By BILLY HEYEN Rayson Miller's 2018 season ended in the state championship series, two wins shy of a title. The shortcoming was due in part to the pitching demands placed on a team coming out of the losers' bracket. This year, RM head coach Tom Sapienza didn't want to face that issue again, so he loaded up with even more talented arms than a year ago. Of course, Rayson … [Read more...] about Rayson Miller’s pitching plan gets put to final test as RM falls to losers’ bracket
Legion
Rayson Miller’s veterans come through for 4-1 win in state tourney opener
By BILLY HEYEN The last time Lukas Haefner and Owen VanNewkirk played at Murnane Field in Utica, the outcome wasn't what they wanted. They posed with a second-place trophy, Haefner's arms crossed and no emotion on his face. VanNewkirk tucked himself into the back row, not making an effort to be prominently pictured. With Rayson Miller back at the state tournament for the … [Read more...] about Rayson Miller’s veterans come through for 4-1 win in state tourney opener
Heyen: 9 lessons I’ve learned from two seasons of covering Rayson Miller
By BILLY HEYEN Rayson Miller Post 899 heads to the American Legion baseball state tournament in Utica this weekend. It’s the second-straight year at states for RM. As the prominence of Legion ball in Rochester has declined, Rayson Miller has remained a beacon of what it’s all about. Last year, I was able to go and cover states, and I followed RM for much of the last two … [Read more...] about Heyen: 9 lessons I’ve learned from two seasons of covering Rayson Miller
Twice as nice: Rayson Miller sweeps James Cooke to repeat as district champs
By JOHN LIKANJE HONEOYE FALLS, N.Y. - The Rayson Miller baseball team was brimming with determination to go back to Utica for the New York State (NYS) tournament. When Owen VanNewkirk crossed the plate and the umpire called the game due to mercy rule, Tom Sapienza's squad ran out of the dugout and celebrated on the field in jubilant fashion. "We're chasing a gold ring, … [Read more...] about Twice as nice: Rayson Miller sweeps James Cooke to repeat as district champs
Ray of sunshine: Haefner, Rayson Miller light up James Cooke in Game 1
By JOHN LIKANJE VICTOR, N.Y. - After two consecutive days of rain, Rayson Miller was itching to play baseball. With the sun shining down on the Victor High School diamond and not a cloud in sight, the players energized each other and walked out of the dugout for Game 1 of the district final. "We were all just sitting home, wishing to play baseball, so once the … [Read more...] about Ray of sunshine: Haefner, Rayson Miller light up James Cooke in Game 1