Skip to main content

Muckdogs repeat as Western Division champions

By Howard B. Owens

With a convincing win over Niagara Power on Saturday and loss by Elmira, the Batavia Muckdogs clinched the Western Division in the regular season finale at Dwyer Stadium.

Batavia won 9-2.

This is the second consecutive Western Division crown of the Muckdogs, coming in their third season in the Perfect Game Collegiate Baseball League. The team has posted winning records in all three seasons while being managed by Joey Martinez.

Michael Pedraza came on in relief with one out in the fourth inning with Batavia up 6-0 and got credit for the win. Pedraza went 3 2/3 innings, giving up three hits, one run, and striking out four.  He finishes the regular season at 4-2 and a 3.85 ERA.

Hilton resident Preston Prince started, going 4 1/3 innings, surrendering three hits, five walks and one unearned run.

Caleb Rodriguez went 2-3 for the team's only multi-hit game.

Matt DeStefano, from Westbury, went 1-4 and drove in four runs.  DeStefano ends the regular season with a .321 average, smacking 21 hits and driving in 13 runs while gathering 11 walks.

The playoffs for the Muckdogs (27-16) start at Dwyer Stadium this evening (Sunday) against the Auburn Doubledays (23-19), who knocked off Elmira on Saturday, to help Batavia get the #1 seed in the Western Division postseason.

Authentically Local