elba

Press Release:

Eight local students graduated on Wednesday, May 14, from the Genesee County Youth Bureau’s Youth Lead Program. This eight-month-long program focuses on developing leadership skills through hands-on experiences. 

Congratulations to the following Genesee County Youth for completing the program:

• Elle Bentley, a Freshman from Elba
• Preslee Blecha, a Freshman from Alexander
• Jenavieve Gang, a Freshman from Oakfield-Alabama
• Lyla Jones, a Freshman from Le Roy
• Kennedy Lear, a Freshman from Alexander
• Lucia Longoria, a Sophomore from Elba
• Zachary Thorne, a Freshman from Alexander
• Carolyn Wujcik, a Freshman from Le Roy

These eight students met monthly to learn more about their community, how to be leaders, and the needs and challenges found in Genesee County. 

Areas of topic this year included Leadership, Business, Community Service, Criminal Justice, Arts & Culture, and Health & Emergency Preparedness. A few highlights of this year included a tour of The Chamber of Commerce, creating holiday cards for the elderly in Genesee County, a tour of the new Genesee County Jail, a history of Jamaican Culture by Jackie Swaby at GOART!, and a fire extinguisher demonstration by Gary Patnode of Genesee County Office of Emergency Management. 

Congratulations to these future leaders!

Applications for Youth Lead are open for the 2025-2026 school year. Interested Genesee County high school students, grades 9-12, are encouraged to apply. Applications are due September 1, 2025. For additional information or to apply, visit https://shorturl.at/t6qPr.

Daniel R. Yates, 55, of Batavia, is charged with attempted robbery, 3rd degree, and attempted criminal possession of a weapon, 2nd degree. Yates allegedly attempted to take a Batavia police officer’s gun out of the holster while police were attempting to take him into custody on May 2. He was arraigned in City Court and released under the supervision of Genesee Justice.

Roman B. Warchol, 45, of Elm Street, Batavia, is charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance, 7th degree. Jennifer R. Warchol, 43, of Elm Street, Batavia, is charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance, 7th degree; operating a motor vehicle without insurance; operating a motor vehicle with a suspended registration; and operating a motor vehicle without an inspection certificate. Roman and Jennifer Warchol were arrested May 21 following a traffic stop, during which both were allegedly found in possession of narcotics. They were processed at the Genesee County Jail and released on appearance tickets.

Supreme N. Ervin, 26, of North Spruce Street, Batavia, is charged with public lewdness. Ervin was arrested May 20 after allegedly exposing private parts of his body while in a store on Veterans Memorial Drive in the Town of Batavia. He was processed at the Genesee County Jail and released on an appearance ticket.

Daquan J. Butler, 29, of Ocean Avenue, Brooklyn, is charged with possession of contraband. Butler is accused of possessing contraband inside the Genesee County Jail on May 16. He was issued an appearance ticket and will appear in Batavia Town Court on May 27.

Bernard L. Parnell, 35, of Batavia, is charged with petit larceny and obstructing governmental administration, 2nd degree. Parnell allegedly stole merchandise from Speedway and resisted police when they attempted to detain him. He was issued an appearance ticket and released. Earlier the same day, Parnell was arrested on Otis Street after he allegedly refused to leave a residence and allegedly punched another person. He was charged with criminal trespass, 2nd degree, and harassment, 2nd degree.

Anthony A. Bomasuto, 31, of Batavia, is charged with criminal contempt, 2nd degree, and aggravated family offense. Bomasuto is accused of being involved in an altercation with a person who has an order of protection against him on April 10. He was arraigned in City Court and remanded to the Genesee County Jail.

Kara B. Baker, 52, of Batavia, is charged with petit larceny. Baker is accused of stealing merchandise from Aldi on April 15. She was issued an appearance ticket and released.

Jerome W. Amesbury, 59, of Oakfield, is charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance, 7th degree. Amesbury was arrested on April 10 following a traffic stop on Jan. 10, when he was allegedly found in possession of narcotics. He was issued an appearance ticket and released.

Anthony G. Cicoria, 56, of Caledonia, is charged with DWI. Cicoria was arrested on April 10 following a traffic stop on West Main Street. He was arraigned in City Court and released.

Michael A. Fanizza, 31, of Batavia, is charged with burglary, 2nd degree, and criminal contempt, 2nd degree. Fanizza allegedly entered a residence illegally in violation of an order of protection. He was arraigned in CAP Court.

Donyel E. Walker, 26, of Batavia, is charged with burglary, 2nd degree, criminal contempt, 1st degree, and harassment, 2nd degree. Walker was arrested April 17 after allegedly violating an order of protection inside a residence on Hutchins Street. He was arraigned in CAP Court.

Thomas J. Preedom, 36, of Batavia, is charged with failure to register as a sex offender. Preedom is accused of failing to register his address as a level 2 sex offender. He was arraigned in City Court and remanded to the Genesee County Jail without bail.

Jacob W. Patterson, 29, of Batavia, is charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance, 7th degree. Patterson was allegedly found in possession of narcotics during an incident on State Street on April 15, 2024. He was issued an appearance ticket and released.

Christopher E. Tanner, 52, of Batavia, is charged with harassment, 2nd degree. Tanner allegedly struck another person during an altercation on State Street. He was issued an appearance ticket and released.

Kelly R. Seeler, 52, of Albion, is charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance, 7th degree. Seeler was allegedly found in possession of narcotics during a traffic stop on Pearl Street on Jan. 17. She was arraigned and released.

Benjamin M. Klotzbach, 34, of Batavia, is charged with unlawful imprisonment, 2nd degree, and harassment, 2nd degree. Klotzbach allegedly headbutted another person and prevented them from leaving a residence during an altercation on Elmwood Avenue. He was arraigned in City Court and released.

Johnny D. Vidal, 40, of Batavia, is charged with filing a false written statement. Vidal is accused of signing a written statement alleging that another person threatened him with a firearm. He was issued an appearance ticket and released.

Nathiel D. Wilson III, 19, of Batavia, and Ashton T. McWethy-Thornley, 18, of Batavia, are charged with criminal mischief, 3rd degree, and conspiracy, 5th degree. Wilson and McWethy-Thornley are accused of damaging a window on a house and a vehicle on State Street. Wilson was arraigned in City Court and remanded to the Genesee County Jail. McWethy-Thornley was arraigned and released.

Karen B. Armstrong, 48, of Batavia, and Ashlee S. Thomas, 28, of Batavia, are charged with endangering the welfare of a child. Armstrong and Thomas were charged following an altercation on Denio Street, where Armstrong allegedly kicked a 13-year-old girl and Thomas allegedly slapped another person who was holding a young child. Thomas was additionally charged with harassment, 2nd degree. Both were issued appearance tickets and released.

Andrew R. Del Gandio, 31, of Rochester, is charged with DWI. Del Gandio was arrested April 27 following a traffic stop on East Main Street. He was issued several traffic tickets and released.

James R. Briggs, 49, of Corning, was arrested April 30 on four warrants, including two bench warrants and two arrest warrants. He was arraigned in City Court and remanded to the Genesee County Jail.

Nankumar McLaulin, 32, of Hicksville, was arrested April 24 on a warrant. McLaulin allegedly failed to appear in court after being issued a misdemeanor traffic ticket in December 2023. He turned himself in, was arraigned in City Court, and released.

John W. Biaselli, 56, of Batavia, was arrested April 24 on a warrant. Biaselli was initially charged with petit larceny after allegedly stealing merchandise from Dollar General on Feb. 28. The warrant was issued after he failed to appear in court. He was arraigned in City Court and released.

Shelby L. Fryer, 29, of Batavia, was arrested April 24 on a bench warrant. Fryer was initially charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance, 7th degree, following a traffic stop on Dec. 17, 2024. Fryer was arraigned in City Court and released.

Nicole Granger, 34, of Batavia, is charged with offering a false instrument for filing, grand larceny, 3rd degree, and three counts of forgery, 1st degree. Granger is accused of failing to report that the biological father of her child was residing in the home and earning wages, and of forging three documents related to her rental payments. As a result, she allegedly received $6,426 in SNAP benefits she was not entitled to. Granger was arraigned in Batavia Town Court and released on her own recognizance.

Nicole Sprung, 39, of Le Roy, is charged with forgery, 1st degree, welfare fraud, 4th degree, and grand larceny, 4th degree. Sprung is accused of failing to report that the biological father of her child was living in the home and earning wages, and of forging a neighbor’s signature attesting that he was not in the home. She allegedly received $2,641 in SNAP benefits she was not entitled to. Sprung was arraigned in Batavia Town Court and released on her own recognizance.

Cheryl Ditzel, 61, of Batavia, is charged with welfare fraud, 4th degree. Ditzel is accused of failing to report monies being deposited into a bank account she had access to, resulting in her allegedly receiving $2,435 in SNAP benefits she was not entitled to. She was arraigned in Batavia Town Court and released on her own recognizance.

Jacqueline Sogunro-Pitan, 44, of Batavia, is charged with welfare fraud, 4th degree. She is accused of failing to report wages she was earning at Walmart and, as a result, receiving $2,304 in SNAP benefits she was not entitled to. She was arraigned in Batavia Town Court and released on her own recognizance.

Erica E. Cullen, 34, of Bank Street Road, Elba, is charged with offering a false instrument for filing, 1st degree; welfare fraud, 3rd degree; and grand larceny, 3rd degree. Cullen is accused of receiving $3,138 in SNAP benefits she was not entitled to. She was arrested following an investigation by the Department of Social Services and arraigned in Batavia Town Court on May 22, where she was released on her own recognizance.

Brandon Gerald Starkweather, 33, no permanent address, is charged with criminal contempt, 1st degree. Starkweather is accused of striking another person who had an active stay-away order of protection against him. He was held for arraignment following his arrest on May 22.

Davon H. Patton, 39, of Buffalo, is charged with criminal possession of stolen property, 4th degree. Patton was allegedly found operating a stolen vehicle on Oak Street on May 7. He was issued an appearance ticket and released.

Brian M. Raphael, 37, of Batavia, is charged with criminal possession of a weapon, 3rd degree. Raphael was allegedly found in possession of a bludgeon, specifically a club with barbed wire wrapped around it, on May 7. He was arraigned in City Court and released.

Joseph M. Tornabene, 33, of Buffalo, is charged with aggravated family offense and criminal contempt, 2nd degree. Tornabene allegedly violated an order of protection by being at the residence of a protected party on April 30. He was arraigned in City Court and remanded to the Genesee County Jail.

Marissa A. McGill, 39, of Batavia, is charged with endangering the welfare of a child and circumventing an interlock device. McGill allegedly had a child blow into her vehicle’s interlock device and left her children unattended for an extended period of time on May 9. She was issued appearance tickets and released.

Michael J. Cutitta, 40, of Batavia, is charged with menacing, 3rd degree. Cutitta allegedly threatened to kill another person on May 10. He was arraigned in CAP Court and released.

Colleen M. Hutchinson, 50, of Batavia, is charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance, 7th degree, and criminal use of drug paraphernalia, 2nd degree. Hutchinson was allegedly found in possession of narcotics and drug paraphernalia during a traffic stop on Ellicott Avenue on Feb. 19. She was issued appearance tickets and released.

Justin T. Gladney, 36, of Batavia, is charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance, 7th degree. Gladney was allegedly found in possession of narcotics on West Main Street on Aug. 1, 2024. He was issued an appearance ticket at the Genesee County Jail, where he is currently incarcerated on a separate matter.

Kaila I. Tidd, 40, of Batavia, is charged with criminal contempt, 2nd degree, and endangering the welfare of a child. Tidd allegedly allowed a sex offender to be at her residence around her children, in violation of an order of protection, on May 1. She was arraigned in City Court and released on her own recognizance.

Edward J. Ludwig, 62, of Alden, is charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance, 7th degree. Ludwig was allegedly found in possession of narcotics during a traffic stop on Jan. 17. He was arraigned in CAP Court and released.

Ricky A. Marsceill, 60, of Batavia, is charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance, 7th degree. Marsceill was allegedly found in possession of narcotics during a traffic stop on May 20, 2024. He was issued an appearance ticket and released.

Bill A. Thomas, 65, of Batavia, was arrested on three bench warrants, all stemming from previous trespass charges where he failed to appear in court. He was arraigned in CAP Court.

Michelle L. May, 50, of Batavia, is charged with harassment, 2nd degree. May allegedly had physical contact with another person during an altercation on East Main Street on May 3. She was arraigned in CAP Court.

The Pembroke Varsity Dragons put on an offensive and defensive clinic Tuesday afternoon, steamrolling the Elba Varsity Lancers 13–3 in a commanding road victory.

Pembroke wasted no time getting on the board, scoring three runs in the top of the first inning. Anthony Abbatiello ignited the Dragons’ bats with a two-run triple, followed by a run-scoring double from Trey Newton to stake an early lead.

Elba briefly clawed back in the third, knotting the game at 3–3 on a Mark Caparco RBI single and a productive play. But the tie was short-lived.

Brayden Lang broke the deadlock in the fourth with an RBI double, and the Dragons never looked back. They piled on nine unanswered runs, fueled by timely hitting and aggressive base running.

Lang was just as dominant on the mound, tossing 4.1 innings of hitless relief. The right-hander struck out six without issuing a walk, slamming the door on any Lancers comeback hopes. Starter Hayden Williams gave up three runs (only one earned) across 2.2 innings, fanning four.

Pembroke’s offense was relentless, collecting 13 hits. Newton led the charge with three RBIs, going 2-for-3 at the plate. Lang and Jacob Johnson each tallied three hits, while Jayden Bridge added two of his own. Johnson and Landon Santini sparked the running game with multiple steals as the Dragons swiped five bags on the day.

Elba’s offense was limited to three hits—one each from Caparco, Nicholas Scott, and Brayden Jachimowicz. Caparco and Brady Werth drove in the Lancers’ only runs. Despite the loss, Elba showed life on the base paths with five stolen bases, including three from Jachimowicz.

Photos by Kristin Smith.

Elba and Lyndonville met for the second time in four days on Monday, with Lyndonville coming out on top 10-7 in a game that went to extra innings.

Elba took an early lead in the second inning, scoring twice on a walk and an error. Lyndonville rallied in the sixth, putting up five runs on four hits, including a two-run double by Braelynn Dillenbeck, to move ahead 6-2.

Elba answered in the bottom of the sixth, scoring five runs of their own to reclaim the lead, 7-6. Bri Totten delivered a two-run single after a long at-bat to cap the rally.

Lyndonville tied the game in the seventh, taking advantage of an Elba error. In the ninth, Isabela Groves doubled to drive in the go-ahead run, and another error allowed Lyndonville to extend the lead to 10-7.

Brea Smith pitched all nine innings for Elba, allowing 12 hits and 10 runs (five earned) while striking out six and walking three. Arnie Sturtevant went the distance for Lyndonville, giving up seven hits and seven runs (three earned) with 11 strikeouts and six walks.

Maddie Hall and Bri Totten led Elba with two hits each. Totten and Lauren Hawkins both drove in two runs. Elba drew six walks and turned a double play on defense.

Lyndonville finished with 12 hits. Addison Dillenbeck and Isabela Groves each had three hits and two RBI. Elena Barry added two hits, while Dillenbeck stole five bases as Lyndonville totaled seven steals in the game.

Photos by Kristin Smith.

CORRECTION: The score and player/team affiliations have been corrected. The headline has been corrected.

Evan Fitzpatrick struck out 14 and allowed just one hit over seven innings to lead Notre Dame past Elba, earning the win in a 6-0 decision Monday. Fitzpatrick finished with no walks and three hit batters.

Elba’s Mason Vigiano took the loss, pitching four innings with seven strikeouts and two earned runs.

Nicholas Scott led Elba at the plate, going 1-for-3 with a double. 

For Notre Dame, Chase Antinore went 2-for-4 with a run. Fitzpatrick added a 2-for-4 performance with three runs scored and a double.

Coach Andrew Boyce of Elba credited Notre Dame’s preparation. 

“Hats off to Rick and his guys, they always are ready to play when it comes to Elba ND games,” Boyce said.

Boyce noted his team’s slow start. 

“I thought we came out of the gates a little flat today, and when you make a few mistakes against a team like that, they're gonna take advantage,” Boyce said.

Elba finishes the regular season on Tuesday before heading into sectionals. 

“The last regular season game is tomorrow, and it’s already sectional time after that. We need to be playing our best baseball right now. It’s go time,” Boyce said.

Photos by Kristin Smith

Barker captured the championship at its annual high school softball tournament Saturday, edging Oakfield-Alabama in a tight final. 

The tournament featured strong pitching, explosive offense, and several late-inning rallies as Oakfield-Alabama, Lyndonville, and Elba joined the host Bulldogs for a full Spring day of softball.

Oakfield-Alabama opens with league win over Lyndonville
Oakfield-Alabama started the tournament with a 6-1 victory over Lyndonville in a game that counted toward league standings. Savannah Durham delivered a strong performance in the circle, tossing a complete game two-hitter with seven strikeouts. Piper Hyde sparked the Hornets’ offense, going 2-for-3 with a double and two RBIs. Allison Harkness added two hits and an RBI, while Chloe Lamb contributed a sacrifice fly.

“It was just a great high school softball game. Definitely had a Sectional Final feel to it,” said Hornet's coach Jeff Schlagenhauf. “Lyndonville is an excellent softball team, and Coach Moore does a fantastic job year in and year out with his teams. Total respect for him and his program. Our kids played incredibly well defensively. We got some big hits when we needed them and capitalized on our opportunities.”

Barker Holds Off Elba’s rally
Barker advanced to the championship with a 7-5 win over Elba. The Bulldogs built a seven-run lead by the fourth inning, taking advantage of a hit batter and an error in the second that led to four runs. Elba responded with four runs in the fourth, fueled by singles and patience at the plate, but could not complete the comeback.

Elba outhit Barker 6-4, with Lauren Hawkins leading the Lancers with two hits. Brea Smith started for Elba, pitching six innings and striking out four. At the plate, Smith drove in two runs, while Maddie Hall and Madison Marks each drew two walks. Barker’s Mady Flint drove in two runs, and Peyton Bradley pitched a complete game, striking out four.

Lyndonville outslugs Elba in consolation game
Lyndonville topped Elba 17-11 in a high-scoring consolation matchup. Elba took an early lead, but Lyndonville answered with five runs in the first and pulled away with a five-run sixth inning. Addison Dillenbeck led Lyndonville, going 4-for-5 with a double, two triples, and five RBIs. Arnie Sturtevant added three hits, including a home run and a double, and Alexa Robinson and Braelynn Dillenbeck each had multiple hits.

Elba’s Bri Totten drove in five runs with two hits, including a triple. Brea Smith collected three hits, and Madalyn Marks reached base three times on walks. Elba rallied for five runs in the seventh but could not close the gap.

Barker tops Oakfield-Alabama in championship
In the final, Barker edged Oakfield-Alabama 5-3. The Hornets erased an early deficit with a two-run homer from Rylee Denny in the fifth inning, tying the game. Defensive miscues in the sixth allowed Barker to regain the lead. Oakfield-Alabama threatened in the seventh, putting the tying runs in scoring position, but Barker held on for the win.

Emma Moeller pitched six innings for Oakfield-Alabama, allowing five hits and two earned runs. Hyde doubled, and Raine Denny, Allie Williams, and Jess Sosnowski each added hits. Piper Hyde was named to the all-tournament team for her efforts.

“We dug ourselves a hole early, but Rylee Denny’s two-run HR over the fence tied it. A couple of miscues defensively in the sixth hurt us, but we battled back in the seventh and had the tying runs on second and third to give ourselves a chance. A great day for us to get two good games in preparation for sectionals,” Schlagenhauf said.

Piper Hyde was named to the All-Tournament Team.

Oakfield-Alabama finishes the regular season at 14-2.

Photos by Kristin Smith

Elba avenged an early-season loss to Oakfield-Alabama, riding strong pitching from Mason Vigiano and a breakout night from freshman Alex Rascoe to a 7-1 victory Friday.

Vigiano worked six innings, scattering eight hits and striking out seven. Ryan Marsceill came on in relief and recorded the save.

“Mason was absolutely dealing tonight,” Elba coach Andrew Boyce said. “Anytime we needed a ground ball or a can-of-corn fly ball, he delivered on the mound. The work he puts in year-round is really showing.”

Rascoe sparked the offense, finishing 4-for-4 with two doubles, five RBIs and a run scored. Nicholas Scott went 2-for-3 with a double, two RBIs and a walk.

Mark Caparco added a double, scored three runs and walked once.

“In a game my boys had marked on the schedule since our first loss of the season came to Oakfield, they really wanted this one bad and came out and executed to perfection against one of the best-coached ball clubs in Section V,” Boyce said.

Elba improved to 11-4 and continues a busy stretch with games at Lyndonville on Saturday, Notre Dame on Monday and Pembroke on Tuesday.

“The boys are buzzing and we are getting key contributions from all 13 guys on the roster,” Boyce said. “There’s still a lot of work left to do.”

Photos by Kristin Smith.

Oakfield-Alabama built an early lead and defeated Elba, 9-1, in softball on Wednesday. 

The Hornets improved to 12-1 on the season.

Oakfield-Alabama scored four runs in the first inning and added to their lead in the second, third, fourth, and sixth. 

Allison Harkness earned the win, pitching seven innings, allowing four hits, and striking out eight.

Hornets offense:

• Piper Hyde: 3-for-4, 2 doubles, 2 RBI
• Raine Denny: 3-for-4
• Allison Harkness: 2-for-4, 2 RBI
• Chloe Lamb: 1-for-1, triple, 3 RBI
• Allie Williams: 1-for-3, RBI
• Jess Sosnowski: 1-for-3, RBI

“It was our eighth game in a nine-day stretch," said Coach Jeff Schlagenhauf. "I am very proud of how our girls have battled and have been able to maintain their focus. It has been a long stretch. It will be good to get some practice work in tomorrow.” 

Photos by Kristin Smith

Mark Caparco delivered a walk-off double in the bottom of the eighth inning as Elba rallied to defeat Byron-Bergen in extra innings on Wednesday night.

Nicholas Scott earned the win for Elba with 7 1/3 innings of three-hit ball. After surrendering a bloop single in the first, Scott settled in and allowed just one more hit the rest of the way, finishing with 10 strikeouts.

Mason Vigiano came on to record the final two outs and notch the save.

Caparco finished 2-for-4 with an RBI, including his game-winning gapper. Scott also helped his own cause at the plate, going 2-for-3 with a double and a triple. Bing Zuber contributed, going 1-for-3 with a run scored and an RBI, while Vigiano added an RBI single.

After falling behind early, Elba responded by tying the game and ultimately prevailing in extras.

“We’ve talked a lot about how our energy and toughness directly impact winning baseball,” said Coach Andrew Boyce. “Tonight, the boys battled back after taking a haymaker in the first. That’s the kind of game we’ll remember come sectionals when we need to dig deep. Elba baseball is a tough out for anyone.”

Elba will look to build on this momentum as the postseason approaches.

Photos by Kristin Smith

Behind a one-hitter (an infield single) by Oakfield-Alabama's Savannah Durham, the Hornets beat the Elba Lancers in Softball on Saturday, 12-0 in six innings.

Durham fanned eight hitters and didn't issue a walk. She was also 2-4 at the plate.

Hornets offense:

• Piper Hyde, 4-4, home run, double, 4 RBIs
• Allison Harkness, 3-4, 2 RBIs
• Allie Williams, 3-4, triple
• Ysa Schrauger, 1-3, 2 RBIs

The Hornets had 15 hits.

Photos by Jordyn Tobolski

Press release:

The Lady Irish defeated the Elba Lancers Friday night, 11-10. 

The Irish took a 7-0 lead into the 5th inning. The Lancers closed the gap with one run in the 5th and then proceeded to go on a scoring run in the 6th, flipping the advantage to a 10-7 lead over the Irish. 

Notre Dame battled back in the bottom of the 6th with a single by Amelia Sorochty and a double by Sofia Falleti, driving in the two runs needed to even the score out to 10-10 going into the 7th. 

Falleti turned a double play and then had a diving catch to seal all three outs in the top of the 7th. 

Amelia Sorochty scored the winning run in the 7th for the Irish and led the team, going 4-5 at the plate.

Mia Treleaven was the winning pitcher, giving up 11 hits and 10 runs (4 earned) while striking out 10. Bri Totten and Brea Smith led the Lancers, collecting two hits each. Smith took the loss, striking out eight and walking none. 

Photos by Kristin Smith

Only once in its 26-year history has Plow Days had to be canceled because of rain.

Saturday morning, May 3, founders Louis Esten, his brother Chuck Esten, and Bob Newton watched and waited for the rain to stop.

Plow Days has taken place every year for the past 25 years, except for two years during Covid, on the farm of John Torrey, an avid tractor collector and farmer on Route 98, just south of Elba.

Esten said 25 years ago, he, his brother Chuck, the late Ron Komar, and Bob Newton (all of whom had an interest in antique tractors) got the idea for Plow Days and asked John Torrey if they could use his land. Louis said he and Newton had met at the Steam Show in Alexander, and during a conversation, the idea was born.

“We want people to understand what these old tractors are all about,” Louis said. “People actually used to plow with these.”

One of the antique tractor owners hoping to demonstrate plowing was Alexandria Smith of Attica. She brought her John Deere 630 with a three-bottom plow, which was built from 1958 to 1960, making it at least 65 years old.

Smith said her grandfather used to restore antique tractors, which piqued her interest, and she has been collecting them since she was 14.

She has a lot of respect for the old equipment and farming.

“Working on a farm is not like looking at a computer all day,” Smith said. “When you’re out on a farm, you put in a hard day’s work. You get tired, but it is a good tired.”

Plow Days is not just about plowing. Dozens of tractors from the 1930s to 1972 are on display. The giant barn is heated and has tables and chairs, a food counter, hot coffee, and vendors.

Photos by Virginia Kropf

Mason Vigiano and Ryan Marsceill combined for a no-hitter after a two-hour ride to Jasper-Troupsburg for the game.

The Lancers beat the home team 6-1.

Vigiano went six innings and fanned 10 while walking one. Marsceill came on in the seventh to get the final three outs.

Offense:

• Mark Caparco,  3-3, 3 runs, walk, 2 stolen bases, double
• Fletcher Norton, 3-4, 3 RBIs, run, double
• Nicholas Scott, 3-3, home run, 2 RBIs, 2 stolen bases

"In a game that we had to travel two hours to play, I am proud of my team for getting off the bus, as the coaches say, and putting it on them early," said Coach Andrew Boyce. "Nicky had a moon shot in the top of the first, 350+ over the fence. Glad to see our boys having fun and getting us to 7-2. Mason gave us a start most coaches can’t dream up, working corners. His breaking ball had a great snap, and the fastball popped the glove. Keep stacking days, boys."

Submitted photos

Oakfield-Alabama dealt the Elba Lancers the team's first defeat of the season on Monday behind the complete-game pitching of David Schnaufer.

The Hornets won 5-1, even though Elba outhit O-A 10 hits to eight. 

Elba, now 6-1, committed four errors. O-A is 4-3.

Schnaufer gave up one earned run, two walks, and fanned eight.

Hornets offense:

• David Schnaufer, 1-4, double 1 RBI
• Jack Cianfrini, 3-4, 2 two walks, 2 runs scored
• Avery Watterson, 2-3, double, walk, stolen base
• Jake Gehlert, 1-2, RBI, sac fly
• Levi Kabel, 1-3, run scored, stolen base
• Dom West, 0-2, run, walk, stolen base

Lancer offense:

• Nicholas Scott, 2-3, double 
• Bing Zuber, 3-4, double
• Mark Caparco, 1-4, run
• Fletcher Norton, 1-4, double
• Brayden Jachimowicz, 1-3 RBI
• Alex Roscoe, 2-3
• Brendan Porey, 0-2, walk
• Brady Werth, 0-1, walk, sac bunt

Photos by Jordyn Tobolski

Elba's Brea Smith struck out 10 Attica batters on Tuesday to surpass the century mark in strikeouts as the Lancers beat the Blue Devils 8-5.

Hitting:

• Madison Marks, 4-4, 2 stolen bases, RBI
• Bri Totton, 2-3, 2 stolen bases, 2 runs

Photos by Krisin Smith.