Compiled by Craig Potter
Today’s SportsROC Report includes stories on the Rochester Red Wings victory, Day 1 results from the Danielle Downey Classic, the Western New York Flash announce a partnership to fight breast cancer, the Rochester Americans to hold a preseason game at the HARBORCENTER, and the Buffalo Sabres re-sign a forward.
Red Wings start 2nd half with a win
The Rochester Red Wings began the second half of the International League season with a 6-2 victory over the Norfolk Tides before 4,612 fans on Thursday night at Frontier Field.
Tommy Field belted a solo homer to tie the game 1-1 in the second after the Tides lofted a solo homer in the top of the inning off Rochester starter Pat Dean (3-5).
The Wings grabbed the lead for good with 3 runs in the third, and secured the victory on Byung Ho Park’s 2-run homer in the fifth.
Wilfredo Tovar collected a pair of doubles in the game as he, Park, Darin Mastroianni, and Jorge Polanco each recorded 2 hits in the 11-hit Red Wings attack.
Rochester (53-40) remained in third place in the North Division, 4.5 games behind front-runner Scranton/Wilkes-Barre (57-35), and a half game behind Lehigh Valley (53-39).
The series continues on Friday night against Norfolk at 7:05 p.m., with fireworks to follow the game.
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No. 1 Symetra Tour money earner Day 1 leader at Downey Classic
The spotlight never seems to phase Madelene Sagstrom (Enkoping, Sweden), who has been No. 1 on the Symetra Tour’s money list since April 18 when she won the Chico’s Patty Berg Memorial. She opened the Danielle Downey Credit Union Classic with seven birdies and a 5-under, 67 to grab the 18-hole lead at Brook-Lea Country Club on Thursday. Allie White (Lancaster, Ohio) and Ally McDonald (Fulton, Ms.) are tied for second at 4-under, 68.
A total of 34 players finished under-par and 52 are even-par or better.
*See the full story in Sports
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Flash announce partnership to fight breast cancer
The Western NY Flash are delighted to announce a landmark two-year partnership with The Cancer Couch Foundation, a not-for-profit that works to fund high-impact research for metastatic breast cancer (MBC). The sponsorship is part of the Flash’s commitment to aligning with health and wellness issues that directly impact women and their communities.
MBC is the deadliest form of breast cancer, and 20-30 percent of people diagnosed with early stage breast cancer eventually develop MBC. Dr. Rebecca Timlin-Scalera, neuropsychologist and mother of two, discovered this first hand after being initially diagnosed at Stage IV, the most severe form of the disease, and then re-staged to 3C. After this life altering moment, Timlin-Scalera decided to create a financially transparent, volunteermanaged foundation that puts donations to work directly for MBC patients.
Timlin-Scalera, The Cancer Couch’s Founder and Executive Director, says: “As a former collegiate level soccer player, I am beyond excited to partner with this incredible team and sport! I want to spread awareness to females of all ages about breast cancer facts, and that being fit helped me get through treatment. I never stopped exercising.”
The Flash will be hosting a Pink Game on Aug. 27 at 7 p.m. at Rhinos Stadium. The game will be focused on raising awareness for metastatic breast cancer and raise funds for The Cancer Couch’s mission through the WNY Flash’s annual customized “Pink Game” jersey raffle and additional auction items. This will allow both organizations to use soccer as a vehicle to start a conversation about MBC and accelerate the growth of resources dedicated to research that will accelerate treatment for MBC patients.
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Amerks to hold preseason game at HARBORCENTER
The Rochester Americans announced on Thursday that the team will play two preseason games against the Binghamton Senators, including one at HARBORCENTER in Buffalo.
The home-and-home preseason series between the teams will start on Thursday, Oct. 6 when the Amerks host the Senators at HARBORCENTER at 7:05 p.m. Ticket information for the game will be available at a later date.
HARBORCENTER is a 650,000 square foot complex connected to the Buffalo Sabres’ First Niagara Center in downtown Buffalo. The complex features two NHL size rinks, including a 1,800-seat arena where the Amerks preseason game will take place, as well as 13 ADA compliant locker rooms, classroom and theater facilities, IMPACT Sports Performance training facility, a 205 room full service Marriott Hotel, (716) Food and Sport restaurant, a unique Tim Hortons Café & Bakeshop dedicated to the Sabres legend, parking and boutique retail shops.
On Saturday, Oct. 8, the Amerks will travel to face the Senators at Floyd L. Maines Veterans Memorial Arena in Binghamton at 7:05 p.m.
The 2016-17 regular season begins Friday, Oct. 14 with the Amerks Home Opener. Season Ticket Memberships, which start as low as just $10 per game, are on-sale now. The Amerks are also offering a variety of partial plans, including Half-Season Memberships and Flex Season Memberships with vouchers good for best available seat to any home game. All memberships are up to 40% off box office day of game pricing. For more information, visit www.amerks.com or call 1-855-GO-AMERKS
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Sabres re-sign Marcus Foligno
The Buffalo Sabres today announced the team has signed forward Marcus Foligno to a one-year contract.
Foligno (24, 6-foot-3, 226 lbs.), who recently completed his fifth season with the Sabres, posted career-highs in games played (75), goals (10) and points (23) during the 2015-16 campaign. The Buffalo native also tied his career-high with 13 assists last season and paced all Sabres forwards with a plus-4 rating.
Drafted by the Sabres in the fourth round (104th overall) of the 2009 NHL Draft, Foligno has posted 93 points (36+57) and 261 penalty minutes in 267 career NHL games.