Rick Ruhlman, a fixture at Dwyer Stadium for decades, was recognized before the Batavia Muckdog's second game of a twin bill on Friday against Auburn.
He threw out the first pitch, and PA announcer Paul Spiotta read the following statement:
Rick Ruhlman, BHS Class of 1976, is an essential and beloved figure in the history of Batavia sports.
Whether on the sidelines, in the locker room, from the press box, or in the stands, Rick has enriched and encouraged Batavia athletes in countless ways over the past half century. For his labors of love, Rick was inducted into the Blue Devils Athletic Hall of Fame in 2007.
Tonight, the Batavia Blue Devils and the Batavia Muckdogs would like to thank Rick Ruhlman for a lifetime of service. Rick, you have made Batavia a better place.
The Muckdogs won the first game 9-0. Ty Woods, from Alexander and a student at GCC, tossed six innings of shutout ball, yielding a single hit, walking one, and striking out three. Woods picked up his first win in two starts with an ERA on the season of 0.75.
The team collected 11 hits, with Kyle Hetherington and Zach Kasperowicz getting two hits apiece. Nine different players scored once and only once, and Kasperowicz was the only player who didn't cross the plate in the game. He had one RBI.
Batavia won the second game 1-0. Julian Pichardo went the distance (seven innings) to pick up his second win and a complete-game shutout. He scattered three hits and one walk, striking out nine.
The Muckdogs were held to three hits.
Photos by Nick Serrata.
