Sports

Photo submitted by Kayla McIntire.

Press release:

The Muckdogs dropped the middle game of a three-game set against West Virginia on Tuesday night by a score of 7-6. Batavia had a chance to either tie or win the game in the bottom of the ninth.

Humberto Mejia got his first start of the season with the Muckdogs on Tuesday. In his career, none of his starts with Batavia had gone longer than 3.1 innings. On Tuesday, he was able to get two outs in the fifth before he ran into trouble. Mejia ran into a slight hiccup when he gave up a solo home run to Johan Herrera to give the Black Bears a 1-0 lead.

They would tack on three more in the third inning as well. Daniel Amaral would reach on an error, (one of nine combined in the ballgame) and would steal second to get into scoring position. Three straight RBI hits from Edison Lantigua (double), Lucas Mangieri (single), and Herrera (double) put West Virginia up 4-0 after three.

Batavia, in total, went 3-18 with runners in scoring position and left a season-high 12 runners on base. The Muckdogs wouldn’t score their first run until the fifth. Back-to-back singles to lead off the fifth inning from Igor Baez and Gerardo Nunez, who logged his first hit of the season on the play, and both would come around to score on the play.

A Ricardo Cespedes sac fly would score Baez, and an RBI triple from Jerar Encarnacion would bring in Nunez. On that triple, Encarnacion advanced his hit streak to five games. He’s had a hit in every game for Batavia this season. Ricardo Cespedes would do the same with a one-out single in the seventh.

The Black Bears scored one run in each of the seventh and eighth innings of the game to go in front 7-3 going into the bottom of the ninth for Batavia. Demetrius Sims led off the inning with a walk. Cespedes would get on base with the fifth error of the night by the Black Bears’ defense. Encarnacion bounced into a fielder’s choice that sent Sims to third but would cut down Cespedes at second.

Batavia had runners on the corners with one out. Sean Reynolds came into pinch-hit but would go down on strikes looking. Albert Guaimaro then reached on a throwing error that sent Sims home to make it a three-run game. Runners then stood on first and second with two outs.

Denis Karas hit a clutch two-out single that would plate two runs, making the Muckdogs’ deficit just one. Baez drew a walk to load the bases up again, with the tying run standing on third, and the winning run at second. Gerardo Nunez came up with two outs, but on a 0-2 pitch in the dirt, a controversial third-strike call was made on an appeal by base umpire Jae-Young Kim to end the Batavia rally.

The final game of the series comes on Wednesday night at 7:05. The Muckdogs will send LHP Logan Boyd to the bump for the rubber match. West Virginia has not announced their starter yet. Batavia then welcomes the Williamsport Crosscutters to town for a three-game series.

The 2018 edition of the Batavia Muckdogs are looking like a team that can score runs in bunches after scoring eight runs or more in three of their first four games, including nine runs last night against West Virginia for a 9-6 victory in a soggy home opener.

The offensive onslaught was anchored by left fielder Michael Donadio, a native New Yorker, who was 2-4, including a fifth-inning homer (top photo) and three RBIs.

On a rainy Monday, which meant the game was delayed for more than an hour, the opening night crowd was smaller than expected at 835.

Still, NYPL President Ben Hayes was in good spirits before the game and said he's happy with the progress the local franchise, now league-owned, is making.

"I think things are going really well," Hayes said. "We focused on the getting the field in shape for the season, getting the lights changed out. We did some things in the clubhouses to get them ready. Talk to Mike (Jacobs), the manager, and he’s really happy with what he’s walked into."

Before the game, Wayne Fuller and Bill Dougherty were honored with a moment of silence. Memorial signs have been placed on the fence in right center and left center honoring their contributions to Batavia baseball.

Fuller was the longtime voice of the Muckdogs.

"His smooth tenor provided the soundtrack for so many summers of our lives here at Dwyer Stadium," said PA announcer Paul Spiotta. 

Dougherty was a historian of Batavia baseball: "A champion of our team and this community and a romantic defender of the underdog."

Starter R.J. Peach, from San Diego, got the win, going five innings and giving up seven hits and three runs.

Chad Martin pitched the ninth for his first save of the season.

Jerar Encarnacion, from Bayaguana, Dominican Republic, was 2-4 and is currently the team's leading hitter with a .471 average.

Ricardo Cespedes, from the Bronx, also had two hits.

The Muckdogs are now 2-2 on the season and face 0-4 West Virginia again at 7:05 p.m., the second game of a six-game homestand, which includes three against  Williamsport.

First baseman Sean Reynolds bumps fists with two fans before the game.

Manager Mike Jacobs, middle.

Catcher J.D. Osborne runs onto the field prior to National Anthem with a young Yankee, one of Batavia's youth ball players.

Pitcher R.J. Peace

Jerar Encarnacion scores in the first inning.

West Virginia second baseman Melvin Jimenez with an errant throw in the third inning (which nearly hit the photographer).

Ricardo Cespedes

Denis Karas

Gerardo Nunez and Ricardo Cespedes collide chasing a pop-up in the seventh inning.

Submitted by the Muckdogs:

The Muckdogs look to bounce back from a game-one loss in Auburn by a score of 5-1. Batavia squares off against the Doubledays for a three-game set before kicking off the home portion of the season at Dwyer Stadium for a six-game homestand against West Virginia and Williamsport. 

That was last night -- Batavia was 0-10 with RISP in their 5-1 loss last night to Auburn. The Muckdogs had bases loaded with no outs in the top of the seventh inning, but after a Nunez strikeout and a Sims lineout into a double play, the Muckdogs came out scoreless. 

This year’s team -- The Muckdogs Opening Day roster consists of 14 returning players from last year’s roster. Four players have made it up to full season-A (Boyd, Cespedes, Martin, and Torres). The roster currently consists of 14 pitchers, four catchers, six infielders, and six outfielders. 

Same Skipper -- Calling the shots this season will be second-year manager Mike Jacobs. Jacobs spent seven years in the bigs with Mets, Marlins, Royals, and the Diamondbacks. He clubbed 100 HRs in his MLB career, 32 of which came in 2008 with the Florida Marlins. He also tacked on 93 RBIs that year. His first year as a manager in Batavia saw the team go 30-45.

Some Superlatives -- This year’s players come in all shapes and sizes. The tallest being Sean Reynolds who towers at 6’7”. The shortest five check in at 5’11”. The youngest Muckdog is Dakota Bennett who is currently 18, and the oldest on the roster is Logan Boyd who is 24. 

Familiar Foes -- The Muckdogs and Doubledays will square off 13 more times this season, more than they will see any other opponent this season. 

Recent Roster Action -- C Jared Barnes was assigned to the GCL Marlins on June 16th. 

Marlins Update -- The Fish shut out the Orioles 2-0 last night in Camden Yards thanks to a dominant performance from Jose Urena. Urena went eight innings deep into the game only surrendering three hits and one walk.

Alexander wrestler Nick Young has committed Gannon University in Erie, Pa., a Division II school.

Young had a career record with the Trojans of 218-29 and was 53-4 last season. He won a sectional title and was second at states. He is a four-time Genesee region all-star, four-time sectional champion, and four-time state tournament qualifier.

Here's a reason to come out to Dwyer Stadium to see the Batavia Muckdogs this season starting Monday: To see if Sean Reynolds can develop into a big, powerful Major League first baseman.

At 6' 7" and 220 pounds, Reynolds (top photo), a fourth-round draft pick last year from Redondo Beach, Calif., projects as a power bat in the middle of the Miami Marlins line up someday. He's not there yet, however, so he's back in Batavia for a second season to see if he can harness his big swing and make more consistent contact.

Muckdogs Manager Mike Jacobs (second photo) thinks Reynolds is one of the good reasons fans have to settle into a seat at Dwyer Stadium in 2018.

"Hopefully he continues to make strides," Jacobs said when asked to single out some of his best players. "He should be able to do some good things here."

He also likes what he sees in Demetrius Sims. Described in scouting reports as a shortstop with blazing speed, Sims is also in his second stint with Batavia but Jacobs said he should make games exciting for fans.

In all, there are nine players on the roster who are on a second tour with the Muckdogs, which Jacobs said is a good thing. It should mean better quality baseball.

"That's going to help the guys who are here for the first time," Jacobs said.

The pitching should be better and the defense should be better.

"The main thing is, they will be prepared to play every night," Jacobs said. "That’s for sure. We’re prepared to play fundamentally sound baseball and hopefully, the offense will take care of itself."

Among the returning players, for those who are fans of Ivy League baseball, is Harrison White, whose degree is from Yale and acquitted himself well in Batavia last season, hitting .280 with 21 walks, 12 RBIs and 15 runs scored.

Also on the roster is Trevor Rogers, the Marlin's number-one draft pick in 2017. He's a 6' 6" left-handed pitcher but so far he's a Muckdog on paper only. He isn't in town yet and Jacobs said the way things work, just because he's currently listed on the roster doesn't mean he will wind up in Batavia.

For the returning players the changes at Dwyer, with the team under new ownership and management, is exciting, Jacobs said.

They noticed the changes as soon as they arrived at the ballpark.

"You want to be proud of where you play," Jacobs said. "You want to be proud of your facility. You want to be proud of your home every day. There’s still a long way to go but there are things in progress. They put a whole new infield in. It’s not quite to where we need it yet but it’s getting close. Like I said, they redid the clubhouse, cleaned it up, put in some new carpet, and some paint, and like I said, just watching the players walk in and look at that, they’re pretty excited just about that, so I think they’re excited to get going."

Game time Monday is 7:05 p.m.

Andy Helwig, who will be the voice of the Batavia Muckdogs on WBTA this season, holds up the new road and home jerseys for the 2018 Batavia Muckdogs.

The season is just around the corner, with players reporting in about a week. The first home game is June 18 at 7:05 p.m.

Today, Terry Hills hosted the annual Jim Kelly Golf Celebrity Classic, a fundraiser created by the Buffalo Bills great to help support several children's' charities in Western New York.

Above Dean Cain, who played for the Buffalo Bills for a short time before launching an acting career that has included a role as Superman, talks with his golf partners for the tournament.

Dean Cain on the tee.

Willie Hutch Jones with fans. Jones played for the San Diego Clippers in the early 80s. He's originally from Buffalo and for the past 30 years has been director of the Willie Hutch Jones Educational & Sports Programs in Buffalo. The program's mission: "... to provide every child, at no cost, equal opportunities to engage in the highest quality program and to offer character building activities through academics, sports, and the arts."

Thurman Thomas

Thurman Thomas with his golf partners.

Hall of Famer Michael Irvin, former Dallas Cowboys receiver, signs a Buffalo Bills cap for Luke Gutman.

LPGA professional golfer Cindy Miller.

Danielle Rotondo with actor Dennis Haskins.

Local golfers T.J. Woodward, Ray Tortorice, Tim Woodword, and Matt Meyer, with former Bills player Ed Rutkowski (center).

Danielle Rotondo with ESPN's broadcasting legend Chris Berman.

Chris Berman.

When Terry Hills Golf Course built the 14th hold more than 30 years ago, the green, on one of the course's signature holes, was mostly surrounded by water. To provide a bridge to the green, two telephone polls were placed across the water.

In the three decades that passed, the weather did its work on the wood, so last summer the bridge was removed.

This year a new bridge was installed, and with Jim Kelly on hand to cut the ribbon, it was officially opened.

Top photo: Mary Brown, Casey Brown, Danielle Rotondo, Jessica Ecock-Rotondo, Ellen Simkulet and Nick Rotondo.

Below, two photos provided by Terry Hills. First, Tom Brown walking across the telephone polls when first placed over the water. Second, Casey Brown walking across the first beam placed for the new bridge.

EIghth-grader Cody Harloff was the first to cross the finish line in a 1K fun run at Centennial Park this morning held to promote the Batavia High School Cross-country Team.

The run was promoted to Batavia Middle School students.

Below, Coach Rich Boyce explains to the rules of the race to the runners.

First-place awards were given to the winners at each grade level participating.

Press release:

Girls Varsity Tennis and Softball Coach Jim Fazio will be hosting instructional camps this summer for basketball, tennis, and softball.

The Softball Camp will be open to girls ages 9-16 on July 9-11, from 9 a.m. to noon, with rain dates on the 12th and 13th, at the Batavia High School Varsity softball field. Cost is $50; multiple children from the same family pay $40 each.

The Tennis Camp will run July 16-18, from 1 to 4 p.m. with rain dates on the 19th and 20th at the Batavia High School tennis courts for boys and girls entering grades 3-9. Cost is $50; multiple children from the same family pay $40 each.

The Basketball Camp will run Aug. 13-17 at John Kennedy School from 9 a.m. to noon for boys and girls entering grades 3-8. Cost is $65; multiple children from the same family pay $55 each.

All camps will focus on the fundamentals of each sport, sportsmanship, safety, and fair play. Drills and contests will be held daily.

Each participant will receive a free T-shirt.

For more information, and to get applications and the required waivers, please contact Coach Fazio at 585-356-0901 or at jfazio@gvboces.org

The sixth annual Batavia Football Golf Outing will be held on Saturday, July 21, at Batavia Country Club. It is located at 7909 Batavia Byron Road, Batavia.

Cost is $90 per golfer / $360 per foursome.

There's a shotgun start format starting at 8 a.m.; registration is 7:15-7:45 a.m.

Price includes:

• Batavia Blue Devils football goodie bag
• 18 holes of golf with cart
• Beverages
• Hot dog/beverage at the turn
• Dinner
• Raffles to follow

Questions? Contact Brennan Briggs at 409-5557.

If you would like to sponsor a hole or make a donation for the raffle, please contact Brennan Briggs.

Payment and registration is due by July 13. Please provide names of players and preferred T-shirt size.

Make checks payable to: Blue Devils Touchdown Club.

Mail to:

Brennan Briggs

8 Woodland Drive

Batavia, NY 14020

Le Roy's Haley Scripp two-run RBI scored Smith and Trader, which gave the Knights their only lead of the game in the second inning yesterday afternoon on Anderson field at Batavia High School.

Calmum's Grace Walker (pictured above) solo home run in the third inning tied the game to ignite the Red Raiders. Makenzie Wilson and Andrea Coyle both scored in the fourth to extend the lead 4-2.   

Walker missed another home run following the next at bat to score two players and lead 6-2 after four. Haley Scripp got an RBI in the seventh to score Fenstermaker. Red Raiders win 6-3.

Senior Hannah Rubinrott tossed a four-hitter, including five strikeouts, and kept the Oatkan Knights out of scoring position in four innings.

Caledonia-Mumford will play Section VI Chautauqua Lake in the Far West Regionals in Fillmore tomorrow at 4 p.m.

To view or purchase game photos click here.

Press release:

The Batavia Muckdogs today announced an agreement with WBTA to bring Muckdogs baseball back to the radio waves. Home games will air on 1490 WBTA after a one-year hiatus. Road games will be broadcast online, as well as the TuneIn Radio App. 

“We have received a lot of feedback from fans wanting the games back on WBTA, are very excited to be able to deliver that to them.” Muckdogs General Manager Dave Chase said Thursday. 

WBTA President and General Manager Dan Fischer added: “We are extremely excited for professional baseball to be back on our air, and to continue the tradition of Muckdogs baseball on WBTA.” 

The new “Voice of the Muckdogs,” Andy Helwig, will be on the call for all 76 Muckdogs games this season. Helwig comes to the Muckdogs from Canisius College, where he broadcasts volleyball, soccer, lacrosse and basketball on ESPN3 and the WatchESPN App.