SARATOGA SPRINGS — Gavin Park will host the Abigail Jenks Memorial Ruck Race at 9 a.m. on Memorial Day. The 5K is in honor of all those who died in the line of duty, especially Specialist 4th Class Abigail Jenks, a town of Wilton resident and Saratoga Springs class of 2019 graduate.
Proceeds go towards the Abigail Jenks Scholarship at Saratoga High School, awarded to graduating seniors enlisting in the military; as well as the Veterans Community Housing Coalition, a local organization that advocates for veterans seeking housing.
Tickets are available for both racers and non-racers. Racers must be prepared with either a rucksack, weighted backpack, or weighted vest. Army standard is 35 pounds. Non-racer tickets are for those who wish not to carry the extra weight. All ticket holders will receive a t-shirt.
The race will begin at the large pavilion after a prayer service, National Anthem performance, and some words from Abigail’s mother. Refreshments will be available before and after the race.
GLENS FALLS — The Adirondack Thunder advanced to the ECHL Eastern Conference Final after defeating the Norfolk Admirals in round two of the playoffs, 4 games to 2.
The Admirals took the first two games of the series but the Thunder wouldn’t fall that easily. They won four straight games, with a combined total score of 14 to 5.
Adirondack then split the first two games of the conference final against the Florida Everblades last weekend, winning the second game in a 2-0 shutout. The next three games of the series will take place in Florida. If necessary, games six and seven will be played at home at the Cool Insuring Arena in Glens Falls on May 28 and 29.
BALLSTON SPA — Six Ballston Spa Middle School students were recently presented with the Sandy Morley Physical Education Leadership Award. The winners were selected by the PE staff for demonstrating leadership and responsibility in the PE program, being respectful of others, making good decisions, valuing learning, staying physically active, and having a positive influence on their peers.
“You were nominated by the PE staff for these characteristics and we congratulate you on standing up for what is right, not what is always popular,” said PE Instructor Kevin Dayton in a statement. “Please keep leading the way as you always have; today, tomorrow, and into the future.”
The 8th grade students that won the award were Owen Fersch, Jeffrey Fumarola, Aiden Werner, Mackenzie Johnson, Natalie Thomas, and Haley Wiltsie.
SARATOGA SPRINGS — Ever watch Aaron Judge crack a fly ball to the Yankee Stadium short porch in right field and think to yourself, “hell, I could do that”? Well, it’s time to put up or shut up.
A baseball and softball training academy that allows kids and adults alike to practice hitting, pitching, and fielding is coming to Saratoga Springs. D-BAT, which has about 160 locations around the country, is opening its first facility in New York State at 30 Gick Road this summer.
Franchise owner and general manager Adam Britten said the 18,000-square-foot academy will include 13 cages; three industrial-sized pitching machines that can hold hundreds of baseballs or softballs; Rapsodo, a ball launch and flight monitor; Pocket Radar guns that measure pitch speed; and HitTrax, a system that provides real-time stats and performance metrics.
“You can use HitTrax for basically any ballpark. You can put in Fenway Park or Yankee Stadium, and you’re actually simulating hitting at those ballparks and it shows your distance and everything else with almost spot-on accuracy,” Britten said.
Although D-BAT academies attract kids across different age groups and levels of play, parents and older folks are welcome too. A parents’ lounge with four TVs will allow adults to take it easy while their kids train. And if you’re getting up there in age but still want to crack a few dingers, you can do that too.
“We’re really excited to provide an outlet for not just kids, but for adults,” Britten said. “It is more than that demographic of 6 to 18 year olds. You get 3 year olds to 75 year olds.”
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Although the academy focuses primarily on baseball and softball, the space can also be used for lacrosse, field hockey, flag football, and other sports.
“I have cricket, I have cornhole leagues; all these leagues are reaching out because there’s a need for indoor space,” Britten said.
That need was obvious to Britten, a Saratoga native who has been heavily involved in youth sports throughout his life. He’s the president of Saratoga Battle, a basketball program with 150 kids, and he’s the assistant coach of the Saratoga Central Catholic varsity basketball team.
“I grew up in these programs along with my brothers, and my dad was always a coach, so it kind of comes second nature,” Britten said. “But there’s never been a facility like this locally big enough to support rain delays, the eight months of winter we get. Kids aren’t playing baseball year-round like they should, like they are down south or in the midwest.”
Britten plans to open up shop this summer and is already giving potential customers tours of the facility. For more information or to keep tabs on the academy’s progress, visit www.dbatsaratogasprings.com or follow the company on Facebook and Instagram.
GREENFIELD — The Town of Greenfield Recreation Department is adding exercise classes for its residents for the first time. The town is sponsoring outdoor “Sunset Yoga” at its Middle Grove Park, and a special “Barre-TY Party” event for ladies at Pure Barre in Saratoga Springs.
Sunset Yoga is open to adults and costs $10 per person. Participants should bring both a blanket and a yoga mat. The program will hold classes at Middle Grove Town Park, 428 Middle Grove Rd. from 7-8 p.m. on May 21, June 6, June 13, June 20, and June 27. Classes will be led by yoga teacher Jilly Sansone.
The “Barre-TY Party” will be held on June 9 from 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. at Pure Barre at 56 Marion Ave in Saratoga. Registration links can be found at www.greenfieldny.org to reserve a spot. The cost is $15 for residents and $18 for non-residents. The fee includes a full-body workout class, champagne, light bites, and discounts at the boutique and on future membership.
“We’ve been building community spirit and giving people a chance to try something new,” said Recreation Director Jen Zeisler in a statement. “These programs create fun activities for us all to come together no matter our background or ages.”
AMHERST, MASSACHUSETTS — The Skidmore College women’s tennis team competed in the NCAA Division III Tournament last week after winning their 13th consecutive Liberty League championship. It was Skidmore’s 17th straight and 27th overall appearance in the tournament.
Heading into their first round matchup against Baruch College, the team was ranked 32nd nationally. They easily defeated their competitors in a 5-0 shutout. In the second round, Skidmore fell to 8th seed Amherst College, 5-0.
All told, the Thoroughbreds finished the season tied for 17th nationally, with a 13-6 record.
The last time Skidmore won an NCAA championship was in 1998.
ALBANY — The Stillwater varsity boys basketball team earned their second state championship in school history when they defeated Marcellus 59-50 in March at the Cool Insuring Arena in Glens Falls. Prior to capturing the Class B title, the team won the Wasaren League with a 16-0 record and finished the season with a nearly flawless overall record of 27-1.
To commemorate the team’s success, State Senator Jim Tedisco and Assemblywoman Carrie Woerner honored the team in Albany, where a resolution was passed on the Senate floor.
The Stillwater Warriors were also recognized for their academic achievements as a New York State Public High School Athletic Association Scholar-Athlete Team, earning an overall team grade point average above 90 percent.
“The Stillwater Boys Basketball Team had an incredible championship season that will be remembered for a long time,” Senator Tedisco said in a statement. “I’m proud of this team and [proud] to welcome and honor them on the Floor of the New York State Senate.”
BALTIMORE, MARYLAND — Mystik Dan, winner of this year’s Kentucky Derby, will compete in the Preakness Stakes, trainer Kenny McPeek announced last Saturday.
“All systems go,” McPeek told the Associated Press. “The horse is doing fantastic.”
The decision impacts the upcoming Belmont Stakes at the Saratoga Racecourse. If Mystik Dan is able to pull off another victory at Preakness, he’ll be competing for a Triple Crown in Saratoga Springs this June.
“If we’re looking at a non-Triple Crown year, I would say that the Belmont Stakes is still going to have the buzz and excitement that you see [at] the Travers Stakes,” NBC racing analyst Donna Barton Brothers told Saratoga TODAY last month. “But if you’re looking at a Triple Crown year, then you can take Travers and multiply it by at least two, if not more.”
The Ballston Spa varsity girls track and field relay team poses with their trophies after winning the 4×100 race at the Glenn D. Loucks Games in White Plains last week. Photo via Assistant Coach Matt Germann’s X account, @CoachGermann
BALLSTON SPA — The Ballston Spa High School girls track and field relay team won the 4×100 in two events last week: the Glenn D. Loucks Games in White Plains and the Shen Invy in Clifton Park. At Loucks, their time of 48.14 was both the fastest this year in New York State and a new school record, according to Assistant Coach Matt Germann.
The relay team consists of Tatiana McCray, Harriet Healey, Gabrielle Bozeth, and Petrina Zborovszky. At Shen, they finished with a time of 49.19.
Individually, the girls also impressed. At Shen, Bozeth won the 200-meter dash and Zborovszky won the 100-meter. At Loucks, Healey finished third in the 400-meter hurdles and Bozeth took third in the 100 meter dash.
SARATOGA SPRINGS — The baseball parking lot at Veterans Memorial Park in Saratoga Springs was overflowing as the 17-0 Saratoga Central Catholic Saints varsity baseball team faced the 15-0 Mechanicville Red Raiders on Monday, May 6. The matchup between two undefeated teams could only end one way: someone’s record was about to become blemished.
With the grandstands full, spectators plopped down camping chairs in nearly every available spot with a clear view of the diamond. The sun set slowly beyond the left field wall as the middle innings rolled on and Mechanicville took a 2-0 lead heading into the fourth inning.
The Saints struggled offensively, notching only three hits. Ryan Gillis pushed across the team’s lone run with an RBI in the bottom of the sixth. But the late spur wasn’t enough to overcome the Red Raiders’ four runs, two of which were the result of Saints fielding errors. Mechanicville took the W and ended the Saints’ undefeated streak.
After suffering their first loss of the season, Spa Catholic would have an opportunity for revenge at Mechanicville High School the following afternoon. But they again couldn’t overcome the Red Raiders, losing 5 to 2. Although the Saints limited their fielding errors this time, Mechanicville’s 10 hits were too many to overcome.
With a 17-2 record, the Saints went into their final game of the regular season against Christian Brothers Academy last Saturday night. The game turned into a nailbiter after Spa Catholic erupted with six runs in the bottom of the sixth inning. But then a walk-off single by Jason Pescetti sealed the deal, giving the Saints an 8-7 victory.
In the end, only Mechanicville got the better of Spa Catholic, stealing two games away from a team with an otherwise perfect record. Saratoga finished the season 18-2 overall, and 12-2 in the Wasaren League. The Saints’ .857 winning percentage was second only to Mechanicville.
