baseball

Press Release:

The Batavia Muckdogs are excited to announce their next five signings of the 2025 season.

Batavia will welcome back two returners, two western New Yorkers, & a new face this summer. 2024 Returners RHP – Garret Beaver and C/OF -Cooper Romich, Batavia Native, RHP – Jaden Sherwood, North Tonawanda Native, LHP – Jake Szlis & RHP -Cole Taylor join the Dogs this summer at Dwyer Stadium. 

Garrett Beaver returns to the Muckdogs for his third season, bringing veteran leadership and a dominant presence on the mound. The 6’3 right-handed pitcher from Waynesboro PA, is currently a junior at Salisbury University. Over the past two summers with Batavia, Beaver posted an outstanding 1.075 ERA. During the 2024 season with the Sea Gulls, he earned All-C2C Honorable mention, finishing 3rd in saves, and ranking 10 th in both strikeouts and wins. 

Cooper Romich returns for his second season with the Muckdogs after a strong summer showing in 2024. A versatile catcher and outfielder, the 5’10 sophomore from North Chili, is currently playing at Le Moyne. Last summer, Romich appeared in 40 games with Batavia, posting a solid .276 batting average and driving in 34 runs.

Jaden Sherwood is a 6’0 right-handed pitcher from Monroe Community College. A native of Batavia, Sherwood comes home for his first season with the Muckdogs this summer. Sherwood has struck out 15 batters in 14 innings this season with the Monroe Tribunes, showcasing his excellent abilities. 

Jake Szlis is a 6’5 left-handed pitcher from Alfred State University. From North Tonawanda, Szlis was dominant for the North Tonawanda High School Lumberjacks, pitching to a minuscule 1.04 ERA over 67.1 innings, striking out 99 batters.

Cole Taylor is a 5’11 freshman right-handed pitcher from Spring Hill, TN. A student at Columbia State Community College, Taylor is yet to allow a run this season. He recorded his first career collegiate hit and RBI on February 25.

Opening Day is Saturday, May 31 at 6:30 p.m. vs the Elmira Pioneers with free post-game fireworks. If you know someone who has an interest in sponsoring the Muckdogs, season ticket information, hosting a group event, or picnic, please contact General Manager Marc Witt (mwitt.canusa@gmail.com). The Muckdogs full schedule is available online at www.canusamuckdogs.com. 

Submitted photos.

Press release:

For the safety of all players, the 2025 Rotary tournament is canceled for this weekend. There will not be another weekend scheduled this season.

Batavia continued its winning ways of late, notching it sixth-straight victory on Wedensday over Pittsford-Sutherland, 6-3.

The Blue Devils were buoyed by a five-run third inning.

Brady Mazur went the distance for the win, giving up three runs on six hits while striking out five.

Batavia Offense: 

To view or purchase photos, click here.

Elba's Nick Scott surpassed 100 strikeouts in his high school career, fanning 10 in a 12-1 win on Monday over Attica.

He now has 109 Ks in his career.

He gave up one run and walked one batter.

Offense:

• Brendan Porey, 2-3, walk, 3 runs, 2 RBIs, 3 stolen bases. Porey is hitting .667 on the year so far.
• Nick Scott, 1-3, RBI, 2 runs, 3 stolen bases, one walk.
• Alex Rascoe, 2-4, RBI, run, 2 stolen bases.

"I'm very proud of our team," said Coach Andrew Boyce. "We challenged them yesterday at practice to jump out to an early lead, and that's exactly what they did. I couldn't be more proud. 6-0 is great, but the boys need to stay humble and keep stacking days. All 13 players saw at least 2 innings of work today, and all contributed to a great team win."

Photos by Krisin Smith.

Oakfield-Alabama fell on Tuesday to Kendall in baseball 11-1.

The Hornets are now 3-2, and Kendall improves to 11-1.

Kendal held the Hornets to five hits.

David Schnaufer took the loss, going 3 2/3 innings and giving up eight hits and all 11 runs.

Photos by Jordyn Tobolski.

Both Oakfield-Alabama and Roy Hart pounded out 14 hits each, and both teams made seven errors each, but Roy Hart made the most of its opportunities for a 13-7 win on Monday.

The teams went into the ninth inning tied at 7 and Hart rallied for six runs in the top of the inning. The Hornets couldn't answer the the bottom of the ninth.

Will Bardenwerper's book about baseball in Batavia and America has been getting national attention and is currently ranked #17 on Amazon's list of best-selling baseball books.

 The book, "Homestand: Small Town Baseball and the Fight for the Soul of America," is resonating with readers and reviewers.

That may signal, Bardenwerper said, that people are looking for small-town values of community.

"I think it speaks to the fact that maybe there is a real hunger for these kinds of places where people can come together for an affordable price and have a good time and kind of put some of the division that we find in our society behind us for a few hours and just have fun," Bardenwerper told The Batavian during a book signing at Eli Fish Brewing Co. on Saturday evening.

There have been several book reviews of Homestand published, including in major publications such as the Washington Post and the Wall Street Journal.

The book addresses the growing divide in America between the corporatist world of Major League Baseball and the grassroots game in places like Batavia, which lost its historic minor league team when MLB broke with tradition and consolidated its minor league affiliates. That decision turned out to make baseball in Batavia better with the arrival of Robbie and Nellie Nichols, owners of the revived Batavia Muckdogs of the Perfect Game Collegiate Baseball League.

If highlighting that dichotomy has ruffled any feathers in the executive suites at the MLB, Bardenwerper hasn't heard about it.

"I don't know to what extent it is or isn't on their radar," Bardenwerper said. "If it is, I'm guessing they just kind of would like it to go away."

If you missed Bardenwerper at Eli Fish, there is another book signing Saturday (today) in Medina at Author's Note Bookstore, as part of Independent Bookstore Day. Bardenwerper will be in store from 1:30 to 3 p.m. Other authors participating are Doogie Horner from 10:30 to noon and Mylisa Larsen from noon to 1:30 p.m. Author's Note is located at 519 Main St., Medina.

Oakfield-Alabama beat Attica in baseball on Thursday, 12-2.

The Hornets are now 3-0 on the season.

Avery Watterson got the win, going 3 1/3 innings without surrendering a hit or giving up a run. He waked four and struck out five.

Stats:

• Avery Watterson, 2-2, 3 walks, 3 runs, 5 stolen bases           
• Hunter Tobolski, 1-2, 3 walks, 2 runs, 4 stolen bases  
• Jack Cianfrini, 1-3, 1 RBI 2 runs 2 walks, 4 stolen bases (Reached on an error)
• Ryan Schnaufer, 1-4, 2B 1 RBI 3 runs, 3 stolen bases (Reached on 2 errors)
• David Schnaufer, 0-5, 1 RBI 2 stolen bases (Reached on a FC)
• Jackson Gilbert, 1-4, RBI, eun, walk, 2 stolen bases
• Jake Gehlert, 0-4, RBI
• Levi Kabel, 0-4, RBI

Photos by Jordyn Tobolski.

Starter Brady Carney went all seven innings for the complete game victory on Tuesday as Batavia beat Olympia-Odyssey, 5-1.

Carney fanned seven, walked two and only gave up one hit.

Batavia offense 

• Carter Mullen, 3-4, triple, 3 RBIs, 2 runs scored
• Maggio Buchholz, 3-4,  1 RBI
• Nolan Ball, 2-3, 2 runs scored
• Brock Bigsby, 1 hit, 1 RBI 
• Jameson Motyka, 1 Hit

"We're really seeing the ball well at the plate the last couple of games, and it's starting to show, said Coach Michael Sputore. "Pitching has always kept us close and now the bats are starting to wake up."

Batavia Now 3-3 overall and 1-0 in league play.

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It was a pitchers' duel between Oakfield-Alabama and Byron-Bergen on Tuesday, with the Hornets picking up the 2-0 win.

There were only three total hits in the game, two for OA and one for the Bees.  

The Hornets scored in the first and third innings.

David Schnaufer picked up the win, going all seven innings, walking two and striking out 13.

Dylan Utter took it on the chin for the Bees, going 6 1/3 innings. He K'd nine Hornets and gave up only one earned run.

Hornets offense:

• Ryan Schnaufer, 1-3, stolen base
• Avery Watterson, 0-2, walk, hit by pitch. 2 Runs, 3 SBs
• Levi Kabel, 0-2, walk, stolen base
• Dom West, 0-2, walk

Utter had the lone hit for Byron-Bergen. He also had a stolen base. 

Photos by Jordyn Tobolski

Press Release:

The Batavia Muckdogs are excited to announce their next five signings for the 2025 season.

Some new faces join the Muckdogs as well as some local western NY talent. 1B – Connor Gibbs, LHP -Evin Hollandsworth, OF & Lockport Native – Brayden Hy, INF – Jackson Inman & INF – Grady Lacourciere join the Dogs this summer at Dwyer Stadium.

Connor Gibbs is a 6’3 first baseman from Helena, AL, currently playing at Bevill State Community College. A consistent presence at the plate, Connor delivered an impressive .316 batting average last season across 48 games and 155 at-bats.

Evin Hollandsworth is a 6’2 freshman pitcher at Saddleback College from Dana Point, CA. Before committing to baseball full-time, Evin was a standout dual-sport athlete while attending Dona Hill High School, excelling in both football and baseball. 

Brayden Hy is a 5’9 freshman outfielder from Lockport, currently playing at Canisius University. Before joining the Golden Griffins, he was a standout player at Royalton Hartland High School, where he posted an impressive .417 batting average, recorded 108 hits, including 9 home runs, and 94 RBIs.

Jackson Inman is a 6’1 freshman infielder from Damascus, MD, making a strong impact in his debut collegiate season. He is currently hitting .346 on the season while adding power with three home runs with 25 RBIs.

Grady Lacourciere is a 6’2 freshman infielder from Lyme, CT, attending Hofstra University where he has started pitching. Bringing an impressive high school resume to the collegiate level, a standout athlete at Lyme-Old Lyme High School, he played four years of baseball and two years of football, showcasing his versatility and athleticism.

Opening Day is Saturday May 31 at 6:30 p.m. vs the Elmira Pioneers with free post-game fireworks. If you are someone you know has interest in sponsoring the Muckdogs, season ticket information, hosting a group event or picnic please contact General Manager Marc Witt (mwitt.canusa@gmail.com). The Muckdogs full schedule is available online at www.canusamuckdogs.com.

Submitted photos.

Oakfield-Alabama is starting off the 2025 baseball season strong, picking up a 9-0 win over Lyndonville on Monday.

The Hornets had eight total hits.

David Schnaufer went 6 1/3 innings, giving up only three hits and walking none while striking out 10, to pick up the win. He was also 1-3 at the plate with a sacrifice fly, two runs scored, three RBIs, and two stolen bases.

Jack Cianfrini got the final two outs, both on strikeouts. He was also 1-4 at the plat with a run scored and a stolen base.

Offensive stats:

• Avery Watterson, 1-3, triple, 3 Runs, 1 stolen base
• Hunter Tobolski, 1-4, 1 RBI, 1 stolen base
• Jackson Gilbert, 1-3, 1 run, 2 RBIs, 1 Sac Fly
• Levi Kabel, 1-4, 1 run
• Ryan Schnaufer, 1-4, 1 run
• Wesley Durham, 1-3, 1 RBI, 1 walk
• Dom West, 0-3, 1 walk

Press Release:

The Batavia Muckdogs are excited to announce their next five signings of the 2025 season. OF – Luke Daddona, INF -Justin Espinal, INF – Blake Ewing, C – Cooper Fesh, and Former 2022 West Division Champion Muckdog & Media Native SS – Bryan Fry join the Dogs this summer at Dwyer stadium. 

Luke Daddona is a 5’11 redshirt freshman outfielder from Middlebury, Connecticut. In high school, Luke was a standout dual-sport athlete, serving as captain for both the baseball and football teams. As a senior, he played a key role in helping the Crusaders secure the Naugatuck Valley League title.

Justin Espinal is a 6’3 senior infielder at Thomas Jefferson University and returning for his third season with the Batavia Muckdogs. Last season with the Muckdogs, Espinal batted .253 over 26 games, providing steady defense and a solid presence at the plate.

Blake Ewing is a 6’2 freshman infielder from Columbus, Ohio attending Point Park University. A left-handed hitter and right-handed thrower, brings a strong presence to the field. He recorded his first collegiate career RBI on March 15 versus Davis & Elkins College.

Cooper Fesh is a 6’1 sophomore catcher at Keystone College, hailing from Bethal, Connecticut. A dependable presence behind the plate, he finished last season with an impressive .319 batting average while recording 214 putouts.

Bryan Fry is a 6’1 senior shortstop from Medina, currently attending SUNY Brockport. A transfer from the University of Toledo, he has continued to develop his game at the collegiate level. In 2022 he played for the Batavia Muckdogs, where he appeared in 41 games and posted an impressive .345 batting average.

Opening Day is Saturday May 31 at 6:30 p.m. vs the Elmira Pioneers with free post-game fireworks. If you are someone you know has interest in sponsoring the Muckdogs, season ticket information, hosting a group event or picnic please contact General Manager Marc Witt (mwitt.canusa@gmail.com). The Muckdogs full schedule is available online at www.canusamuckdogs.com.

Submitted photos.