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Canadian Lavoie captures second U.S. Open title

By Mike Pettinella

MOORESVILLE, N.C. - For the second time in his short professional career, Canada's Francois Lavoie donned the coveted green jacket at the U.S. Open.

The 26-year-old right-hander defeated 14-time Professional Bowlers Association Tour champion and top seed Sean Rash of Montgomery, Illinois, 221-172, on Wednesday night to become the 12th bowler in history to win the prestigious title multiple times.

His first time hoisting the U.S. Open trophy was in 2016 on the way to PBA Rookie of the Year honors.

The latest win gave Lavoie his fourth PBA Tour title and made the fourth-year professional the first foreign-born player to win the U.S. Open more than once. Finland's Mika Koivuniemi (2001) and Dom Barrett of England (2018) also have won the event.

Wednesday's star-studded stepladder at Victory Lanes was broadcast live on CBS Sports Network.

Along with the iconic outerwear, Lavoie also earned a $30,000 top prize. The U.S. Open was the fifth, and final, major of the 2019 PBA Tour season. The win was Lavoie's first since 2017.

"This is so surreal, and I don't even know where to begin," Lavoie said. "To win the first one was unbelievable and a dream come true. Winning the second one, wow. Especially with the way the season started, I never could've expected this. It's not something you think will happen again, and definitely not this year of all years. I feel so fortunate."

Lavoie started the final match with five consecutive strikes and cruised to the title. Rash opened with a strike but did not throw another until the ninth frame when his third major title already was out of reach.

Rash was in a familiar position as the No. 1 seed, having won the 2007 United States Bowling Congress Masters and 2012 PBA Tournament of Champions from there.

"I'm great, honestly," Rash said. "I led the U.S. Open, which is a dream come true. I've always wanted to make this show. Frankie bowled unbelievable. He started with the front five on a pair that was extremely brutal. He's a two-time champion at this event for a reason. It was a great performance, and he out-bowled me. I'm happy with my preparation and thought process and everything that was going on. I have no regrets from today, and I feel like this still was one of my best seasons overall."

Despite the loss, Rash indeed is winding down one of his best seasons in a career that began in 2005. His 2019 campaign includes two titles and more than $145,000 in earnings. He took home $15,000 for Wednesday's runner-up finish.

In the night's four matches, there only were three strings of strikes longer than a double, and Lavoie had two of them on what he considered the most challenging of the week's four oil patterns.

His keys to success on all the patterns were surface management and different hand positions.

"I wasn't ever really comfortable on this pattern for the 32 games we bowled on it, and going into match play, I was pretty nervous about holding onto a spot on the show for another 24 games," said Lavoie, who averaged less than 200 for his first eight games on the week's final oil pattern. "I had a hard time getting my hand to do what I wanted to get the right ball motion, but we stuck with it and stayed in it. Throwing the front five in the final game was huge, especially since our plan was just to try to hit the 1-3 every time. That pair was really hard."

On the way to his first U.S. Open title in Las Vegas, Lavoie also managed to string strikes in what is considered one of the sport's toughest environments. That year, he also was the second seed and advanced to the title match by becoming the first bowler in history to roll a perfect game on a U.S. Open television show.

Lavoie rolled into this year's championship match simply by filling frames, another key to success on the demanding conditions at the U.S. Open.

The Team Canada member posted a clean 214-164 win against two-time major champion Anthony Simonsen, 22, of Little Elm, Texas, who was looking to earn his eighth PBA Tour title and become the youngest player to win three majors.

Simonsen, who won the 2016 USBC Masters and 2019 PBA Players Championship, advanced to Wednesday's semifinal with a 187-148 win against 11-time major champion and 2019 PBA Player of the Year front-runner Jason Belmonte of Australia.

After three solid shots to start the match, Belmonte failed to get more than six pins on four of his next five first balls. The 36-year-old two-hander tried everything to get back in the match, including a switch to a urethane ball in the seventh frame and moving from the left side of the lane to the right.

The move worked on the right lane, but the 22-time PBA Tour champion split twice on the left lane, including the 2-8-10 combination in his final frame. A missed 10 pin from Simonsen in the ninth frame gave Belmonte an opportunity to at least force Simonsen to mark, but the final split ended his chances for a fifth title in 2019.

A win Wednesday would've given Belmonte his first U.S. Open title, and he would've joined USBC and PBA Hall of Famer Mike Aulby as the only players to win the Super Slam.

Belmonte has four wins at the USBC Masters, three PBA Tournament of Champions titles, two victories at the PBA World Championship and two wins at the PBA Players Championship.

His 148 game was the lowest he has bowled on TV. His previous low came in a 214-156 loss to Wes Malott in the title match of the 2013 U.S. Open.

In Wednesday's opening match, neither Simonsen nor Bill O'Neill of Langhorne, Pennsylvania, looked immediately comfortable on the fresh 40-foot oil pattern, but two rolled 10 pins early in the game gave Simonsen a small advantage over O'Neill, who didn't deliver his first strike until the fifth frame.

A 2-8-10 split from O'Neill in the sixth frame widened the deficit, and Simonsen followed the first commercial break with four consecutive strikes to pull away for a 226-193 victory.

O'Neill, the 2010 U.S. Open winner, also was looking to become the 12th bowler in history to win the event multiple times. The 38-year-old right-hander owns 11 PBA Tour titles, including two this season.

The field this week started with 144 players, all of whom bowled 24 games of qualifying over three days (eight games each day). Each round featured a different oil pattern, and a fourth lane condition was introduced for the cashers' round, match play and championship round.

All rounds leading up to the TV show were broadcast live at BowlTV.com and simulcast on FloBowling.

2019 U.S. Open
At Victory Lanes, Mooresville, N.C.
Wednesday's results

FINAL STANDINGS
1, Francois Lavoie, Canada, 435 (two games), $30,000
2, Sean Rash, Montgomery, Illinois, 172 (one game), $15,000
3, Anthony Simonsen, Little Elm, Texas, 577 (three games), $12,000
4, Jason Belmonte, Australia, 148 (one game), $10,000
5, Bill O'Neill, Langhorne, Pa., 193 (one game), $8,000

STEPLADDER RESULTS
Match No. 1 - Simonsen def. O'Neill, 226-193
Match No. 2 - Simonsen def. Belmonte, 187-148
Semifinal - Lavoie def. Simonsen, 214-164
Championship - Lavoie def. Rash, 221-172

Rash earns top seed for U.S. Open stepladder finals on CBS Sports Network tonight

By Mike Pettinella

MOORESVILLE, N.C. - After 56 games over five days, five competitors have advanced to the championship round of the 2019 U.S. Open.

The quintet conquered four challenging oil patterns at Victory Lanes and now will battle for the for the $30,000 top prize, coveted green jacket and final major championship on the 2019 Professional Bowlers Association Tour schedule live on CBS Sports Network on Wednesday at 8 p.m. Eastern.

The standings seemed to be on a continuous spin cycle throughout the final round of match play Tuesday evening, with three different people topping the leaderboard during the eight-game block.

Sean Rash of Montgomery, Illinois, a 14-time PBA Tour champion, spent the most time out in front and held a 60-pin advantage over 2016 U.S. Open champion Francois Lavoie of Canada heading into the day-ending position round.

Though Lavoie was able to win the position-round matchup, 217-211, Rash had enough of a lead to claim the top seed for the TV stepladder by 24 pins.

Lavoie held on for the No. 2 spot, which is the same place he qualified the year he won. He and Rash will be joined on the show by Australia's Jason Belmonte, Bill O'Neill of Langhorne, Pennsylvania, and Anthony Simonsen of Little Elm, Texas. All five are major champions.

"I have one game to bowl for a title, which is something I've done six, seven or eight times this year, and it's a great feeling," said Rash, who was the No. 1 seed for both of his major titles - the 2007 United States Bowling Congress Masters and 2012 PBA Tournament of Champions. "There's four unbelievable players on the show with me, all major champions, so it's going to be an amazing show. I'm extremely happy right now, but there's still so much left to do."

Rash, who set the pace through 32 games of qualifying and led the final 24 players into the match-play portion of the event, finished with a 56-game pinfall total of 12,379, which included 30 bonus pins for each of his 12 wins in match play. He started match play with seven consecutive losses.

Lavoie finished with a 12,355 total, Belmonte closed with a 266-233 win over Houston's Shawn Maldonado to jump from fifth place to third (12,312), O'Neill finished with 12,303 and Simonsen held on to the final spot with 12,261, just 27 pins ahead of Maldonado.

"Tonight was very much needed and something I felt was coming," said Belmonte, a 22-time PBA Tour champion. "I finished the second round with 279 and realized that game put me back in contention. I was about 100 out of the show and thought I could get there with a couple good games in a row. Through the middle of the last block, I did some of the best bowling I've done in a really long time."

The star-studded stepladder includes some amazing storylines.

Rash is looking for his third title of 2019 and third career major. A win would make Lavoie the first foreign-born player to win the event twice, while he and O'Neill, the 2010 winner, both have a chance to become the 12th bowler in history to win multiple times.

Belmonte and Simonsen both have found the winner's circle in majors this season. Belmonte won the PBA Tournament of Champions and PBA World Series of Bowling X PBA World Championship, and he was the runner-up to Simonsen at the 2019 PBA Players Championship.

Belmonte's win at the 2019 PBA World Championship was the 11th major victory of his career and moved him past PBA Hall of Famers Earl Anthony and Pete Weber on the all-time list. They each own 10 major titles.

Simonsen, who along with O'Neill has won twice this year, is looking to become the youngest player with three majors - he also won the 2016 Masters - and Belmonte is hoping to extend his record. The U.S. Open is the major that has eluded him. The Australian's best finish at the event was a second-place effort in 2013.

"This has put me in a position to have a crack at No. 12, and I'm excited and nervous and can't wait to get out there and leave it all on the lanes," said Belmonte, a four-time champion in 2019. "I'll give it everything I've got, and if the pins want to fall, it'll be my year. I know there will be plenty more U.S. Opens, but I'm kind of hoping they fall for me this time."

Defending champion Dom Barrett of England also made match play this week and finished 14th, one spot ahead of 2017 champion Rhino Page of Orlando, Florida.

The field this week started with 144 players, all of whom bowled 24 games of qualifying over three days (eight games each day). Each round featured a different oil pattern, and a fourth lane condition was introduced for the cashers' round, match play and championship round.

All rounds leading up to the TV show were broadcast live at BowlTV.com and simulcast on FloBowling.

The U.S. Open is conducted jointly by USBC and the Bowling Proprietors' Association of America.

For more information on the U.S. Open, visit BOWL.com/USOpen.

About International Bowling Campus
The International Bowling Campus (IBC) is the headquarters for the bowling industry and directly serves the more than 69 million bowlers in the United States. The IBC houses the resources of the United States Bowling Congress, the governing body and membership organization for the sport; the Bowling Proprietors' Association of America, representing the business interests of bowling centers; IBC Youth Development; Strike Ten Entertainment, the marketing arm for the industry; the International Bowling Museum and Hall of Fame; the International Bowling Pro Shop and Instructors Association; the International Bowling Media Association; the Bowling News Network; the Billiard and Bowling Institute of America; and the International Training and Research Center.

2019 U.S. Open
At Victory Lanes, Mooresville, N.C.

Tuesday's results

MATCH PLAY
(56 games, 30 bonus pins for a win, 15 bonus pins for a tie)

     
      1, Sean Rash, Montgomery, Ill., 12-12-0, 12,379. 2, Francois Lavoie, Wichita, Kan., 15-8-1, 12,355. 3, Jason Belmonte, Australia, 13-11-0, 12,312. 4, Bill O'Neill, Langhorne, Pa., 13-10-1, 12,303. 5, Anthony Simonsen, Princeton, Texas, 14-10-0, 12,261.

TELEVISED STEPLADDER FINALS
(Will be live Wednesday on CBS Sports Network at 8 p.m. Eastern)

Match No. 1: O'Neill vs. Simonsen
Match No. 2: Belmonte vs. Match No. 1 winner
Semifinal: Lavoie vs. Match No. 2 winner
Final: Rash vs. semifinal winner

DID NOT ADVANCE:

      6, Shawn Maldonado, Houston, 15-9-0, 12,234. 7, Chris Barnes, Double Oak, Texas, 18-6-0, 12,221. 8, Tom Daugherty, Riverview, Fla., 14-10-0, 12,207. 9, Tommy Jones, Simpsonville, S.C., 13-11-0, 12,169. 10, Norm Duke, Clermont, Fla., 12-12-0, 12,121. 11, Chris Via, Springfield, Ohio, 11-11-2, 12,105. 12, Jesper Svensson, Sweden, 12-12-0, 12,087.
      13, Thomas Larsen, Denmark, 13-11-0, 11,993. 14, Dominic Barrett, England, 12-12-0, 11,991. 15, Rhino Page, Orlando, Fla., 12-12-0, 11,958. 16, AJ Johnson, Oswego, Ill., 11-13-0, 11,920. 17, Kim Bolleby, Thailand, 11-12-1, 11,899. 18, Kyle Sherman, O'Fallon, Mo., 11-12-1, 11,860.
      19, Brandon Novak, Chillicothe, Ohio, 10-14-0, 11,838. 20, Kristopher Prather, Plainfield, Ill., 8-16-0, 11,797. 21, Greg Ostrander (a), Freehold, N.J., 11-12-1, 11,764. 22, Martin Larsen, Sweden, 7-17-0, 11,612. 23, Thomas Smallwood, Saginaw, Mich., 8-16-0, 11,542. 24, Marshall Kent, Yakima, Wash., 8-15-1, 11,494.

Youth age 4 to 9 invited to 'Try Hockey For Free' clinic Nov. 9 at Falleti Ice Rink

By Billie Owens

Press release:

The Genesee Amateur Hockey Association invites children to the Falleti Ice Rink on Evans Street in Batavia on Saturday, Nov. 9th for a Try Hockey For Free clinic as part of Hockey Week Across America.

Starting at 11:40 a.m. to 1 p.m. local youth, ages 4 to 9, are encouraged to experience ice hockey for the first time and learn the basic skills in a fun, safe environment.

“We look forward to welcoming families to Falleti Ice Rink to try our great sport of ice hockey,” said Dale Hutchins, president of GAHA. “Our goal is for these families to enjoy watching their kids learn new skills with big smiles on their faces.”

USA Hockey’s Try Hockey program, with the support of the National Hockey League and NHL member clubs, among others, is designed to provide youth hockey associations with a national platform for introducing children to the sport, free of charge.

All your youngster needs is a helmet (bike or sports) and winter gloves. Skates are available at the Rink. The GAHA organization does have some used hockey helmets available for the event as well as a few hockey sticks.

Players in attendance will be given a free hockey jersey to take home.

To register for this Try Hockey For Free event, please visit www.TryHockeyForFree.com

For more information, please contact:  Sharon at svgray@rochester.rr.comor 585-344-2248 (coordinator for Try Hockey For Free).

$5,000 Guaranteed Pick-5 Wednesday at Batavia

By Billie Owens

By Tim Bojarski, for Batavia Downs

On Wednesday (Oct. 30) there is a carryover of $1,381 and a guaranteed pool of $5,000 for the Pick-5 wager that day.

The pool is part of the United States Trotting Association’s (USTA) Strategic Wagering Program and as such, free program pages are available courtesy of Trackmaster on the USTA’s website or by direct download by clicking here.

The Pick-5 wager begins in race one and runs through race five. It is a 50-cent base wager and if all five winners aren’t selected, the carryover amount will move to the Friday (Nov. 1) program.

Post time for the first race Wednesday is 5 p.m.

James Townsend notches first 300 game in Monday league at Mancuso's

By Mike Pettinella

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Twenty-one-year-old James Townsend, just two years out of youth bowling, recorded his first United States Bowling Congress-certified 300 game last Monday in the Mancuso Real Estate Doubles League at Mancuso Bowling Center in Batavia.

Townsend, an employee of Walmart Automotive in Batavia, started his series on lanes 7-8 with 12 consecutive strikes and followed that up with 212 and 220 for a 732 series.

The right-hander said he had the jitters on the 12th ball, but came through in fine fashion by putting his MOTIV Golden Jackal bowling ball squarely in the 1-3 pocket.

"My nerves were high, having my first 11 in a row and a lot of people were watching me – a lot of my friends," he said. "But as soon as it left my hand I knew it was going to be in the pocket – it was just a matter of carrying the 10-pin.”

Townsend has improved dramatically over the years and he was quick to credit his father, Paul Townsend, and Tom Fluker – coaches in the Turnbull Heating Junior League -- for working with him.

Also that night and in the same league,Jason Quilliam of Batavia rolled a 299 game – also in the first game – on the pair right next to Townsend – 9 and 10. Jason ended up with a 787 series.

In the Toyota of Batavia League at Mancuso's on Thursday night, Bill Neubert of Batavia led the way with a 755 series.

Black Is Back victorious in Batavia Open

By Billie Owens

Photo of Black Is Back with driver Dave McNeight III.

By Tim Bojarski, for Batavia Downs

It was a simple plan for Black Is Back. Take the lead, steal the half and cruise home for the win. And that's exactly what he did in the $12,500 Open I Handicap pacing feature at Batavia Downs on Saturday night (Oct. 26). 

Black Is Back (Dave McNeight III) left unchallenged and set early fractions of :27.3 and :57 flat to the half. Down On My Luck (Drew Monti) was in the breeze first-over at that point and continued to gain ground on the leader up the backstretch and to the three-quarters. 

As they headed around the far turn and into the stretch Down On My Luck was pacing hard and trying to make up the 1-½ length deficit, but Black Is Back was the better horse this night and hung on for the win by one-length in 1:53.4. 

It was the 10th win of the year for Black Is Back ($3.10) who has now earned $75,050 for owners Curtis Edholm and Mihajlo Zdjelar Sr.; Mihajlo Zdjelar Jr. does the training.

The $11,000 Open II Handicap pace saw I’m So Handsome (Denny Bucceri) leave from post one, slow the half to :58.2 and then come home in back to back :28.2 quarters to hold off a fast closing Sir Pugsley (Drew Monti) and win by a length in 1:55.

I’m So Handsome ($10.80) scored his sixth win of the year for owner Mike Torcello and trainer Gerry Sarama. 

The $10,000 Open III pace turned an unexpectedly fast mile when Charmbo Orbit (Denny Bucceri) drafted third for a half before pulling first-over heading to the three-quarters to run down the leading Thisjetsabookin (Dave McNeight III) and hold off a late rush from Brunello N (Drew Monti) in the stretch to win by a neck in 1:53.4.

It was a new seasonal mark for Charmbo Orbit ($21.20) who is owned by Keith Pinkowski and trained by Mihajlo Zdjelar Jr. 

Those back to back wins for Denny Bucceri were two of the three he won on the card, giving him a hat trick for the evening. Drew Monti also won three races on Saturday night. 

With no Pick-5 winner on Saturday, there is a $1,381 carryover and a $5,000 guaranteed pool will be offered on the Pick-5 wager on Wednesday (Oct. 30) when live racing resumes at Batavia Downs on Wednesday afternoon at 5 p.m.

The guaranteed pool is part of the United States Trotting Association’s (USTA) Strategic Wagering program and as such, there will be free program pages for races one through five available on the USTA website starting this morning (Oct. 27).

Bulldawgs' Beginners and Minis are champs

By James Burns

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The Batavia Bulldawg Beginners (pictured above) became the first ever Beginners-level champions today with a 19-13 win over Pembroke.

The Mini division (pictured below) also won with a 19-12 win over Newfane.

More pictures here: Beginners; and here Minis.

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Notre Dame's Fighting Irish advance in playoffs

By James Burns

 


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Notre Dame took on York in playoff football this afternoon in Van Detta Stadium. The Fighting Irish had a rather strange first half with a lot of ball movement but no points put up on the board. At the half the game was tied at zero.

At halftime whatever the coaching staff said to the payers must have hit home because they came out and dominated York. They quickly put points up on the board and kept going. They were able to convert on third downs and complete passes with great consistency.

The Irish were unrelenting in the running game, hammering York’s front line and punching holes for their running backs on almost every play. Even a fumble in the red zone turned out to be a scoring play for Notre Dame as they recovered their own fumble in the end zone, moving the ball another 13 yards further once it popped loose. 

The Fighting Irish’s defense had to get into the act with their own offensive yardage after they made a late interception thrown by York. The interception, with 5 minutes left, made sure there was no way York could possibly have enough time to get back into the game.

The final score was Notre Dame  26, York 0.

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Joey Pro takes second feature trot at Batavia Downs

By Billie Owens

By Tim Bojarski, for Batavia Downs

After winning in impressive style from post one in the track’s feature trot last week, Joey Pro moved out to post eight through assignment this week and won again in the $12,500 Open I Handicap trot at Batavia Downs on Friday night (Oct. 25). 

Joey Pro (Renaldo Morales III) left from the outside gate and finally took the top from CR Blazin Beauty (John Cummings Jr.) by the quarter in :28.1. But right after he cleared, CR Blazin Beauty came right back from second on the give and go to take command once again. The group then went with positions unchanged to the half in :57.1 and three-quarters in 1:27.

Rounding the last turn CR Blazin Beauty was still trotting strong on the point but Morales tipped Joey Pro out and started rolling down the center of the track. Joey Pro was in full flight and gaining ground with every stride and got the advantage under the wire where he won by ½ length in 1:57.2. 

It was the 13th win of the year for Joey Pro ($15.40) who has now earned $72,580 this year for owner Mark Wamp. John Hallett trains the winner.

In the $11,000 Open II Handicap trot Rockefeller Lindy (Jim Morrill Jr.) drafted along third for most of the mile until finding his way clear in the stretch and out-sprinting the leading Arnold (Dave McNeight III) to the wire to win by three lengths in 1:58. 

It was the first Batavia Downs win for Rockefeller Lindy ($3.10) who is owned by the Burke Racing Stable and Weaver Bruscemi. James Clouser Jr. is the conditioner.

Several horsemen had multiple win nights on Friday. Drivers included Billy Davis Jr. with three and Jim Morrill Jr., Dave McNeight III and Mike Baumeister with two apiece. Training leaders were Per Henriksen, Ron Baumeister and Rock C. Vinci who all doubled up. 

Racing resumes at Batavia Downs tonight (Oct. 26) at 6 o'clock.

Le Roy beats Avon 19-0 in Class C sectional quarterfinal

By Howard B. Owens


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The Le Roy Oatkan Knights kicked off sectional play with a 19-0 win over Avon on Friday night.

The defense held Avon to just 26 yards total offense.

Andrew Englerth ran for 84 yards on 18 carries. Kyler LaCarte also gained 84 yards on 18 carries and scored once on the ground. He was 10-13 passing for 88 yards and a TD. Jake Hill have five receptions for 46 yards and scored two TDs, one on a reception, the other rushing.

Photos by Ed Henry.

Top photo: Cole Rauscher skis over the Avon QB.

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Chase Bordonaro fights for key yardage.

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 Kyler LaCarte tugs a would-be Avon tackler.

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Andrew Englerth splits the Avon defense.

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Alex Panepento finds himself surrounded by Avon Braves.

Trojans win first-round playoff game 30-0

By Howard B. Owens

The Alexander Trojans shutdown Clyde-Savannah in a first-round game of the Class D Section V playoffs for a 30-0 win.

Running Back Ty Woods opened the scoring with a two-yard TD run in the first quarter. In the second quarter, he scored again as the Trojans began to take control of the game. Late in the second quarter, Dylan Busch connected with receiver Josh DeVries for a score. 

Alexander's first score of the second half came on a 30-yard field goal by Eric Cline, which was set up on a third-and-28 screen pass to Devin Dean for a 15-yard gain.

A few plays later, Alexander scored again on a 31-yard run by Woods. Cline missed a point-after-attempt for only the second time this season.

On defense, Ethan Heineman had two sacks and two tackles. Woods had 12 tackles on the night. Nick Kramer notched a sack and 10 tackles. Adding to the team sack total were Dean and Gavin Smith-Crandall with one each. Kam Lyons had an interception to go along with two receptions on offense.

The Trojans will face the winner of today's Red Jacket vs. Geneseo game today in its next playoff game.

PHOTOS: YMCA second annual Fall Pickleball Tournament

By Steve Ognibene

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This past wednesday night was the YMCA second annual Fall Pickleball Tournament. First place went to Mike Lear and Steve Ognibene, pictured center. Second place went to Josephine Fallado and Mike Ianni, pictured far left. Third place went to Larry Riegel and Art Smith, pictured far right.

The event was organized by the Pickleball Club Committee -- Sue Lewis, Karen Spiotta, Chloe Budenhagen and Becky Swanson. The tournament was a fun night with lots of excellent pickleball play. 

If you would like to learn how to play, come to the YMCA on Tuesday and Thursday mornings from 9 a.m. to noon, or Wednesday evenings from 6:30 to 9. You do not have to be a YMCA member to play and can purchase a pickleball card at the front desk or ask to try it out for the day.

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Batavia falls to Red Riders in playoffs

By James Burns


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The Batavia High School Blue Devils went into the playoffs as the favorite for the first game, but the season ended with a one-sided victory that had the Blue Devils fighting from behind from five minutes into the game. 

Batavia lost the coin toss, but the underdog Palmyra-Macedon Red Riders elected to kick. This was the start of their control of the game.

Batavia received the ball and was done with a three and out to punt. The Red Riders then took the ball and did almost nothing and then were forced to punt.

Unfortunately Batavia committed a personal foul on the punt and created a first down for the Red Riders. This early foul by Batavia changed the course of the game. Given a second chance, the Red Riders were able to drive the field and eventually score leading 7 to nothing a few minutes into first quarter.

The Blue Devils eventually fought back and answered with a TD of their own. This was quickly followed by another TD form the Red Riders that left Batavia chasing them the rest of the game. At the half, Batavia trailed by 7 with the Red Devils at 14. 

In the second half, the Blue Devils looked like they were going to change the course of the game with sporadic breakout plays, but they were never quite able to connect the dots and catch up to the Red Riders.  

As the fourth quarter started Batavia needed to score on two possessions to capture the lead. Even trailing most of the game, Batavia’s determination and spirit made the prospect of a come-from-behind victory seem very possible.

Unfortunately with a late fourth quarter interception Batavia sealed their fate and the Red Riders went home with an upset victory.

Final score: Blue Devils 15, Red Riders 32.

Congratulations Batavia High School Blue Devils on yet another winning season! 

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HP Sissy rolls to another Open win at Batavia

By Billie Owens

Photo of HP Sissy with driver Drew Monti.

By Tim Bojarski, for Batavia Downs

She went on tour for two weeks an won an upper class conditioned race at Yonkers Raceway in the process, but HP Sissy proved that there is no place like home and after winning her now third straight $12,500 fillies and mares Open I Handicap pace at Batavia Downs on Wednesday night (Oct. 23). 

HP Sissy (Drew Monti) and Gia’s Surreal (Jim Morrill Jr.) played give and take with the lead to the :27.4 quarter before “Sissy” came back out to reclaim the lead again past that station and this time, it was for good. With the short but select field of five followers in single-file pursuit, HP Sissy cruised through fractions of :57.4 and 1:26.3 with the greatest of ease.

Coming off the far turn, Gia’s Surreal pulled the pocket she occupied throughout the mile and took her best shot at the leader. But with no more than a reminder from Monti, HP Sissy paced strong through the lane and won by a measured length in 1:55.4. 

Having the year of her life, HP Sissy ($4.10) registered her 13th win of the year and boosted her earnings to $109,493 for owner Finocchario’s Dream Stable and trainer Mike Ohol. 

The $11,000 fillies and mares Open II Handicap pace saw Who’s Got The Move (Dave McNeight III) turn a garden-spot trip behind Machin Marley (Billy Davis Jr.) into a neck victory at the wire over her cover in a time of 1:56.4. Although she set a lifetime mark last week and drew post one here, Who’s Got The Move returned a surprising $19.80 for the win. The 5-year-old Shadyshark Hanover mare is owned by Richard and Lynn Fisher, who also trains the winner. 

Driver Jim Morrill Jr. Was red hot on Wednesday, getting the Grand Slam on the card. Morrill won with Magdalana Royalty (2:02.1, $5.40), Jus Chillin It (2:00.1, $21), Lyra (1:57.3, $5) and Southfield Spirit (2:00.4, $10). 

Morrill, who is in second place in the dash win category behind Billy Davis Jr., closed the gap with those four wins and is now only 14 behind with 27 nights of racing left. Morrill has a Universal Driver Rating (UDR) of .404 for the meet and has already broken the track record for earnings by a driver in a single season at Batavia Downs with over $880,000 banked this meet. 

There was no winner of the Pick-5 on Wednesday and as a result, there is a $916 carryover and a guaranteed $3,000 pool for the Pick-5 on Friday (Oct. 25) when live racing resumes at Batavia Downs. Post time on Friday is 6 p.m.

Great Scott! Joseph strikes for another 300 game at Rose Garden Bowl

By Mike Pettinella

For the second time in three weeks, Joseph Scott, a 37-year-old right-hander from Pavilion, recorded a 300 game in the Wednesday Men’s Handicap League at Rose Garden Bowl in Bergen.

Scott's latest effort came on Oct. 16 on lanes 1-2 on his way to a sparkling 751 series.

On Sept. 25th, Scott – who works for Logwell Acres dairy farm in his hometown – rolled a perfect game on lanes 7-8 en route to a 717 series.

At Paris Lanes in Oakifield, three bowlers hit the 700 mark last week – Dean Cadieux Jr. of Oakfield 750, Marty Hein of Batavia 719 – with a 299 game – and Scott Shields of Batavia – 707.

Hein's attempt at a 300 game was thwarted when the 10-pin failed to fall on the final ball.

In other league action around the Genesee Region USBC, Jeremy Vallance of Warsaw opened with a 297 game and finished with 759 in the Le Roy Moose League at Legion Lanes, and Tony Sprague popped a 256 game and 694 series in the Turnbull Heating Junior League at Mancuso Bowling Center in Batavia.

Pavilion splits pair boys volleyball games

By Howard B. Owens

Information provided by Ryan Paddock.

Pavilion/York beat North Rose Wolcott 3 sets to 1 in boys volleyball on Saturday.  The team then lost to Midlakes three sets to zero.

Pavilion/York is now 10-6 on the season.

Cameron Milligan sets single match & single-season records for the program against NRW with his 43 kills tallying 374 for the season. Both records were previously held by his cousin Luke Milligan. Luke continues to hold the career kills record with 1,313. Cameron added 18 kills against Midlakes to set his career mark at 796 and counting.

Stats vs. NRW:

  • Cameron 43 kills 23 digs 6 blocks 
  • Cole Tillotson 45 assists 4 kills 
  • Dan Nichols 9 digs 6 aces 

Vs Midlakes 

  • Cameron Milligan 18 kills 4 blocks 
  • Dan Nichols 10 digs 
  • Charlie Urbanczyk 5 digs 

Drew Monti wins five and feature at Batavia Downs

By Billie Owens

Photo of Down On My Luck in front, driven by Drew Monti.

By Tim Bojarski, for Batavia Downs

Drew Monti was on top of his game Saturday night (Oct. 19) at Batavia Downs, winning five races on the card including the weekly pacing feature with Down On My Luck who moved up to the top class $12,500 Open I Handicap after taming the Open II pacers in handy fashion last week.

Down On My Luck took back to fifth while Tullow N (John Cummings Jr.) and Mr. Euroman (Billy Davis Jr.) fought hard for the lead, parked two-wide to the quarter in :27.2 and the half in :56.1. Monti pulled there and Down On My Luck was now second-over in the breeze following Mr. Euroman, who had been out the entire mile. 

Tullow N was still rolling on the point and hit three-quarters in 1:24.3 and it was there Down On My Luck tipped three-wide around the tiring Mr. Euroman. Black Is Back (Dave McNeight III) was also three-deep in the flow and was now in play for the stretch run. When the race came off the turn, Down On My Luck took the lead by a length but Black Is Back was closing fast behind him. Positions remained unchanged to the wire and Down On My Luck won by a quarter-length in 1:53.4. 

It was the fifth win in six Batavia Downs starts this meet for Down On My Luck ($5.50) who is owned by Robert Woodburn and is trained by Patrick Shepherd.  

Monti completed his five win night with Cultural Paradise (1:54.4, $11), Howmac Dancer (1:55.1, $4.20), Brunello N (1:55, $7.30) and Cheyenne Louie (1:57.2, $5.30). 

Fool Me Once (Renaldo Morales III) won the $11,000 Open II pace after leaving from post eight to lead at every station en route to a 1:55.2 victory. It was the fifth win of the year for the overlooked Fool Me Once ($26.80) who is owned by Triple S Equine and trained by Patrick Shepherd. 

Billy Davis Jr. and Renaldo Morales III each had driving triples on Saturday while trainers Patrick Shepherd, JD Perrin and Maria Rice all had two victories each. 

Racing resumes at Batavia Downs on Wednesday (Oct. 23) at 5 p.m.

Notre Dame secures #1 seed in sectionals with win over Alexander

By Howard B. Owens
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In the battle of unbeaten Class D teams, Notre Dame beat Alexander on Friday night 40-0. This means the Fighting Irish will go into the postseason as the #1 seed in Class D and Alexander will be ranked #2.

Notre Dame's QB Gab Macdonald was 7-10 passing for 213 yards and a TD. He rushed 11 times for 49 yards and a TD. Jeb Reese carried the ball 20 times for 118 yards and a TD. Tony Zambito had two receptions for 93 yards.

For Alexander, Dylan Busch and Josh DeVries had solid games but the Trojans couldn't sustain a drive. Busch was 11 for 21 passing for 121 yards. Devries had five receptions for 87 yards. Ty Woods led the Trojans with 11 tackles.

Also on Friday:

  • Batavia beat Newark 38-15 to finish the regular season at 5-2.
  • Le Roy beat Wayland-Cohocton 43-12 to finish the regular season 7-0. The Knights are the #1 seed in Class C. Kyler LaCarte rushed for 109 yards and scored a TD while passing for 188 yards and two touchdowns.

Before Friday's game in Alexander, players Nathan Luker and Evan Whitmore did a fine job singing the National Anthem. Video below.

Joey Pro wins 12th of the season at Batavia Downs

By Billie Owens

(Photo of Joey Pro with driver John Cummings Jr.)

By Tim Bojarski, for Batavia Downs

After stringing three straight wins at the Downs at Mohegan Sun Pocono prior to finishing sixth chasing a 1:52.3 mile last week, Joey Pro ventured north to Batavia Downs and ran away with the $12,500 Open I Handicap trot on Friday night (Oct. 18). 

BZ Glide (Mike Caprio) rushed off the gate for the lead and looked like he would go unchallenged for a while. But Joey Pro (John Cummings Jr.) who was now third, was quickly pulled and brushed to the front in a :28 first quarter and then opened up a gapped 2-½ length lead rounding the second bend. The chasing field stayed in single file trying to keep up with Joey Pro who went to the half in :56.3 and three-quarters in 1:25.3.

Joey Pro was 3-½ lengths on top heading into the last turn and the only horse with a shot was Wheels A Turning (Denny Bucceri) who had distinguished himself from the trailing pack and continued his chase down the lane. But the best he would do this night was second as Joey Pro was the best in here and won by 2-¼ lengths in 1:56.1.

It was the 12th win of the year for Joey Pro ($4.80) who has now banked $66,330 for owner Mark Wamp. John Hallett trains the winner. 

In the $11,000 Open II trot, Keystone Apache (Billy Davis Jr.) dropped down for the top class and toured the facility on the point from gate to wire and won by three-quarters of a length in 1:57.2. Keystone Apache ($12.40) snared his ninth win of the season for owner Vogel and Wags Nags Stable, Jack Rice and Adelphi Bloodstock. Maria Rice trains the winner.

John Cumming Jr. and BIlly Davis Jr. both had driving triples on Friday. Trainer Dave Russo led all conditioners with two victories. 

Racing resumes at Batavia Downs tonight (Oct. 19) at 6 o'clock.

Pavilion boys volleyball picks up two wins

By Howard B. Owens

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The Pavilion boys volley team picked up two victories yesterday, first over Keshequa and then over Eastridge.

In game one, Pavilion won in three sets, 25-10, 25-12, and 25-16.

  • Josh Van Alstine with four kills and three digs
  • Alex Stalica with three digs and two aces
  • Cameron Milligan with 20 kills, eight digs, and 11 aces
  • Cole Tillotson with 20 assists and four kills

In game two, Pavilion/York beat Eastridge 3 sets to 1, 26-24, 25-14, 27-29, 25-15.

  • Cameron Milligan with 39 kills and nine blocks
  • Cole Tillotson with 38 assists, four kills and four blocks
  • Dan Nichols with 13 digs and two aces
  • Charlie Urbanczyk with seven digs

Pictures and info by Ryan Paddock.

Top photo: #11 Cameron Milligan with a kill between Eastridge blockers​.

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#8 Cole Tillotson makes a leaping save in the second set against Eastridge.

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#6 Ty Heineman with a kill.

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#17 Dan Nichols serves to Keshequa in the second set.

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