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
American Legion baseball
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
Rayson Miller’s best season ever ends in state finals
By BILLY HEYEN UTICA, N.Y. — Jason Bocklage tossed his bat to the side, then his helmet. Colin Smith chucked his helmet behind him, as well. The Rockland Pirates, just 60 feet, six inches away, piled atop each other near the pitcher’s mound. Minutes later, Rayson Miller posed for pictures with a runner-up trophy, with not many smiling faces in the shot. When Rockland got … [Read more...] about Rayson Miller’s best season ever ends in state finals
Kevin Sheppard wins twice on same day to send Rayson Miller to state finals
By BILLY HEYEN UTICA, N.Y. — Before Rayson Miller’s game at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Kevin Sheppard was warming up to start on the mound. That wouldn’t have normally been unusual, as he’d already started four games this season for Rayson Miller before Tuesday. It was unusual on Tuesday, though. That’s because Sheppard started Rayson Miller’s game at 4 p.m. and threw five innings. … [Read more...] about Kevin Sheppard wins twice on same day to send Rayson Miller to state finals
Grady Smith rewards teammates’ faith with complete-game win for Rayson Miller
By BILLY HEYEN UTICA, N.Y. — Kevin Sheppard was slated to start for Rayson Miller on Monday. That is, until the Rayson Miller players agreed that Grady Smith should get the ball to save Sheppard for Tuesday. There was risk in the decision, because a Rayson Miller loss would mean its season ended without Sheppard getting the shot to start Tuesday. When Sapienza learned of … [Read more...] about Grady Smith rewards teammates’ faith with complete-game win for Rayson Miller