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Press release:

Joe Davis hit a home run in the bottom of the ninth inning to lift the Lowell Spinners over the Batavia Muckdogs 2-1 in game two of the New York-Penn League playoffs.

With Brooklyn defeating Hudson Valley as both series are tied 1-1. The final game in both series will be Friday night. Batavia is at Lowell, Mass.

If Batavia and Hudson Valley win, the Muckdogs will have home field advantage in the championship series and play Sunday in Hudson Valley, with Monday and Tuesday games in Batavia. If Brooklyn wins, Batavia would host Brooklyn here on Sunday.

Lowell managed both run-off home runs, and received a record-breaking pitching performance by Yusneil Padron-Artilles, who struck out 12 in a row. The old record in the major leagues (Tom Seaver) was 10 and the minor league record was also 10.

Batavia had strong pitching as starter Julio Frias went 4.2 innings giving up one run and struck out five. Bryan Hoening was almost perfect going 3.1 innings, striking out seven and giving up just one hit. Joey Steele struck out one in the ninth and took the loss.

Lowell had just four hits. For Batavia, Milton Smith II was 2-for-3 and Nasim Nunez doubled and scored on a groundout from Dalvy Rosario.

Photo: Batavia starter Julio Frias went 4.2 innings and struck out five.

A possible car fire is reported following a rollover accident at Lewiston Road and Lockport Road, Alabama.

Alabama fire and Mercy EMS dispatched.

UPDATE 11:27 p.m.: There is a report of a tractor-trailer involved and flames are showing. The driver is reportedly uninjured and out of the vehicle.

Kourtney and Cait Kunichika have opened Islands Hawaiian Grill on Main Street in Batavia (former location of Larry's Steakhouse).

Kourtney, from California, moved to Western New York to play hockey at RIT and eventually became a professional hockey player in Buffalo.

While living in Batavia, she started working at local restaurants and found she really loved food and hospitality, so the restaurant is inspired by both her passion for her Hawaiian culture -- especially since there are no Hawaiian restaurants in Western New York -- and her passion for the restaurant business.

For the first day of school at Elba Central School, high school seniors were welcomed with poster-sized photos of their faces planted in the front lawn.

Photo submitted by Sharon Cole.

First day of school at St. Joe's. Photos submitted by Nora O'Neill.

Muckdogs fans have taken notice of outfielder J.D. Orr's unique base-running style.

Once Orr reaches base -- and he reaches base a lot, leading the NYPL with a .469 on-base percentage, Orr likes to hop back and forth, trying to time a hop just right to give him an extra step in a potential stolen base attempt.

The technique, which he said he learned from his college coach, has proven successful. Orr's 29 stolen bases is second in the league and he often gets free bases -- making a dash from first to third -- on wild pitches and passed balls when his movement gets inside the heads of the opposing battery. 

Orr was a 10th-round draft pick by the Miami Marlins this year from Mount Vernon, Ohio.

In the video, Orr discusses his technique.

See also:

• Muckdogs open post-season with a win over Lowell, 4-1
• Dwyer Stadium field goes from worst to first in eyes of NYPL

Principal Ashley John Grillo shared these photos from the first day of school this morning at Batavia Middle School.

If you have first-day-of-school photos to share, email them to howard@thebatavian.com.

A couple of years ago players throughout the New York Penn League complained about the field at Dwyer Stadium and League President Ben Hayes wasn't happy with the situation.

On Wednesday night, less than two years after the Muckdogs hired Cooper Thomson as the team's new head groundskeeper, recruiting him from Australia, Hayes was on the field before the Muckdog's first post-season game since 2010 in an absolutely poetic mindset about the state of the field today.

"That's what makes baseball so special," Hayes said before Batavia's opening playoff series game against Lowell, which Batavia won 4-1. "When you see it on TV and you see how beautiful the outfield looks and how beautiful the infield looks, you know the beauty of that is an art and it's hard to find an artist like that."

Hayes announced to the fans before the game that Cooper, his assistant Joe Mogavero, and the rest of the crew were being credited with maintaining the NYPL "Field of the Year," and that Cooper was being named Groundskeeper of the Year.

"The guy has been president for a very long time and we talked early on in the piece about this field then the need for change in this field," Thomson said. "He's ecstatic with the changes and I'm glad that I can bring it to him and the team and make sure that Batavia isn't at the bottom anymore and we're setting the standards."

Previously:

• Muckdogs hire minor league groundskeeper with major league dreams
• Dwyer Stadium infield gets adjustments as baseball season approaches
• Muckdogs groundskeeper already busy getting field ready for 2019

Press release:

It was a banner night for the Batavia Muckdogs, on and "on" the field.

The Muckdogs won game one of the New York-Penn League playoffs with a 4-1 victory over the Lowell Spinners. The two teams play in Lowell, Mass., Thursday.

In the other series, Hudson Valley defeated Brooklyn, 5-4.

Before the game, New York-Penn League President Ben Hayes presented Batavia Muckdogs groundkeeper Cooper Thomson with the New York-Penn League Turf Manager of the Year and the coveted Field of the Year award.

Off the field, the Muckdogs had a crowd of 1,872, the fifth largest of the season at Dwyer for the playoff win.

Lefty Easton Lucas, a 2019 Miami Marlins 14th-round draft pick out of Pepperdine University in Malibu, Calif., got the start and went three innings with shutout baseball allowing two hits and striking out four without a walk.

Lucas left the game with a 1-0 lead and Eli Villalobos earned the win, throwing 3.2 innings of perfect baseball with five strikeouts, no runs, no hits, no walks. Villalobos is a 14th-round Marlins draft pick out of California's Long Beach State.

Brock Love earned the hold by thawing 1.1 innings with three strikeouts and one hit. Evan Brabrand, as he has all season for Batavia, tossed the ninth to get the save.

At the plate, Nic Ready blasted a two-run home run and had two hits. J.D. Orr had a hit and a run, Troy Johnston had an RBI single and scored plus stole a base, Albert Guairmaro had two hits and an RBI and Milton Smith II had a single and stole a base.

Batavia shortstop Dalvy Rosario played outstanding defense and had two hits, a run and stole a base.

Photos by Jim Burns.

Press release:

National Grid has approved a $100,000 economic development grant that Quaker Houghton will use to offset costs related to new electricity service. The new service is necessary to support a building expansion and installation of state-of-the-art equipment at its 4d Treadeasy Ave. facility.

“National Grid is often part of the discussions and works with manufacturers like Quaker Houghton that are planning expansions and need upgrades to their energy infrastructures,” said National Grid Regional Director Ken Kujawa.

“Projects like these that support investments in local businesses are those that can help our customers lower their operating costs, be better positioned to compete and meet customer demand.”

The grant was made through National Grid’s Electric Capital Investment Incentive program. The program is among a suite of economic development programs offered by the company to offset customer costs related to upgrading electricity infrastructure needed to accommodate expansion or new construction project.

More information about National Grid’s economic development programs is available at www.shovelready.com.

The folks at Dunkin' Donuts are root-root-rooting for the home team as the Batavia Muckdogs open a three-game playoff series at Dwyer Stadium at 7:05 p.m. against the Lowell Spinners.

Indeed, "Go Muckdogs!"

Photo submitted by Melanie Case.

It's a big step moving from fourth grade to fifth grade when Batavia students enter middle school and find they must now manage getting themselves to multiple classrooms and taking care of their books and belongings in a locker.

To help with the transition, Batavia Middle School hosts Connect Day on the day before classes officially begin, when teachers and eighth-graders help the new kids learn about their new school.

The other day, William Joyce, director of Veterans Services in Genesee County, assisted yet another veteran from outside the county with a Veterans Administration issue.

The veteran had been to the VA in Erie County and complained to a fellow veteran about his difficulties and that veteran told him, "Go see Bill Joyce in Genesee County."

The word is getting around, Joyce told members of the Genesee County Legislature, that Joyce does something other Veterans Services officers in other counties don't do: His job.

"In some counties the VSO doesn't want to do his job," Joyce said. "They just want to sit in the director's chair. They don't want to run a full-service office."

In the past year, the Genesee County office had 5,917 contacts with veterans and provided 7,324 acts of client service. While most of the veterans who come through the office are from Genesee County, a growing percentage are from neighboring counties.

"I don't care where you come from," Joyce said. "I'm here to serve veterans and their families."

A trained and experienced VSO is an asset to veterans dealing with an overburdened and bureaucratic Veterans Administration and other government agencies. 

In his department review, Joyce reported that his office has sent 1,540 original compensation/pension claims to the regional office for adjudication. The Buffalo Regional Office currently has a backlog of 2,750 claims and there are more than 650,000 nationally.

Of those, 225,000 have been pending for more than 125 days. The average case in Buffalo has been pending for 135 days. The regional goal is to reduce that wait time to 125 days.

Since May, Joyce reported, 75 cases have been resolved that had been pending for more than a year.

Locally, the office also helped 151 Genesee County veterans apply for property tax exemptions.

The office also works with the Department of Social Services on benefits eligibility for veterans and this can sometimes help reduce the county cost for Medicaid benefits. He said of 92 referrals, 63 veterans or widows qualified for federal VA benefits.

A mentorship program is also helping veterans find jobs and stay out of trouble. Since 2009, 43 veterans have gone through the county's Veterans Treatment Court with no repeat offenders.

The local office is also assisting veterans and their families with interment arrangements at the new veterans cemetery in Pembroke. Construction of the cemetery begins this fall.

With all this activity, legislators asked Joyce how he keeps up. He said if given the choice between adding another VSO or keeping his secretary, he would keep his secretary. She does half the work, he said, and when she's gone, it falls on him to answer phones, make appointments, and complete some paperwork.  

"I can't do without a secretary," he said, while acknowledging county funds are tight so he doesn't expect any additional help.

A rollover accident with a person being ejected from the vehicle is reported at the intersection of Meadville Road and Bloomingdale Road in Basom.

No further word on possible injuries.

Alabama fire and Mercy EMS dispatched.

UPDATE 7:10 p.m.: A landing zone for Mercy Flight is being established.

UPDATE 7:19 p.m.: A 9-year-old child is being transported by Mercy Flight to ECMC. No loss of consciousness.

A motorcycle rider from Saegertown, Pa., succumbed over the weekend to injuries he sustained in an accident on Route 20 in Alexander on Saturday.

According to State Police, Frank L. Eckart, 65, was eastbound on Broadway Road and was slowing for the intersection with Route 98 when he lost control of his bike.

Eckart was ejected from his 2005 Harley-Davidson along with a 61-year-old passenger, whose name wasn't released.  

Mercy Flight transported Eckart to Erie County Medical Center where he later died as a result of his injuries.

The accident was investigated by State Police. 

Alexander fire assisted at the scene.

Press release from AAA: 

Today’s national average price for a gallon of gasoline is $2.57, down 2 cents from last week. One year ago, the price was $2.83. The New York State average is $2.77 – down 2 cents from last week. A year ago, the NYS average was $2.99.

AAA Western and Central New York (AAA WCNY) reports the following averages:

• Batavia - $2.76 (down a penny since last week)
• Buffalo - $2.74 (down 2 cents since last week)
• Ithaca - $2.68 (down 3 cents since last week)
• Rochester - $2.73 (down2 cents since last week)
• Rome - $2.76 (down a penny since last week)
• Syracuse - $2.63 (down 3 cents since last week)
• Watertown - $2.72 (down 2 cents since last week)

Despite increased demand with Labor Day weekend travel, pump prices continue to drop as refineries switch over to winter-blend fuel, which is cheaper to produce than the summer blend.

With hurricane season underway, storm damage to a refinery is a threat that could push prices up, along with international tensions. Otherwise, motorists should enjoy cheaper gas prices this fall.

Four people were arrested on drug-related charges, including one suspected drug dealer, following a raid at a residence on Pearl Street in Batavia on Thursday night.

Members of the Local Drug Task Force, assisted by the Batavia Emergency Response Team, executed a search warrant following an investigation into possible narcotic trafficking at 9:30 p.m.

Taken into custody were: Edwin Peart Jr., 36, of Brookridge Drive, Rochester; Marc C. Cook Sr., 29, of Pearl Street, Batavia; Aamaje Z. Bell, 18, of Brooklyn Street, Batavia; and Matthew C. Olcot, 40, of Woodstock Gardens, Batavia.

Peart is charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance, 3rd, tampering with physical evidence, promoting prison contraband, 1st, and obstructing governmental administration. He was ordered held without bail.

Cook is charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance, 7th, criminal use of drug paraphernalia, 2nd, criminal possession of a hypodermic instrument, and unlawful possession of marijuana. He was issued an appearance ticket.

Bell was charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance, 7th, criminal use of drug paraphernalia, 2nd, and criminal possession of a hypodermic instrument. Bell was issued an appearance ticket.

Olcott was charged criminal possession of a controlled substance, 7th, and criminal use of drug paraphernalia, 2nd. He was issued an appearance ticket.

The following people were arrested by the Genesee County Sheriff’s Department during the Brantley Gilbert concert at Darien Lake Performing Arts Center on Friday:

Jacob D. Dobrick, 22, of Treehaven Road, West Seneca, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana after allegedly being found in possession of a quantity of marijuana.

Jestus P. Hoffman, 21, of Boston State Road, Hamburg,  is charged with trespass after allegedly attempting to reenter the concert venue after having been ejected and told not to return.

Charles P. Mitchell, 39, of Sanders Road, Stafford, is charged with trespass after allegedly refusing to leave Darien Lake property after being told to leave numerous times.

Amber L. Haynes, 28, of Pioneer Lane, Delevan, is charged with second-degree harassment after allegedly striking a Live Nation security guard in the face.

A 28-year-old driver from Rochester is suspected of running a stop sign on eastbound Lockport Road where it intersects with Route 98 in Elba, causing a two-car crash that led to serious injuries for his female passenger.

Nikitha Ganeshmurthy, 27, of Edison, N.J., is listed in stable condition at Strong Memorial Hospital after being transported there by Mercy Flight following the crash, reported at 6:17 p.m.

Tickets were issued to the driver of the car she was in, a 2017 Subaru WRX, Ashwin Mallikarjunaswamy, 28. Mallikarjunaswamy was cited for alleged failure to stop at a stop sign and failure to yield right of way.  

The couple was in route to Niagara Falls, according to Sgt. Andrew Hale.

The intersection is a frequent accident location with westbound cars often missing the stop sign at Lockport Road.

"It tends to be people from out of town who tend to miss that stop," Hale said.

Mallikarjunaswamy's sedan was struck on the passenger side by a 2009 Chevy Silverado driven by Edward M. Buczek, 65, of Elba.

Buczek suffered minor injuries and self-extricated from his pickup truck.

Investigators do not believe either driver was under the influence of either alcohol or drugs.

Mallikarjunaswamy suffered minor injuries as well. 

The crash investigation is being handled by Sgt. Andrew Hale, Sgt. James Deihl, Investigator Christopher Parker, Deputy Kyle Krzemien, Deputy Mathew Clor, Deputy Erik Andre, Deputy Brock Cummins, and Deputy Jordan Alejandro. Assisting at the scene were volunteers from the Elba Fire Department, Barre Fire Department and personnel from Mercy EMS and National Grid.

(Initial Post)