Countless awards, plaques, trophies, jerseys, and team photos lined the stage during this year’s annual hockey banquet at the Batavia High School auditorium on April 14. 

The 2023-2024 BND United hockey season brought much to celebrate and while the many accolades are not surprising for a team led by accomplished coaches and comprised of highly talented players, the true force behind their achievement is not found within every team.  

This year’s team was special, and their unity resulted in an extraordinary season. The appreciation of the sport along with the love between coaches and teammates filled the auditorium and was expressed in the numerous tear-filled and humorous stories shared on the stage. 

The overwhelming feeling of comradery and family appears to be the true force behind their Championship season, and, together, they have created memories and a devotion that will forever connect them. This season’s story is one of hard work, talent, support, encouragement, respect, and selflessness. 

BND United junior, Ivan Milovidov, described as a top-ranked hockey player and a fantastic young man, played a significant role in the team’s unification, strength, and overall success. 

If you had the opportunity to watch Ivan on the ice, you witnessed something special. Ivan is an extremely gifted hockey player with character and leadership qualities that are equally impressive. 

Among the many honors presented during the banquet was the WDF (Wisdom, Determination, Fortitude) Award, granted annually to a deserving BND United hockey player in remembrance of Wayne D. Foster.  

The Wayne D. Foster Foundation Inc. carefully selects a young player who best displays Wayne’s goodwill, courage, and integrity. The honoree is considered based on their work ethic, wisdom, determination, courage, how they interact and care for others, and their unselfish play.  

Through observations and in speaking with coaches, parents, and players, it was clear that Ivan was the perfect choice, making it a great privilege for the foundation, represented by Wayne’s grandson, Chase Pangrazio, to present Ivan with this year’s WDF scholarship and trophy.

The Wayne D. Foster Foundation is proud to recognize Ivan and the BND United hockey program. We wish to extend our congratulations to Ivan and the 2023-2024 BND United coaching staff and team for an outstanding season.

Supported by a newly formed board of directors that is committed to establishing a sense of pride in the organization, the Genesee County Spartans are back for a second season of competition in the Northeastern Football Alliance.

Harry Rascoe, (photo at right), vice president/head of football operations and head coach, said all members of the semipro team – players, coaches, directors and game-day volunteers – will be held to a higher standard for the 2024 campaign, which gets underway on June 1 against the visiting Lockport Wildcats.

The Spartans will be playing their home games at the Town of Pembroke football field, just down the road from Pembroke High School on Route 77. All home games will be on Saturdays, starting at 3:30 p.m.

In an interview with The Batavian on Tuesday, Rascoe acknowledged the disciplinary and behavior issues that surfaced toward the end of last season. He said all those associated

Batavia piled on the runs against Pittsford-Sutherland on Monday behind a strong outing by pitcher Bronx Bucholz for a 10-4 win.

Bucholz notched a complete-game victory, going evening innings, giving up only four hits and whiffing five batters.

The Blue Devils were two 2-0 after two winnings.  In the third, Evan Alexander doubled, followed by walk to Maggio Bucholze. Carter Mullen laid down a bunt and beat out the throw to load the bases. Col Grazioplene cleared the bases with a double. Dane Dombrowski followed with an RBI single, giving Batavia a 4-2 lead.

Pittsford-Sutherland tied the game in the fourth inning. 

In the seventh, Grazioplene reached on a single. Ryan Fazio singled. Then Dombrowski singles to load the bases. Mekhi Fortes, in the clean-up spot, did just that with a grand slam over the leftfield fence.  

Jameson Motkyka also hit a bomb on the next pitch.

Stats:

• Mekhi Fortes  2-3, RBI Single, grand slam, five RBIs
• Cole Grazioplene 3-4 ,double, two RBIs two Runs scored
• Dane Dombrowski 3-4, RBI, run scored
• Evan Alexander 2-4, two doubles
• Jameson Motyka 1-4, HR

To view or purchase photos, click here.

Sorochty pitched a complete game, giving up just 3 hits, no earned runs and striking out 18 batters.  

Emily Pietrzykowski pitched a strong game for Alexander as well, going the distance and only giving up 4 runs on 7 hits, striking out 3 batters.

Offensively for ND, Sorochty helped her cause with two hits and two RBIs. Katie Landers added two hits and a run scored. Mia Treleaven (double), Anna Panepento and Amelia Sorochty each contributed a hit, with Treleaven and A. Sorochty each adding a run scored. Sofia Falleti added a sac fly RBI, while Clairissa Milliman added a run scored.

"Tonight was a good test against a very strong Alexander squad," said Coach Otis Thomas. "I'm proud of the way the girls battled the entire game and can't say enough about our ace Loretta.  Our bats were a little cold, but Loretta kept us in the game until we could score a few insurance runs.  We have to put this one behind us and prepare for a tough league game vs Lyndonville on Friday." 

Submitted by Matt Landers, ND scorekeeper.

The Pembroke Dragons triumphed over the Byron-Bergen squad 9-2 on Monday. 

Hayden Williams led the way from the pitcher's mound, dominating with 13 strikeouts. 

Jayden Bridge emerged as a standout player at the plate, going 3-4 with two doubles, driving in crucial runs and keeping the pressure on the Bee's defense.

Anthony Abbatiello also went 3-4.

Speed also proved to be a weapon for the Dragons, with the team racking up 6 stolen bases. Landon Santini swiped three himself.

In his first victory as the head Varsity Coach for the Dragons, Coach Lang expressed immense pride in his team's effort and dedication. The win not only highlights the talent of the players but also speaks volumes about the resilience and determination of the entire team, he said.

Photos and information submitted by Allison Lang.

The Genesee Region USBC will be conducting its Annual Banquet & Hall of Fame Dinner on Saturday, May 11 at Batavia Downs Gaming’s Genesee Banquet Room.

The event will get underway at 6 p.m. with a memorial service in honor of members of the bowling community who passed away over the last year.

Highlights of the evening include the induction of brothers Tim and Tom Rohl into the association’s Hall of Fame in the Bowling Achievement category, presentation of the Barbara J. Kreiley Memorial Scholarship and recognition of tournament and regular season league champions.

Election of officers and directors also will take place, along with voting to raise the annual Standard and Local Only Adult membership dues by $1.

The cost of the buffet dinner is $35, with the following exceptions:

NO CHARGE – GRUSBC directors, Adult Tournament Champions (limit one tournament only), Youth Tournament Champions and one guest (limit one tournament only), guest speaker and one guest, Hall of Fame inductees and one guest.

$20 PER PERSON – Past GRUSBC Hall of Famers, league secretary or representative (limit one per league).

The reservation deadline is May 4. The banquet is open to all GRUSBC members, with a reservation deadline of May 4.

Please RSVP by sending an email to mikep@bowlgr.com or by calling 585-343-3736.

ASSOCIATION TOURNAMENT CONCLUDES

The 17th Genesee Region USBC Association Tournament concluded on Sunday at Oak Orchard Bowl in Albion.

Unofficial winners of the various divisions are as follows:

Open Team -- Christ Recycling, Albion, 2,860. Robbie Hanks' 300 game and 805 series on the tournament's opening squad sparked the team to the big score and it held on for first place. Other team members were Albert Burch (631), Larry Boyce (523) and Marvin Christ (483). The team received 418 pins handicap.

Women's Team -- Splitz & Giggles, Albion, 2,501. Barbara Casavant posted 604 scratch to lead the way. Other members were Sharon Stefanini (306), Tiffany Crawford (522) and Breanna Seever (502). The team received 590 pins handicap.

Open Doubles -- Daryl Dillon & Greg Gilman, Albion, 1,524. Bowling on the final squad on Sunday, Dillon registered 682 and Gilman rolled 651 for 1,333 scratch plus 191 pins handicap.

Women's Doubles -- Karen Allis & Jane Chaddock, Batavia, 1,284. Chaddock posted 566 and Allis had 532 on the second to last squad of the tournament. They received 186 pins handicap.

Open Singles -- Jeremy Yasses, Oakfield, 781. Yasses recorded games of 246-211-235 for 692 scratch. With his 89 pins handicap (based on 192 average), he took the lead on the Sunday morning squad.

Women's Singles -- Breanna Seever, Albion, 654. Seever started with a 211 game and went on to roll 522 scratch. Her 132 pins handicap enabled her to top the leaderboard, and she went on to place first in Women's All-Events as well.

Open All-Events -- Scott Culp, Honeoye Falls-Lima, 2,262. Culp put up the winning score without the benefit of handicap. His three series were 747 (Team), 773 (Doubles) and 742 (Singles).

Women's All-Events -- Breanna Seever, Albion, 1,937.

For unofficial final standings and the projected prize list, go to www.bowlgr.com.

MANCUSO BOWLING CENTER, BATAVIA
Tuesday Night Coed
High Series
Sam Oddo 245--639
High Games
Andrew Rose 234
Marshall Merle 223
Vicky Priestly-Maid 218
Michelly Henning 196
Toyota of Batavia 4-Man
High Series
Nick Johnson 264--737
Jason Quilliam 297--720
AJ Allenbrandt 243--693
Geoff Harloff 222--636
James Townsend 248--629
Chase Cone 221--625
Matt Balduf 226--614
Matt Bourg 232--612
David Hall 610
Rich Wagner 237--606
Haley Luce 208--549
High Games
Marshall Merle 245
Rick Underhill 247
Tom Petrie 233
Chad Lillie 225
Matt Buckley 224
Devon Leach 222
ROSE GARDEN BOWL, BERGEN
Wednesday Men's Handicap
High Series
Harris Busmire 270--772
Frank Jarkiewicz 267--750
Steve O'Dell 269--748
Scott Gibson 261--723
Jeff Parton 267--721
Mark Mack 247--643
Mike Lyons 243--637
Dave Montemarano Jr. 617
Brandon Fisher 245--604
High Games
Robert Gliwski 224
Chad Evert 222
LE ROY LEGION LANES
American Legion Thursday Men
High Series
Mickey Hyde 226--666
Rob Panepento 252--657
Shayne Herold 238--648
Jerry Kingsley 234--640
Terry Nothnagle 246--622
Ron Rauscher 225--618
Sam Miller 611
Rich Bescler 227--607
High Games
Rick Rauscher 225
OAK ORCHARD BOWL, ALBION
Sneezy's Monday Night
High Series
Curtis Foss 278--751
Robbie Hanks 279--719
Rex Snyder 254--674
Michael Godfrey Sr. 249--666
Daryl Dillon 248--661
Josh Bowman 268--659
Jeff Shawver 247--646
Brandon Gurnsey 231--642
Bob Patten 234--642
Wayne Brett 243--640
High Games
Brian Szczepanski 247
Rory Reis 245
Tegan Miller 241
John Beadle 236

Elba beat Alexander 10-4 in Girls Softball on Wednesday.

Adi Norton had three hits and an RBI. Brianna Totten had two RBIs.

Brea Smith fanned five Trojans.

The Lancers were down 4-1 going into the top of the seventh inning and scored nine runs.

Photos by Kristin Smith.

Press Release:

Kyle Beaver, a Grappling World Champion and Canadian National Pro Champion, won the NYS Absolute Grappling Championship representing Lumber City Combat Sports. 

His son Jojo Schafer-Beaver, from Pembroke, made his grappling tournament debut and took 2nd place!

The 36-year-old right-hander, who operates the pro shop at Oak Orchard Bowl, posted games of 300, 257 and 245 for an 802 total using a Storm Summit Peak ball.

Brandon Gurnsey of Albion wasn't far behind, registering a 276 game and 770 series.

At Rose Garden Bowl in Bergen, Bill Neubert of Batavia came within a pin of perfection for the second time this season in the Thursday Owls League.

The 73-year-old righty rolled 11 strikes before leaving the 7-pin for a 299 middle game. He finished with a 759 series.

For a list of high scores for the week, click on the Pin Points tab at the top of the home page.