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Batavia Blue Devils finish season with semi-finals loss

By James Burns

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The 4th ranked Batavia Blue Devils took on the number 2 ranked Hornell Red Raiders on a rain soaked gridiron for the Sec V Class B semi-final.

As they normally do, the Blue Devils set the tone of the first half by scoring first on an across field drive.

A couple of possessions later the Red Raiders answered with a touchdown of their own and tied the game 7 to 7.

Good defensive plays and the rain ruled the rest first half. Neither offense could capitalize on good field position and passing was all but nonexistent because of the rain. At then end of the half, the score remained tied.

At the opening of the second half Hornell scored quickly changing the momentum of the game. Batavia played catch up for the entire second half. The Red Raiders consistently had better drives and good defense forcing a couple of turnovers to stop the Blue Devils.

Ray Leach only touched the ball once in the second half due to a leg injury. Perhaps the same leg injury that stopped the game last week so he could be helped off the field.

Hornell scored another touchdown and again failed to convert on the extra point.

The final score was Batavia 7 Hornell 26.

Congratulations Batavia Blue Devils on yet another winning season!

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Fifth annual Traditional Martial Arts Association Tournament to be held Nov. 4 at Le Roy HS gym

By Billie Owens

Press release:

The fifth annual Traditional Martial Arts Association Tournament will be held Saturday, Nov. 4, at the Le Roy High School Gym, with eliminations starting at 10 a.m.

The Tournament will consist of Sparring (point fighting), Individual Kata (forms), Team Kata, Weapons Kata, and Self Defense.

Tournament organizers are Soke William Cavalier (Livonia Tatsu Do School), Hanshi Dick Borrell ( Borrell’s Karate Academy Batavia), and Renshi Fred Merica (Le Roy Karate & Self Defense Center/ Main Street Fitness). All three have been close associates and tournament/ clinic organizers for the past 40 years.

Ages of competitors will start as young as 4 years old with no age limit. We have had competitors in the past well into their 70s. Divisions are broken down by skill level and age.

Spectators are welcome at $5 each and students at $4 each. To see a flier go to www.fitness-martialarts.com and click the link at top of page “November 2017 TMAA Tournament- Download Flyer” or call 585-414-3181.

There will also be a breaking demonstration at noon. They break everything from boards, bricks, coconuts, and Louisville Sluggers with their shins.

Anyone interested to help be a scorekeeper please call 585-414-3181 for more information, minimum -- 15 years old, no experience needed.

Tournament sponsors are:

    Northwoods Sporting Club / Le Roy

    Cameron Construction/ Le Roy

    Ben’s Appliances/ Batavia 

    Le Roy Karate & Self Defense Center/ Le Roy 

    Borrell’s Karate Academy/ Batavia 

    Livonia Tatsu Do Karate/ Livonia 

Who Says That captures distaff feature at Batavia Downs

By Billie Owens

Photo of Who Says That with reinsman Ray Fisher Jr., coustesy of Paul White.

By Tim Bojarski, for Batavia Downs

Following loosely third for the entire mile, Who Says That found late pace and rallied strong to capture the $10,000 Fillies and Mares Open Pace at Batavia Downs on Wednesday evening (Oct. 25).

Sportsmuffler (Jim Morrill Jr.) left swiftly around Voltina (Kevin Cummings) and proceeded to take the field to the quarter in :27.2. At that point Who Says That (Ray Fisher Jr.) was a gapped-third, about five lengths from the leader. The mares stayed in single file to the half when Hey Kobe (Denny Bucceri) came first up and tried to approach the front-runner. As the pack went by three-quarters in 1:26.1, the outer flow bid failed allowing Voltina to pop the pocket from second and circle Sportsmuffler around the last turn. At the head of the stretch Voltina cleared and looked like she was a winner. But Who Says That had stayed close behind Voltina and had plenty of pace left coming home to win by a length in 1:54.4.

It was the fourth win in the last eight starts and the sixth win of the year for Who Says That ($6.20) who now has earned $43,981 for owners Vogel & Wags Nags Stable, Chris Shambo and Jack Rice. The 6-year-old daughter of Badlands Hanover is trained by Maria Rice.

In the $8,000 Fillies and Mares Open II Sarah Cola (Billy Davis Jr.) went wire to wire in 1:55.3, outdueling the winningest standardbred in North America this year, Quicksilvercandy A (Larry Stalbaum) down the lane for a neck victory. Sarah Cola ($6) is owned by Giuseppe Micchia and Jim Graham, who also does the training.

Kevin Cummings led all drivers with four wins on the night while Billy Davis Jr. was right behind him with three tallies.

Racing resumes at Batavia Downs tonight (Oct. 27) with post time set for 6 o'clock.

GCC swim teams open season

By Howard B. Owens

Press release:

NJCAA Swimming & Diving Results
Men's Score: Genesee CC 118 Erie CC 72
Women's Score: Genesee CC 77 Erie CC 66

The Genesee Community College men's and women's swimming and diving teams hosted their first event this season Oct. 25 with impressive results. Despite the loss of points with no divers entered in the competition for either the men's or women's teams, the Cougar men won 118-72, while the Cougar women won 77-66.

Of the 11 events the Cougar men competed in, they took first place in nine of 11 events, while the Cougar women took first in seven of 10 events they competed in.

The men won four freestyle races, two relays, one breaststroke, one backstroke and one IM.

The women won three freestyle races, one relay, one backstroke, one butterfly and one IM.

For the men in individual events, two Cougars took a pair of events each to lead GCC. Matthew Langerman won two freestyles (500 and 200 yards), while Ferran Martinez won the 200-yard IM and the 100-yard breaststroke.

Men's team members that won just one event included: Alex Bookmiller (1000-yard freestyle), Joan Ferrer (100-yard freestyle), and Nathan Richardson (100-yard backstroke).

For the women in individual events, three Cougars won two events each to lead GCC. Natalie Amico won the 100-yard butterfly and the 500-yard freestyle. Angel Priest took the 200 IM and the 100-yard backstroke, while Nanako Shiozawa won two freestyle races at 100- and 200-yards.

The two relay events the men's team won were at 400-yards in freestyle and medley, while the women's team took the 400-yard medley.

No. 7 Women’s Soccer Team Bows in Regional Semifinal

By Howard B. Owens

Press release:

The No. 7 Genesee Community College women's soccer team ran into a hot goaltender in losing their semifinal regional matchup against Jamestown Community College 4-2, Oct. 25.

Genesee out-shot the Jayhawks by a 2-1 margin and despite some golden opportunities couldn't find a way to beat the opposition's keeper.

Miko Yamashita staked the Cougars to a 1-0 lead, but the Jayhawks responded with the next three goals.

Julie Kommer cut the deficit to a single goal at 3-2 with about a dozen minutes to go, but Jamestown sealed the game with a breakaway goal late to restore the Jayhawks' two-goal lead.

Katline Cartwright and Leah Czechowski also picked up assists, but it was Kommer who really put most of the pressure on Jamestown with a team-high five shots as the Cougars went much of the second-half without Yamashita due to injury.

The Cougars out-shot the Jayhawks 16-8 with 15 finding their way to the net. Genesee keeper Jaclyn Guzdek registered four saves on the night with almost all of them being outstanding including one just five minutes into the second half.

The loss dropped the Cougars' season record to 13-4-1.

Livesey Sets Cougar Record as Genesee Men's Soccer Team Advances to Region Title Match

By Howard B. Owens

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Press release:

The No. 3 Genesee Community College men's soccer team shutout Tompkins-Cortland Community College 7-0, Oct. 26 and advanced to the District A Region III Championship to be played Oct. 29 against Cayuga Community College.

The region's top-seeded Cougars improved their current win streak to seven games, where they have outscored their opponents 50-1 during that streak with the last six wins via shutout.

Genesee nearly doubled its offensive output since the teams last met Sept. 9 with a 4-0 Cougars win, that also improved their unbeaten streak to 16 games.

Charlie Livesey set a new single-season assist record with a pair against the Pantherss to bring his nation-leading total to 25 and surpassing the old record by Rafael Godoi. Livesey also had a pair of goals for a team-high six-point night.

Sam Hall also scored a pair of goals with single tallies coming from Glenn Holmes, Iyad Lablack and Tate Dean, with the latter also adding an assist. Ross White and Hijiri Sano also added assists to round out the Cougars scoring.

Current and three-time 2017 National Junior Collegiate Athletic Association D-III Goalie of the Week David Ormiston played the opening 73:16 of the contest and split the shutout with Gaurav Cheema.

Genesee out-shot the Panthers 35-6, with 15 shots finding the net. The Cougars also held the edge in corner kicks, 7-2.

Photo: Curtis Kreutter/GCC Athletics

Two Mikes enter 300 circle for the first time; Best of the best invade Liverpool for U.S. Open

By Mike Pettinella

A pair of Mikes – right-handers Mike Dillon of Albion and Mike DeVay Jr. of Batavia – found perfection for the first time on the bowling lanes last Thursday at Oak Orchard Bowl in Albion and Mancuso Bowling Center in Batavia, respectively.

Dillon, competing in the Thursday Night Triples League at Oak Orchard Bowl, finished with a 300 for a 715 series on lanes 5-6.

A bowler as a kid, Dillon said he took up the sport about 15 years ago when he retired from the U.S. Army. Since then, he’s been league bowling a couple nights a week at Oak Orchard, averaging better than 200.

On this night, he started with 201 and 214 before finding the groove with his Hammer Phobia bowling ball. He said all of the balls were in the pocket, but it took a bit longer for the 10-pin to fall on the final delivery.

“The 6-pin popped out of the gutter and took out the 10,” said Dillon, adding that he was “chit-chatting” most of the game and didn’t realize he had a perfect game going until the final frame.

Dillon, 53, bowls on a team that includes his brother, Daryl, who rolled his high game (299) in summer league action this year.

DeVay, a member of the North Pole League at Mancuso’s, strung 12 consecutive strikes in the middle game on lanes 19-20, turning an otherwise so-so night into an evening to remember.

A 192 average bowler last season, he finished with a 625 series.

Attempts to reach him by phone on Wednesday were unsuccessful.

The Sneezy’s Monday Night League at Oak Orchard Bowl produced three more honor scores over the past two weeks – Reid Cole’s 300-814 on Oct. 16 and Robbie Hanks’ 277-265-277—819 on Oct. 23.

Cole now has five 300 games and three 800 series, while Hanks registered his third 800 set. Both scores came on lanes 9-10.

Other recent high scores around the Genesee Region:

-- Caycee Landers, 268—753 in the G&W Vending League at Rose Garden Bowl in Bergen.

Landers is the girlfriend of Chris Bardol, a top scratch bowler in the area and owner of The North Pole Restaurant in Batavia. She moved to this area from Los Angeles.

-- Rachel Van Duser, 720, and Diane Hurlburt, 704, in the Monday Night League at Perry Bowling Center.

-- Michele Larson, 285, in the Monday Night NFL League at Mancuso’s.

-- Skylar Laesser, 248-214-267—729, in the Turnbull Heating Junior League at Mancuso’s.

LIVERPOOL WELCOMES U.S. OPEN BOWLERS THIS WEEK

The 2017 U.S. Open got under way at Flamingo Bowl in Liverpool on Wednesday night with a pre-tournament qualifier where bowlers who were not invited to compete had their chance to win spots in the 144-bowler field.

The participants in the limited field earned their spots primarily through invitations based on their on-lane performances throughout 2016.

An additional 19 spots were earned through the PTQ – with three of those berths going to Rochester bowlers Dan Vick, Mike Rose Jr. and Bill Hasiotis.

The major tournament features most of the best professional bowlers in the world and offers a $30,000 first prize. The stepladder finals will be broadcast live on CBS Sports Network at 7:30 p.m. on Nov. 1.

Canada’s Francois Lavoie is the defending champion. The 24-year-old right-hander rolled a 300 game on TV en route to the title at South Point Bowling Plaza in Las Vegas. He became only the second foreign-born player to win the tournament, joining Mika Koivuniemi of Finland (2001).

Other notable PBA and PWBA stars competing include Chris Barnes (who was inducted into the PBA Hall of Fame last week), Jason Belmonte, Parker Bohn III, Ryan Ciminelli of Cheektowaga, Brad Angelo of Lockport, Norm Duke, Liz Johnson (formerly of Cheektowaga), Sean Rash, E.J. Tackett, Pete Weber and Walter Ray Williams.

The full field will begin qualifying at 8 a.m. Friday. Qualifying will consist of three eight-game blocks over three days.

After 24 games, the field will be cut to the top fourth (36 players) for Monday’s cashers’ round, which will consist of an additional eight games to determine the top 24 players for round-robin match play.

Match play will begin Monday at 6 p.m. Eastern with the first of three eight-game rounds. Match play resumes at 10 a.m. Tuesday with the final two blocks of qualifying, including a position round. The five finalists will be determined by total pinfall, including bonus pins, for 56 games.

Starting Friday, each round of the 2017 U.S. Open leading up to the stepladder finals will be broadcast live on Xtra Frame, the exclusive online bowling channel for the PBA.

Flamingo Bowl is located off Thruway Exit 38, about 105 miles east of Batavia.

USBC MEMBERSHIP REWARDS AVAILABLE AT BOWL.COM

Monday’s mail included an envelope from the United States Bowling Congress and in it was my 2017-18 membership card obtained through my participation in the Geracerealty.com/No Finer Diner doubles league at Mancuso Bowling Center in Batavia.

A letter signed by USBC President Frank Wilkinson thanked me for supporting USBC in its role as the National Governing Body and for helping to provide A Future for the Sport (USBC’s slogan the past few years).

The envelope also included two small inserts – one touting BenefitHub, an online site that offers discounts from major businesses as well as local deals and offers on car rentals, hotels, restaurants, etc., and the other promoting a $1,000 shopping spree.

These promotions can be found by going to bowl.com/memberrewards and bowl.com/adultsweepstakes.

When I clicked on the first one, and entered my location, I found discounts from The North Pole, Sunny’s and Center Street Smokehouse in Batavia, Rose Garden Bowl in Bergen, Wolves Den in Basom as well as Batavia Downs Gaming. And there are plenty more discounts in the Buffalo and Rochester areas.

I then checked out the sweepstakes and, since my granddaughter is a USBC member, I was able to enter by answering five simple questions. So, if you are a USBC member with a child or grandchild in a USBC program, here’s your chance to win a thousand bucks.

AL VLIETSTRA PLACES SECOND AT 60-AND-OVER EVENT

Al Vlietstra of Geneseo, a three-time NYS tournament champion, advanced to the finals of the 60-and-over bowlers’ club event on Oct. 15 at AMF Dewey Gardens in Rochester.

Vlietstra, 69, a regular sponsor of the Pin Points column through his masonry business, was the third-high qualifier with a 707 series, and went on to advance to the top three with games of 206 and 232. In the title match, his 187 game placed second to the 204 posted by Rick Jewell of Rochester.

Joe Trigilio of Attica and Fred Gravanda of Batavia also cashed. The next 60-and-over tournament is set for Nov. 26 at Pleasure Lanes in Hilton.

Vlietstra is one of several Genesee Region bowlers signed up to compete in the first NYS Senior Masters scratch singles tournament scheduled for Nov. 4 at Lakeview Lanes in Fulton.

Other local bowlers entered are Paul Spiotta, Jim Pursel and Scott Shields, all of Batavia; Kevin Gray Sr. of Honeoye Falls, and Ken Ball of Avon.

The NYS Senior Masters features a $1,200 first prize (based on 80 entries). Squad times are 9 a.m. and 11:30 a.m., with the top 16 advancing to the match play finals. Entry fee is $65.

Entry forms can be downloaded from the NYS USBC website – www.bowlny.com.

OAK ORCHARD TEAM RED-HOT IN GR YOUTH TRAVEL LEAGUE

There’s nothing like home cooking, just ask the Oak Orchard I team in the Genesee Region Youth Travel League.

Bowling on their home lanes in Albion, team members Matt Baker, Ben Lennox and Paige Snook and Bailee Snook defeated Batavia X Factor, 17-2, to move into first place after two weeks – 2.5 points ahead of Rose Garden I (Bergen).

Baker rolled a 627 series, Lennox had 613 and Paige Snook posted a 247 game and 577 series.

Skylar Laesser of Batavia Strike Force took top honors for the week with 246—676 while teammate Corinne Saluste recorded a 573 series. Samantha Hyde of Le Roy Legion rolled a 541 series.

The league resumes on Nov. 5 at Mount Morris Lanes.

‘BEAT THE CHAMP’ RETURNS TO BATAVIA NEXT MONTH

For the second straight year, Mancuso Bowling Center will host the “Beat the Champ” television show – with qualifiers and roll-off on Nov. 10-12, followed by the taping for broadcast on WBBZ-TV (MeTV) on Dec. 2.

Bowlers will have a chance to compete on TV through qualifiers set for 5 and 7 p.m. Nov. 10; noon, 2 and 4 p.m. Nov. 11, and noon, 2 and 4 p.m. Nov. 12.  The top 24 will advance to the roll-off at 6:30 p.m. Nov. 12, with the top nine advancing to the TV show.

Four shows from Mancuso’s will air on Dec. 9, 16, 23 and 30.

Last year, Batavians Rich Wagner and Fred Gravanda made it to the TV finals, with each winning a couple matches.

For more information, call Mancuso Bowling Center at 343-1319.  The fee to enter each qualifying round is $30, and bowlers can enter more than once.

To see the local tournament schedule over the coming weeks, scroll down to the Oct. 12 Pin Points column.

Jankowski earns top spot in senior category at Blue Ridge Mountain 3 Gun Championship

By Billie Owens

Submitted photos and press release:

Eugene Jankowski Jr. finished First Place Senior, Overall at the 2017 Blue Ridge Mountain 3 Gun Championship, Sponsored by DoubleStar Corp, and held at RockCastle Shooting Center, Park City, Ky., Oct. 19-21. He is president of the Batavia City Council and a retired City of Batavia police lieutenant.

The Blue Ridge Mountain 3 Gun Championship is physical match designed to challenge the competitors shooting ability with handgun, rifle and shotgun while navigating man made obstacles nestled in the natural terrain of the Kentucky foothills.

More than 250 competitors from all over the United States attended this year's three-day event.

“Blue Ridge Mountain 2012 was my very first attempt in a 3 Gun match. Five years later, it’s great to come back and win a first-place trophy!” Jankowski said.

Jankowski is sponsored locally by Offhause Farms and Pheasants on The Flats shooting range in Batavia. Video of the match can be found at here.

Rock Fame stays red hot in Batavia Downs feature win

By Billie Owens

Photo of Rock Fame with driver Ron Beback Jr.

By Tim Bojarski, for Batavia Downs

In what may have been the most entertaining race of the year, Rock Fame moved up in class after a lifetime best effort last week and turned a perfect trip into a late rally to win the $10,500 Open Handicap pace at Batavia Downs on Saturday evening (Oct. 21).

In Runaway Bay (Kevin Cummings) out-dueled Rock Fame (Ron Beback Jr.) to the quarter in :26.4 before being immediately harassed by Fireyourguns (Mike Caprio) who tried to overtake him just past that station. Despite his best effort, Fireyourguns could not clear and was then parked to the three-quarter pole. That was when Show Stopping (Billy Davis Jr.), Teo Enteo A (Larry Stalbaum) and Focus Power (Drew Monti) tipped to attack and fanned four-wide against the still-leading In Runaway Bay. But it was Rock Fame, who sat the perfect two-hole trip behind all the action, that found the passing lane and out-sprinted everyone to the wire to win by a length in 1:53.2.

It was the fifth win in the last seven starts and the eighth win of the year for Rock Fame ($10.20) who now boasts $40,773 on his card for 2017. Rock Fame has been owned by William Emmons since he claimed him for $12,500 at Batavia Downs on August 27 and became the best resident pacer on the grounds for this week under the training of James Clouser Jr.

In the co-featured $9,000 Open II pace, Miss Irish Rose A (Larry Stalbaum) took on a full-field of male opponents and went coast to coast to capture a narrow victory over Chickenwithabanjo (Jim Morrill Jr.) in 1:53.4, which was a new lifetime mark for the winner. Miss Irish Rose A ($2.40) now has three wins in four North American starts for owner/trainer/driver Larry Stalbaum.

Drew Monti led all drivers with four wins on the card followed by Ron Beback Jr. and Larry Stalbaum with three each.

Racing resumes at Batavia Downs on Wednesday afternoon at 5.

BZ Glide dominates in Batavia Downs feature

By Billie Owens

Photo of BZ Glide with reinsman Mike Caprio.

By Tim Bojarski, for Batavia Downs

Getting a favorable draw after having post seven last week, BZ Glide looked like his old self as he handily won the $10,500 Open Handicap trot at Batavia Downs on Friday night (Oct. 20).

Leaving from post four, driver Mike Caprio hustled BZ Glide to the front and proceeded from there comfortably in :28.1 and :58.4. At the second station Northern Matador (Jim Morrill Jr.) pulled first up and tried to pressure the leader for the next quarter mile. When that challenge failed, Noble Legend (Ray Fisher Jr.) tipped three-wide around him and tried to get to BZ Glide through the last turn. But with little more than a backward glance to keep an eye on the competition, Caprio sat chilly in rhythm with his horse and BZ Glide trotted away down the lane to an easy two-length victory in 1:58.

It was the second win in the last three starts and fifth of the year for BZ Glide ($7.00) who is owned by the Caprio Stable LLC and trained by Alana Caprio.

In the co-feature $8,000 Open II trot, Osprey Vision (Ray Fisher Jr.) got the parking ticket to the quarter before clearing and eventually opening up a three-length margin of victory in 1:57.1. With his ninth win of the year and $60,954 in earnings, Osprey Vision ($7.20) is having a career year for owner Marissa Russo and trainer David Russo.

Billy Davis Jr. and Ray Fisher Jr. led all drivers with three wins apiece on the night.

Le Roy's defense preserves slender lead to help Knights advance in sectionals

By Howard B. Owens

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Le Roy brought their D-Game to Hartwood Park last night and it was a good thing on a night when the offense could only manage to score a single touchdown.

The Oatkan Knights shutout Letchworth/Warsaw 7-0 to advance in Class C sectional play.

Kyler LaCarte had 11 carries for 31 yards, Cineque Robinson 11 for 29, Jake Hill seven for 21, and Luke Stella four for15. At QB, Jake Hill was 12-24 for 97 yards and a TD. Cole Biggins had four catches for 39 yards and Reece Tresco grabbed three passes for 32 yards.

Tresco had five tackles. Gavin Luckey had five and an interception. With four tackles were Bob Locke, Bryce Bordonaro, Jake Hill, Anthony Leitten and Luke Stella. Bordonaro recovered a fumble and Leitten had a sack.

Also in sectional play Friday night:

  • Alexander 42, CG Finney 22. The Trojans gained 361 yards on the ground. Chris McClinic ran 24 times for 188 yards and four touchdowns. Terrez Smith had 13 carries for 141 yards and a TD. Kicker Grant Cox was 4-5 on point after attempts. Jake Jasen had 10 tackles, Mich Gordon, eight.
  • Pembroke 54, Canisteo-Greenwood 28 
  • Batavia 36, Wayne 28 (Game coverage)

Photos by Ed Henry. Top photo, Gavin Luckey with the reception for the lone TD of the game.

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Cole Biggins

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Ty Williams and Reece Tresco with a tackle.

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Jake Hill

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Cineque Robinson

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Kyler LaCarte

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Kyle LaCarte

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Batavia Blue Devils win first round of playoffs

By James Burns

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Ray leach runs the opening punt return for a touchdown. On Batavia’s next possession Leach runs 71 yards for a touch down by diving into the end zone.

Batavia’s next punt return was run back 61 yards for a touch down by Chandler Baker.

In the first three minutes Batavia lead the Wayne Eagles 21 to zip.

 It was more than impressive. For many in attendance it seemed that the game was over and it was time to go home.

Perhaps this is what the Batavia Blue Devils' offense thought, too. They would not score again until the last two minutes of the third quarter when Wayne had come all the way back to lead the Blue Devils 22 to 21.

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During the nearly three quarters when Batavia’s offense had almost no effect on the game, Batavia’s defense had a few impressive stops and forced three turnovers. John Kindig and Josh Barber each had eight tackles for a loss of two yards.

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Wayne slowly battled back gaining momentum with each successful play.

With 1:51 left in the third quarter Batavia’s offense returned by scoring a touchdown. With 4:42 left in the fourth, Wayne answered back with a touchdown of their own, but failed to convert on a two-point extra point attempt.

At 1:44 Batavia scored again, making the final score 36 to 28. Chandler Baker passed 14 times for seven completions and 65 yards. Ray Leach had 12 caries for 158 yards. 

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Batavia Bulldawgs, with team in each of three divisions, to play in NOFA Playoffs Saturday in Medina

By Billie Owens

Press release:

Don't forget to come out and support your Batavia Bulldawgs Saturday, Oct. 21, at the 2017 NOFA Playoffs!

This is the first season they will have a team representing each of the three playoff divisions. So come support these hard-working young athletes as they continue their mission for a 2017 NOFA championship!

Game times are as follows:

  • Mini Division: #1 BATAVIA vs. #4 Pembroke @ 11 a.m.
  • JV Division #1 Newfane vs. #4 BATAVIA @ 3 p.m.
  • Varsity Division: #1 Albion vs. #4 BATAVIA @ 7 p.m.

Playoff Games location:

Admission: $2 fee at gate
***All coaches with their NOFA badge, players & cheerleaders are free.

Parents/Guardians -- Please remember we will be providing ALL water on the sidelines for players & cheerleaders. Athletes will not be permitted to bring anything on the sideline with them.

Let's go BULLDAWGS!

GCC to host monthlong baseball camp for grades 1-12 starting Jan. 21, registration underway

By Billie Owens

Press release:

Genesee Community College is hosting a four-week baseball camp starting Jan. 21. Classes are available for players in grades 1-12 and are limited to seven players per coach.

Genesee Community College Head Coach Skip Sherman will direct the program in conjunction with U.S. Baseball Academy.

Sessions are offered in advanced hitting, pitching, catching, fielding and baserunning. Space is limited. Registration is now underway and will continue until all spots are filled.

For more information, visit www.USBaseballAcademy.com, or call toll-free 866-622-4487.

U.S. Baseball Academy

Exotic Beach wins easily in Batavia Downs feature

By Billie Owens

Photo of Exotic Beach with driver Larry Stalbaum, courtesy of Paul White.

By Tim Bojarski, for Batavia Downs

Without even a moment of doubt in the mile, Exotic Beach overpowered her five rivals to jog home with authority in the $9,500 Fillies and Mares Open Handicap pace at Batavia Downs on Wednesday afternoon (Oct. 18).

Exotic Beach (Larry Stalbaum) tucked in third off the gate while Squeeze This (Billy Davis Jr.) settled on the lead. But that was just a ruse by Stalbaum as he pulled Exotic Beach halfway up the backstretch and gunned her to the front in :27 flat. After clearing, Stalbaum grabbed some leather just to let the five trailers think they were in the race. But it became obvious that wasn’t the case once they hit the second stanza.

Exotic Beach opened up a gapped three-length lead and that was as close as the rest would get for the rest of the race. She cruised to three-quarters in 1:24, rounded the turn in full stride and paced away down the stretch to win by four in 1:53.3.

The time was a new seasonal mark for Exotic Beach and only three-fifths of a second off the track record for aged pacing mares.

It was the sixth win of the year for Exotic Beach ($4.30) who has now earned $52,266 for owner Larry Stalbaum, who also does the training.

Owner/trainer/driver Stalbaum similarly won the co-featured $8,000 Fillies and Mares Open II pace when he went from last at the half to three-deep at three-quarters to a half-length victor in 1:55, which was a new seasonal mark for the winner. Kaitlyn Rae ($5.80) won her ninth race in 18 starts this year giving her $36,594 in the bank account.

The top three dash drivers of the meet had a very business night on Wednesday. Larry Stalbaum had four winners, Ray fisher Jr. three and Drew Monti two. As a result there has been movement at the top of the leader board. Larry Stalbaum who was behind in double digits only a week ago is now in a first place tie with former leader Drew Monti with 79 wins apiece. Ray Fisher Jr. is a close third with 75. With nine weeks left in the meet, this is going to be a tight three-way competition for the rest of the year.

Racing resumes at Batavia Downs on Friday (Oct. 20) with post time at 6 p.m.

Notre Dame High School Sports Hall of Fame awards ceremony and dinner is Nov. 11 at Ascension Parish

By Billie Owens
The Notre Dame High School Sports Hall of Fame annual awards dinner will be held on Saturday, Nov. 11, at Slomba Hall, Ascension Parish, in Batavia.
 
It is located at 19 Sumner St. in the city. Social hour begins at 5:30 p.m., followed by the dinner and awards ceremoeny starting at 6:30. Cost is $40 per person. To buy tickets, contact Emily Patrick, director of Advancement at Notre Dame, by calling 585-343-2783, ext 106, or by email via emily.patrick@ndhsbatavia.com
 
The following people will be honored this year (write-ups provided by former Notre Dame Principal Joseph Scanlan, Ed.D.):
 
Dave O’Connor '67
 
Dave O’Connor was a standout three-sport athlete during the heyday of ND’s participation in the Bishop Smith Division of the Buffalo Catholic League Msgr. Martin Association. Like his Darien Center brothers – Dick ’64 and Dan ’69, he was a mainstay for Fighting Irish Varsity Football, Wrestling and Track and Field teams during his four year tenure [1963 – 1967] at ND.

A key member of ND’s 1st Bishop Smith League Football Championship team also being honored tonight, Dave was a four-year member of the Fighting Irish Varsity Football Team and had the distinction of being the only member of his class to play Varsity football as a freshman. He was recognized as the Most Valuable Player [MVP] of the 1966 Varsity Football team and received All-Catholic recognition as the Smith Division 1st team fullback during his senior year.

A well-rounded competitor, Dave was also recognized as the MVP of his Varsity Wrestling and Varsity Track and Field teams during his senior year at ND. As a wrestler, he earned All-Catholic honors in the heavyweight classification in tough Smith League competition and captained the Fighting Irish Bishop Smith League 1967 All-Catholic Championship team during his senior year. Weighing 180 pounds, Dave often wrestled up to the 255-pound weight class whenever additional points were needed! He had the distinction of only losing one Varsity match during his star-studded four-year wrestling career on the mats at ND!

As a member of the ND Varsity Track team, he established the All-Catholic record in the shot put as a freshman and went on to hold ND school records in the shot put and discus and was a member of the 880 yard relay team by the time he graduated in 1967. He was also named the recipient of the E. Lawrence Spring Award for ND school spirit on and off the field of play as a senior.

After his ND graduation, Dave attended Erie Community College where he earned an AAS [Applied Arts and Sciences] degree. He was the president of the ECC Athletic Society and wrestled collegiately earning the overall MVP Athlete-of-the-Year award in 1969.

In 2014, Dave trained and competed in the West Virginia senior Olympics in the shot put and discus, scoring well enough to qualify for the national senior Olympics in Minneapolis in 2015. Dave and his wife Marcia are the parents of two children -- Andrea and Benjamin – and nine grandchildren and currently reside in Morgantown, W. Va. Dave is employed by the [Monroe] "Mon" County Board of Education Transportation Department as a bus driver.

Michael Francis ‘80

Mike Francis had the unique distinction of representing Fighting Irish Football and Basketball teams in both Bishop Smith League and NYSPHSAA Section V [Rochester Region] competition! As was the case with his athletic brothers John ’66, Ron ’67, Fred ‘69 and Mark ’75 before him, Mike was a high profile student-athlete during his four years [1976-1980] at ND participating in four years of Varsity Football and Varsity Basketball, two years as a member of Varsity Track and Field and one year as a member of Varsity Baseball.

Mike truly made his mark on the gridiron during his junior [1978] and senior [1979] seasons. As a junior, he was ND’s Most Outstanding running back, a member of the 1978 Genesee Region [GR] Championship team and received 1st team GR All-Star honors as a running back. He was also named to the prestigious Rochester Democrat and Chronicle All Greater Rochester [AGR] all-star team in that same year as a wide receiver [45 catches, 849 yds, 15 TDs].

As a senior, he was once again a member of the 1979 GR league Football championship team and named a GR league 1st team all-Star for the second straight year. Mike was also a member of ND’s 1979 Section V Class C Championship Football team and was again recognized as a member of the Democrat and Chronicle’s AGR all-star team, this time as a wide receiver as well as a running back where he accounted for 15 TDs. The 1979 ND team MVP and New York State all-state selection, Mike was also named to the Rochester Times Union “Super 22” all-star team as a running back.

As a member of the ND Varsity Basketball program, Mike was named team MVP during his sophomore year while playing in Bishop Smith league competition and a Genesee Region [GR] All-Star during his junior and senior seasons after ND left the Smith League for local Section V competition. As a senior, he was named to the all-tournament team in the Albion Christmas tournament.

He was also a member of the Fighting Irish Baseball team which competed in the Bishop Smith league as a sophomore as well as the ND Varsity Track team his junior and senior years as a sprinter.

Mike played one year of collegiate football during his freshman year as a wide receiver for the Canisius College Golden Griffins. The parent of three sons – Mitchell, Richard and Andrew -- Mike resides in Tonawanda and currently serves as an officer at the Buffalo Federal Detention Facility in Batavia.

Monica Dillon Billard ‘82

Monica Dillon was a highly competitive four-sport student-athlete for Lady Irish athletic teams in the early portion of the 1980s. ND records indicate that the Batavia native played four years of Soccer, Basketball and Softball and three years of Volleyball during her noteworthy Lady Irish athletic career.

Monica was a key member of the 1981 and 1982 Section V Class D Championship Varsity Girls Volleyball teams. Her 1982 team finished the season unblemished while compiling a perfect 17 – 0 record! She earned Junior Varsity Basketball MVP recognition in 1978 and 1979 and the Varsity Girls Basketball Coach’s award as a sophomore in 1980.

During her senior year, Monica was named to the Section V Girls Basketball All-Tournament team and received the ND Coach’s Award for Varsity Volleyball. She was also named to the Genesee Region [GR] Softball All-Star for the second consecutive year while also receiving additional recognition as the Varsity Lady Irish Softball MVP.

Monica was named the ND Female Athlete-of-the-Year during her senior year [1981-82] of Varsity competition.

After graduating from ND in 1982, Monica went on to Marietta College [Marietta, Ohio] where she earned her BS degree in Sports Medicine/Athletic Training degree [1986]. She continued her athletic career at Marietta where she played four years of Varsity Volleyball for the Pioneers and, as a senior, co-captained her collegiate Volleyball team while earning 1st team All OAC [Ohio Athletic Conference] honors in the process! Monica also played three years of collegiate softball and one year of crew during her college career.

After graduating from Marietta, Monica moved to Boston and earned her MS degree in Health, Sport and Fitness Management as a graduate student at Northeastern University. She worked as a trainer, fitness director and assistant General Manager of the Boston Raquet Club for 12+ years until the arrival of her first daughter, Sarah. During the next nine years, Monica was a stay-at-home mom during which time also gave birth to her second daughter, Julia, in 2002. In 2007 she re-entered the work force as a personal trainer, yoga teacher and manager of the Kingsbury Fitness Club [where she still works today] in Kingston, Mass.

In addition to a lifelong career in the fitness industry, Monica has maintained an active and healthy lifestyle while participating in sprint distance triathlons, hiking, running Boston marathons, playing golf, biking and doing yoga!

Monica is the proud parent of two daughters, Sarah [19] and Julia [15], and currently resides in Kingston, Mass.

Sean Flynn '96

Sean Flynn was a standout student-athlete throughout his star-studded six-year career [2000 - 2006] at ND. A native of Batavia, Sean began his record setting Varsity Golf career as a seventh-grader at St. Joseph's Elementary in Batavia. He earned medalist honors in the Genesee Region [GR] Sectional Golf Qualifier as a freshman and went on to be a three-time ND Varsity Golf MVP! A five-time Genesee Region All-Star [Grades 7 - 11], Sean also qualified for the Section V Golf Tournament on four different occasions and the NYSPHSAA state tournament on one occasion [1995]!

Sean was also a key member of the Fighting Irish Varsity Football and Ice Hockey teams during his four years at ND. He served as captain of his Varsity Football team as a senior and helped lead ND to the Genesee Region Division III title. A two-time MVP and talented member of ND "Irish on Ice" Varsity Ice Hockey team from 2002 - 2006, Sean was a key member of ND's first Section V Class B Hockey Sectional Championship team during his senior year during which time he was also named to the Monroe County All Star Hockey 1st Team.

As a senior, Sean moved from the "links" to the baseball field where he earned the "Coach's Award" in route to helping the ND Varsity Baseball earn the 1996 Section V Class D title.

Sean will be remembered as a team leader and role model for younger student-athletes throughout his accomplished sports career at ND. He earned honor roll and NYSPHSAA ”Scholar-Athlete” [minimum 90-percent academic average] distinction throughout his high school career and was recognized as the recipient of the prestigious Reverend David J. Scheider Sports Loyalty Award [1994-1995] as well as the Batavia Lions Club Bill Cook Scholar-Athlete and Athlete-of–the-Year at ND during his senior year [1995-1996].

Upon graduation from ND in 1996, Sean completed BS [Business Management, 2001] and MBA [2002] degrees at Canisius College, the Jesuit College of Buffalo. He currently works as a commercial underwriter at JP Morgan Chase in Columbus, Ohio. Sean and his wife, Karyn [Sokol –ND '97], reside in Dublin, Ohio and are the proud parents of three children – Maren [8], Declan [5] and Nora [3] Flynn.

Jennifer Cocco Rybczak ‘01

Jenny Cocco was an exceptional student-athlete who began her six-year [1995-2001] Fighting Irish Varsity Swimming and Track and Field team careers as a seventh-grader at St. Joseph’s Elementary, in Batavia!

As a member of the Varsity Boys Swim team, Jenny was the first athlete – male or female – to compete for six years in ND’s Varsity Swimming program and played a key role developing the program, as well as putting it on the Genesee Region [GR] and Section V maps.

A member of two ND Genesee Region Varsity Boys Swimming Championship teams [2000 and 2001], Jenny earned 17 GR League individual championships [6 – 100 yd. breaststroke, 5 -200 yd. freestyle relay, 4 – 50 yd. freestyle and one each in the 200 yd. medley relay and 400 yd. freestyle medley] during her six years in the pool competing against primarily male swim competition!

By the time she completed her senior swim season, Jenny – who was unbeaten as an individual in dual meets throughout her high school career -- was credited with being the ND school record holder in nine individual events [50 freestyle, 100 freestyle, 100 breaststroke, 100 butterfly, 200 Individual medley, 500 freestyle, 200 medley relay, 200 freestyle relay and the 400 freestyle relay]. She was also credited with being the Genesee Region county record holder in an additional five events [50 freestyle, 100 breaststroke, 200 freestyle relay, 400 freestyle relay and 200 medley relay]!

As a junior, she was a contributing member of ND’s NYSPHSAA Varsity Boys Swimming Championship “Scholar-Athlete” [minimum team average of 90 percent] team – the #1 academic team in New York State!

Jenny’s competitiveness transferred to the Track and Field arena each season after swimming! A six-year member of the ND Varsity Girls Track team, Jenny had the distinction of being undefeated in dual meet competition during her sophomore, junior and senior seasons!

She was an 11-time Genesee Region champion [Intermediate hurdles – 4X, 400 meter run – 3X, and 1600 meter and 3200 meter relay – 2X each] and set county records in the 400 meter run, the 400 intermediate hurdles and as a member of the 3200 meter relay. She was also a seven-time Section V Class D individual champion [400 meter run – 3X, 400 intermediate hurdles-2 X and 1600 and 3200 meter relays – 1X each] during her Varsity Girls Track and Field career.

Jenny competed at the New York State meet level twice, once as an eighth-grader where she finished fifthas a member of the 3200 meter relay team and as a senior in the individual 400-meter run where she tied the Section V 400 meter record. 

After graduation from ND in 2001, Jenny attended and received degrees from SUNY Geneseo [BA – English Education] and the University of Buffalo [MA – Education]. She swam collegiately at SUNY Geneseo for four years where she was an Academic All-American who set two ECAC conference records [100 yd. and 200 yd. breaststroke], seven SUNYAC records [100 yd. and 200 yd. breaststroke -3X each and 400 Medley Relay once] and four SUNY Geneseo pool records[ 100 and 200 yd. breaststroke and 200 yd. and 400 yd. Medley relays].

Jenny currently teaches AP Literature and Composition at Altmar-Parish-Williamstown High School. She and her husband, Alex Rybczak, currently reside in Cicero and are the proud parents of three boys – Jack [5], Vito [5] and Louie [4] Rybczak!

Administrator/Contributor

Joseph D. Scanlan ’65: ND Principal: 2004 - 2015

Joseph Scanlan, Ed.D., ND Class of 1965, is being inducted into the Notre Dame Hall of Fame as an Administrator/Contributor, a role he certainly excelled at.

A lifelong LeRoyan, Joe played basketball and ran cross country, served as president of the Class of ’65 and was the 1965 “Man of the Year” during his ND years. He earned both his BA in History and his MS in Education at Canisius College where he was a member of both the DiGamma Jesuit Honor Society and the Col. Richardson Army ROTC Honor Society. He attended SUNY Brockport for his CAS/SAS Administrative Certification and earned his doctorate [Ed.D.] in Educational Administration from the University of Rochester. His wife, Kate, was Notre Dame’s Campus Minister/Theology teacher for 15 years while his son, Michael ’02, played on our 2001 New York State Boys Basketball Championship team and continued the “Scanlan Tradition” as he also was named ND Man of the Year for the Class of 2002.

Joe spent 15 years at Byron-Bergen as both a teacher and administrator, 17 years at York as HS Principal before returning to Notre Dame where his plan to “stay a few years” turned into an 11-year stint as his Alma Mater’s President/Principal! Known as “Dr. Joe” to students and staff alike, he was a student-oriented administrator who had high expectations for himself as well as for all members of the ND school community. These high expectations reaped many benefits from academic, athletic and respect for others perspectives during his tenure including ND being named the #1 academic high school in the GLOW Region during each of the 11 years he served as principal.

A staunch supporter of Notre Dame’s students on a multitude of levels, he was most visible (and vocal) at ND sporting events cheering for and offering support as well as encouragement to all Fighting Irish teams and student-athletes. Even though his job demanded a lot of time, he found the time to attend numerous athletic events making a point of attending contests of all sports while rarely, if ever, missing a home game. Our student-athletes were always well aware and very appreciative of his support which provided Dr. Joe a venue to reach them on many levels. Dr. Joe could often be heard in the halls or cafeteria offering advice and encouragement to student-athletes and nonstudent-athletes alike. Many of his athletic sayings such as “You miss 100 percent of the shots you don’t take” are legendary among ND student-athletes!

During Dr. Joe’s tenure, Fighting Irish athletic teams won two State championships, eight NYS Western Regional championships, 28 Section V titles, and 40 GR [Genesee region] championships as well as producing 167 NYSPHSAA Scholar-Athlete [minimum 90 percent academic average] teams.

When asked to briefly sum up his ND years, Dr. Joe said: “My love of interacting with teenagers and my longtime interest in high school athletics made attending and supervising ND Fighting Irish athletic events and rooting for our Alma Mater a perfect match!"

1965 Fighting Irish Bishop Smith League Varsity Football Championship Team

The Fall 1965 football season at Notre Dame was a record setting time period in school history as our Varsity Football program notched the first [of many] Bishop Smith League Championships in school history!

The Smith league championship roster featured the likes of senior Co-Captain All-Catholic Halfback John Francis '66 -- regarded as one of the most talented all around athletes in ND sports history, his junior QB brother Ron Francis '67, as well as senior All-Catholic linemen Jim Schiller '66 and co-captain Jim Murphy '66. 

The makeup of our 28 member Varsity roster included nine seniors [Class of ‘66] Dan Callahan, Joe Chilano, John Francis, Brian Glor, Mike Lippold, Jim Murphy, Tom Petrick, Jim Schiller and Paul Tresco, 15 juniors [Class of '67] Mike Brady, Jim Bundy, Ray Chaya, Larry Conte, Ron Francis, Jim Hedtke, Bill Johnson, John Kellner, Dave Mandeleone, Mike McGinnis, Dave O’Connor, Mike Serve, Jim Starret, Bill Sutherland and Carl “Butch” Webster and four sophomores [Class of '68] Bob Cline, Dave Dudek, Harry Stortz and Denny Waggoner. 

Highlights of the 1965 season included speedy John Francis' four touchdown performances against Knights of DeSales of Lockport [38 - 27] as well as in ND's first time ever victory over the Frannies of St. Francis of Athol Springs [34 - 13], Ron Francis' two TDs in a come-from-behind 34-to-14 victory over Erie County Power Alden High School and a hard fought 13-to-7 victory over the Olean Archbishop Walsh Eagles after being down 7 - 0 early in the game.

The come-from-behind Walsh victory set the stage for the Smith League Championship game on a cold November Sunday afternoon against the Vikings of Bishop Gibbons at North Tonawanda Stadium. Supported by seven busloads of spirited ND student fans and down by four points with four minutes to go, junior QB Ron Francis '67 connected with classmate Mike Brady '67 on a key pass that kept a fourth-quarter Irish drive alive. With 52 seconds on the clock, Francis connected with sophomore Denny Waggoner '68 for the go ahead TD.  

Senior co-captain Jim Murphy '66 iced the championship by intercepting a Gibbons pass 10 seconds later and rambling for a 23-yard TD to seal the deal. Final score: ND 25 - Bishop Gibbons 13.

Congratulations to Head Coach Bernie Fagan, assistant coaches Joe Eppolito and Joe Chilano, and our 28-member record-setting 1965 Bishop Smith League Varsity Football Champions -- our first in school history!

Free Batavia Blue Devil Boys Basketball Saturday Program starts Nov. 4

By Billie Owens

The free instructional Batavia Blue Devil Boys Basketball Saturday Program for students in grades one through six will be held weekly at John Kennedy Elementary School Gymnasium from Nov. 4 through Dec. 9.

The program is open to boys who attend Batavia City Schools only. Participants are to enter and exit the gym by the rear of the school, which is located at 166 Vine St. in the City of Batavia.

Times are as follows:

GRADES 3-4:  9 -- 10:30 a.m.

GRADES 5-6:  10:30 a.m. -- noon

GRADES 1-2:  Noon to 1 p.m.

Although the cost of the Saturday program is free, there is a fee for those playing in the league that begins in January and runs through early March. This is a travel-friendly league, which competes against other towns including Attica, Alexander, Oakfield, Byron Bergen, Pembroke, Elba, and St. Joe's.

Practices will begin after Winter Recess and be held once or twice per week in the evening at various schools in Batavia. There will be an 8-10 game schedule and played on the weekends. Schedules will come out around the holidays.

The program will feature Coach Jim Fazio -- Batavia Jr. Blue Devil youth director, youth coaches, and current Blue Devil players. It will focus on the offensive and defensive fundamentals of the game including shooting, passing, dribbling, rebounding and ball handling, etc. There will be contests with full court and half-court games.

Contact Youth Director Jim Fazio 585-356-0901 with questions or concerns.    jfazio@gvboces.org

To get an application, email Fazio at his email address above.

Batavia City Schools are not responsible for injury that may happen during the program.

In Runaway Bay an upset winner in Batavia Downs Open

By Billie Owens

Photo of Runaway Bay with driver Kevin Cummings.

By Tim Bojarski, for Batavia Downs

Racing against Foiled Again last week must have had a positive effect on In Runaway Bay as he put a circle around the best local pacers in the $10,000 Open Handicap Pace at Batavia Downs on Saturday night (Oct. 14).

In Runaway Bay (Kevin Cummings) fired off the gate and crossed over like a flash of light. Cruising unchallenged from there until the half, the leader saw fit to cut a rather casual :57.3 fraction. At that point In Runaway Bay was confronted first by Santana Beach (John Cummings Jr.) until three-quarters and then by Fireyourguns (Mike Caprio) when that one faded. Try as he might Fireyourguns couldn’t get closer than a length from the time he pulled and when the race hit the stretch, In Runaway Bay ran away to a three-length victory in 1:53.1, which was a new seasonal mark for the winner.

It was the fifth win of the year for In Runaway Bay ($26.60), all five of which were scored at Batavia Downs. Owner Super Mile LLC has received $30,010 in purses as a result of the 7-year-old Mach Three offspring’s efforts this year which were achieved through the training of Angelo Nappo.

In the $9,000 Open II co-feature, Show Stopping (Kevin Cummings) sat a tight two-hole trip behind the heavily favored Miss Irish Rose A (Larry Stalbaum) before popping the pocket off the last turn and out-pacing the leader to the wire to win in 1:52.1, which was a new lifetime mark. Show Stopping ($7.20) is owned by Resilient Racing Stable and trained by Rose Russo.

Kevin Cummings led all drivers with four wins on the night and James Clouser Jr. led all trainers with three.

Racing resumes at Batavia Downs on Wednesday (Oct. 18) with post time at 5 p.m.

Le Roy picks up homecoming win to finish season at 6-1

By Howard B. Owens

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On homecoming night, the Oatkan Knights secured the #2 seed in sectional play and locked up a 6-1 record for the regular season with a 20-6 win over Letchworth/Warsaw.

Kyler LaCarte gained 56 yards and scored a TD on 21 carries. Luke Stella added a TD and 21 yards on nine carries. Cole Biggins was 8-19 passing for 84 yards. LaCarte had one TD pass for 24 yards.

Reece Tresco had six receptions for 65 yards. Gavin Luckey, two for 37 and a TD.

Luke Stella led the defense with six tackles, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery. Jake Hill had five tackles. Gavin Luckey, four, and Bryce Bordonaro, four. Gaven Cassidy had two interceptions to go with three tackles.

In other Friday night action:

  • Alexander 54 -- Oakfield-Alabama/Elba 6. It was also homecoming for Alexander and on a night when the community honored Brian West Jr., the former player killed earlier this year in a car accident, the Trojans brought their A game. The 54 points scored by the team matched West's uniform number. 
  • Cal-Mum/Byron-Bergen 49 -- Avon 12. Bryce Yokel gained 225 yards and scored three touchdowns on 13 carries.

Le Roy game photos by Ed Henry. Top photo: Kyler LaCarte fights for yardage.

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Gaven Cassidy after an interception.

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Bob Locke

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Reece Tresco

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Start of the game, honoring law enforcement with a greeting of Sheriff's deputies.

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Kahoku goes coast to coast at Batavia Downs

By Billie Owens
Photo of Kahoku with driver Kevin Cummings in the command spot.
 
By Tim Bojarski, for Batavia Downs
 
With little challenge at the start of the mile, Kahoku set pedestrian early fractions and hung on late to win the $10,500 Open Handicap trot at Batavia Downs on Friday night (Oct. 13). 
 
The car released the field and surprisingly nobody left; giving the pylon-sitting Kahoku (Kevin Cummings) the command spot by default. Feeling right at home in that position, Kahoku slowed the fractions considerably with a :30.1 second panel and :59.3 half. Fleet Bumblebee (Drew Monti) was outside on the move at that point and came within a length of the leader by the five-eighths pole. 
 
Pushing the issue from there, the pace quickened to :28.2 for the third quarter but that took a toll on Fleet Bumblebee, who faded as they came off the turn. However a fresh Northern Matador (Ray Fisher Jr.) who had been sitting second the whole mile found the passing lane and incrementally gained ground down the stretch on that path. Sensing the challenge, Cummings urging Kahoku to dig in and he did his best to comply, hanging on to win by a nose in 1:58. 
 
It was the 4th win of 2017 for Kahoku ($10.60) and it raised his earnings to $37,448 for owner Colleen Girdlestone and trainer Kirk Desmond. 
 
In the $8,000 Open II trot, Winky's Pride (Billy Davis Jr.) was also a wire to wire winner, touring the facility unencumbered in 1:58.3. Winky's Pride ($7.80) is owned and trained by Robert Hummel. 
 
Racing resumes at Batavia Downs today (Oct. 14) with post time at 6 p.m.

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