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Jockeys Versus Horsemen Charity Basketball Game Set for Aug. 6

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Sports.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — The 16th annual jockeys-versus-horsemen charity basketball game—which benefits the programs of the New York Race Track Chaplaincy and the Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund—will be played on Wednesday, Aug. 6 at the Saratoga Springs Recreation Center at 7 p.m. Admission is free.

The jockey team will once again be coached by Hall of Fame jockey Ángel Cordero Jr. Assisting him on the sidelines this year will be Taaj Ridley, the head of player development and assistant coach for the Maine Celtics of the NBA G League.

The horsemen team will be coached for the first time by trainer Kenny McPeek and retired New York-based trainer Rick Schosberg. They will succeed Todd Pletcher and Kiaran McLaughlin, who coached the team over the past 15 years.

This year’s special guest player will be former Syracuse University star Ryan Blackwell, who is now Siena’s assistant men’s basketball coach.

The Saratoga Springs Recreation Center is located at 15 Vanderbilt Avenue. Horsemen, individuals, or organizations who would like to sponsor the game may do so via the NY Chaplaincy website at www.rtcany.org.

Spa Catholic Pitcher Headed to Duke

Written by Jonathon Norcross on . Posted in Sports.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Saratoga Central Catholic pitcher Carson Moser (class of 2026), one member of the Saints state champion varsity baseball team, has accepted a scholarship to pitch for the Duke University Blue Devils.

“I am so proud of this young man who worked hard to earn this great opportunity,” wrote Saints Coach Alphonse Lambert in a social media post announcing the news. “Great pitcher, even better person. We’re proud of you, Car!”

This spring, Moser pitched for 11 innings in 4 starts, striking out 25 of 53 batters faced. He allowed 6 earned runs for an ERA of 4.91, while limiting his opponents’ batting average to .140. According to a Prep Baseball scouting profile, his fastball can hit 92 m.p.h.

Saratoga Baseball Excellence Continues: Youth Team Crowned State Champs

Written by Jonathon Norcross on . Posted in Featured, Sports.


Photo of the 10U team provided by Barry J. Bruno. 

 Photo of the Saratoga-Wilton Youth Baseball 11U Blue Sox state championship team
provided by Shawn Lescault. 

SARATOGA SPRINGS — In an unprecedented year that has seen two high school baseball teams win state titles on the same day, the City of Saratoga Springs’ diamond-dwelling athletes continue to accumulate accolades.

The Saratoga-Wilton Youth Baseball league’s 11U Blue Sox team captured the Cal Ripken Eastern New York State Championship last week, punching their ticket to the Mid-Atlantic Regional Tournament in Pennsylvania, where they will represent New York State. Should they prevail in the tourney, they’ll advance to the Cal Ripken World Series.

The Blue Sox notched victories over Clifton Park, North Colonie, Guilderland, and Highland in the state championships, improving their overall season record to 26-8.

“This group has been locked in all summer,” said Geoff Hunter, the squad’s head coach. “They’ve worked hard, supported each other, and stayed focused in every game. I’m incredibly proud of their growth, grit, and how they represent our community on and off the field.”

“This has been a banner year for baseball in Saratoga,” said Shawn Lescault, president of Saratoga-Wilton Youth Baseball. “Both Saratoga Springs and Spa Catholic winning state championships this spring, and now our hometown 11U Blue Sox adding a Cal Ripken state title; it’s clear that the love for the game runs deep in our community. We’re incredibly proud of what this team has accomplished. Baseball is alive and well in Saratoga.”

The 2025 Saratoga-Wilton Blue Sox 11U roster includes Logan Ercole, Madden King-O’Keefe, Grady Hirning, Grayson Hunter, Ryan LaCasse, Tucker Lescault, Liam Muller, Jack Ramsdill, Sammy Rodriguez, Joseph Sevi, Michael Windelspecht, and Camren Woods.

Another Saratoga-Wilton team, the 10U Blue Sox, defeated Guilderland in the quarterfinals of the Eastern New York State Championship tournament, but later fell in the semifinals to Poughkeepsie. The 10U team’s season will continue, however, as they compete in additional tournaments in South Glens Falls and Queensbury in the coming weeks.

Spa Catholic Baseball Champs to be Honored at Yankee Stadium

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Sports.


Image via Saratoga Central Catholic. 


SARATOGA SPRINGS — On Tuesday, Aug. 12, the Saratoga Central Catholic state champion varsity baseball team will be honored by the New York Yankees during a special pregame ceremony at Yankee Stadium prior to a game against the Minnesota Twins.

Those interested in attending the game can save 50% on tickets by ordering at this link: https://www.gofevo.com/event/Saratogacentral2. A portion of each ticket sold through this special offer will benefit the Saratoga Central Catholic baseball program.

The Spa Catholic Saints won the Section 2 Class C Championship on June 14, defeating Deposit-Hancock 4 to 0. It was the first baseball title in the school’s history, and only the second state championship for any sport in school history.

Saratoga Bridges Hosting Golf Classic

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Sports.

WILTON — Saratoga Bridges will be hosting the 22nd Annual J. Michael Fitzgibbons Memorial Golf Classic at the McGregor Links Country Club on Monday, July 28. Participants can compete with other golfers for the best overall score.

The event begins with registration at 9:30 a.m., followed by lunch, and then tee-off at 12:30 p.m. Golfers will receive a special golf apparel gift from Saratoga Bridges and their sponsors, as well as a complimentary drink ticket for the bar, with a beverage cart available on the course. Once all golfers have finished the course, dinner will be served buffet style during an awards ceremony. To learn more and to purchase tickets, please visit www.saratogabridges.org.

12th Annual Sarcoma Strong 5K Run/Walk Returns to Spa State Park

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Sports.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — The 12th Annual Sarcoma Strong 5K Run/Walk will be held on August 9 at the Saratoga Spa State Park.

The purpose of the run/walk is to both raise awareness of sarcoma (a cancer found in connective tissues, bones, cartilage, fatty tissue, and muscles) and raise funds for research.

Sarcoma Strong Inc., is a nonprofit founded by Albany Medical Center’s Director of Orthopedic Oncology Matthew R. DiCaprio, MD, who wanted to develop a support system for sarcoma patients and their families, and raise research funds that may improve the ability to diagnose and treat patients with sarcoma. To date, Sarcoma Strong has raised over $1.2 million.

Over the past 5 years, Sarcoma Strong has expanded the event to become a Global 5K Run/Walk weekend, scheduled this year for August 8-10. Organizers anticipate participants and teams from more than 15 countries and over 40 U.S. states will be holding events in their own communities in support of Sarcoma Strong.

The 12th annual run/walk at Saratoga Spa State Park will begin at 9 a.m. Parking for the event will be available in the Spa Little Theater and Saratoga Auto Museum lots. Registration is open at www.sarcomastrong.com/run. T-shirts are available for the first 300 registrants for the in-person event. All proceeds from the event will be used towards sarcoma cancer research.

Fire Destroys Multiple Buildings at Local Horse Farm

Written by Jonathon Norcross on . Posted in Featured, Sports.


The aftermath of the fire at McMahon of Saratoga Thoroughbreds’ Eastview Farm in Stillwater. Photo by Jonathon Norcross.

STILLWATER — McMahon of Saratoga Thoroughbreds, a family-owned horse breeding farm based in Saratoga Springs, lost two hay barns and several smaller buildings in a fire last weekend at its Eastview Farm property in Stillwater. No people or horses were harmed. As of press time, the exact cause of the fire was unknown, though it’s believed to have originated in one of the hay barns.

A video shared with a local Facebook group on July 5 showed large plumes of gray smoke rising above a barn completely engulfed in flames. Horses in a nearby enclosure could be seen galloping away from the fire.

The farm’s co-founder Joe McMahon told Saratoga TODAY that he estimated somewhere between 1,000 and 1,500 large bales of hay were lost in the fire, which destroyed much of the property’s storage facilities.

“We would like to extend our deepest gratitude to the community for its swift response and unwavering support,” McMahon of Saratoga Thoroughbreds said in a statement. “The quick action from our local first responders and volunteer firefighters was instrumental in preventing the situation from becoming worse, and we are forever thankful for their bravery and dedication. Your efforts made all the difference, and we can’t thank you enough.”

The company encouraged those offering support to consider donating to organizations like the Thoroughbred Charities of America or local fire departments.

“Your support during this time means more to us than words can express,” the statement continued. “We are truly grateful to be part of such an incredible community, and with your continued support, we will rebuild and continue to care for our horses to the highest standard.”

McMahon of Saratoga Thoroughbreds was founded in 1971 and has produced a number of notable race horses, including 2003 Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes winner Funny Cide, and the Grade 1 winner Instant Friendship. The fire was the first in the farm’s 55-year history. 

Downtown Parade Honors State Champ Baseball Teams

Written by Jonathon Norcross on . Posted in Sports.


A trolley transports members of the Saratoga Springs baseball team from Congress Park to City Hall. Photo by Aidan Cahill.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — An unprecedented moment in Saratoga Springs history did not go unnoticed by city officials, who celebrated the dual state champion Saratoga Springs and Saratoga Central Catholic varsity baseball teams with a downtown parade last week.

The team’s players were ferried from Congress Park to City Hall via a police and fire-escorted pair of red trolleys. Once delivered to the steps of City Hall, the players and their coaches were honored with proclamations courtesy of Mayor John Safford. The date of the parade, June 25, was officially named both Saratoga Springs Central Catholic Varsity Baseball Day and Saratoga Springs High School Varsity Baseball Day.

In his proclamations, Mayor Safford said “we are all extremely proud of them, and we join with their fellow students, their teachers, and their coach in celebrating this great achievement,” adding, “may their legacy and spirit continue to serve as an inspiration for all of us.”

The Saratoga Central Catholic Saints won the Section 2 Class C Championship on June 14, defeating Deposit-Hancock 4 to 0. On the same day, the Saratoga Springs Blue Streaks capped off a 21-6 season by capturing the Section 2 Class AAA state championship, vanquishing Ketcham 8 to 5. It was the first time both teams had won state baseball titles.

A press release from the mayor’s office announcing the parade called the feat an “extraordinary achievement” and an “historic moment for our community.”

The championship Spa Catholic Saints team included the players:

  • Max Britten
  • Kihl Kelly
  • Pierce Byrne
  • Carson Moser
  • Luke Dejnozka
  • Jason Pescetti
  • Nacy Devincenzo
  • Ronan Rowe
  • Martin Elie
  • Brian Selig
  • Hunter Fales
  • Zach Streicher
  • Ryan Gillis
  • Tyler Weygand

And the Saratoga Springs
Blue Streaks team consisted of:

  • Jack Collier
  • Matthew King
  • Jackson Covell
  • Alexander Landau
  • Shea Crotty
  • Colin Mack
  • Braeden Crowe
  • Thomas McNamara
  • John Dunne
  • Brady Mills
  • Owen Fear
  • Elliott Moglia
  • Charles Greiner III
  • Jack Rigabar
  • Macklan Harris
  • Raul Rodriguez
  • Michael Kakaty
  • Dillon Jay Trautner
  • Brendan Kantscheidt
  • Cooper Villiere
  • Peyton Keegan
  • Adam Weiss

Skidmore Alum Having Best-Ever Season with Blue Jays Minor League Team

Written by Jonathon Norcross on . Posted in Sports.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Jackson Hornung, a Skidmore College baseball alum, was promoted on Tuesday to the New Hampshire Fisher Cats, the Double-A affiliate of the Toronto Blue Jays.

The move comes after Hornung’s stellar start to the season, in which he earned a career-best .855 OPS in 159 at-bats with the Vancouver Canadians, the Blue Jays’ High-A affiliate.

Hornung, a 2024 Northwest League All-Star, had a .308/.396/.459 slash line after 44 games this year, racking up 9 doubles, 3 triples, 3 home runs, and 24 RBI. 

On May 27, Hornung doubled off the top of the right field wall to bring home a run in the Canadians’ 9-5 win over Hillsboro. A couple days later, he crushed a 3-2 pitch into the right field corner for a triple that solidified an 8-1 victory. On June 6, he had a three-hit game (including another triple), and on June 14 his solo homer helped secure another W for the 38-30 Canadians, who are currently at the top of the Northwest League standings.

In 2024, his first full season with Vancouver, Hornung led the team with 105 hits in 112 games. He also had 27 multi-hit games, a team high for the season. He finished the year with a .714 OPS, 25 doubles, 6 homers, and 47 RBI.

Hornung was selected in the 16th round (484th pick) of the 2023 MLB Draft by the Blue Jays. He was the first Skidmore alum to be drafted by a professional sports team.

All-American Ballston Lake Native Transfers to Iowa State

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Sports.


Announcement of Stevo Poulin’s commitment to Iowa State
via his Instagram, @stevowrestle.

BALLSTON LAKE — Stevo Poulin, a Shenendehowa alum and native of Ballston Lake,  announced his transfer to Iowa State University last week on his Instagram.

Poulin is a 2025 All-American wrestler who spent the past three years at the University of Northern Colorado (UNC). He finished 8th in this year’s NCAA Tournament, where his victory over Rutgers University’s Dean Peterson earned him All-American honors for the first time in his career.

The Iowa State Cyclones wrestling team are 8-time national champions, 17-time national runners-up, and have accumulated 45 trophy finishes.

In his 2024-25 season with UNC, Poulin finished with an 18-1 record, recording four tech falls and three major decision wins. He was the 2025 Southern Scuffle 125 Champion and placed fifth at the Big XII Championships.

In 2023-24, Poulin earned a 22-6 record and became only the fourth individual in UNC history to win the Southern Scuffle title. He also placed seventh at the Big XII Champions and qualified for the NCAA Tournament for the second time in his career.

In his first season with UNC, Poulin had a 31-7 record and was crowned the Big XII Champion at 125 pounds. He qualified for the NCAA Tournament as the No. 6 seed and finished the season ranked No. 18.

Prior to competing at UNC, Poulin wrestled at North Carolina State University, where he had an undefeated 6-0 record as a freshman.

While attending Shenendehowa High School, Poulin took home the state title his freshman, junior, and senior years, finishing with a remarkable record of 132-1.