Tigers blanked ValleyCats in opener
NORWICH, CONN. » The Tri-City ValleyCats opened the 2017 New York-Penn League season with a 9-0 loss against the Connecticut Tigers on Tuesday. Matt Manning, a 2016 first round pick, led the Tigers, with 4.1 innings pitched with no runs allowed on three hits and nine strikeouts.
The Tigers started quickly, with a first inning home run off the bat of Randel Alcantara, and a second inning RBI double from Sam Machonis. Machonis wasn’t done there, as he singled in two more runs in the bottom of the fourth inning to make it 4-0.
The ValleyCats threatened in the fifth inning, after Kristian Trompiz recorded his second hit of the day and Frankeny Fernandez drew a walk. The ‘Cats employed some aggressive base stealing, as Trompiz recorded two steals and Fernandez recorded his first steal. However, the inning came to quiet end, with Andy Pineda flying out to short center field.
Things quickly fell apart for the ‘Cats, after the visitors allowed five runs in the seventh inning. It began with the first home run of the year for Hector Martinez, before Colin McKee came in and loaded the bases. A passed ball, walk and 2-run RBI single by Alexis Garcia and the game was blown open to give the Tigers a 9-0 lead.
The ValleyCats added eight 2017 draft picks to their roster Wednesday, however, they were not active for the home opener at Joe Bruno Stadium.
The players are sixth rounder Jake Adams from the University of Iowa, eighth rounder Corey Julks from the University of Houston, 13th rounder Jacob Meyers of the University of Nebraska, 15th rounder Kyle Davis from West Virginia University, 20th rounder Hunter Martin
from the University of Tennessee, 24th rounder Alex House from Florida Atlantic University, 26th rounder Josh Rojas from the University of Hawaii and 33rd rounder Reid Russell of Lamar University.
NCAA Track and Field
THREE ENGINEERS NAMED ACADEMIC ALL-AMERICA » The Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) men’s track & field team boasts three College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA) National Academic All-America honorees as Sam Keller, Michael Pesanello and Matt Vitagliano have each been chosen
to the Second Team. These are the first awards for Keller and Pesanello and the second for Vitagliano.
NCAA Swimming
CONBOY A SCHOLAR ALLAMERICAN » For the second year in a row, William Smith College swimmer Caroline Conboy, a Saratoga Springs grad, was named a Scholar All-American by the College Swimming & Diving Coaches Association of America. To earn the honor, student-athletes must has a grade point average of 3.5 or higher and have participated in the NCAA Swimming and Diving Championships.
In May, Conboy graduated summa cum laude with a bachelor’s degree in
psychology. A member of Phi Beta Kappa, she was also a 2017 third team CoSIDA Academic All-American. Conboy was a threetime Liberty League AllAcademic Team pick and a three-time UNYSCSA AllAcademic selection.
In the pool, Conboy finished 11th in the 100-yard breaststroke and 12th in the 200 breaststroke at the 2017 NCAA Division III Swimming & Diving Championships, earning All-America honorable mention in both events. She successfully defended her titles in the 100 and 200 breaststroke at the UNYSCSA Championships. Conboy was named the UNYSCSA Swimmer of the Meet and also received the UNYSCSA’s Barbara Radef Award. At the Liberty League Championships, she earned her third consecutive championship in the 200 breaststroke while winning her second straight title in the 200 individual medley.
In 2016, Conboy was a first team All-American in the 100 breaststroke (8th place) and an honorable mention All-American in the 200 breaststroke (16th).
The ValleyCats added eight 2017 draft picks to their roster Wednesday, however, they were not active for the home opener.