Sports

The Batavia Muckdogs ushered in the 2025 baseball season with their annual Meet ’N Eat kickoff party Tuesday evening at Eli Fish Brewing Company in downtown Batavia.

More than 100 fans, sponsors, and season ticket holders gathered to meet the Muckdogs players and coaching staff, who took turns introducing themselves and sharing excitement for the upcoming season. 

Attendees enjoyed food, drinks, and live entertainment as they mingled with the team. Season ticket holders and sponsors also received their welcome bags as part of the festivities.
The event has become a tradition for the Batavia baseball community, offering fans a chance to connect with the team before the first pitch of the season.

The Muckdogs will open their home schedule at Dwyer Stadium on Friday, at 7 p.m. against the Elmira Pioneers.

Le Roy edges Haverling, 3-1, to reach Class B semifinals

Behind a dominant outing from Alex Spezzano and some highlight-reel defense, Le Roy advanced to the Section V Class B baseball semifinals Tuesday with a 3-1 win over Haverling.

Spezzano tossed a complete game two-hitter, striking out seven. 

After Haverling’s Dylan Wenban reached on an error and scored in the first, Spezzano allowed just one hit the rest of the way.

Le Roy’s defense came up big, highlighted by left fielder Jude Sherman’s diving catch to end the fourth and strand a runner. At the plate, Adam Woodworth and Jake Higgins drew back-to-back walks in the fourth, pulled off a double steal, and both scored—Woodworth on a wild pitch and Higgins on a fielder’s choice by Holden Sullivan. Higgins later drove in Woodworth with an RBI single in the fifth.

Jude Christ and Jagger Smith added hits for Le Roy. Haverling’s Gage Thomas pitched well in the loss, allowing just four hits.

Le Roy moves on to face No. 3 seed Wayland-Cohocton in Thursday’s semifinal.

Photos by Leslie Higgins.

Oakfield-Alabama earned a spot in the Section V Class C2 semifinals Tuesday with an 8-2 win over Alexander.

Piper Hyde went 4-for-4 with a triple to lead the Lady Hornets at the plate. Raine Denny drove in four runs, including a triple, while Chloe Lamb added three hits and two RBIs. Allison Harkness finished 2-for-3 with an RBI, and Ysa Schrauger and Allie Williams each added a hit.

Savannah Durham pitched a complete game, allowing three hits and no earned runs while striking out five.

“We played well defensively and cashed in our runners when we got them into scoring position,” OA coach Jeff Schlagenhauf said. “This is a great opportunity for these girls to move on to the semifinals.”

Photos by Jordyn Tobolski

Oakfield-Alabama erupted for eight runs in the top of the eighth inning to break open a tie game and defeat Honeoye, 11-4, in an extra-inning thriller Monday night.

OA (now 13-8) tallied 11 hits and took advantage of three Honeoye errors, overcoming a 3-3 deadlock after seven innings. Ryan Schnaufer led the way with a double and a dramatic inside-the-park home run in the eighth, finishing 2-for-4 with three runs scored and three RBIs.

OA took a 3-0 lead into the third, but Honeoye (13-8) rallied to tie it in the fifth. Both teams’ pitchers worked out of jams through regulation before OA’s bats came alive in extras.

In the eighth, Jake Gehlert reached on an error to score Schnaufer, who led off with a double, for the go-ahead run. Avery Watterson reached on another error, and Jackson Gilbert delivered a two-run single, scoring Jack Cianfrini, who had singled earlier, and Watterson. Levi Kabel followed with a two-run single of his own, and Schnaufer capped the rally with his two-run, inside-the-park homer to right-center.

Watterson earned the win in relief, tossing 3.2 innings and allowing just one hit and one earned run while striking out one. He also reached base twice and scored three runs. Starter Travis Chaya went 4.1 innings, giving up three runs on seven hits and striking out three.

For Honeoye, Owen Cuba pitched seven strong innings, allowing three runs (one earned) and striking out eight. Kevin Schmitt took the loss in relief, charged with eight unearned runs in the eighth. Kevin Schmitt and Dylan Washburn each had two hits for the Bulldogs.

Stats:

• OA: 11 hits, 11 runs, 3 errors
• Schnaufer: 2-4, 2B, HR, 3 R, 3 RBI, BB
• Kabel: 2-4, 2 R, 2 RBI, BB
• Tobolski: 1-3, 2 RBI, R, 2 BB
• Watterson: 1-4, 3 R, BB, 2 SB; 3.2 IP, 1 H, 1 ER, 5 BB, 1 K (W)
• Chaya: 1-5, RBI; 4.1 IP, 7 H, 3 ER, 3 BB, 3 K

Oakfield-Alabama advances and will await its next opponent in sectional play.

Photos by Jordyn Tobolski

David Schnaufer delivered a masterclass on the mound and at the plate, leading OA to an emphatic 11-0 victory over Campbell-Savona on Saturday.

Schnaufer tossed a complete-game shutout, scattering just three hits over seven innings while striking out 10 and walking three. The right-hander was in command from the start, keeping Campbell-Savona hitters off balance and working out of the few jams he faced.

Offensively, OA broke the game open with a steady attack, scoring in four straight innings and erupting for five runs in the fifth. Jackson Gilbert led the charge with a 2-for-4 day, including a double and four RBIs. Schnaufer helped his own cause, reaching base three times and scoring twice.

Jack Cianfrini chipped in with two RBIs and two runs, while Avery Watterson drove in two and scored once. Jake Gehlert reached base three times, collecting a hit, two walks, and scoring a run. Travis Chaya added a hit and was hit by a pitch, and Hunter Tobolski crossed the plate twice despite not recording a hit.

Campbell-Savona was held to just three hits, with Jacob Wilson going 2-for-3 and Chance Miller adding a single. On the mound, Zachary Corell took the loss despite not allowing an earned run over four innings, as defensive miscues led to six unearned runs. Wilson pitched the final two innings, allowing five earned runs on five hits.

OA improves to 11-8 on the season, while Campbell-Savona falls to 6-11.

Photos by Jordyn Tobolski

The Alexander Lady Trojans surged to a 24-5 victory over Clyde-Savannah in the opening round of sectionals Saturday in Livonia.

Alexander’s offense produced 16 hits, led by Melissa Sawyer, who went 3-for-5 with a triple, a three-run home run, and six RBI. 

Emily Pietrzykowski added two home runs and three RBI, finishing 2-for-4 with a walk and a stolen base. Faith Goodenbury contributed a 3-for-5 day with a double, an RBI, and three runs scored.

The Trojans jumped ahead 3-1 in the first inning, then broke the game open with nine runs in the second and seven more in the third. 

Melanie Bump went 2-for-5 with two RBI and two runs, while Paige Morton was 2-for-2 with a double, an RBI, three runs, a walk, and two stolen bases. Ava Yax reached base five times, going 1-for-1 with five runs, an RBI, four walks, and a stolen base.

On the mound, Pietrzykowski threw a five-inning no-hitter, striking out 14 and walking 11. Despite not allowing a hit, Clyde-Savannah scored five runs, taking advantage of walks and defensive miscues.

Coach John Goodenbury said, “This was a strong opening round for our girls in sectionals. Emily threw an impressive five-inning no-hitter despite challenging conditions with wind, rain, and cold temperatures affecting her control. She battled through walks early on while trying to stay warm and find her rhythm. 

"Sawyer is continuing to heat up nicely after overcoming a midseason slump, and Goodenbury is right there with her, swinging the bat well. 

With today’s harsh conditions, steady rain, wind, and a real feel of just 37 degrees, we’re glad to advance and now fully shift our focus to Oakfield for Tuesday’s quarterfinal matchup. Oakfield, the second seed, has been dominant and well-coached all season, so we know it’ll be tough, but the weather looks better for Tuesday, and we will see what happens.”

Alexander advances to face No. 2 seed Oakfield in the quarterfinals on Tuesday.

Submitted photos.

Batavia, the No. 10 seed, defeated No. 7 Geneva 18-0 in a Section V softball game Thursday night.

Senior pitcher Arianna Almekinder broke the Batavia High School single-season strikeout record, finishing the night with 167 strikeouts. The previous record was 162. Almekinder struck out 12, allowed only one hit, and issued no walks.

Batavia’s offense collected 13 hits. Gabby Smith went 3-for-4 with a triple and five RBI. Hannah Carney was 3-for-4 with a double and one RBI. Kyleigh Kabel finished 2-for-4 with three RBI. Drew Stevens added a triple, and Libby Grazioplene contributed a double.

Geneva’s Grayson Harris had the lone hit for her team, a double.

Batavia improves to 9-11 and advances in the sectional tournament. Geneva finishes the season at 10-8.

Batavia defeated East Rochester 6-0 Thursday night in the Section V Class C girls flag football semifinal, advancing to the championship game after a second straight shutout.

The teams were scoreless at halftime as rain made passing conditions difficult. Senior wide receiver Alyssa Turner broke the deadlock in the second half, hauling in a 9-yard touchdown pass from senior quarterback Jaimin Macdonald for the game’s only score. Macdonald finished 4-of-11 passing for 38 yards, one touchdown, and two interceptions. She also led Batavia on the ground with 76 yards on 14 carries. Junior running back Libby Grazioplene added 44 yards on six carries, and senior wide receiver Nicole Doeringer contributed 30 all-purpose yards—18 rushing and 12 receiving.

Batavia’s defense continued its dominant run, posting a second consecutive shutout and allowing just 12 points over the last six games. Senior defensive end Kylee Brennan led with 11 flag pulls, including three for a loss. Turner, playing linebacker, added seven flag pulls—one for a loss—and intercepted a pass in the second half. Doeringer recorded four flag pulls, three for a loss, and Macdonald chipped in with four flag pulls and three passes defended.

Batavia advances to face CG Finney in the Section V Class C final. The championship is scheduled for 7 p.m. Wednesday, May 28, at Monroe Community College.

Le Roy advanced in the Class B sectionals with a commanding 19-3 win over Attica on Friday. 

Senior Luke Lathan set the tone on the mound, pitching five strong innings and allowing just two hits and one run to earn the victory. Freshman Jude Christ finished the job, tossing the final two innings and surrendering only two hits.

At the plate, the Knights’ offense was relentless. Alex Spezzano, Brady McClurg, and Jake Higgins each collected two hits, while Cam Wilson, Peter Clark, Jace Jedrewski, Jude Christ, and Jagger Smith all contributed with a hit apiece.

With the win, Le Roy moves on to face the winner of the Dansville-Haverling matchup on Tuesday.

Photos by Leslie Higgins

Batavia exploded for 10 runs in the second inning and never looked back, rolling to a 20-8 win over Aquinas in the Section V Class B baseball sectional playoffs Friday.

The Blue Devils sent 15 hitters to the plate in the second, drawing eight walks and collecting four hits to seize control early. Batavia finished with 13 hits on the day.

Bronx Buchholz earned the win, pitching five innings while allowing just one hit, no earned runs, and striking out six. Brady Mazur and Maggio Buchholz handled the final two innings in relief.

Lakoda Mruczek went 3-for-4 with three runs scored. Brady Mazur was 2-for-2, scoring four runs and driving in one. Nolan Ball reached base all five times, walking four times and scoring four runs. Jameson Motyka was 2-for-3 with two runs and two RBI. Maggio Buchholz added two hits and three runs. Brock Bigsby tripled, scored three runs, and drove in two. Brady Carney and Champ Buchholz each had an RBI.

“We’ve played really well the last couple times out, and we're hitting our stride at the right time,” Batavia coach Michael Sputore said. 

Batavia plays Pittsford Mendon on Tuesday in Mendon. 

"They’re the number one seed so that says a lot about them, and our boys will be up for the challenge,” Sputore said.

Pembroke secured a 2-1 walk-off win over Letchworth in the first round of the Section V Class C softball sectionals Friday evening at the Albion Turf Complex.

Letchworth struck first in the third inning when Grace Mitchell singled, driving in the game’s opening run. Pembroke held Letchworth to one run through the seventh inning.

In the bottom of the seventh, Reagan Schneider was hit by a pitch, Sophia Gorski singled, and Taylor Bischoff walked to load the bases. Camille Campbell then singled to the outfield, scoring two runs and clinching the victory for Pembroke.

Jayden Hootman earned the win for Pembroke, allowing just two hits and one run over seven innings. Hootman recorded eight strikeouts, two walks, and one hit batter.

Gorski, Bischoff, Schneider, and Juliana Cleveland each had one hit for Pembroke. Bischoff and Schneider both doubled.

Mitchell finished with two singles and one RBI for Letchworth.

Pembroke advances to face Bloomfield on Tuesday.

Press release:

In a thrilling Section V playoff shocker, the 12-seed Byron-Bergen Bees softball team toppled 5-seed Sodus with a dominant 23–8 victory. Down 8–5 in the fifth inning, the Bees unleashed an offensive explosion that flipped the script and secured a statement win.

The rally began with freshman Lillian Meier, who came off the bench and delivered a clutch, game-tying triple — the first extra-base hit of her varsity career. The very next batter, sophomore Taylor Lundfelt, stepped to the plate 0-for-24 on the season and broke through in the biggest moment, smashing a deep double to give the Bees a lead they never gave back.

On the mound, Lily Stalica came in to relieve Lauren Gartz in the fourth inning and shut the door on Sodus. Stalica tossed 2.2 innings of no-hit, shutout softball while striking out four to earn the win.

“This was the kind of game that shows what these girls are made of,” said Head Coach Steve Ball. “We’ve faced adversity all season, and today we saw what can happen when you keep fighting. Lillian and Taylor stepped up in huge moments — that’s what team softball is all about. I couldn’t be prouder of every single player on that field. This was a full team win, and we’re not done yet.”

Stats:

    •    J. Weaver: .500 batting average, three runs, two RBIs, two walks
    •    J. Amesbury: .667 batting average, two hits, three RBIs
    •    K. Chase: 1.000 batting average, two runs, two RBIs
    •    L. Meier: Game-tying triple, four RBIs
    •    T. Lundfelt: Go-ahead three-run double, three RBIs
    •    L. Gartz: 2-for-3, three runs, four RBIs
    •    L. Stalica: 2 2/3 innings pitched, no hits, no runs, four strikeouts (win)

In the quarterfinals of the B3 sectionals on Tuesday, Oakfield-Alabama beat Alfred-Almond 5-0.

• 1st singles, Carson Warner beat Patrick Power 6-0, 6-2
• 2nd singles, Brady Williams beat Will Lawrence 6-1, 6-0
• 3rd singles, Trevor Enes beat Luca Regino 6-0, 6-0
• 1st doubles, Corbin DeMare/David Schichler beat Calob Diaz/Gabe Fioretto
• 2nd doubles, Alex Fuller/Logan Clark beat Jamison Snyder/Leon Beaudry 6-2, 6-0

OA is now 14-0 and will play HAC in the semifinals of Class B3.

Photos by Jordyn Tobolski

Oakfield-Alabama scored two runs in the bottom of the sixth to defeat Northstar 4-3 on Tuesday, improving to 10-8 on the season. 

Northstar fell to 10-10.

Travis Chaya earned the win for OA, pitching 6.1 innings and allowing seven hits, three runs (one earned), one walk, and striking out five. Chaya also went 1-for-3 at the plate with an RBI. David Schnaufer recorded the save, getting the final two outs in the seventh.

Jack Cianfrini led OA with two hits, including a double. Avery Watterson tripled and drove in a run. Ryan Schnaufer went 1-for-2 with a run and a walk. Levi Kabel scored a run and drew a walk. Jake Gehlert added a run and a walk.

Northstar’s Charlie Oakden went 3-for-4 with a double. Da’Vonn Stevens had two hits and two stolen bases. 

Tysen Deaton pitched six innings, allowing six hits, four runs (three earned), four walks, and striking out eight.

Trailing 3-2 in the sixth, OA tied the game when Levi Kabel scored on a passed ball. Chaya then singled home Ryan Schnaufer to give OA the lead. In the seventh, Northstar threatened with runners on second and third, but Schnaufer came in to record the final two outs and secure the win.

OA finished with six hits and four errors. Northstar collected seven hits and one error.

Photos by Jordyn Tobolski.

The Pembroke Varsity Dragons put on an offensive and defensive clinic Tuesday afternoon, steamrolling the Elba Varsity Lancers 13–3 in a commanding road victory.

Pembroke wasted no time getting on the board, scoring three runs in the top of the first inning. Anthony Abbatiello ignited the Dragons’ bats with a two-run triple, followed by a run-scoring double from Trey Newton to stake an early lead.

Elba briefly clawed back in the third, knotting the game at 3–3 on a Mark Caparco RBI single and a productive play. But the tie was short-lived.

Brayden Lang broke the deadlock in the fourth with an RBI double, and the Dragons never looked back. They piled on nine unanswered runs, fueled by timely hitting and aggressive base running.

Lang was just as dominant on the mound, tossing 4.1 innings of hitless relief. The right-hander struck out six without issuing a walk, slamming the door on any Lancers comeback hopes. Starter Hayden Williams gave up three runs (only one earned) across 2.2 innings, fanning four.

Pembroke’s offense was relentless, collecting 13 hits. Newton led the charge with three RBIs, going 2-for-3 at the plate. Lang and Jacob Johnson each tallied three hits, while Jayden Bridge added two of his own. Johnson and Landon Santini sparked the running game with multiple steals as the Dragons swiped five bags on the day.

Elba’s offense was limited to three hits—one each from Caparco, Nicholas Scott, and Brayden Jachimowicz. Caparco and Brady Werth drove in the Lancers’ only runs. Despite the loss, Elba showed life on the base paths with five stolen bases, including three from Jachimowicz.

Photos by Kristin Smith.

Sofia Falleti drove in five runs on three hits to lead Notre Dame Varsity Fighting Irish past Kendall 19-7 on Tuesday. Falleti hit a grand slam to center field in the sixth inning, scoring four runs, and singled in the fifth inning to drive in another.

Notre Dame trailed 7-0 in the fourth inning before rallying for the win. The comeback started in the bottom of the fourth when Clairissa Milliman hit a solo home run to right field. Anna Panepento drew a walk to bring in a run, and Riley Hare hit into a fielder’s choice that scored another.

Notre Dame took control in the fifth, scoring 12 runs on eight hits to lead 15-7. Hare delivered the biggest hit of the inning with a single that drove in two runs.
Falleti capped the scoring in the sixth with her grand slam.

Amelia Sorochty earned the win, allowing three hits and three runs over two innings, striking out two and walking two. Stangler took the loss for Kendall, giving up 13 runs on eight hits over four innings. Ferris started for Notre Dame, allowing three hits and four runs over three innings. Mia Treleaven pitched one inning in relief, striking out two and allowing no hits or runs.

Notre Dame finished its regular season 7-9.

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Batavia defeated Alexander 9-4 on Wednesday, improving to 8-11 on the season. Alexander dropped to 8-10.

Arianna Almekinder earned the win for Batavia, striking out 14 batters. Almekinder followed up Monday’s 20-strikeout performance against Brockport with another strong outing in the circle.

Kyleigh Kabel went 2-for-3 at the plate. Libby Grazeoplene hit a three-run home run. Hannah Carney delivered a two-RBI double. Drew Stevens and Gabby Smith each added RBI singles.

Batavia scored two runs in the first inning, five in the fourth, and two in the fifth. Alexander scored one run in the first, one in the fifth, and two in the seventh.
Batavia will play in the first round of sectionals on Friday.

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Batavia’s varsity tennis team ended its season with a 5-0 loss to Honeoye Falls-Lima in the sectional tournament on Tuesday, finishing the year with an 8-8 record.

Finn Halpin “battled the Class B1 Singles Champion in a well-played and competitive match,” said Head Coach Tom Redband.

Halpin advanced to individual State Qualifiers, scheduled for Friday, with the chance to advance to States at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center.

“We had a tough draw playing HFL, who had a very difficult team schedule due to their division in Monroe County and a lower seed, but the team fought hard against a formidable opponent, and I was proud of that,” Redband said.

“The most satisfying part of the season is seeing new players come out for the team and grow to love the game and hopefully continue to play as a lifelong sport,” Redband said. “I would encourage more kids to try the sport of tennis, no matter what school they attend. It’s a good environment, the vibe is positive, it’s an individual sport wrapped into a team sport, and there is usually a place for a range of abilities.”

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Oakfield-Alabama collected 15 hits and scored in five separate innings on Monday to defeat Caledonia-Mumford 10-1.

Oakfield-Alabama opened the game with four runs in the first inning and added runs in the second, fourth, fifth, and seventh. 

Avery Watterson went 3-for-5 with a triple, one RBI, three runs, and two stolen bases. Watterson also pitched two innings, allowing no hits or runs and striking out one to earn the win. 

Jack Cianfrini went 3-for-5 with a double, one RBI, three runs, and three stolen bases. Cianfrini pitched 2.2 innings, allowing three hits and one earned run with three strikeouts. Hunter Tobolski added a triple and two RBIs.

Levi Kabel finished 3-for-4 with one RBI, one walk, and two stolen bases. Ryan Schnaufer went 2-for-4 with a double, one RBI, and one walk.

Caledonia-Mumford managed three hits. Landon Sheehan pitched 6.2 innings, allowing 15 hits, 10 runs (four earned), and four walks with four strikeouts. Aidan McKay and Dillon Alcott each had a hit for Caledonia-Mumford.

Oakfield-Alabama did not commit an error. 

Photos by Jordyn Tobolski