Wednesday, May 4, 2016: Franklinville sophomore throws eighth career no-hitter

   Leading off today: Franklinville sophomore pitcher Ally Haskell threw her eighth career no-hitter Tuesday, striking out 19 batters during a 3-0 softball victory over North Collins on Tuesday.

   Haskell carried a perfect game into the seventh inning before issuing a leadoff walk. She finished off the game by striking out the final three batters.

   Haskell accounted for all the scoring with a three-run home run with two out in the bottom of the third inning.

   Big win for Caz: Senior attackman Cole Willard gave Cazenovia the lead with three consecutive goals and finished the contest with six scores as the Lakers toppled previously unbeaten Jamesville-DeWitt 9-6 in boys lacrosse.

   Cazenovia is ranked third in the state this week in Class C by the New York State Sportswriters Association. Jamesville-DeWitt had ascended to No. 1 in Class B on Monday.

   "We just really wanted this one. We lost to these guys in OT last year," Willard, a Penn State commit, told Syracuse.com.

   Cazenovia improved to 10-1 by holding the explosive trio of Grayson Burns, Ryan Archer and Griffin Cook (a combined 83 goals in the first 10 games) to one goal by Archer.

   Cazenovia, a NYSPHSAA tournament finalist four of the past five years and Class C champions in 2011 and '13, face Section 3 rival Syracuse CBA and then play Class A No. 1 Victor on Saturday. After that comes a Tuesday game vs. Baldwinsville, ranked 17th in Class A.

   Section 8 thriller: There was some great description of the final 21 seconds of No. 5 Syosset's 13-12 win over No. 7 Massapequa in Nassau County action, courtesy of Newsday.

   Syosset was clinging to its one goal lead when senior midfielder Lucas Cotler gathered in the ball after a faceoff and dodged defenders.

   From the story:

   "With the ball at 'X', Cotler took the ball off a restart and split a pair of Massapequa long poles with both falling to the turf. Cotler worked his way to the other end of the cage, curling in front before doubling back along the sideline, all the while being wacked by desperate Chiefs looking to force a late turnover.

   "Finally, one flag was thrown, followed by another. When the whistle finally blew, Cotler was still cradling the ball in his stick as his teammates poured onto the field in celebration.

   "'I didn't even realize what happened,' Cotler said. 'I just kind of made a move and I saw the short stick come play me and the crowd just went crazy. I figured someone's ankles were broken.'"

   Cotler finished with four goals, two assists. Attackman Mac O'Keefe also scored four goals.

   More lacrosse: Has there ever been a team to reach early May unbeaten after as many close calls as Connetquot has faced in a one-month span? The Thunderbirds are 12-0 following Tuesday's win by a 13-12 margin vs. Huntington -- their sixth one-goal triumph in the past seven contests.

   The victories for the state's fourth-ranked Class A team have included overtime affairs with Riverhead and Ward Melville, which might be valuable experience for games this week against No. 12 West Islip at No. 13 at Smithtown East.

    • Speaking of schedules, Class A No. 1 Victor hosts No. 3 Pittsford on Thursday in one of the most anticipated Section 5 regular-season games in a long time and then travels to No. 19 Penfield on Tuesday.

   What's going on? Baldwinsville acting Superintendent Matt McDonald has taken respected girls lacrosse coach Doug Rowe to the proverbial woodshed with a two-game suspension, Syracuse.com reported Tuesday.

   McDonald announced his decision to Baldwinsville player parents Tuesday during a meeting attended by Rowe, who

is 359-121 in 26 seasons and has announced this is his final season -- in part because he has tired of meddling parents.

   As of Wednesday morning it was not known what Rowe allegedly did to earn his spot in the district doghouse. Assistant coach Lionel Brown will run the team in his absence.

   "As with any personnel matter, the District is not able to discuss the specifics related to this decision," McDonald said in a statement. "This decision, however, was reached following an investigation of events that were brought to the District's attention. The District expects all of its coaches to serve as role models for our student athletes, and the District is confident Coach Rowe will continue to do so upon his return."

   Sentence handed down: The Mahopac father convicted of harassment and criminal mischief stemming from a confrontation with his daughter's lacrosse coach last year will serve no jail time.

   The Journal News reported Carmel Town Justice Thomas J. Jacobellis ordered Alfonso DiFusco, 47, to complete 50 hours of community service, continue anger management counseling and more than $1,000 in fines and surcharges. The conditional discharge means DiFusco avoids probation.

   DiFusco was found guilty of second-degree harassment and fourth-degree criminal mischief for a March 2015 confrontation with Mahopac coach Jim Lieto, who had cut the man's daughter from the varsity team Lieto testified DiFusco cursed at him, hit him in the face with the palm side of a closed hand, spat at him and attempted to take his phone to stop him from calling police.

   "A lot of good coaches at Mahopac don't coach because of things like this," Lieto told the paper. "I would love to see a system where there's more faith put in to who the district hires."

   Parting thought: In light of certain items in today's blog and other "stuff" that's crossed my desk of late, I offer this reminder of what a college coach told me a few years back on the subject of recruiting:

   Be very wary of players whose mother or father know the kid's statistics by heart. The player may be able to help your team, but mom and dad may very well shorten your life.