Third team
P --Sean LaFaye, 11, Dobbs Ferry-1
P --Dan Diaz, 12, Nanuet-1
P/C --Brian Gauthier, 12, Chatham-2
P/SS --Justin Brantley, 12, Hudson-2
OF --Mike Mascari, 12, Westhill-3
P --Justin Topa, 12, Chenango Valley-4
P/1B --Kyle Barkley, 12, Penn Yan-5
INF --Bo Westling, 11, Dunkirk-6
P --G.C. Yerry, 12, Onteora-9
1B/P --Rich Carbone, 12, Poly Prep-A
Fourth team
C --Anthony Corona, 12, Somers JFK-1
P/SS --Justin Brantley, 12, Hudson-2
U --John Rooney, 11, Bishop Ludden-3
1B/P --Brent Gibbs, 12, Wayland-Cohocton-5
OF --Jeff Dimmer, 12, Fredonia-6
P/OF --Andrew Price, 12, Beekmantown-7
OF --Derek Gussaroff, 12, Cold Spring Harbor-8
P --Allen Lekocevic, 12, Pine Plains-9
P/INF --Chris Reece, 12, Potsdam-10
P/SS --Chris Pike, 11, Southampton-11
Fifth team
CF --Ryan Sullivan, 12, Albertus Magnus-1
OF/P --Joe Boomhower, 12, Ravena-Coeymans-Selkirk-2
C --A.J. Capone, 12, Lowville-3
INF --Carter Franz, 12, Cazenovia-3
P --Matt Colbert, 12, Dryden-4
C --Danny Potter, 11, East Aurora-6
OF --Vincent Conti, 12, Fredonia-6
U --Logan Grishaber, 12, Sullivan West-9
OF --Gene Bouyer, 11, Ogdensburg-10
P/1B --Jason Schilling, 12, Center Moriches-11

Class C

First team
P --Kenta Miyoshi, 12, Keio-1
C --Takaho Chubachi, 12, Keio-1
P/SS/CF --Jaime Schultz, 12, Maple Hill-2
CF/P --Nick Papas, 12, Maple Hill-2
P --Cody Rose, 12, Candor-4
3B/P --Nate Jones, 12, Seton-4
C/P --A.J. Kehlenbeck, 11, Oakfield-Alabama-5
P --Asa Johnson, 11, Frewsburg-6
OF/P --Alex Hudak, 12, Oyster Bay-8
P/SS --Jake Robinson, 11, Oyster Bay-8
Second team
OF/P --Mark Hanifin, 11, Fort Plain-2
P --Pat Magoveny, 12, Watertown IHC-3
U --Tom Curry, 12, Pulaski-3
P/SS --Pat Matthews, 12, Seton-4
P/1B --Zach Levanduski, 11, Elmira Heights-4
P/SS --Caleb Young, 11, Cuba-Rushford-5
INF --Thad Johnson, 9, Frewsburg-6
P/OF --Anthony Barnao, 12, Ticonderoga-7
C --Brandon Zukoski, 10, Tuxedo-9
P/INF --Justin Supernault, 12, Brushton-Moira-10
Third team
OF --Rob Magliano, 12, Blind Brook-1
P --Dan Wiecek, 12, Fort Plain-2
C --Jake Nelson, 12, Lake George-2
2B-P --Pat Shepardson, 12, Little Falls-3
C --Kevin Carroll, 12, Fabius-Pompey-3
P --Tyler Newman, 12, Unatego-4
P/SS --Corey Upright, 11, Avon-5
P --Kyle Grey, 11, Frewsburg-6
OF --Rigel Johnson, 12, Cattaraugus/Little Valley-6
P/INF --Adam Stone, 11, Norwood-Norfolk-10
Fourth team
U --Peter Gaibrois, 12, Lake George-2
P --Ben Smith, 12, Tully-3
C --Kyle Liner, 12, Cooperstown-3
SS/P --Luke Burns, 12, Delhi-4
P/INF --Dylan Ternoois, 12, Lyons-5
1B --Sean Ancker, 11, Caledonia-Mumford-5
OF --Luke Hellwig, 12, Portville-6
INF --B.J. Monacelli, 11, Cassadaga Valley-6
INF --Trent Unverdorben, 10, Portville-6
C/P --Casey Crowley, 12, Pierson-11

Class D

First team
P --Jordan Doroshenko, 12, Hamilton-3
SS/P --Tyler White, 12, Hamilton-3
P --Dan Many, 12, South Kortright-4
P/SS --Shawn Kerr, 12, Arkport-5
SS --Ethan Lewis, 11, Arkport-5
P/SS --Kyle Ingalls, 11, Bolivar-Richburg-5
P --Brandon Judson, 12, North Collins-6
C --Casey Bucco, 12, North Collins-6
P --Travis Renwick, 12, Chapel Field-9
P/SS --Casey Forkey, 12, Clifton-Fine-10
Second team
SS --Joe Shevy, 12, Fort Ann-2
P --Jeff Albright, 10, New York Mills-3
INF --Eric Burns, 12, South Kortright-4
P/SS --Cody Hall, 12, Gilbertsville-Mt. Upton-4
P/INF --Brendan Costello, 12, DeSales-5
P/SS --Ed Marchand, 12, Charles Finney-5
OF --Joey Tingue, 11, Pine Valley-6
P/INF --Ethan Tyrrell, 12, Schroon Lake-7
1B/3B --Shane Kinley, 10, Florida-9
U --Josh Hartle, 12, Harrisville-10
Third team
SS/P --R.J. Gallup, 12, Schenectady Christian-2
P/INF --Jordon Williams, 12, Edmeston-4
C --Victor Coronado, 12, Afton-4
P/SS --Jake Pagano, 11, Lima Christian-5
C --Alex Beyea, 11, Wheatland-Chili-5
P --Bob Peting, 12, Brocton-6
P --Daniel Burns, 12, Panama-6
P/OF --Jordan Monthony, 11, Indian Lake/Long Lake-7
P/C --Ross Abbott, 11, Livingston Manor-9
P/INF --Kyle Demers, 12, Chateaugay-10

A few closing notes on the Connie Mack World Series qualifier in Troy this past week.

The one thing that struck me most about the teams from the New York area and the Florida Legends was that they were fearless on the basepaths. Those teams stole every base they could and coaches never held a runner up at third. Their runners were fast, smart and aggressive and forced opposing defenses to make a play.
The local coaches, however, tended to be more conservative at third base, holding runners up in hope that the next batter up could drive them in.
At this level of play, where most players are bound for Division I college ball, if not a spot on a minor league lineup someday, I have to agree with the aggressive style of play. The odds that a fielder can come up with the ball, make a clean and accurate throw and that the catcher can apply the tag are really slim to none. The runners that flew around third base almost always scored because they dared the defense to make a tough play. Sure, you run the risk of killing a rally with outs on the basepaths, but in a wooden bat tournament, every run counts and the conservative approach of some of the third base coaches cost more runs than it saved.

The Dodgers will get another shot at the World Series in Farmington, New Mexico later this month when they host the North Atlantic Regional beginning July 22.

Dodgers pitcher Kyle Charron fields and throws to first in last Sunday's game against the Bayside Yankees. South Troy won that game 6-4 but lost 9-0 to the Florida Legends in the afternoon, eliminating them from the Connie Mack World Series qualifier at Geer Field. The Legends won the qualifier for the third consecutive season, clinching a berth in the World Series in Farmington, New Mexico this August. (Photos by J.S. Carras - The Record)

Dodgers third baseman Chris Sand fields a ball during Sunday's victory over the Bayside Yankees. A first baseman and designated hitter at Christian Brothers Academy during the high school season, Sand has made a nice transition to the hot corner this summer.

South Troy shortstop Branden Cogswell makes a play at second base during Sunday's game against the Bayside Yankees. The 16-year-old from Shenendehowa was a definite bright spot for the Dodgers at the top of the lineup during the qualifier tournament.

Below are some pictures from Saturday's action.

Dodgers center fielder Patrick Puentes, a Holy Cross-bound Columbia High School graduate, makes a running catch during Saturday's game against the New York Nine. New York won, 6-4. (Photos by Tom Killips - The Record).

Second baseman Jose Ramirez lays down a sacrifice bunt during the second inning of Saturday's game against the New York Nine. He advanced Chris Sand to second base, but Sand was stranded as the Dodgers could not push the run across against New York's Sal Lisanti.

Dodgers pitcher Dave Roseboom throws against the New York Nine. He took the loss in this game but pitched well against Florida's star-packed lineup a day later, even though the Dodgers lost 9-0. Roseboom, pitching against three Major League Baseball draft picks in the Legends' lineup, retired nine in a row in one stretch, keeping the Dodgers in the game.

Chris Sand connects on a monster home run during Saturday's game against the New York Nine. He added a double two innings later and provides the Dodgers with a big power bat, even in a wood bat tournament.

Only one local team survived pool play in the 2009 Connie Mack World Series qualifier - the South Troy Dodgers 18-year-old squad.
They advanced to the double elimination round, which begins Saturday morning at Geer Field in Troy.

10 a.m. - Richmond County vs. Florida Legends
12:30 p.m. - South Troy Dodgers 18s vs. New York Nine
3 p.m. - opening round losers play
5:30 p.m. - Bayside Yankees vs. South Troy-New York winner


The South Troy 17s went to extra innings yet again on Friday, dropping an 11-7 contest to the New York Nine in their first game. The Brooklyn Youth Service mercy-ruled the Dodgers later in the day, eliminating them from the tournament.

South Troy's Tyler Young takes a cut during Friday's game against the New York Nine. He was by with a pitch with the bases loaded in the bottom of the seventh, tying the game and forcing extra innings. (All photos by Tom Killips - The Record).

South Troy starting pitcher Justin Rebhun didn't throw one pitch for his Columbia High team this spring, but he came through in a pinch for the Dodgers on Friday after Robert Tedesco's gutsy performance in a 16-inning game against Lansingburgh on Thursday. Rebhun scattered six hits and three runs over six innings and was on line for the win before the Dodgers bullpen coughed up the lead in the top of the seventh.

Rebhun reacts after being hit by a pitch during Friday's game.

Raymond Frias of New York Nine is safe at second as South Troy Dodgers shortstop Sean Geisel waits for a throw from right fielder Tyler Young during a Connie Mack World Series qualifier Friday at Geer Field.