baseball

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 Saturday, at 7 p.m. against the Elmira Pioneers.

Fillmore defeated Elba 3-1 in extra innings Wednesday in the Section V Class D baseball quarterfinals. The game was tied 1-1 after seven innings before Fillmore scored twice in the ninth to secure the win.

Nicholas Scott pitched eight innings for Elba, allowing three hits and one run with seven strikeouts. Damon Potter went the distance for Fillmore, striking out nine and allowing just three hits.
Brayden Jacomowichiz doubled for Elba, while Mark Caparco and Alex Rascoe each added a hit. Elba finishes the season with 13 wins, the most in program history.

Coach Andy Boyce said, “I am so proud of what our boys accomplished this season. They have absolutely nothing to hang their heads about as they left everything on the field against a quality, well-coached Fillmore team.” Boyce also noted that with no seniors on the roster, the team is looking forward to returning next season.

Photos by Kristin Smith

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 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

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.

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.

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

Le Roy closed its regular season with a win over Livonia in a game that stretched late into the night on Monday.

Jake Higgins drove in the winning run, scoring Brady McClurg.

The game went 10 innings with Le Roy coming out on top, 14-13.

The game featured 115 batters, 392 pitches, 25 walks, 23 hits, 23 strikeouts, 10 unearned runs, and 16 runs scored after the fifth inning. Both teams traded leads throughout the contest.

Peter Clark earned the win for Le Roy. The senior catcher and pitcher allowed two hits and three runs over four innings, striking out five and walking six.

Le Roy finished the season with 10 games in 12 days, winning 8 of their last 10 to end at 15-3.

Photos by Leslie Higgins

CORRECTION: The score and player/team affiliations have been corrected. The headline has been corrected.

Evan Fitzpatrick struck out 14 and allowed just one hit over seven innings to lead Notre Dame past Elba, earning the win in a 6-0 decision Monday. Fitzpatrick finished with no walks and three hit batters.

Elba’s Mason Vigiano took the loss, pitching four innings with seven strikeouts and two earned runs.

Nicholas Scott led Elba at the plate, going 1-for-3 with a double. 

For Notre Dame, Chase Antinore went 2-for-4 with a run. Fitzpatrick added a 2-for-4 performance with three runs scored and a double.

Coach Andrew Boyce of Elba credited Notre Dame’s preparation. 

“Hats off to Rick and his guys, they always are ready to play when it comes to Elba ND games,” Boyce said.

Boyce noted his team’s slow start. 

“I thought we came out of the gates a little flat today, and when you make a few mistakes against a team like that, they're gonna take advantage,” Boyce said.

Elba finishes the regular season on Tuesday before heading into sectionals. 

“The last regular season game is tomorrow, and it’s already sectional time after that. We need to be playing our best baseball right now. It’s go time,” Boyce said.

Photos by Kristin Smith

Le Roy walked off with a 3-2 extra-innings win over Dansville on Sunday, capping a tense pitchers’ duel with a single from Jagger Smith in the bottom of the ninth.

Alex Spezzano went the distance for Le Roy, allowing no walks and striking out six while scattering eight hits. Dansville’s Nolan DeZorn pitched eight strong innings, striking out 14 and giving up seven hits.

Le Roy struck early. Spezzano led off the game with a single, advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt by Brady McClurg, and scored when Adam Woodworth and Jake Higgins hit back-to-back doubles for a 2-0 lead.

Dansville responded in the third. Jake Kreiley was hit by a pitch, and the Mustangs followed with four consecutive hits. Carson Mays drove in a run with an RBI single, and the tying run scored on an error. Le Roy left fielder Jude Sherman ended the threat with a diving catch, leaving the bases loaded.

In the ninth, Austin Cordaro singled with one out, moved to second on a passed ball, and advanced to third on a sacrifice bunt by Jude Christ. Smith then delivered the game-winning RBI single on the first pitch he saw.

Le Roy improved to 14-3 and will finish the regular season Monday night at Livonia.

Photos by Leslie Higgins

Elba won its second game in a row on Friday, but more significantly, broke an eight-game losing streak against Oakfield-Alabama with a 7-3 win.

Alex Rascoe led the offense, going 4-4 with five RBIs. 

Mason Vigiano got the win, going six innings, giving up eight hits but only one run (earned), while striking out seven.

The Lancers improve to 7-5, and the Hornets, who have lost four of their last five games, drop to 6-8.

Photos by Jordyn Tobolski

Pembroke, now 11-2 on the season, racked up its highest run total of the season on Friday, leading to a 17-3 win over Attica.

UPDATE: Game story submitted by Allison Lang.

Behind a commanding performance from ace Brayden Lang, the Pembroke Varsity Dragons cruised to a 17–3 win over Attica on Friday in a five-inning blowout.

Lang was electric on the mound, striking out 13 while surrendering just four hits and three runs. The right-hander walked one and shut down Attica’s offense over five strong innings.

Offensively, Pembroke wasted no time. Anthony Abbatiello got the Dragons rolling with an RBI single in the top of the first. They exploded for eight runs in the second, capitalizing on a combination of errors and timely hitting. Joshua Von Kramer and Landon Santini each drove in runs, with Abbatiello adding an RBI double. Jarrett Lewter brought home another after being hit by a pitch, and Von Kramer capped the inning with a two-run single.

The onslaught continued in the third as Pembroke plated six more. Jayden Bridge laced a two-run double, Lewter and Lang each added RBIs, and Owen Shultz chipped in with an RBI groundout.

Santini led the Dragons’ offense, going 3-for-4 with three singles and two stolen bases. Pembroke collected 14 hits in total, with multiple contributions throughout the lineup. Von Kramer, Abbatiello, Bridge, and Lewter all drove in two runs apiece. Lang and Shultz also recorded multi-hit games.

Pembroke’s patience at the plate paid off with nine walks, including two each from Trey Newton, Jacob Johnson, and Abbatiello.

Attica’s starter, Wild, struggled to find rhythm, giving up 10 hits and 14 runs—just five of them earned—across two innings. Stockweather and Kilian each drove in a run for Attica.

Pembroke improves its momentum to 11-3 heading into Monday’s road matchup at Newfane.

Photos by Kristin Smith.

Pavilion/York scored early and held off a late rally to defeat Notre Dame, 5-4, on Friday.

The team plated two runs in the first inning and two more in the third. Landen Stoddard, Evan Kingdon, and Ryan Brady each tripled, with Kingdon and Brady collecting an RBI apiece. Hayven Cordes went 1-for-3 with a single and two RBIs. Liam Ezard added an RBI single.

“We jumped on them early, scoring two in the first and two in the third,” Pavilion/York coach Tim Kingdon said.

Stoddard started on the mound, recording six strikeouts over 4 1/3 innings. Mason Parsons finished the game in relief.

“In the fifth, we had some uncharacteristic miscues on defense, which gave them all of their runs,” Kingdon said. “We knew going into tonight’s game that it was going to be a tough one, as Notre Dame has been playing great baseball of late. But our boys were ready to play and did what it took to walk away with the win.”

Photos by Kristin Smith

Elba avenged an early-season loss to Oakfield-Alabama, riding strong pitching from Mason Vigiano and a breakout night from freshman Alex Rascoe to a 7-1 victory Friday.

Vigiano worked six innings, scattering eight hits and striking out seven. Ryan Marsceill came on in relief and recorded the save.

“Mason was absolutely dealing tonight,” Elba coach Andrew Boyce said. “Anytime we needed a ground ball or a can-of-corn fly ball, he delivered on the mound. The work he puts in year-round is really showing.”

Rascoe sparked the offense, finishing 4-for-4 with two doubles, five RBIs and a run scored. Nicholas Scott went 2-for-3 with a double, two RBIs and a walk.

Mark Caparco added a double, scored three runs and walked once.

“In a game my boys had marked on the schedule since our first loss of the season came to Oakfield, they really wanted this one bad and came out and executed to perfection against one of the best-coached ball clubs in Section V,” Boyce said.

Elba improved to 11-4 and continues a busy stretch with games at Lyndonville on Saturday, Notre Dame on Monday and Pembroke on Tuesday.

“The boys are buzzing and we are getting key contributions from all 13 guys on the roster,” Boyce said. “There’s still a lot of work left to do.”

Photos by Kristin Smith.