I caught the Yankees-Orioles game at Yankee Stadium on Wednesday, a game the Yankees won 13-3. Bobby Abreu hit two home runs, Alex Rodriguez added a solo shot and Joba Chamberlain struck out six O's over six innings of work.
We had some awful nice seats down the third base line, pretty near where Jeter made that face-first diving catch into the stands against the Red Sox some years back (July 1, 2004, to be exact). Didn't see any foul balls come sreaming our way, which was fine by me. Here's a short photo essay recounting the trip. You can also click on the pictures for a slighty larger version.

-- Will Montgomery

About five minutes before game time, Orioles left fielder Luke Scott sprinted out of the dugout and sparred with the B'more trainer prior to stretching out. As you can see, Scott crouching down was about as tall as the trainer standing straight up.


We had a nice vantage point down the third base line and we got to see A-Rod warming up up close before each inning. After Joba coughed up an RBI single to B'more's Aubrey Huff in the top of the first, A-Rod fired back with a two-run single that plated Derek Jeter and Bobby Abreu. A-Rod later scored on a passed ball.

Yankees manager Joe Giradi jaws with home plate umpire Mark Wegner after Wegner ejcted Yankees pitcher Edwar Ramirez. Ramirez's first pitch in the 7th inning sailed over the head of Orioles first baseman Kevin Millar (loudly booed all afternoon). The entire crowd at the Stadium was on its feet for a good four or five minutes while Girardi argued and David Robertson came in to warm up (Robertson struck out the side).


Bobby Abreu touches third on his second home run of the day. His first home run clanged off the right field foul pole.

A-Rod in the box after Abreu's second homer - A-Rod jacked one out just shy of the right field bleachers later in the at-bat.


Game attendance was 54,296.


Here is the outside of the new Yankee Stadium, under construction beyond left field of the current Stadium.

??: What is your favorite Capital Region venue for high school sports? Is it the Troy High gym? The Watervliet football field, with Cannons firing, on a Saturday afternoon?

For the South Colonie Raiders Mickey Mantle team there was good news and bad news.

The first good news: the Raiders scored four runs in the sixth inning and staked a 11-7 victory over Sorensco in the Upper NYS Mickey Mantle semifinals, earning a berth in the finals against the North Country Athletics.
The game saw five lead changes through the first five innings, but Colonie reliever Eric Birdsall was able to shut the DevilCats down over 2 and 2/3 innings of stellar relief with a very tired arm.
Trevor Wadsworth led the team with three hits, catcher A.J. Monin scored three runs and left fielder Kyle Savoca drove in the game-winning run in the sixth inning rally.

The bad news: North Country, who rallied to beat the Raiders 4-3 in the last inning on Sunday, were undefeated in the tourney coming into the final round. And they were undefeated for a reason.
With Colonie leading 4-0, North Country scored 13 consecutive runs in the fifth inning...before Colonie could record a single out. 13-4 final, North Country is bound to the Mickey Mantle World Series in McKinney, Texas.

But wait, there's more good news for the Raiders: Their runner-up performance earned them a berth in the North Atlantic Regional to be held in Waterbury, Conn. beginning Wednesday. Should the Raiders win that tournament, they too are headed to Texas.


---
A tough loss for the DevilCats, but they did have a number of good performances. James Vooris started and gave Sorensco a strong five innings and was leading when relieved.
Ben Tidd scored two runs and laid down a perfect sac bunt in the fifth, but Colonie pitched Anthony LaValley tried to get Tidd at first and threw it away, allowing two runs to score and Tidd to move to third.
Joe Dugan also had a double and scored two runs for the DevilCats.

"We tied for first in the regular season and we were final three in the tournament," said Sorensco manager Dan Renaud. "That's a good year. Hopefully we can keep the core together for fall ball and Connie Mack next year."


Read the full report in Tuesday's Record.


-- Will Montgomery

South Colonie 11, Sorensco 7

SOUTH COLONIE SORENSCO

ab r h bi ab r h bi

Birdsall cf-p 3 2 1 0 Casavant 3b-2b 5 1 2 1

Kalica ss 4 1 0 0 Kasper c 3 0 1 0

Wadsworth 3b 4 1 3 2 Rebhun ss 5 0 0 1

Monin c 3 3 1 0 Papas cf-p 3 0 0 0

Fitzgerald 1b 5 2 2 2 a-Tesoriero ph-lf 1 0 0 0

Butler p 3 1 2 1 Dugan rf 2 2 1 0

1-LaValley ph-p 0 1 0 0 Henchey lf-3b 3 1 0 0

Savoca lf 4 0 2 2 Tidd 1b 3 2 2 1

Ilyadis 2b 3 0 1 3 Williams 2b 3 0 0 0

Mazzola rf-cf 4 0 1 0 b-Loughman ph-p 1 0 0 0

Vooris p-cf 3 1 2 1

Totals 33 11 13 10 Totals 32 7 8 4

South Colonie.......................................012 034 1 — 11 13 3

Sorensco...................................................011 230 0 — 7 8 0

1- walked for Butler in 6th. a- pinch hit in seventh, a-flied out for Papas in 6th, b-popped out for Williams in 6th.

E—Fitzgerald, Wadsworth, LaValley.
LOB—South Colonie 10, Sorensco 11. 2B—Wadsworth, Fitzgerald, Savoca, Ilyadis, Casavant, Dugan, Vooris..

SB—Birdsall, Kalica. SF—Ilyadis.

South COlonie ip h R er BB SO

Butler 4+ 6 5 3 2 1

LaValley 1/3 1 2 1 1 0

Birdsall, W 2 2/3 1 0 0 3 3

Sorensco ip h R er BB SO

Vooris 5 9 6 5 3 2

Papas, L 2/3 3 4 4 3 0

Loughman 1 1/3 1 1 1 1 0

Butler pitched to one in 5th
WP—Birdsall 2. PB—Monin 2. HBP —Vooris (by Butler).

The North Country A's handed Sorensco its first loss of the Upper New York State Mickey Mantle Tournament on Sunday. North Country pitcher Anthony McGovern held the Devil Cats to two runs on three hits in the 6-2 victory. The A's are the only unbeaten team left in the tournament.

The Devil Cats are still very much alive though and will take on the South Colonie Raiders Monday at 2p.m. at Clifton Commons. Sorensco won the only match up between the two 12-11 in extra innings. That game was tied at 11 and headed into extras when it was suspended by fog. When it was resumed weeks later the Devil Cats came out on top.

The Raiders advanced by knocking out Lansingburgh 5-2 on Sunday. It was South Colonie's second game of the day, bouncing back from a heartbreaking 4-3 loss to North Country at Cook Park Sunday morning.

Be sure to check out Monday's edition of The Record for the complete Lansingburgh and Sorensco game stories.

For updated brackets click here.

Here's the schedule for Monday
2008 UPPER NEW YORK STATE MICKEY MANTLE TOURNAMENT
Today
Clifton Common
Fifth Round
Capital City A’s vs North Country, 11 a.m.
Sorensco DevilCats vs South Colonie Raiders, 2 p.m.
Sixth Round
Capital City/North Country winner vs Sorensco/South Colonie winner, 5:30 p.m.

Capital District Knights 4, Lansingburgh 2
Sorensco 6, West Genesee 2
Clifton Park 4, Bethlehem 3
North Country 7, Queensbury 6
South Colonie 12, Capital City A's 1

Saturdays Match ups
Steel
Sorensco vs. CD Knights 10a.m.
Wood
Lansingburgh vs. W. Genesee 10a.m.
Clifton Park vs. North Country 12:30p.m.
South Colonie vs. Schenectady 3p.m.
Cook Park
Bethlehem vs. Queensbury 11a.m

For the complete brackets click here.

Here is an incomplete list of scores from day one of Connie Mack action in and around Troy.

First round
Connecticut Bombers 8, Long Island Titans 0
Brooklyn Bonnies 7, South Troy Dodgers 1
Ontario defeats Clinton, N.J.
Brooklyn Youth Service 6, South Colonie Raiders 3

Second round
Loser's bracket
Long Island 7, South Troy 0
South Colonie 8, Clinton, N.J. 3
(South Troy and Clinton eliminated)
Winner's bracket
Waltham, Mass. vs Connecticut, no report
Brooklyn Bonnies vs Ontario, no report
(Waltham/Conn. winner plays Brooklyn Youth Service on Saturday; Bonnies/Ontario winner receives a bye)

All teams will re-seed upon completion of Saturday's early games.

--
You read that right, the South Troy Dodgers have been eliminated on the first day after only being able to score one run in fourteen innings of play.
Colonie, however, rallied to defeat Clinton in the nightcap and the Raiders will play the Long Island Titans at 10 a.m. at Colonie High School on Saturday in a loser's bracket game.

Brooklyn Bonnies starter Sean Nolin stymied the Dodgers bats - he was a 50th round pick of the Milwaukee Brewers in 2008. He will head instead to San Jacinto Junior College near Houston, Texas, which has produced the likes of Roger Clemens, Andy Pettitte and former Tri-City ValleyCats pitcher Matt Albers.
Nolin struck out 13 over seven strong innings, his overpowering fastball and devastating curve keeping the South Troy nine off-balance all morning.

Long Island's Ryan Pfaeffle was not as powerful as Nolin, but shut down the Dodgers just the same. The George Mason-bound senior from Commack scattered five hits over six shutout innings.

We will see how Colonie deals with the Titans on Saturday -- it's a win-or-go-home game. Long Island was held to two hits and shutout in their opener against Connecticut at R.P.I before rebounding against South Troy. The Raiders will need a big arm to step up and quiet the Titans' lineup.

Day one of the Upper New York State Mickey Mantle Tournament at Clifton Commons was postponed today. Everything will be pushed back a day with nine games in rounds two and three to be played on Saturday.
Here's the Schedule for Friday:
Schenectady has a first round bye.
Wood Field
Lansingburgh vs. Capital District Knights 1p.m.
Queensbury vs. North Colonie 3:30p.m.
Clifton Park vs. Bethlehem 6p.m.
South Colonie vs. Capital City A's 8:15p.m.
Steel Field
Sorensco vs. West Genesse 2p.m.

The Albany City Rocks 16-and-under team is making noise at the AAU National Championships in Orlando, Florida.

Tobias Harris of Long Island led the Rocks to a gigantic 64-58 victory over the touted YOMCA squad from Memphis, Tenn.
Local standouts such as Taran Buie (Bishop Maginn, #12) and Kameron Ritter (Christian Brothers Academy, #22) are also a part of the team.

According to the bracket from the AAU, the final tonight begins at 8:30 pm.

(click for the full-size version)

In the meantime, check out the Rocks' photo gallery.

The Record

TROY – Postponed two days by heavy rain and soggy field conditions, the 2008 Connie Mack North Atlantic Regional is scheduled to kick off Friday morning at three different sites around the Capital Region.
The homestanding South Troy Dodgers play host to the Brooklyn Bonnies at 10 a.m. at Geer Field. Should the Dodgers win, they will play the Ontario Blue Jays/Clinton, N.J. winner at 5 p.m. If the Dodgers lose the opener, they play the Connecticut Bombers/Long Island Titans loser at 1 p.m.
The South Colonie Raiders, two-time defending Upper New York State champions, host the Brooklyn Youth Service at Colonie High School at 10 a.m. The winner of the game receives a second-round bye and the loser plays the Ontario/Clinton loser at 5 p.m.
Waltham, Mass. received a first-round bye in the nine-team tournament and will play at 5 p.m. at R.P.I.
The tournament champion earns a berth in the 2008 Connie Mack World Series, held in Farmington, New Mexico from Aug. 1-8.

2008 CONNIE MACK NORTH ATLANTIC REGIONAL TOURNAMENT
Friday
At R.P.I.

Connecticut Bombers vs Long Island Titans, 10 a.m.
Ontario Blue Jays vs Clinton, N.J., 1 p.m.
Waltham, Mass. vs Connecticut/Long Island winner, 5 p.m.

At Geer Field

South Troy Dodgers vs Brooklyn Bonnies, 10 a.m.
Connecticut/Long Island loser vs South Troy/Brooklyn loser, 1 p.m.
South Troy/Brooklyn winner vs Ontario/Clinton winner, 5 p.m.

At Colonie High School

Brooklyn Youth Service vs South Colonie Raiders, 10 a.m.
Ontario/Clinton loser vs South Colonie/Brooklyn loser, 5 p.m.



For those interested in playing along at home, you can download a copy of the bracket as an Excel spreadsheet by clicking here.

The Upper New York State Mickey Mantle Tournament gets underway tomorrow at Clifton Commons in Clifton Park.
Here's the schedule for the opening day of the tournament:
Schenectady has a Bye in the first round.
Wood Field
Lansingburgh vs. Capital District Knights 3p.m.
Queensbury vs. North Country 6p.m.
Steel Field
Sorensco vs West Genesse 1p.m.
South Colonie vs. Capital City A's 4p.m.
Clifton Park vs. Bethlehem 7p.m.

Rounds two and three are on Friday, four and five on Saturday with the championship game scheduled for 2p..m Sunday

It rained all day...and the teams in the Connie Mack North Atlantic Regional will try again on Thursday.

Colonie plays host to the Brooklyn Youth Service at 10 a.m. at Colonie High School.
South Troy will face the Brooklyn Bonnies at 1:30 p.m. at Geer Field.

Tournament organizers hope to squeeze in a second round (some of the games previously scheduled for Thursday) in the afternoon.

Weather permitting, of course.

Teammates congratulate Mike Cieszko after he hit a two-run homer vs. Clifton Park in the championship game of the Upper New York State Connie Mack Tournament. (Tom Killips — The Record).

William Montgomery

The Record

COLONIE – The nine-team 2008 North Atlantic Connie Mack Regional begins today in the Capital Region with a trip to Farmington, New Mexico and a spot in the Connie Mack World Series on the line. Both the South Troy Dodgers and the South Colonie Raiders will be vying for the World Series berth with a distinct home field advantage.

This afternoon, the Dodgers play host to the Brooklyn Bonnies at Geer Field and the Raiders will, in a recent turn of events, play the Brooklyn Youth Service squad at Colonie High School. Both games begin at 5 p.m.

Tournament director George Rogers was looking for another site to host an opening round game and called South Colonie manager Ed Kelly to see if the field at Colonie High was available. For Kelly, the answer was obvious.

“I said, absolutely, I’d love to host a game. It’s a good starting point for us,” Kelly said. “Especially now in a regional tournament with the Brooklyn Youth Service, the Brooklyn Bonnies, the South Troy Dodgers and a team from Ontario coming down, I think it’s tremendous that we get to host it in our own backyard.”

South Colonie (27-5) won the Upper New York Connie Mack Tournament on Saturday with an 11-8 victory over the Clifton Park Yankees, their second consecutive state title. The Raiders can thank a trio of three-year players – all Colonie High graduates – for the string of recent success.

“Pretty much since seventh and eighth grade we’ve been playing school ball together,” said Tyler Agneta, a South Colonie pitcher who enters his sophomore year at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in the fall. “We have a lot of experience on the team, but I’d like to see what we can do one last time.”

This Connie Mack season may well be the last time Agneta, shortstop Matt June and centerfielder Joe Poleto all play together on the same team.

“We just want to have a better showing than last year,” said Poleto, who begins his freshman year at Hudson Valley Community College in the fall. “Every team we play now is going to be a lot tougher.”

Brooklyn Youth Service appeared in the area earlier in July in the Connie Mack World Series Qualifier hosted by the South Troy Dodgers. The Youth Service program has produced major leaguers like Manny Ramirez of the Boston Red Sox and Joel Chimelis, the current hitting coach of the Tri-City ValleyCats.

The Raiders, who also played in the Qualifier, are well aware of the level of talent they’ll be facing this week.

“We played the Florida Legends and they’re probably one of the best in the country too,” said June, headed to SUNY Cortland. “I think we’re ready for anything. We have the pitching to do it.”

“(Brooklyn is) going to have plenty of ammunition to come at us,” said Kelly, “and so does South Troy. They have some phenomenal talent over there.”

The Dodgers feature a veritable local high school all-star team, including third baseman Kyle Charron, The Record’s 2008 high school Player of the Year.

Connie Mack rules allow winning teams to pick up players from eliminated clubs and the Raiders added a pair of Rensselaer County standouts for their stretch run. Jamie Schultz (Maple Hill High) and Nolan Gaige (Columbia High), members of the Sorensco DevilCats, the team that won the Eastern New York Connie Mack regular season title, tried on their South Colonie jerseys on Tuesday. The DevilCats’ duo will add depth to the Raiders’ bullpen.

“Coming into this, we know that it’s going to take a lot of pitching to get through the tournament,” Agneta said. “Especially if we lose a game and it’s that many more games we have to play and that many more innings we have to eat up.”

Kelly, who used to coach Little League, Babe Ruth and Connie Mack teams at the same time, decided to focus solely on his Connie Mack team a few years ago because of the relationships he can build with the older players.

“It’s their last year and you hope everything goes well for them,” said Kelly, “and that they take it as far as they can. With this group, I know they gave it all they got.”

2008 North Atlantic Connie Mack Regional Opening Round

Waltham, Mass. receives first round bye

At R.P.I.

Connecticut Bombers vs Long Island Titans, 1 p.m.

At Geer Field

Ontario Blue Jays vs Clinton, N.J., 1 p.m.

South Troy Dodgers vs Brooklyn Bonnies, 5 p.m.

At Colonie High School

Brooklyn Youth Service vs South Colonie, 5 p.m.

The South Colonie Raiders won the 2008 Upper New York Connie Mack Tournament title on Saturday - thanks to an unlikely hero.
Chris Smith, who came off the bench to deliver a game-changing pinch-hit bunt in the sixth inning, came in with two outs and the bases loaded in the bottom of the seventh to shut the door on the Clifton Park Yankees.
He did just that, freezing CP's Bryan Hunter on the third strike, wrapping up Colonie's 11-8 victory.

"I just wanted to move the runners over, hoping to get them across," Smith said of his big pinch-hit appearance.
A Clifton Park fielding error on the play allowed the go-ahead run to score, putting Colonie up 5-4.

Colonie went undefeated through the UNY tourney and had to defeat Clifton Park twice in two days to take the title. In five games, they outscored their opponents 48-29.

The Raiders crushed a pair of homers - one from Joe Poleto and another from Mike Cieszko.
Cieszko, a sophomore-to-be at RPI, is a newcomer to the team, although most of the Colonie players have been together since they were about ten years old.
"It's my first year on the team but I get along great with the guys," Cieszko said. "There's great chemistry on this team. Everyone contributes."

Colonie manager Ed Kelly was doused with the remnants of the water cooler after the game, and while mopping up from the incident, admitted that this was a long-term goal for the Raiders.
"We were indoors in March, working on our hitting," Kelly said, "and we had goals in mind. One of those goals was winning this tournament."

The Raiders will move on to the North Atlantic Regional, which begins this Wednesday in Troy. Playing sites are RPI and Geer Field, but the full schedule is still TBA. The South Troy Dodgers Elite squad is also entered in the tournament.

Wrapping up the UNY tourney on Saturday was a big plus for Colonie.
"Last year we finished on Tuesday," Kelly said. "Now we get three days to rest."
"We're confident, but we can't let our guard down," said Cziesko, "especially against these great teams we've never faced or seen before."

NEWSFLASH: In a 10 a.m. email from the South Colonie coach, today's final between Clifton Park and Colonie has been moved to South Colonie High School and will not be played at Knickerbacker Park as originally scheduled.

The South Colonie Raiders, the defending Upper New York Connie Mack Tournament champions, are the only undefeated team left in 2008. The Raiders face the Clifton Park Yankees in the championship round Saturday, starting at noon.

Since Clifton Park has one loss, should they lose the first game, Colonie wins the tournament. Should Clifton Park win the opening game, the teams will play again in a double-elimination, all-or-nothing game.

The winner of the tournament earns a berth in the North Atlantic Regional Tournament to be held at Geer Field beginning on Wednesday, July 23rd.
The South Troy Dodgers, as hosts, automatically qualify.

--

The Lansingburgh Royals beat the Sorensco DevilCats 10-2 in their first game of the day, but fell to South Colonie 10-8 in the nightcap. The Royals, however, made a late charge in the twilight. Sorensco's Tim Murdick sneaks in beging Lansingburgh catcher Keith Diotte to score a run in the second inning. (J.S. Carras — The Record).

Trailing 10-5 heading into their last ups, the Royals used a two-run single from Brian Beaury (who was on fire all tournament) to narrow the lead to 10-7. Beaury then scored on a wild pitch, making it 10-8.

But that was as close as the homestanding Royals could get.
The key group of players have been playing together for the better part of six years and over that stretch, the team went 135-33 and won four regular season league titles.

"That's typical Royals baseball," said manager Joe Henkel. "We played a game Colonie team and I'm extremely proud of my boys. This group made their mark in everything they've done."

Clifton Park's Sam Rosenzwig connects for a first-inning double while competing vs. Sorensco in the Upper New York State Connie Mack Tournament. (J.S. Carras — The Record).

The Clifton Park Yankees jumped out to a 7-0 lead after one inning and never looked back against Sorensco on Thursday night. The Yanks ended up winning 10-2 after four and a half innings thanks to the mercy rule.

Clifton Park and South Colonie, the only two undefeated teams, play today at 3 p.m.
Lansingburgh and Sorensco meet in an elimination game at noon.

2008 Upper New York Connie Mack Tournament
Today
Colonie High School

Halfmoon Mariners vs West Genesee Wildcats, Noon

Knickerbacker Park

Sorensco DevilCats vs Lansingburgh Royals, Noon
South Colonie Raiders vs Clifton Park Yankees, 3 p.m.

Teams will re-seed after 3 p.m. game and a 6 p.m. game at each site may be necessary

2008 NYSSWA All-Star Team
Class AA
Player of the Year: Jean Carlos Rodriguez (George Washington-PSAL, sr., pitcher)
First team
CF -- Matt McGovern, jr., Mamaroneck-1
SS -- Joe Panik, sr., John Jay East Fishkill-1
P/3B -- Kyle Charron, jr., LaSalle-2
P/SS -- Jon Schwind, sr., Hilton-5
P -- Sebby Bellitto, sr., Jamestown-6
P -- Jason Lembo, sr., East Meadow-8
1B -- Mike Morelli, sr., Washingtonville-9
SS/P -- Marcus Stroman, jr., Patchogue-Medford-11
C -- Jean Carlos Rodriguez, sr., George Washington-PSAL
P -- Ed Medina, sr., Moore Catholic-CHS
Second team
SS -- Anthony Iacomini, jr., John Jay Cross River-1
SS -- David Balsamo, sr., Shenendehowa-2
OF -- Rejean Archambeault, sr., Horseheads-4
P/OF -- Chase Grissom, sr., Greece Athena-5
OF -- Kyle Hoppy, jr., Orchard Park-6
P/DH -- Mike Manderino, sr., Massapequa-8
P -- Chris Phelan, sr., Patchogue-Medford-11
P -- Ryan Pfaeffle, sr., Commack-11
C -- Matt Simone, sr., St. John the Baptist-CHS
P -- Stephen Rivera, sr., Monsignor Farrell-CHS
Third team
OF -- Dave Ciocchi, sr., John Jay East Fishkill-1
P -- Dave Roseboom, soph., LaSalle-2
SS -- Matt Wessinger, sr., Liverpool-3
P/OF -- Jason Kanzler, sr., Penfield-5
3B -- Joe Haak, sr., Orchard Park-6
CF -- Sal Intagliata, sr., Carey-8
C -- Patrick Cantwell, sr., West Islip-11
1B/DH -- Anthony Zarella, jr., St. John the Baptist-CHS
INF -- Mike Giuffre, sr., Tottenvillle-PS
OF -- Fernando Frias, sr., George Washington-PSAL
Fourth team
CF -- Joe Gatewood, sr., Arlington-1
OF -- Mike Fish, jr., Bethlehem-2
P -- Aaron Schuldt, sr., Liverpool-3
SS -- Pat Talbut, jr., Vestal-4
OF/P -- Ryan Kenney, sr., Fairport-5
3B -- Jon VanRemmen, sr., St. Francis-CHS
C -- George Heinzman, sr., East Meadow-8
P -- RoSS -- Hansen, sr., Minisink Valley-9
P -- Nick Tropeano, sr., West Islip-11
P -- Anthony Hajjar, jr., Xaverian-CHS
Fifth team
P -- Robbie Aviles, soph., Suffern-1
OF -- Gabe Klein, jr., Mamaroneck-1
C -- Kyle Kalaka, sr., Ketcham-1
INF -- Ryan Mahoney, sr., Cicero-North Syracuse-3
P -- Eric Lambe, sr., Vestal-4
OF -- Matthew Militello, sr., Lancaster-6
P -- Tyler Savin, sr., MacArthur-8
1B -- Tom Nagy, sr., Minisink Valley-9
1B -- Alex Aurrichio, sr., Half Hollow Hills West-11
INF -- Matt Troisi, sr., Xaverian-CHS
Sixth team
OF -- Amar Lewis, sr., LaSalle-2
P -- Eric Conway, sr., Auburn-3
U -- Austin Straub, sr., Fayetteville-Manlius-3
OF -- Jeff Harter, sr., Gates Chili-5
P -- Blake McLimans, sr., Hamburg-6
2B -- Mike Mauri, jr., Massapequa-8
C -- Marc Corrado, sr., Newburgh-9
1B/P -- Andrew English, sr., Smithtown West-11
DH -- Jared Croce, jr., Susan Wagner-PS
P -- Kevin Kilpatrick, sr., Holy Cross-CHS
Seventh team
OF/P -- Nolan Gaige, jr., Columbia-2
P -- Garrett Baker, sr., Rome Free Academy-3
OF/P -- Kyle Richardson, sr., Rome Free Academy-3
OF -- Micah Jackson, sr., Horseheads-4
C -- Frank Polino, jr., Canisius-CHS
C -- Greg Famiglietti, sr., Mepham-8
OF -- Mike Gianlero, sr., Monroe-Woodbury-9
INF -- Dan Lennon, sr., Warwick-9
1B -- Rob Griffith, sr., Sachem North-11
P -- Victor Cosme-James, sr., James Madison-PSAL

Class A
Player of the Year: Brian Ruby (Maine Endwell-4, soph., pitcher and first baseman)
First team
P/INF -- Brendan Hourihan, sr., Lakeland-1
SS -- Alex Ferenti, sr., Whitesboro-3
P/1B -- Brian Ruby, soph., Maine Endwell-4
OF -- Charley Thurber, sr., Elmire Free Academy-4
P/1B -- Kyle Menard, sr., Pittsford Sutherland-5
C -- Joe Polichetti, sr., Dunkirk-6
CF/P -- Patrick Chaputian, sr., North Shore-8
P -- Sean Nolin, sr., Seaford-8
P/SS -- Chris Burke, sr., Islip-11
P -- Kyle Hansen, jr., St. Dominic’s-CHS
Second team
P/OF -- Dan Sorine, jr., Eastchester-1
P -- Dave Fischer, sr., Burnt Hills-2
P -- Robert Tedesco, jr., Mohonasen-2
C -- Kody O'Connor, jr., Mexico-3
1B/P -- Andrew Barbarino, jr., Maine-Endwell-4
P -- Ray Manioci, sr., Aquinas-5
P -- Bryant Watts, sr., Dunkirk-6
P -- Paul Bischoff, sr., Levittown Division-8
CF/P -- Dave Boisture, sr., Cornwall-9
P -- Rob Rogers, sr., Islip-11
Third team
P/INF -- Joey Malouf, sr., Beacon-1
SS -- Ryan Kramer, jr., Oneida-3
C -- Mitch Tallen, jr., Maine-Endwell-4
P -- Eric Povero, sr., Victor-5
3B -- Dave Darcy, sr., Island Trees-8
2B -- Paul Merola, sr., Cornwall-9
P/INF -- Nick Leffler, sr., Malone-10
P -- Garrett Sharlow, sr., Massena-10
OF -- Jake Wechsler, sr., Harborfields-11
RF -- Dan Lackner, sr., St. Dominic’s-CHS
Fourth team
P/CF -- Kiyota Gomi, sr., Ardsley-1
P/INF -- Josh Ingham, soph., Ichabod Crane-2
P/2B -- Tyler Greene, sr., South Glens Falls-2
OF – George Hajjar, sr., Whitesboro-3
SS -- Sean Osterman, sr., Pittsford Sutherland-5
3B -- Jason Radwan, jr., Lake Shore-6
P -- Matt Jimenez, sr., Iroquois-6
P/3B -- Tim Walsh, sr., Plainedge-8
CF -- Patrick Robinson, sr., Goshen-9
C -- Lou Volpe, sr., Rocky Point-11
Fifth team
P/CF -- Dan Zlotnick, jr., Somers-1
P -- Kris Barone, sr., Gloversville-2
P/OF -- Ryan Poplawski, sr., Bishop Ludden-3
SS/P -- Anthony Brevetti, sr., Homer-3
P/1B -- Zack Rudman, sr., Pittsford Mendon-5
1B -- Jordan Cave, jr., Cheektowaga-6
P/SS -- John Schilt, jr., Clarke-8
3B -- Chris Rutigliano, sr., Wantagh-8
P -- Scott McClennan, sr., Cornwall-9
P/INF -- Tyler Scott, jr., New Paltz-9

Class B
Player of the Year: Mark Kuzma (Waverly-4, sr., pitcher)
First team
U -- Anthony Corona, sr., Somers JFK-1
P -- Nick Modico, jr., Somers JFK-1
P/SS -- Zach Kraham, sr., Chatham-2
P -- Matt Croglio, sr., Syracuse CBA-3
P -- Mark Kuzma, sr., Waverly-4
C -- Brian Stinson, jr., Chenango Valley-4
P/IF Mike Rossi, jr., Bath -5
P -- Nick Cummings, sr., Akron-6
SS -- Aaron Benton, jr., Gowanda-6
P/OF -- Brian Tardiff, sr., Mattituck-11
Second team
P -- Jordan Sacks, jr., Briarcliff-1
P/INF -- Joe Boomhower, jr., Ravena-2
2B -- Dan Sisto, sr., Syracuse CBA-3
INF -- Vincent Redmond, sr., Lansing-4
P -- Dan Pendleton, sr., Chenango Valley-4
3B/P -- Derek Stupski, sr., Chenango Valley-4
P/3B -- Jordy Smola, sr., Greece Odyssey-5
C -- Mark Eggleston, sr., Saranac-7
P/INF -- Phil Kemp, jr., Spackenkill-9
U -- Terry Coleman, sr., Potsdam-10
Third team
SS -- Kyle McElvey, jr., Schalmont-2
P -- Paul Raymond, sr., Phoenix-3
C -- Teagen Barressi, sr., Lansing-4
OF -- Brett Havens, sr., Bath -5
P -- Tim Eckerson, jr., Penn Yan-5
P -- Kiernan Harris, sr., Eden-6
3B -- Alex Hudak, jr., Oyster Bay-8
P/INF -- Tim Reynolds, sr., Pine Plains-9
P/SS -- Andrew Ladouceur, sr., Ogdensburg-10
P/OF -- Kyle Greiner, sr., Bayport-Blue Point-11
Fourth team
P/SS -- Dan Diaz, jr., Nanuet-1
OF -- Shane Matthews, jr., Saratoga Catholic-2
INF -- Mike DeCarr, jr., Westhill-3
SS -- Pete Clarke, sr., Syracuse CBA-3
SS -- David Pannucci, sr., Mynderse-5
2B -- Eric Bermingham, sr., Eden-6
SS -- Pat Shaughnessy, sr., Plattsburgh-7
C -- Nick Gattuso, jr., Marlboro-9
P/SS -- Brad Stone, sr., Canton-10
P/1B -- Jason Schilling, jr., Center Moriches-11

Class C
Player of the Year: Phil Pohl (Cooperstown-3, sr., catcher)
First team
P -- Kenta Miyoshi, soph., Keio-1
OF -- Adam Cutspec, sr., Fort Plain-2
C -- Phil Pohl, sr., Cooperstown-3
P -- Ed Gray, sr., Pulaski-3
P/OF -- Alex Brown, sr., Elmira Heights-4
P -- Cody Rose, jr., Candor-4
P/IF -- Marcus Way, sr., Honeoye-5
P/OF -- Zach Leitten, sr., Alexander-5
P -- Asa Johnson, soph., Frewsburg-6
SS -- Schuyler Matteson, sr., Millbrook-9
Second team
P -- Dustin Baker, sr., Fort Plain-2
OF -- Caleb Gleason, jr., Watervliet-2
INF -- Lane Warner, sr., Fabius-Pompey-3
C -- Jake Dale, sr., Keshequa-5
SS -- Dan Meder, sr., Cassadaga Valley-6
2B -- Matt Bittner, sr., Lancaster St. Mary's-CHS
P-OF -- Hunter Denno, sr., Ticonderoga-7
2B -- Jeremy Harter, sr., Florida-9
INF/P -- Justin Supernault, sr., Brushton-Moira-10
OF/P -- Cody Beckel, sr., Port Jefferson-11
Third team
P/1B -- Mike Tirri, sr., Lake George-2
U -- Tom Curry, sr., Pulaski-3
SS -- Steve Sawyer, sr., Elmira Heights-4
P/IF -- Kameron Konert, sr., Bolivar-Richburg-5
C -- Jaden Smith, sr., Cattaraugus/Little Valley-6
P/1B -- Larry Ulip, sr., East Rockaway-8
P -- Dylan Gaucher, sr., Florida-9
3B -- Billy Sahler, sr., Tuxedo-9
INF -- Matt Fregoe, sr., Norwood-Norfolk-10
SS -- Seth Pileggi, sr., Smithtown Christian-11
Fourth team
P/SS -- Logan Henderson, sr., Greenwich -2
P -- Ryan June, sr., Fabius-Pompey-3
P -- Jim Fort, sr., Cooperstown-3
IF -- Michael Hackett, sr., Pavilion-5
1B -- Kyle Grey, soph., Frewsburg-6
C -- Nick Qualigiana, sr., Westfield-6
1B -- Anthony Barnao, jr., Ticonderoga-7
P/OF -- Scott McDonald, sr., Rhinebeck-9
P -- John Commins, sr., Burke-9
INF/P -- Justin Poirier, sr., Brushton-Moira-10

Class D
Player of the Year: Travis Renwick (Chapel Field-9, jr., first baseman and pitcher)
First team
P/1B -- Joe Melioris, sr., Rome Catholic-3
P -- Jake Ross, sr., Rome Catholic-3
U -- Jordan Williams, jr., Edmeston-4
P -- Patrick Mancuso, sr., Batavia Notre Dame-5
P/OF -- David Valle, sr., Northstar Christian-5
P/SS -- Jacob Spring, sr., Crown Point-7
C -- Travis Tabor, sr., Crown Point-7
1B/P -- Travis Renwick, jr., Chapel Field-9
CF -- Zac Menendez, sr., Chapel Field-9
P -- Joe Schlegel, sr., Chapel Field-9
Second team
OF -- Damian Tyler, sr., Fort Edward-2
SS -- Mike Sreca, sr., Oriskany-3
P -- Cory Anderson, sr., Deposit-4
P/1B -- Matt Layman, sr., Edmeston-4
P/SS -- Joe Wallace, sr., Avoca-5
OF -- Mike Hogenmiller, sr., West Valley-6
1B -- Dan Burns, sr., Panama-6
P/1B -- Jeff Reynolds, sr., Indian Lake-7
SS -- Matt Pooley, sr., Chapel Field-9
U -- Brookin Decker, sr., Heuvelton-10
Third team
P/SS -- Joe Shevy, jr., Fort Ann-2
P/3B -- Mike Alexander, jr., Fort Ann-2
U -- Brett Hauber, sr., Deposit-4
P/1B -- Nick McMichael, sr., Alfred-Almond-5
P/3B -- Derek Baroody, sr., Hammondsport-5
P -- Joe Kasper, sr., North Collins-6
3B -- Rob Lindquist, sr., Pine Valley-6
2B -- Jeff Potter, sr., Brocton-6
U -- Josh Lassial, sr., Lisbon-10U -- Korey Besaw, sr., Hermon-DeKalb-1

Coaches of the Year
Class AA: Mike Chiapparelli (Mamaroneck-1) Class A: Gary Crooks (Maine-Endwell-4) Class B: Bob Fletcher (Somers JFK-1) Class C: Rocky Pasquale (Keio-1) Class D: Joe Melioris Sr. (Rome Catholic-3)

Lansingburgh Royals starter Dan Carey (Lansingburgh/RPI) goes by the nickname 'stick'. The gangly righthander was once so skinny that his arms looked just like sticks - and the nickname stuck.

But Carey pitched six strong innings to lead the Royals Mack team to a 11-2 victory over Fayetteville-Manlius in the opening round of the 2008 NYS Connie Mack Tournament at Knickerbacker Park.

Dan Carey throws to the plate vs. Fayetteville-Manlius in the first round of the Upper New York State Connie Mack baseball tournament. (J.S. Carras — The Record)

Brian Beuary had four hits and Caleb Gleason drove in three runs for Lansingburgh. Eric Kennedy had only one hit - an infield single - but he got on base three times and scored each time.

The Royals keep it going tomorrow against league rival Clifton Park - a team that beat the Royals twice during the regular season. Should the Royals win - they play Sorensco at 6 p.m. at Knick Park - which promises to be a great game. But the Royals need first to solve Clifton Park.

Thursday's full schedule is below.

2008 New York State Connie Mack Tournament
Wednesday’s Results

Halfmoon Mariners 15, North Country Coyotes 2
Colonie Raiders 8, West Genesee 0
Sorensco Devil Cats 5, South Troy Dodgers 1
Clifton Park Yankees 8, North Colonie Padres 4
Lansingburgh Royals 11, Fayetteville Manlius Hornets 2

Lansingburgh's Caleb Gleason makes a diving grab against Fayetteville-Manlius in the opening round of the Upper New York Connie Mack Tournament. (Carras - The Record)

Thursday's Schedule
Colonie High School

South Troy Dodgers vs. West Genesee Wildcats, 10 a.m.
Colonie Raiders vs. Halfmoon Mariners, 12:30 p.m.
Colonie/Halfmoon loser vs. North Colonie/Fayetteville-Manlius winner, 3:30 p.m.

Knickerbacker Park, Lansingburgh

North Colonie vs. Fayetteville-Manlius, 10 a.m.
Lansingburgh Royals vs. Clifton Park Yankees, 12:30 p.m.
Clifton Park/Lansingburgh loser vs. North Country Coyotes, 3:30 p.m.
Clifton Park /Lansingburgh winner vs. Sorensco Devil Cats, 6:00 p.m.

Taran Buie, a junior-to-be at Bishop Maginn High in Albany, had a very impressive few days at the Peach Jam AAU basketball event in North Augusta, South Carolina this week.

According to Rivals.com, Buie put up 25 points against the Alabama Challenge and also led the City Rocks' defensive charge.

Big-time Division I schools are all knocking down the door for him, but Buie said he's taking his time making a decision for now. He does still have two more years left and a state title to defend at Maginn, after all.

The City Rocks' 16-and-under team on which Buie plays fell to Team Final in the championship game, 71-58. Team Final is made up of players from around the northeast.

Here is a link to the City Rocks' website.

VALLEY FALLS - The Lansingburgh Royals' Mickey Mantle squad staked their claim to the 2008 Eastern New York Mickey Mantle regular season title (well, a share at least) with a 12-0 win over the Warren County Nationals at Chapko-Lewis Stadium in Valley Falls.

Zach Gardner and Jordan Zareski combined for a three-hit shutout and Gardner (12) and Zareski (3) mowed down 15 Nationals in total.

Bryan LeClair hit a pair of doubles to lead the offensive charge. In a span of five at-bats in the fourth inning, Lansingburgh hit four one-RBI doubles.



Lansingburgh's Jordan Zareski follows through on a double, his third hit of the day, while competing vs. Warren County. (Tom Killips — The Record).

The state Mantle tournament begins on the 24th and until then, the Royals plan on resting and practicing. They'll also get to pick up a few pitchers from ENY Mantle teams that didn't make the cut.

This team went to the 2007 15-and-under Mantle World Series in Oklahoma - so we know they're talented. They'll have to win big in states and the northeast regionals to get back to the World Series.

"It was a big game, but I knew I had Gardner on the mound," LeClair said. "We went to Oklahoma last year with most of the same kids and that makes us stronger. That kind of experience comes in handy for big games.

Check out the full story in Wednesday's Record - plus a preview story about the 2008 Connie Mack NYS Tourney.

Final Eastern New York Mickey Mantle League Standings

Team	Won	Lost	Tie	Pct.	GB
Lansingburgh Royals *	16	2	0	.889	---
Sorensco DevilCats *	16	2	0	.889	---
Warren County Nationals	15	3	0	.883	1
South Colonie	13	5	0	.722	3
Clifton Park	11	6	0	.647	4.5
Schenectady Braves	11	7	0	.611	5
Cohoes	9	8	1	.529	6.5
Greenwich	7	9	0	.438	8
Halfmoon Mariners	7	9	1	.438	8
Columbia	7	10	0	.412	8.5
Albany	6	11	1	.353	9.5
Cambridge	6	12	0	.333	10
Coxsackie	4	13	1	.235	11.5
Sorensco Falcons	2	16	0	.111	14
Bethlehem	0	17	0	.000	15.5

* Denotes league co-champions

Any questions or predicitions, feel free to drop us a line or leave it in the comments.

-- Will Montgomery

---
The 2008 Connie Mack NYS championships begin on Wednesday at Knickerbacker Park and Colonie High School.

Look for full coverage of the tournament in The Record and for bonus coverage here on Off the Record.

2008 CONNIE MACK STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS
Wednesday
At Colonie High
North Country Coyotes vs. Halfmoon Mariners, 1 p.m.
Colonie Raiders vs. West Genesee Wildcats, 4 p.m.
At Knickerbacker Park, Troy
South Troy Dodgers vs. East Greenbush Devil Cats, noon
Clifton Park Yankees vs. North Colonie Padres, 3 p.m.
Lansingburgh Royals vs. Fayetteville-Manlius Hornets, 6 p.m.
Thursday
Day Two, TBA
Friday
Day Three, TBA
Saturday
Championship at Knickerbacker Park, TBA

**We did not have room in Friday's hard copy for the box score or the last few paragraphs, so here is the full version**

William Montgomery

The Record

WATERVLIET – It was a homecoming of sorts for Caleb Gleason, returning to the baseball diamond at Watervliet High School. Gleason, a standout for the Cannoneers high school team, sluggs for the Lansingburgh Royals in summer ball. He went 1-for-5 on Thursday but did he ever master the productive out.

Gleason produced five runs on three ground outs and added a two-RBI single in the first inning as the Royals pounded the Cohoes-Watervliet White Sox 13-4 in an Eastern New York Connie Mack league game.

The Royals’ crushing blow came in the fourth when Gleason, with the bases loaded and no out, weakly tapped out on a ground ball to first base. Cohoes-Watervliet first baseman Mark Pertierra threw to second trying to get another out, but no one covered the bag and the ball sailed into left field. All three runners scampered home to give Lansingburgh an insurmountable 9-4 lead.

“Everybody’s hitting now,” Gleason said, “we don’t rely only on one guy.”

Gleason’s productive outs aside, the Royals also hit for power. Dan Dessignue hit a two-run homer in the first and Andy Grayson smacked a solo shot to right in the fourth.

After stumbling out of the gate to a 7-7 record early in the season, the Royals have recently taken off. Lansingburgh is the winner of seven games in a row, outscoring their opponents 70-17 over that stretch.

The Royals (14-7) play a home-and-home double header against the Colonie Raiders on Saturday before the Connie Mack state tournament begins in the Capital District on Wednesday.

“We had a rough couple games in the beginning,” said Lansingburgh’s Brian Beaury, a La Salle graduate, “but we’re coming around now. We’re hitting the ball, everyone, one through nine.”

Beuary, who played six innings at third base before closing out the game on the mound with a perfect seventh inning, reached base in all five of his plate appearances. Out of the leadoff spot, Beaury doubled, singled, reached twice on errors and also drew a walk, scoring four times.

A handful Royals players were members of the La Salle team that went 27-1 and advanced to the Class AA state semifinals. The elongated high school season wore some of the players down, but the source of Lansingburgh’s midsummer resurgence is easy to explain.

“Everybody is working,” Beaury said. “On days we don’t have games, guys are on the field taking batting practice and the pitchers are running between starts.”

Most of the team has been playing together for years in summer leagues and coaches have called the group ‘the class of 2008’ for quite some time. Across different levels of competition, the group has amassed a 130-31 record.

“I give credit to the players,” said Lansingburgh head coach Joe Henkel. “They’ve worked extra hard, with our pitchers running and all the extra batting practice.”

Cohoes-Watervliet (10-11) has been heading in the opposite direction. The White Sox have lost four straight, outscored 40-7 over the losing streak.

Dan Cook and Mark Pertierra both had RBI singles for Cohoes-Watervliet. Phil Dayter pitched all seven innings for the White Sox and while he surrendered 10 hits, fielding errors behind him extended Lansingburgh’s chances at the plate.

The top four teams from the Eastern New York Connie Mack league earn spots in the state tournament, which begins next week. Lansingburgh will serve as host and receives an invitation to the tournament regardless of record. But after treading water in the middle of the pack for the first half of the season, the Royals are coming around at just the right time.

Lansingburgh starter Dan Carey pitched six strong innings, allowing four runs on four hits. A pair of Royals errors allowed three White Sox runs to cross in the third inning, but Carey recovered, pitching three innings of no-hit ball before being relieved by Beaury.

The Royals also used a pair of pinch-hits in the sixth inning to widen their lead. John Yetto (Lansingburgh High) entered as catcher and lined a two-out single to left. Will Ryan (La Salle), who was filling in for Jared Henkel at second base, followed with an RBI single.

With a strong bench and deep rooted work-ethic among his players, Henkel has high hopes for the upcoming state tournament.

“I’ve been coaching for 17 years and this is one of the teams that I’m extremely proud of,” Henkel said. “We’re on a roll.”

Lansingburgh 13, Cohoes-Watervliet 4

LANSINGBURGH COHOES-WATERVLIET

ab r h bi ab r h bi

Beaury 3b-p 4 4 2 0 Dayter p 4 1 1 0

Bouchard ss 3 3 1 0 Mohr 2b 3 0 0 0

1-Nanktgbrn pr-lf 0 0 0 0 Cook c 3 1 1 1

Gleason rf 5 1 1 4 Haupt rf-3b 3 0 0 1

Grayson dh 5 1 2 2 Welcome 3b-rf 3 1 1 0

Diotte c 2 0 0 0 Ebenhoch lf 2 0 0 0

Yetto c 1 1 1 0 Pertierra 1b 3 0 1 1

Dessignue lf-3b 3 1 1 2 LaBarge cf 2 0 0 0

Henkel 2b 3 0 0 0 a -Carpenter ph 1 0 0 0

Ryan 2b 1 0 1 1 Cioffi ss 2 1 0 0

Reardon 1b 4 0 1 0

Kennedy cf 3 2 0 0

Totals 34 13 10 9 Totals 26 4 4 3

Lansingburgh (14-7)................430 401 1 — 13 10 2

Cohoes-Watervliet (10-11)..........013 000 0 — 4 4 3

1- Ran for Bouchard in seventh, moved to left. a- pinch hit in seventh

E—Bouchard, Beaury, LaBarge, Mohr, Cioffi. DP—Lansingburgh 1

(Bouchard, Henkel & Reardon) Cohoes-Watervliet 1 (Cioffi, Mohr and Pertierra).
LOB—Lansingburgh 6, Cohoes-Watervliet 4. 2B—Beaury, Grayson.

HR—Dessignue, Grayson. SB—Beaury 2, Bouchard 2, Diotte, Welcome.

Lansingburgh ip h R er BB SO

Carey, W 6 4 4 3 2 3

Beaury 1 0 0 0 0 2

Cohoes-Watervliet ip h R er BB SO

Dayter, L 7 10 13 9 6 2

WP — Dayter. HBP —Ebenhoch (by Carey).