Lansingburgh's freshman left fielder Ryan McGrath makes a great diving catch to rob Mohonasen's Anthony Savini of a base hit in the top of the first inning in Saturday's Section II Class A quarterfinal at Lansingburgh High School. (photos by J.S. Carras - The Record)

Lansingburgh's T.J. McLaughlin gave the Knights a solid start, giving up one earned run and three hits over six innings.

Mohonasen's Siena College-bound Robert Tedesco, however, was masterful, spinning a compete game 14-strikeout gem as the No. 8 seed Mighty Warriors toppled No. 1 Lansingburgh 4-2.

Tedesco gave up single runs in the first and second innings, with Lansingburgh's second run scoring on his throwing error to first base.

"I took a moment," Tedesco said. "I stepped off the mound and I said, ‘I can give up right now. I can fold and I can quit the season and say, you know what, Lansingburgh was supposed to beat Mohonasen and they did, or I could step back on the mound and bear down and pull off an upset’."

Check out the full story in Sunday's edition of The Record.

Lansingburgh's Scott Fane (3) reacts after being caught stealing second base in the first inning of Saturday's game. Fane finished with three hits and drove in Frank Castiglione on a first inning single.

Lansingburgh (19-4) left Saint Rose-bound senior pitcher Jordan Zareski on first base, a move Knights head coach Joe Henkel made to maximize his defensive and offensive production.

"When T.J. pitches we have a much better defense out there and additionally, when Jordan pitches, his batting average is a little lower than when he is not on the mound," Henkel said. "We felt that we were going to need every hit that we could possibly get."

It was still a banner season for the Knights, who won their first Colonial Council regular season title since 2003 and with plenty of young talent, they are already looking forward to 2010.

"I didn’t expect to win any more than 15 or 16 games, but I’ll take 19-4 any day," Henkel said. "I can’t say enough about my kids. We were a young team and we’ll be back next year."

--
There were plenty of other upsets today on diamonds across the Capital Region.

In Class AA baseball, Bethlehem topped Shenendehowa 10-4, advancing to a semifinal with CBA Wednesday at 7 p.m. at Joe Bruno Stadium.
On the other side of the bracket, Saratoga Springs defeated Big 10 No. 1 seed Albany 6-5 in nine innings, moving on to the 4 p.m. semifinal with Columbia.
It's still wide open, but I would have to give the edge to Columbia with their power-packed lineup and the 1-2 duo of Gaige and Gaule on the hill.

In Class A, Schalmont and Glens Falls will face off opposite Mohon and Ichabod Crane.
If Mohon can get past Ichabod and put Tedesco back on the bump in the Class A final (which they reached in 2008) the Mighty Warriors have a chance to make some big noise as a No. 8 seed.

In Class B, Ravena knocked off Granville, which was 20-1 coming into the game, to set up a semifinal showdown with Fonda.
I picked Ravena at the top of my preseason small school poll and I know they have a lot of returning talent, so a trip to the Joe is not out of the question for the Indians.

In Class CC, Hoosic Valley's Chad Houle pitched the Indians past Corinth, setting up a threematch with Wasaren League rival Cambridge. (Hoosic Valley won both meetings during the regular season).
Alex Kugler will likely start as Houle, their ace, threw a ton of pitches on Saturday.
Hoosic Valley head coach Boyd Hunt was not sure, but he (nor could anyone else I talked to last week when I saw the Indians top Tamarac in the Wasaren League finale) remember the last time Hoosic Valley won a sectional game.

In Class C, Waterford and Fort Plain continue their march towards a championship game showdown, which could be easily one of the top small school games of 2009 should it come to fruition.

In Class D, Loudonville Christian and Schenectady Christian are set for an interesting semifinal matchup Tuesday afternoon at the Boght Complex in Latham.

Click here for the latest 2009 Section II baseball brackets.


--
In softball news, the Class CC and C rained-out games from Thursday were made up this morning in Queensbury.

In Class CC, Hoosic Valley mirrored the baseball team's success, knocking off No. 3 Corinth to set up a Wasaren League threematch, in this case, against No. 2 Hoosick Falls.
We know Hoosick Falls will be throwing freshman sensation Rachel Quackenbush, so the Indians will be hard-pressed for hits. They do, however, have plenty of postseason experience in basketball and softball and that could very well come in handy in what figures to be a game that comes down to one play.

In Class C, Waterford marched on with a 15-2 thumping of Mayfield as the Lady Fordians bounced back from a non-league defeat to Voorheesville near the end of the regular season.
Duanesburg is the big bad wolf on the block in Class C, but I think the Lady Foridans could be able to give them a run for their money should they meet in the title game.
Waterford will have to get past Canajoharie first in Monday's semifinal. The Cougars knocked off Waterford in this round in 2008.

For updated 2009 Section II softball brackets, click here.


--
Remember, I'll be answering your questions right here on this page Monday night at 8 p.m. after I catch up from the Hoosic Valley-Hoosick Falls softball showdown in Clifton Park.

I'm open for any discussions on the baseball and softball semifinals coming ahead next week from Tuesday to Friday.

Depending on the turnout and your feedback, I may consider making it a regular feature of the site, so please drop by Monday night from 8-9 p.m.!

One thing was made certain Friday afternoon: there will be a number of brand-new Section II champions next Friday.

In softball, Mechanicville topped two-time defending champ Cohoes 8-0 in Class B and Niskayuna dropped six-time defending Section II large school champion Shenendehowa 8-3.

In other upsets, No. 7 Saratoga Springs knocked off No. 2 seeded Troy, 3-1.
Columbia will meet Bethlehem in a threematch next Tuesday and 'Toga faces Niskayuna in an all-Suburban Council Final Four.

In Class A, Lansingburgh's Erin Glikes no-hit Scotia-Glenville, setting up a semifinal meeting with Ichabod Crane. South Glens Falls put up 19 runs on Holy Names and will play Burnt Hills in a Saratoga County showdown in the other semi.

In baseball, Shaker handed La Salle a 2-1 decision in nine innings, preventing the Cadets from winning another Class AA championship.

Mechanicville sophomore pitcher Anna Arceneaux winds up during Friday's Section II Class B quarterfinal game against Cohoes at Veeder Park in Colonie. She hurled a two-hit, seven-strikeout performance in a 8-0 shutout. Oh, and she hit a two-run home run to put the Red Raiders on the board in the third inning, too. (softball photos by Tom Killips - The Record)

Cohoes freshman catcher Courtney Gumprecht catches a foul pop off the bat of Shannon McBride in the first inning of Monday's game. Gumprecht walked in the first inning and doubled in the seventh and was, along with Bailei Tetrault, the only Tigers hitter to reach base twice against Arceneaux.

Cohoes' Bailei Tetrault slides in safe at third base as Mechanicville third baseman Alysa Russell applies the tag during the first inning of Friday's game. Tetrault and Gumprecht were both stranded in scoring position in the first inning and the Tigers could never muster another rally. Arceneaux set down 14 Cohoes hitters in a row in a stretch between the first and sixth innings.

The Tigers lose two very important seniors in four-year starters Shelby Gratton and Mary Kellogg, but the core of a youthful and talented team will return. Led by freshman pitching sensation Courtney Dayter, the Tigers look to be competitive yet again in 2010.

"She’ll be back," Cohoes head coach Frank Ryan said of his young pitcher.. "She’ll be tough next year. We just didn’t give her the support she needed (Friday). We just didn’t hit and that’s what we said the whole time. Against (Mechanicville) we have to play our best defense and we have to get to the ball."

Check out the full story on the game in Saturday's hard copy edition of The Record.

Check out the updated softball brackets here.
--

Shaker High starter Brian Cary gets ready to let one loose during Friday's Class AA opening round game against La Salle at Geer Field. He threw 121 pitches in a nine inning duel with the Cadets, but prevailed as the Suburban Council No. 6 seeded Blue Bison upset defending Section II champions La Salle, the No. 3 Big 10 seed, by a score of 2-1. (all baseball photos by J.S. Carras - The Record)

La Salle senior starter Kyle Charron also went the distance, throwing 126 pitches, striking out seven and adding three hits at the plate.

La Salle catcher Will Remillard makes a catch as Nick Bernardo (25) looks on during Friday's game.

Shaker third baseman Patrick Seebald corrals a throw as La Salle's Wil Ryan slides into third base safely with a triple in the fourth inning.

Two at-bats later, La Salle's Zach Remillard (pictured, foreground) laid down a suicide squeeze bunt and Shaker catcher Matt Schwenzfeier tagged Ryan out at home plate to keep the game a scoreless tie.

Joe Snyder's two-run single in the top of the ninth was all the Blue Bison needed, as Cary got Charron to ground out in the bottom of the inning for a fitting end to an epic pitcher's duel.

The Blue Bison get right back at it with a quarterfinal game at Columbia High School on Saturday, with a Noon scheduled start time. Shaker beat Columbia 13-7 earlier this season in East Greenbush.

"It started getting a little shaky at the end there, but (Cary) wanted the ball and he’s a senior captain, so I let him have it," Shaker head coach Peter Mravlja said.

"Their pitcher pitched a superb ballgame and they got their bunts down, so they deserved to win," La Salle head coach Jesse Braverman said. "They outplayed us and they made the clutch plays and we didn’t."

A big thanks to my colleague Andy Santillo for covering the game, and be sure to check out his entire account of the game in Saturday's edition of The Record.

Updated Section II baseball brackets.


--

Mark your calendars, because I'm planning a live chat for Monday, June 1st at 8 p.m., right here at this site.

I'm taking a page from our friends at the Post Star in Glens Falls, who always provide an interesting dialog in their discussions with fans in their live chats.

Come ready with all of your questions and comments for the semifinals and finals to come next week in both baseball and softball. Depending on the turnout, I plan to make it a regular feature of the site, so please send me your feedback via email in the meantime and please drop by from 8-9 p.m. on Monday night!

This morning's email from the Section II softball committee was very vague, but I believe all of the Class CC and C games rained out on Thursday will be made up on Saturday at the Adirondack Sports Complex in Queensbury. (Stillwater and Schoharie will play on Saturday, time TBA).

Here are the times:
BKW/Lake George 10:00
Mayfield/Waterford 10:00
Loudonville/Canajoharie 10:00
Galway/Hoosick Falls 1:00
Cornith/Hoosic Valley 2:00
Warrensburg/Berlin 2:00
Stillwater/Schoharie game- it will be on Saturday but no time has been confirmed.

Troy's Ryan Clements touches home plate after hitting a three-run home run to bring the Flying Horses within one run during Thursday's Section II Class AA opening round game at Columbia High School. The Blue Devils, however, made four early tallies hold up, posting a 4-3 victory over Troy. (All photos by J.S. Carras - The Record)

Columbia's Nolan Gaige (15) congratulates Blue Devils starter Ian Gaule (10) on a job well done during Thursday's game. Gaule pitched six innings, walking none, to earn the win and Gaule struck out two hitters in the seventh to save the victory for Columbia. Both Gaige and Gaule drew RBI walks in Columbia's three-run first inning against Troy High pitcher Nick Pontari.

"Ian did a tremendous job today," Columbia head coach Chris Dedrick said. "He didn’t walk anybody and had a lot of first pitch strikes."

Columbia's Bobby Peluso (sliding above) scored the Blue Devils' fourth run in the fourth inning on Justin Rebhun's sacrifice fly. Troy catcher Mike Barna was unable to make a clean tag in time after a strong throw from right fielder Ryan Chamberlain.

"I saw Ben (Tidd) hit the ball to right field and I knew I had to be tagging, so I got to third with one out," said Peluso. "Then, I saw Justin’s (Rebhun) fly ball and dug in and got home. It was very heart-pounding."

Columbia shortstop Justin Rebhun prepares to make a throw during Thursday's game. He was 0-for-2 at the plate but drove in the game-winning run on a sacrifice fly in the fourth inning.

"It’s not the first time we’ve met in a sectional game," said Dedrick. "It’s always a pretty spirited game. Troy always comes in prepared and they have really competitive, scrappy kids. They played a heck of a game today, absolutely."

Troy will lose eight seniors, each of which played an instrumental role in what was a very exciting 2009 season in the Collar City. The Flying Horses defeated crosstown rival La Salle twice and won the 2009 Uncle Sam Tournament championship.

Make sure to check out Friday's hard copy edition of The Record for more on Thursday's game as well as Troy head coach Curtis Nobles' reaction to the tough 4-3 loss.

Section II baseball brackets.

--
Rain washed out the entire slate of softball games on Thursday afternoon and we're still waiting on a new schedule from the Section II committee.
They simply can't move all of Thursday's postponed games to Friday, because the Adirondack Sports Complex in Queensbury is already booked with a full slate of games.
We'll pass on the information and update the digital brackets as soon as possible.

Section II softball brackets.

A number of baseball games were postponed on Thursday and they are all slated to be played Friday at the same locations at times.

In baseball news, the Lansingburgh baseball game on Saturday has been moved to Lansingburgh's home field behind the high school football field. It was originally scheduled to be played in Knickerbacker Park, so you were probably going to park in the same parking lot anyway, but make sure to head over behind the new high school gym for the Knights' Class A quarterfinal game against Mohonasen at Noon.

Friday update: Saturday's Class CC quarterfinal between Voorheesville and Maple Hill will take place at 10 a.m. at Sorensco Park in East Greenbush.
It was originally scheduled for Noon at Maple Hill High School.

All- Patroon Conference Baseball Team- 2009

League MVP - Brian Gauthier- Chatham


1st Team All- Patroon

Justin Brantley- Hudson
Jaime Schultz- Maple Hill
Josh Ingham- Ichabod Crane
Mike Rigos- Hudson
Derick Horn- Ichabod Crane
Nick Papas- Maple Hill
Joe Cozzolino- Chatham
Chaz Griffiths- Coxsackie-Athens
Garrett Rogers- Rensselaer


2nd Team All- Patroon

Hunter Phillips- Cairo-Durham
Parker Niles- Chatham
Kevin Gorman- Hudson
Shane Brozowski- Rensselaer
Ryen Boehme- Chatham
Alex Issler- Ichabod Crane
Brandon Williams- Hudson
Michael Jacobsen- Taconic Hills
Tyler Chewins- Catskill

The Patroon Conference exceptional seniors are set to take on the CHVL exceptional seniors at Waterford Field on June 12th at 7 p.m.

On a related note, the Big 10 seniors will take on the Suburban Council seniors in an All-Star game on June 7th at 1 p.m. at Bleecker Stadium in Albany.


(We will post the rest of the league All-Star teams as soon as we receive the lists, so please feel free to email them to us at troyrecordsports AT gmail.com)

Columbia earns the No. 1 seed in the Section II Class AA softball tournament and mysteriously drops out of the state rankings, so take these with a grain of salt.

We'll find out who is No. 1 son enough when the sectionals wrap up next Friday, weather permitting.

2009 NYSSCOGS/NYSSWA
Softball State Rankings - week 6

(Done on a Wed-Tue cycle)
Poll editor: Perry L. Novak
(May 20-26, 2009)

Class AA
1: 22-3 Bay Shore-11
2: 18-1 North Rockland-1
3: 24-0 Tottenville-PSAL
4: 19-2 Fairport-5
5: 19-1 Clarence-6
6: 18-6 Cicero-North Syracuse-3
7: 19-4 Shenendehowa-2
8: 27-2 LI St. John Baptist-CHS
9: 21-3 Liverpool-3
10: 21-1 Valley Central-9
11: 16-4 Brentwood-11
12: 17-6 Horseheads-4
13: 18-4 Bethlehem-2
14: 18-5 Long Beach-8
15: 17-2 Webster Thomas-5
16: 17-2 Arlington-1
17: 22-3 West Babylon-11
18: 13-4 East Meadow-8
19: 17-4 Williamsville North-6
20: 20-3 Hyde Park FDR-9
21: 18-3 Troy-2
22: 17-4 West Genesee-3
23: 19-4 East Islip-11
24: 15-7 Minisink Valley-9
25: 15-5 Ursuline-1

Class A
1: 22-2 Victor-5
2: 19-1 Pearl River-1
3: 19-3 Maine-Endwell-4
4: 15-2 South Glens Falls-2
5: 17-2 Lakeland-1
6: 18-4 Corning West-4
7: 18-4 Lansingburgh-2
8: 21-2 Seaford-8
9: 13-4 West Seneca East-6
10: 21-4 Hauppauge-11
11: 15-5 Port Jervis-9
12: 17-4 Pittsford Mendon-5
13: 15-4 Cornwall-9
14: 18-2 Harrison-1
15: 17-4 Oneida-3
16: 17-3 Depew-6
17: 16-2-1 Amherst-6
18: 18-4 Floral Park-8
19: 16-1 Malone-10
20: 17-6 Phoenix-3
21: 15-5 Sayville-11
22: 18-5 Geneva-5
23: 16-5 Island Trees-8
24: 14-8 East Hampton-11
25: 12-9 Elmira Free Academy-4

Class B
1: 21-3 Chenango Valley-4
2: 18-3 Hampton Bays-11
3: 18-5 Windsor-4
4: 21-2 Canastota-3
5: 18-2 Poly Prep-AIS
6: 19-1 Putnam Valley-1
7: 18-5-1 Mechanicville-2
8: 11-2-1 Highland-9
9: 18-2 Wayland-Cohocton-5
10: 15-3 Fredonia-6
11: 22-2 Taconic Hills-2
12: 11-1 Falconer-6
13: 15-5 Westhill-3
14: 18-2 Dobbs Ferry-1
15: 17-8 St. Dominic-CHS
16: 20-1 South Jefferson-3
17: 20-6 Immaculata-CHS
18: 17-3 Rye Neck-1
19: 15-6 Susquehanna Valley-4
20: 18-2 Canton-10
21: 18-3 Newark Valley-4
22: 14-4 Babylon-11
23: 18-3 Schuylerville-2
24: 15-6 Mynderse-5
25: 14-8 Carle Place-8

Class C
1: 16-2 Chapel Field-9
2: 19-4 Pulaski-3
3: 19-6 Elmira Notre Dame-4
4: 21-3 Duanesburg-2
5: 13-4 Cassadaga Valley-6
6: 18-0 Gananda-5
7: 15-5 Sandy Creek-3
8: 20-6 Lancaster St. Mary’s-CHS
9: 15-4 Greene-4
10: 18-2 St. Lawrence-10
11: 18-4 Ticonderoga-7
12: 19-5 Hoosick Falls-2
13: 15-2 Chester-9
14: 15-6 Lake George-2
15: 17-1 Campbell-Savona-5
16: 10-3 Haldane-1
17: 11-9 Binghamton Seton-4
18: 13-5 Tuxedo-9
19: 17-3 Tioga-4
20: 14-1 Randolph-6
21: 15-3 Bishop Ludden-3
22: 10-7 Port Jefferson-11
23: 20-2 Little Falls-3
24: 17-4 Oakfield-Alabama-5
25: 17-1 Red Jacket-5
25: 12-1 Perry-5

Class D
1: 18-3 Deposit-4
2: 20-3 Afton-4
3: 14-3 Livingston Manor-9
4: 16-1 Heuvelton-10
5: 17-1 Fillmore-5
6: 17-2 Ripley-6
7: 16-3 Bolivar-Richburg-5
8: 16-0 Poland-3
9: 11-0 Crown Point-7
10: 17-4 Stockbridge Valley-3
11: 16-3 Hartford-2
12: 17-4 Elba-5
13: 12-5 Fort Ann-2
14: 16-4 Schenevus-4
15: 13-2 Milford-4
16: 15-4 Hamilton-3
17: 13-2 Roxbury-4
18: 14-3 Keshequa-5
19: 12-4 Argyle-2
20: 14-2 Forestville-6
21: 15-3 Oriskany-3
22: 12-4 Harrisville-10
23: 17-2 Downsville-4
24: 12-4 Hinsdale-6
25: 8-8 Moriah-7

Baseball

2009 NYSSWA rankings (through May 24)

Rank	Class AA	Record	Prev
=====	====================	=====	=====
1.	Vestal-4	20-1	1.
2.	MacArthur-8	18-1-2	2.
3.	Mamaroneck-1	15-4-1	11.
4.	Connetquot-11	20-5	10.
5.	Webster Thomas-5	19-4	5.
6.	Newburgh Free Academy-9	17-4	15.
7.	Columbia-2	17-4	9.
8.	Smithtown West-11	19-3	4.
9.	Liverpool-3	18-5	12.
10.	Frontier-6	15-5	14.
11.	Arlington-1	15-4	3.
12.	Kingston-9	18-5	6.
13.	Ithaca-4	15-5	13.
14.	Suffern-1	14-5	8.
15.	Hilton-5	17-5	16.
16.	Shenendehowa-2	15-6	20.
17.	Orchard Park-6	18-6	NR
18.	Massapequa-8	17-6	NR
19.	Clarence-6	17-6	17.
20.	Utica Proctor-3	15-7	NR
	Class A	Record
=====	====================	=====	=====
1.	Lakeland-1	18-1	1.
2.	Clarke-8	18-2-1	5.
3.	Albion-6	18-1	7.
4.	Pittsford Sutherland-5	20-3	2.
5.	Maine-Endwell-4	14-3	3.
6.	Cornwall-9	18-3	8.
7.	Lansingburgh-2	19-3	4.
8.	Hauppauge-11	21-4	6.
9.	Island Trees-8	17-4-2	10.
10.	Malone-10	11-4	19.
11.	Red Hook-9	15-3	13.
12.	Miller Place-11	19-4	17.
13.	Camden-3	14-4	18.
14.	Somers-1	14-4	NR
15.	Aquinas-5	16-5	NR
16.	John Glenn-11	20-3	9.
17.	Hendrick Hudson-1	13-6	14.
18.	Cheektowaga-6	14-6	NR
19.	New Hartford-3	17-6	NR
20.	Iroquois-6	17-7	16.
	Class B	Record
=====	====================	=====	=====
1.	Somers JFK-1	18-1	1.
2.	Chatham-2	23-1	2.
3.	Granville-2	19-1	3.
4.	Cold Spring Harbor-8	19-2	5.
5.	Westhill-3	21-2	8.
6.	Windsor-4	17-2	4.
7.	Dunkirk-6	20-3	6.
8.	Beekmantown-7	13-2	15.
9.	Wayland-Cohocton-5	16-4	7.
10.	Plattsburgh-7	12-2	10.
11.	Nanuet-1	16-3-1	12.
12.	Pine Plains-9	16-4	17.
13.	Southampton-11	17-6	11.
14.	East Aurora-6	17-2	13.
15.	Bath-5	15-2	14.
16.	Ogdensburg-10	11-3	9.
17.	Sullivan West-9	16-3	NR
18.	Dryden-4	17-4	19.
19.	Sherburne-Earlville-3	16-3	NR
20.	Southold/Greenport-11	17-7	20.
	Class C	Record
=====	====================	=====	=====
1.	Keio-1	16-2	1.
2.	Fort Plain-2	21-2	4.
3.	Ticonderoga-7	13-2	2.
4.	Little Falls-3	20-2	5.
5.	Brushton-Moira-10	10-1	6.
6.	Oakfield-Alabama-5	19-3	3.
7.	Elmira Heights Edison-4	17-3	7.
8.	Canisteo-Greenwood-5	15-1	9.
9.	Candor-4	15-3	8.
10.	Pierson/Bridgehampton-11	15-8	15.
11.	Tuxedo-9	12-3-1	10.
12.	Frewsburg-6	18-4	11.
13.	Frankfort-Schuyler-3	17-4	12.
14.	Newfield-4	17-4	14.
15.	Cattaraugus-Little Valley-6	16-5	18.
16.	Norwood-Norfolk-10	11-5	17.
17.	Blind Brook-1	12-5	16.
18.	Duanesburg-2	17-6	13.
19.	Oyster Bay-8	12-9	19.
20.	Caledonia-Mumford-5	16-2	NR
	Class D	Record
=====	====================	=====	=====
1.	Schroon Lake-7	11-0	2.
2.	South Kortright-4	14-1	3.
3.	Harrisville-10	14-2	4.
4.	Hamilton-3	15-3	7.
5.	Bolivar-Richburg-5	16-3	1.
6.	Jefferson-4	13-1	9.
7.	Chateaugay-10	11-1	10.
8.	Indian Lake/Long Lake-7	11-1	6.
9.	Fort Ann-2	14-3	5.
10.	New York Mills-3	14-5	16.
11.	S.S. Seward-9	16-7	8.
12.	North Collins-6	15-5	12.
13.	Arkport-5	14-2	11.
14.	Pine Valley-6	14-4	14.
15.	Clifton-Fine-10	10-3	18.
16.	Crown Point-7	8-3	NR
17.	Oriskany-3	14-5	NR
18.	Geneva DeSales-5	18-6	17.
19.	Chapel Field-9	9-11	NR
20.	Smithtown Christian-11	6-13	20.

Cohoes freshman pitcher Courtney Dayter (shown above pitching against Mechanicville earlier this season) was spectacular in her varsity postseason debut Wednesday afternoon against Greenville. (Photo by Mike McMahon - The Record)

Dayter struck out 14 and allowed only three hits in a 2-0 victory for the Tigers, who are in pursuit of their third straight Section II Class B title.

The Greenville batters were waaaaay behind on her fastball, starting their swings when the ball was already in freshman catcher's Courtney Gumprecht's glove.

"Every game she has gotten stronger and stronger," Cohoes head coach Frank Ryan said. "She really has been pitching well and the kids have really come to like her after having Courtney Galuksi for two years. She’ll only get better."

No. 9 seed Cohoes earns a threematch with Colonial Council champion Mechanicville, the defending New York State Class C champion. (The Red Raiders won the first two games this year). The Tigers know it is a tall task, but all of the work they put in this season, especially in the tough non-league games Ryan schedules against Suburban Council teams, has helped them prepare for the win-or-go-home situations they face in the postseason.

"We’ll just go out like it’s another game," Dayter said. "We know what is out there and that helps us stay focused and try hard to win and get better."

Click here for the updated Section II (two, 2) softball sectionals playoff brackets.


Click here for the Section II (two, 2) baseball sectionals playoff brackets.

--
On a side note, I'm not sure how legal it was for the Section II softball committee to lift pictures from the websites of local newspapers for their program, but it looked pretty nice and has plenty of information.

Also, I'm also not sure what happened with the Section II Most Valuable Players chart because a few classes and positions are wrong. Troy's Shannon Jones should be listed as a senior shortstop, not a junior center fielder.

Perhaps a suggestion for future editions - the Section II pitching records chart should list the graduation years of the pitchers so we know when they played.

The Section II baseball brackets were released on Wednesday afternoon and click on the links in red below to open up a digital copy.
Games begin Thursday afternoon and many classes continue play on Saturday. Should rain wash out Thursday's games, they will be rescheduled for Friday.


Class AA
It's anyone's game in a wide-open field.
Shenendehowa captured the only bye with a points championship in the Suburban Council even though Columbia had a better overall record.
Albany earned the No. 1 Big 10 seed over CBA (the two split the Big 10 regular season title) by a tiebreaker.
Troy and Columbia square off Thursday at Columbia High School in what could be an offensive showdown between two Rensselaer County squads.
A potential Troy-La Salle rematch (it would be their fourth meeting of the season) awaits in the quarterfinals should the Cadets and Flying Horses both win their opening round matchups.
Columbia has a tough road ahead, as they'll have to beat Troy, La Salle or Shaker and then probably Albany just to get to the championship game.
CBA and Bethlehem could be dangerous teams in the Shenendehowa side.

Class A
Lansingburgh earned the No. 1 seed but they'll have to beat a tough Suburban Council team in Mohonasen just to escape to the second round.
Schalmont can score runs in bunches and might have enough pitching to take a trip to Joe Bruno Stadium, but if Jordan Zareski and TJ McLaughlin can bring their A-games on the mound for the Knights, Lansingburgh may be able to wrap up a Section II title right at home in the Collar City.

Class B
Five teams earned first round byes (Chatham, Granville, Fonda-Fultonville, Spa Catholic and Hudson) but even the lower seeded teams such as Watervliet and Ravena will put up a fight in what could be the toughest bracket in the section.
Still, look for Chatham and Granville to be duking it out in the title game.

Class CC
Maple Hill could likely emerge from the No. 4 seed, if they can topple Lake George in a semifinal game. (The Wildcats did the same in the 2008-09 basketball playoffs).
Hoosic Valley and Cambridge could meet in the semifinals, which would be a Wasaren League dream come true for Hoosic Valley. HV toppled Cambridge twice during the regular season and would have to be hopeful in a rematch with a trip to Bruno Stadium on the line.
It should be Maple Hill vs. a Wasaren League team in the final.

Class C
Waterford turned a CHVL championship season into a top seed (much to the chagrin of Fort Plain, seeded second) and the Fordians have an inside track to the title game.
In the CC/C playoff, anyone can win, but I think the C teams have an edge this year.

Class D
Loudonville Christian, Heatly and Germantown represent the CHVL in this year's field. The Eagles have a shot as the No. 2 seed, but Fort Ann has put together a nice record and will likely be fighting until the end.

Here are the links to the brackets for the 2009 Section II softball sectional playoffs.
Games begin in earnest on Wednesday, with a flurry of Class AA and Class B matchups.

Click the text in red below to be redirected to the brackets.

NOTE: 8 p.m.: (Committee chairperson Cathy Allen just informed us that there have been changes to the sites for the Class CC and C games. The digital brackets have been edited to reflect the changes. Here are the changes:
Class CC
Lake George/Berne-Knox @ ADK, 3 p.m.
Stillwater/Schoharie @ Veeder, 3 p.m.
Hoosick Falls/Galway @ Veeder, 3:30 p.m.

Class C
Warrensburg/Berlin @ Veeder Park, 3:30 p.m.
Canajoharie/Loudonville Christian @ Veeder Park, 3:30 p.m.)



Class AA
Columbia and Troy earned top seeds (Shenendehowa also earned a bye). It looks like we're on track for a Columbia vs. Bethlehem and a Shenendehowa vs. Troy semifinal pairings.
Bethlehem squeaked Columbia a few weeks ago in East Greenbush, so it would not be a shock to see the Eagles in the championship game.
Columbia and Troy, however, would be a great championship game, pitting not only two Rensselaer County schools against each other, but first-year Troy head coach Casey Halloran against her former team.
I can see Bethlehem and Troy in the championship game with the Flying Horses earning a Section II championship in Shannon and Emily Jones' senior season.

Class A
South Glens Falls and Lansingburgh earned the top two spots, to no one's surprise, but watch out for Burnt Hills and Ichabod Crane.
I think the Lansingburgh team excels in pressure situations but they'll still need at least two pitching gems from Erin Glikes to escape Ichabod and Burnt Hills/South High.

Class B
It's Mechanicville's bracket to lose, although their first game might be the toughest of all.
Cohoes defeated Greenville 2-1 in last year's semifinals, and they'll meet again in the 8-9 game on Wednesday. The winner faces No. 1 seed Mechanicville, the defending Class C state champion.
Taconic Hills secured the No. 2 seed, but look for Schuylerville to advance to the title game against Mechanicville for a little Hudson River rivalry game.

Class CC
If Hoosick Falls' Rachel Quackenbush is dealing like she has all season, the Panthers are in good shape in this year's tournament.
Hoosick Falls and Hoosic Valley are likely to meet in the semifinals in a Wasaren League showdown and don't count out the experienced Indians either, who know all about playing in big playoff games.

Class C
Duanesburg and Waterford are all but set for their long-awaited showdown in the Class C final, although Canajoharie and Loudonville Christian could prove tough to beat in the semifinal.
Class CC and C teams will hold their championship games on Wednesday, June 3 and will play the CC/C playoff alongside the other four Section II title games on Friday, June 5 at Clifton Common.

Class D
Germantown split yet another CHVL regular season title with the Lady Fordians and earned a bye into the semifinals in the process. Hartford, Argyle and Fort Ann, however, will all be tough outs.

--
The games will be played at one of three locations. Click the links below to get directions via Google Maps.
1) Clifton Common, Clifton Park. Clifton Common Blvd.
2) Veeder Park, Colonie. Kabalian Dr. and Consaul Rd.
3) Adirondack Sports Complex, Queensbury. 326 Sherman Ave.


Check back tomorrow afternoon for the baseball brackets and later in the day for more coverage on the first day of the softball tournament.

Class AA

1. Shenendehowa
Troy High might be riding a hot streak and Columbia may have matched the Lady Plainsmen game-by-game in the Suburban Council this year, but Shen has the best pitcher in the section in Mandy Ferro and that has to make them the front runners heading into the tournament.
Shen has won six consecutive Section II titles.
This team has had its share of ups-and-downs this year, including a loss to Burnt Hills this week, but they are the team best built for the postseason and they always get a little homefield advantage at Clifton Common in the championship game, which can't hurt.
2. Troy
Other than Catholic Central, the Flying Horses are the smallest school in Class AA, as the 957 students in grades 9-11 at the school keep them just above the Class A level. No one, however, has been bigger in the Big 10 the past four years.
Seniors Shannon and Emily Jones anchor a strong lineup and sophomore Liz Belleville and freshman Julie Brinkman provide a dangerous one-two punch in the pitcher's circle.
The Flying Horses played well against all the Suburban Council teams in non-league games, which bodes well for the task they'll face in the tournament. First-year head coach Casey Halloran was in the Section II tournament, playing for Columbia High about six years ago and with her guidance, a Troy-Shenendehowa final is not out of the questions.
3. Columbia
The Blue Devils were consistently good all year, but lost a few games down the stretch before holding on to the South Division crown. Jena Servidone has been wonderful in the pitcher's circle but Columbia's lineup will need to find a way to get her some run support in a playoff game.
They struggled mightily in a game against Bethlehem's Toni Edwards, stranding eight runners on base, which brings us to:
4. Bethlehem
The Eagles, unlike Shen and Columbia, are on an absolute tear heading into the playoffs. They won 11 of their last 12 games (losing only to Shen) and Edwards, a sophomore, has arrived on the scene as a legitimate ace in the Suburban Council.
I rank Columbia one spot higher because they return nearly every player from last year's team, which bowed out in the quarterfinals to Troy.
Bethlehem has a lot of young talent, including Marybeth Dombrowksi at shortstop and could make a surprising run to the title game.
5. Saratoga Springs
The Blue Streaks hung in there in the North Division and have a nice pair of pitchers in Krista Robarge and Alysson Onyon. Check out an article from our partners at The Saratogian by clicking here.
6. Niskayuna
I didn't get to see the Silver Warriors play this year, but from what I know, they are a lot like Bethlehem with boatloads of young talent and have the potential for an upset.

Class A

1. Lansingburgh
You know the magic words by now: pitching, pitching and pitching. And with senior Erin Glikes, the Lady Knights sure have it.
Lansingburgh was also very good a season ago, but with fewer teams competing in Class A, the team got a little rusty over the course of a week off and fell apart in a loss to Burnt Hills. With that knowledge in hand, expect the Knights to be sharp heading into this year's tournament. A rigorous Colonial Council schedule certainly prepared them well, too.
Their lineup is perhaps a bit less imposing than it was in 2008, but Meg Volz and Sarah Cipperly are always on base and the team's No. 7, 8 and 9 hitters came up big in a loss at Mechanicville last Monday. They'll need to elevate their game again if the Knights want to take home their first Section II title since 2000.
2. South Glens Falls
The Bulldogs advanced to the state title game last year and won their ninth consecutive Foothills Council title this season.
Catcher Amanda Perry is one of the best players in the Section and should keep South High in contention yet again.
3. Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake
The Spartans' victory over Shen earned them an 8-8 record in Suburban Council play, which isn't bad for a team playing against mostly Class AA competition.
Emily Ostrom can give Burnt Hills a solid start in any game, which bodes well for a good lineup led by catcher Leanne Merchant.
4. Ichabod Crane
The Riders put together a nice record in the Patroon Conference, but they'll have to prove themselves against some of the schools that play in the larger conferences in the tournament.

Class B

1. Mechanicville
The reigning Class C New York State champs have to be considered the favorites, even sliding up by just a few students into the Class B bracket.
Anna Arceneuax and Shannon McBride provide a two-headed pitching attack and from Nos. 1 through 9, this lineup can hit.
Cohoes upset the much ballyhooed Hoosic Valley team in last year's Class B final, so the Red Raiders will have to earn another trip to the state tournament, no matter who they play.
2. Schuylerville
The Black Horses were the class of the Wasaren League this year, as Schuylerville and Mechanicville could swap in for Hoosic Valley and Cohoes in another Wasaren League-Colonial Council Class B championship game.
Katie Gallagher has done well in the pitcher's circle this year and Bridgette Plummer is one of the best sluggers around.
3. Cohoes
Don't ever count out the Tigers, even though most of their roster from New York State Final Four teams in 2007 and 2008 did not return.
Courtney Dayter has emerged as an ace pitcher and Mary Kellogg gives the team great defense in center field. Head coach Frank Ryan is a stickler for playing a tough non-league schedule, which paid dividends when the Tigers ran into a pressure situation against Hoosic Valley last year.
Cohoes whiffed in its first two chances against Mechanicville but a third meeting could be one of the most interesting games of the year.

Class CC

1. Hoosick Falls
Rachel Quackenbush, the freshman sensation, has pitched her fair share of no-hitters this season and could dominate in win-or-go-home situations.
Katie Kovage has done a good job as the No. 2 pitcher and also provides a solid bat in their lineup.
2. Hoosic Valley
Sure they lost Jen Mineau, but the Indians return a bunch of experienced position players such as Carolyn Houston, Sam Anderson and pitcher Carlee Chapko.
Hoosic Valley isn't likely to nab a top seed, but they could easily be a darkhorse team and meet Wasaren League rival Hoosick Falls in the title game.
3. Lake George
The Warriors tend to put together nice records in the Adirondack League, but they'll have their hands full with some of the teams that play south of Glens Falls.

Class C

1. Duanesburg
I didn't see this WAC team this year, but I know it's a solid program that has mimicked Mechanicville's recent success in many ways. The Eagles lost in a CC-C playoff showdown with Mechanicville last season, but won't have the Red Raiders in the way this year.
2. Waterford
The Fordians had another great season in the Central Hudson Valley League, but they are another team that needs to step it up against some of the teams they'll face from the WAC, who typically play against larger schools.
Katie Cahrenger is an ace in the circle and Jamie VanBramer anchors a solid lineup, so don't look past Waterford in a potential title game showdown with Duanesburg.

Class D

1. Argyle
2. Fort Ann
3. Hartford
One of these Adirondack League teams will win, but I haven't seen any so I can't offer any insight.

--
Remember to check back here on Tuesday afternoon, as I'll post the brackets here as soon as we receive them from the seeding committee.

Win and get in.
The message could not get any simpler for Tamarac and Hoosic Valley as the two 6-7 teams met in the Wasaren League finale Thursday afternoon at Chapko-Lewis Stadium in Valley Falls.

The Bengals climbed out to an early lead in what looked to be a pitcher's duel, but the Indians clubbed their way back into the game by batting around in both the fifth and sixth innings, handing Tamarac a 12-6 defeat.

Hoosic Valley (7-7, 11-7) advances to the Section II playoffs for only the second time in school history after finishing with a .500 record in league play.
They are on a tremendous hot streak, winning five of their last six games (the only loss to Wasaren winner Granville) and capturing the title in the Wafterford-Cohoes Wood Bat Tournament, the first tournament title in Hoosic Valley baseball history.

"We are a come-from-behind team," Hoosic Valley leadoff hitter and center fielder Alex Kugler said. "We usually don’t pick it up until the fifth or sixth inning, as proven by (Thursday’s game). We’re a late comeback team."

The Indians pounded out 18 hits in the game, paced by three singles each from Matt Clickner and Ron Morello.

Clickner (above, catching in a game earlier this year against Granville) also caught Chad Houle's complete game, 11-strikeout performance, drawing praise from Hoosic Valley head coach Boyd Hunt. Hunt lets Clickner call the whole game behind the plate and said he'll be kicking himself next year after Clickner graduates.

It was clearly an emotional victory for the Indians, who have seen their share of misfortune this year, including a 20-1 drubbing at the hands of Granville on April 23.

Hunt, who said he was bouncing off the walls all day and found himself working on the mound at Chapko-Lewis at 6:45 a.m., thought back to the years he spent coaching this group as junior varsity players.

"Hard work pays off," said Hunt. "That’s one thing I’ve preached to these guys the last four years. I knew them when they were JV kids. We practiced until 5:30 or 6 o’clock when the varsity team was going home. The kids would ask, ‘Coach, can we go home?’ And I would say, ‘Nope. We’re not ready to play’."

They'll have their hands full with whoever they draw in the Class CC bracket, but the Indians proved on Thursday that they're finally ready to play.

Tamarac starting pitcher Chris Ryan (pictured above in a victory over Maple Hill earlier this season) was knocked out of the game in the fifth, but kept the Bengals competitive through the early stages of the game. He added two doubles at the plate and finished with a run scored and two RBI.

Josh Johnson dominated the game from behind the plate early on for the Bengals. He picked two runners off at first base, caught two runners trying to steal second and made a tough put out at home plate to preserve a tie game in the fourth inning.

Still, it wasn't quite enough to earn Bengals head coach Dave Bestle another trip to the postseason, which had become a habit of his in 15 years at Lansingburgh. Still, Bestle, who won his 250th career game last week, had a blast in his first year of coaching in Brunswick.

"It’s sad because all the seniors…but I have to tell you, they really worked hard and for me, a first year coach, they made it easy on me," Bestle said. "This is a bittersweet time knowing 75% of my team is going to no longer be here. It went really fast. I’m not really sure where the time went, but I wish all the guys luck. I have some terrific guys. The Ryans are terrific kids. Tyler Shaw, he showed what a great athlete he is and what he can do here. And Josh behind the plate. I have a few of these guys coming back but I’m certainly going to miss this group, which was my first group here at Tamarac.
"We’ll be back after it next year."

--

The 2009 Uncle Sam high school baseball tournament will be played this Saturday at Knickerbacker Park in Lansingburgh.

Varsity
(on Lansingburgh Royals field, Knickerbacker Park)
11 a.m. - Catholic Central vs. La Salle
2 p.m. - Troy vs. Lansingburgh
5 p.m. - Championship game

Junior varsity
(at Lansingburgh High School field)
11 a.m. - Lansingburgh vs. La Salle
2 p.m. - Lansingburgh/La Salle winner vs. Troy in championship game

It looks to be a great day for baseball in Troy (especially if the rain holds off) and should be a good test for the Knights as they prepare for the Section II Class A tournament.

With the Section II seeding meeting coming up next Wednesday, let's take a look at who the favorites will be in each of the five classifications. Feel free to sound off in the comments and tell me who I missed.

Class AA
1. Columbia
The Blue Devils have a great mix of experience, power, team defense and most importantly, pitching. With a week to rest up, Columbia has the best chance to win the title if their arms (Gaige, Gaule and Ryan Lucas) can come up sharp in a postseason game.
2. Any of the Big 10 teams
Albany, La Salle, Christian Brothers Academy, Amsterdam, Troy and Schenectady have all proven that they can hang tough with one another and any of them should be a tough out for a Suburban Council team.
La Salle has a lot of experience and a power-packed lineup and Albany's Mike Hughes is simply unhittable when he has it going on.
(We will find out Friday who wins the league title. CBA plays host to Troy and Albany hosts Amsterdam. Should CBA and Albany both win, they would be tied for first at 12-4. Should they both lose, it's a four-way tie with La Salle and Amsterdam at 11-5.)
3. Shenendehowa
The Plainsmen on the other hand, do not have a lot of experience but found a way to win the Suburban Council North Division. Bryan Marotta and Tyler Dehmer, batterymates, have done a great job keeping Shenendehowa in contention for yet another season.
4. Shaker
The Blue Bison got off to a great start to the season and have lost some steam in recent weeks but pitchers Brian Cary and Derek Gardella could be dominant in a postseason setting.
5. Queensbury
The Spartans ran away in the Foothills Council this season, but they'll be hard-pressed to hang with any of the teams from the immediate Capital Region.

Class A Class A is always one of the hardest to predict because there are only 11 such teams in the whole section and they rarely cross paths during the regular season. Eight teams will fill out the bracket, although it looks like only four teams finished with .500 or better records during the regular season.
1. Lansingburgh
The Knights were the class of the Colonial Council in 2009 and with pitchers Jordan Zareski and T.J. McLaughlin leading the way, Lansingburgh is on track to play a game at home at Joe Bruno Stadium.
It's been a magical season for first-year head coach Joe Henkel, who took over for Lansingburgh legend Dave Bestle, who hopped over to Tamarac to coach his son Kyle.
Henkel has instituted a happy-go-lucky attitude that has kept the team loose throughout all the ups and downs of the season, which have been mostly ups so far.
2. Schalmont
Sabres were the next-best team in the Colonial this year and they have the lineup and the pitching to be competitive.
I only saw them play once ( a 7-1 loss at Lansingburgh) but I know they have the resume to be a contender.
3. Ichabod Crane
I know the Patroon is a strong baseball league and the Riders have had success in the past, but they'll have to play against other Class A teams which compete against bigger schools all the time rather than smaller schools. This team has a lot to prove against opponents its own size.
4. Glens Falls
The Indians were near the top of the Foothills Council this year and could be a darkhorse favorite.

Class B
1. Granville
The Golden Horde, aside from a loss to Cambridge, have been unstoppable this year.
They ran into eventual state runner-up Chatham in last year's Section II playoffs and that could likely be a title game matchup yet again.
2. Chatham
Should the Panthers run into Granville, it would be one of the most anticipated games this season (they are ranked No. 2 and No. 3 in the state, respectively).
Brian Gauthier shut down Ichabod Crane in a Patroon Conference game recently, so we know he can go toe-to-toe with the big dogs.
3. Saratoga Central Catholic
Another team with a very good record that falls outside our coverage area, so I can't offer too much insight into their club.
Feel free, however, to check out this article on the Saints' aces written by Nate Rider at The Saratogian.
4. Watervliet
The Cannoneers have all the tools to be a great team and they've shown it in flashes this season.
Caleb Gleason can give Watervliet a great start on the mound, mixing power and deception, and anchors a solid lineup.
Tom Ebenhoch provides a dangerous left-handed bat and always seems to pitch well in relief, so keep the Cannoneers on your postseason radar.

Class CC
1. Maple Hill
They have plenty of talented players (Jaime Schultz and Nick Papas among them) and that should make them the favorites in this tournament. Having to play four games against Ichabod and Chatham should have toughened them up, too.
2. Cambridge
The Indians solved Granville, so they must be on to something, although they also lost twice to Hoosic Valley.
3. Lake George
The Warriors posted a decent record in Adirondack League action but will get a dose of reality in the playoffs.
4. Hoosic Valley
If you want an us-against-the-world team, this is it. A lot of seniors out of 11 players and a team on a hot streak, look out if Chad Houle has the heater working.

Class C
1. Fort Plain
They're on the other side of the world from Rensselaer County, but I'm aware of the history and the tradition in Fort Plain, so they, of course, look like the favorites.
2. Greenwich
Neil Fryer can deal, as many Wasaren League teams found out this season. And with a hard-throwing pitcher in a win-or-go-home scenario, the outlook is positive for the Witches.
3. Waterford-Halfmoon
The Fordians smashed their way to another CHVL title this year but they might have a tough time against schools with experience against bigger and better competition than the Class D schools on Waterford's regular season schedule.
4. Duanesburg
The Eagles are ranked No. 13 in the latest state poll, so that must mean something.

Class D
1. Fort Ann
The Cardinals are the only ranked team from Section II and had a solid year in the Adirondack League.
2. Loudonville Christian
At last report, the Eagles were 10-3 overall, so they should put up a good fight in the Section II tournament.

--
Here are the latest state polls and I'll put up a softball version of this in the coming days.

Baseball

2009 NYSSWA rankings (through May 17)

Rank	Class AA	Record	Prev
=====	====================	=====	=====
1.	Vestal-4	18-1	1.
2.	MacArthur-8	17-1-2	3.
3.	Arlington-1	15-2	5.
4.	Smithtown West-11	17-2	15.
5.	Webster Thomas-5	15-3	2.
6.	Kingston-9	17-3	9.
7.	Auburn-3	15-3	14.
8.	Suffern-1	12-3	18.
9.	Columbia-2	13-3	8.
10.	Connetquot-11	18-4	16.
11.	Mamaroneck-1	13-4-1	10.
12.	Liverpool-3	15-4	4.
13.	Ithaca-4	14-4	17.
14.	Frontier-6	12-4	11.
15.	Newburgh Free Academy-9	14-4	13.
16.	Hilton-5	14-4	NR
17.	Clarence-6	12-4	NR
18.	Commack-11	18-4	NR
19.	East Meadow-8	16-5	NR
20.	Shenendehowa-2	14-6	20.
	Class A	Record
=====	====================	=====	=====
1.	Lakeland-1	14-1	1.
2.	Pittsford Sutherland-5	17-2	3.
3.	Maine-Endwell-4	14-3	2.
4.	Lansingburgh-2	18-2	4.
5.	Clarke-8	15-2-1	5.
6.	Hauppauge-11	19-3	7.
7.	Albion-6	16-1	9.
8.	Cornwall-9	15-3	8.
9.	John Glenn-11	20-1	11.
10.	Island Trees-8	14-4-2	13.
11.	Syracuse CBA-3	12-4	NR
12.	Victor-5	15-5	NR
13.	Red Hook-9	13-3	12.
14.	Hendrick Hudson-1	11-5	14.
15.	Grand Island-6	12-5	NR
16.	Iroquois-6	13-5	17.
17.	Miller Place-11	16-4	18.
18.	Camden-3	12-3	NR
19.	Malone-10	8-4	NR
20.	Burnt Hills-2	8-13	NR
	Class B	Record
=====	====================	=====	=====
1.	Somers JFK-1	15-1	1.
2.	Chatham-2	21-1	3.
3.	Granville-2	17-1	2.
4.	Windsor-4	17-1	5.
5.	Cold Spring Harbor-8	17-2	4.
6.	Dunkirk-6	18-3	8.
7.	Wayland-Cohocton-5	13-3	12.
8.	Westhill-3	15-2	17.
9.	Ogdensburg-10	9-1	6.
10.	Plattsburgh-7	9-1	19.
11.	Southampton-11	15-6	10.
12.	Nanuet-1	13-2-1	11.
13.	East Aurora-6	15-2	16.
14.	Bath-5	12-2	NR
15.	Beekmantown-7	10-2	9.
16.	Holland Patent-3	14-5	14.
17.	Pine Plains9	12-4	13.
18.	Dobbs Ferry-1	13-1	NR
19.	Dryden-4	14-4	NR
20.	Southold/Greenport-11	15-6	NR
	Class C	Record
=====	====================	=====	=====
1.	Keio-1	12-1	1.
2.	Ticonderoga-7	11-0	3.
3.	Oakfield-Alabama-5	16-2	5.
4.	Fort Plain-2	17-2	6.
5.	Little Falls-3	15-2	2.
6.	Brushton-Moira-10	9-1	9.
7.	Elmira Heights Edison-4	17-2	4.
8.	Candor-4	14-2	7.
9.	Canisteo-Greenwood-5	13-1	11.
10.	Tuxedo-9	12-2	14.
11.	Frewsburg-6	14-4	8.
12.	Frankfort-Schuyler-3	16-4	10.
13.	Duanesburg-2	15-5	NR
14.	Newfield-4	16-3	16.
15.	Pierson/Bridgehampton-11	13-8	17.
16.	Blind Brook-1	9-4	13.
17.	Norwood-Norfolk-10	9-5	NR
18.	Cattaraugus-Little Valley-6	13-5	15.
19.	Oyster Bay-8	10-9	18.
20.	Port Jefferson-11	10-11	19.
	Class D	Record
=====	====================	=====	=====
1.	Bolivar-Richburg-5	14-1	1.
2.	Schroon Lake-7	11-0	5.
3.	South Kortright-4	12-0	9.
4.	Harrisville-10	13-2	4.
5.	Fort Ann-2	12-2	6.
6.	Indian Lake/Long Lake-7	9-0	7.
7.	Hamilton-3	14-3	3.
8.	S.S. Seward-9	15-5	10.
9.	Jefferson-4	12-1	NR
10.	Chateaugay-10	9-1	11.
11.	Arkport-5	11-1	14.
12.	North Collins-6	11-3	8.
13.	Hancock-4	13-4	NR
14.	Pine Valley-6	13-4	15.
15.	Afton-4	11-5	2.
16.	New York Mills-3	15-5	13.
17.	Geneva DeSales-5	15-5	NR
18.	Clifton-Fine-10	9-2	NR
19.	West Valley-6	11-4	NR
20.	Smithtown Christian-11	6-13	NR

Columbia High School senior pitcher Nolan Gaige (15) gets a fist bump at home plate from Patrick Puentes after hitting a two-run home run over the left field fence in the first inning of Wednesday's Suburban Council game against Colonie. Gaige also struck out six and earned the win on the mound. (All photos by J.S. Carras - The Record).

Ian Gaule (No. 10 in the photo above) hit a three-run bomb in the second inning as the Blue Devils stomped out to a 12-6 victory at Columbia High School. The Blue Devils won 13 games in the league this year, more than any other team in the regular season.

Gaige delivers during Wednesday's game. The University at Albany bound senior ran into trouble in the first inning, loading the bases, but got out of the jam on a great defensive play by first baseman Ben Tidd. Colonie scored five runs in the sixth inning (Colin Mooney hit a three-run home run) but Gaige had done enough at the plate (three RBI, two runs scored) to lead the Blue Devils to victory.

"(Gaige) is very competitive," Columbia head coach Chris Dedrick said. "He has a great attitude and a great approach to the game. I believe he is the best player in the league if not one of the best players around. He might be one of the best players in the state."

Columbia shortstop Nick Keefe catches a popup to record the first out of Wednesday's game. He walked and reached on an error in Columbia's nine-run second inning, scoring twice.

Columbia (13-3, 17-4), ranked No. 9 among New York State Class AA teams in the latest poll, bested Colonie (10-6, 13-8) by three games in the South Division and edged out North Division champion Shenendehowa (12-4, 15-6) for the most wins in Suburban Council play.

Columbia third baseman Bobby Peluso is hit by a pitch thrown by Colonie's Chris Kalica in the first inning of Wednesday's contest at Columbia High School. He remained in the game, walked and scored in the second and added a single in the fourth inning.

"We’re feeling really good going into sectionals," Gaige said. "We have been playing well all year and we’re going to keep doing what we’ve done all year and hopefully a good outcome comes out of it."