The Blue Devils improved to 8-4 with a 2-0 win over Eastridge on Friday in Boys Soccer.
Head Coach Graham Halpin said it was a physical and spirited performance by Batavia.
Quintin Cummings, assisted by Owen Halpin, scored a first-half goal. The second goal for Batavia came in the second half when Ryan Bohn scored with a header off a corner kick by Finn Halpin.
Halpin highlighted The defensive line of Trevor Tryon, Will Fulton, Brandon Currier, Trey Tryon, and Darius Wahl, as well as goalkeeper Ben Stone for the shutout of Eastridge.
For the second year on Tuesday, Batavia High School's volleyball teams, varsity and JV, hosted a "pink game" to raise money in support of Genesee Cancer Assistance.
The teams raised $2,200.
Statement provided by Sarah Gahagan:
Nick Grasso graciously accepted this donation on behalf of Genesee Cancer Assistance. He reminded all spectators of how important it is to help out locally whenever possible. He reminded the spectators how expensive travel, treatment and other things people battling this disease need on a daily basis and how grateful our local recipients are to have events like this in their honor.
We would like to thank all of our local sponsors for donating baskets to support our team.
The Batavia boys soccer team picked up its sixth win of the season, against four losses, by beating Attica 2-1 on Saturday.
"It was a contentious game in which Attica gained a 1-0 lead early on before Troy Hawley eventually equalized on an assist by Owen Halpin," said Head Coach Graham Halpin.
Hunter Mileham's game-winning goal in the second half was assisted by Owen Halpin..
The defensive line and goalkeeper Ben Stone were instrumental in containing Attica's offense, along with notable contributions from Noah Whitcombe, Finn Halpin, Patrick Suozzi, and Eli Michalak, said Coach Halpin.
After a long reception early in the third quarter, Vertus Charter was threatening to score near the goal line when Batavia's Mekhi Fortes grabbed QB Malachi Jones, knocking the ball loose, allowing Maggio Buchholz to recover the fumble. Photo by Howard Owens.
With an aggressive Blue Devils defense harassing Vertus QB Malachi Jones all night, forcing turnovers and lost yardage, Batavia was able to securing a convincing win over Vertus Charter 37-16.
Bronx Bucholz was 11-16 passing for 139 yards and two touchdowns.
Cole Grazioplene had two receptions for 18 yards, and 22 yards on one carry, with two TDs and a defensive interception.
Zailen Griffin had 10 carries for 89 yards.
Carter Mullen had four receptions for 44 yards and touchdown.
Mekhi Fortes, who was also a dominant presence on defense, had three receptions for 43 yards and ran for a touchdown.
The Blue Devils are now 2-2 on the season.
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To view more photos for purchase prints, click here.
Flushed from the pocket, QB Malachi Jones spikes the ball to prevent a sack by Mekhi Fortes in the first quarter. Photo by Howard Owens
Zailen Griffin sprints away from a defender in the second quarter. Photo by Howard Owens.
Mekhi Fortes with the ball over the endzone in the second quarter. Photo by Howard Owens
Zailen Griffin Photo by Howard Owens
Mekhi Fortes with the stiff arm in the second-quarter. Photo by Howard Owens
A defensive stop in the second quarter left Vertus inside the one-yard line. Photo by Howard Owens.
Leading to a touchdown on a fumble recovery. Photo Howard Owens.
DaShaun Wright and teammates celebrate his fumble recovery in the endzone for a touchdown. Photo by Howard Owens.
Maggio Buchholz with the reception on the PAT. Photo by Howard Owens.
Cole Grazioplene with a third-quarter interception. Photo by Howard Owens.
Offensive lineman Karvel Martino with a block. Photo by Howard Owens.
Monroe handed Batavia a second straight loss on Friday night at Van Detta Stadium, and at 40-0, it's the largest deficit suffered by the Blue Devils in more than a decade.
No stats are available for the game.
Batavia will play charter school Vertus next Friday at home at 7 p.m.
The Batavia Boys Varsity Soccer team beat Attica 3-0 on Saturday afternoon.
An all-around strong performance by Batavia was highlighted with goals by Rylan Bohn, assisted by Finn Halpin, and a penalty kick converted by Hunter Mileham, as well as an own goal by Attica.
The relentless defensive line and goalkeeper Ben Stone all contributed to the shutout.
Batavia’s record improved to 3 wins and one loss on the season.
The Batavia Boys Varsity Soccer team won its second game of the season on Tuesday evening against Greece Odyssey, 6-3.
It was an outstanding effort by all players in a contentious game, said Head Coach Graham Halpin.
Rylan Bohn (#9) had four goals, and Owen Halpin (#11) had two goals and oneassist. Finn Halpin (#2) recorded two assists. There were also assists by Patrick Suozzi (#5), Will Fulton (#24), and Devin Hughes (#20).
Ben Stone (#19) made many excellent saves in goal while the defensive line worked tirelessly to contain Odyssey's attack.
Batavia takes the lead with 3.8 seconds left in the second quarter, making 20-14 at halftime Photo by Steve Ognibene
In the closing seconds of the first half, the Batavia Blue Devils scored a go-ahead TD over Wayne Central to regain a lead the team wouldn't relinquish the rest of the way, leading to a 33-14 win.
It was the team's home opener and made the Blue Devils 2-0 under new head coach Alex Veltz.
Bronx Buchholz was 7-11 passing for 59 yards, two touchdowns and one interception. He also gained 130 yards on the ground on 15 carries, scoring twice.
Cole Graz snagged our receptions for 18 yards and a TD. He also had an inception on defense.
Carter Mullen had one reception for an 8-yard TD.
Mekhi Fortes, 14 carries, 85 yards, 5.5.
Zailen Griffin, nine rushes for 82 yards and a TD.
The Blue Devils take on Honeoye Falls-Lima this Friday in HFL. Game time is 7 p.m.
Cole Grazioplene scores the first touchdown for Batavia in the first quarter. Photo by Steve Ognibene
Max Monroe scores 4.7 seconds left in second half to win the game for Bulldawgs. Photo by Steve Ognibene
The 11th annual scrimmage between the Batavia Blue Devils vs. the Batavia Bulldawgs was another win for the mini-squad on Wednesday evening at VanDetta stadium.
The Bulldawgs opened the first drive with a 60-yard TD run by Logan Brooks. They led at the half 20-16.
Bluedevils took a brief lead after halftime, 24-20, then on its next possession, the Bulldawgs scored Parker Davis on a 60-yard TD run, regaining the lead 26-24.
With 3:44 left in the game, the Blue Devils scored and led by four, 30-26.
Then with 4.7 seconds left, Max Monroe scored to secure the Bulldawg's win, 34-30,
The Blue Devils, who over the past 11 years have won sectional titles and vied for a state championship, has yet to manage a victory against the much younger team.
On Monday, July 10, upon recommendation from Superintendent Jason Smith, the Batavia City School District Board of Education approved the appointment of Jennifer Wesp-Liestman as Principal of Batavia High School, effective August 1, 2023.
Wesp-Liestman has served as assistant principal at both Spencerport High School and Greece Odyssey Academy. She also served as a special education teacher in the Churchville-Chili and Greece Central School Districts. She received both a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Psychology with a Concentration in Elementary and Special Education and a Master of Science Degree in Inclusive Education from Nazareth College. She has a Certificate of Advanced Studies in Educational Administration from the State University of New York College at Brockport. Wesp-Liestman also serves as an adjunct professor at Roberts Wesleyan College in the Pathways to Teaching Program.
“I am excited to welcome Jennifer Wesp-Liestman to Batavia High School and our BCSD community,” said Superintendent Jason Smith. “Jennifer comes to us with an exceptional administrative background and an impressive foundation in education. I look forward to watching her execute her vision for Batavia High School, and she’ll be a welcomed addition to our leadership team. I want to also thank our faculty, staff, students, and parent representatives who participated in our interview process—it truly was a collaborative experience.”
“I am absolutely thrilled to be joining the Batavia City School District as the new principal of Batavia High School. From the moment I set foot on campus, it immediately felt like a family,” said Wesp-Liestman. “I have a special place in my heart for BCSD as my father proudly attended John Kennedy School when he was a young boy. As we look ahead to the new school year, I am eagerly anticipating working with our exceptional students, dedicated staff, and inspiring teachers. Together, we will make this year a remarkable journey of learning, growth, and success for all.”
Omar Hussain and Jessica Korzelius will return as assistant principals, joining Jennifer Wesp-Liestman to complete the BHS leadership team for the 2023-24 school year.
Jim Fazio at Dwyer Stadium on Monday evening. Photo by Howard Owens.
Health issues and a desire to see his son play more baseball in his final season with the Batavia Blue Devils have led Jim Fazio to step down as head coach of the Batavia High School softball team.
"The team means the world to me," Fazio told The Batavian at Dwyer Stadium during the Batavia Muckdogs game on Monday evening. "Ever since I started coaching, it was a dream to win a sectional title. To finally get it this year, it's just something that, you know, you just dream about."
Fazio has been coaching since 2000 and became varsity softball coach in 2018.
Under the circumstances, coaching in 2024 isn't possible, he said. He's been diagnosed with polycystic kidney disease and is on two waiting lists for a kidney transplant.
"That's the main reason why I'm stepping down," Fazio said. "I think I should be able to coach tennis, but things right now are up in the air."
His son is also entering his senior year, and in the spring, Fazio wants to take the time to see more of his son's baseball games.
"I miss a lot of his games because their schedule almost mimics ours," Fazio said.
Jim and Nikki Fazio enjoying the moment after Batavia won a Girls Softball Section V title on May 27. Photo by Howard Owens.
Batavia lost its bid on Saturday to become the first Flag Football champions in Section V history at Monroe Community College with a 20-0 loss to Canisteo-Greenwood.
Batavia entered the game undefeated at 8-0 and as the #1 seed. Canisteo was 7-1 at the start of the game.
It would be tempting to blame the loss on turnover -- there were a couple but were mostly inconsequential -- and penalties -- there were a few.
But more, Canisteo-Greenwood outplayed the Blue Devils.
After stopping Batavia on its first possession, Canisteo scored on its first drive. And on its second.
Batavia advanced the ball to the opposing goal line at least three times, but Canisteo-Greenwood keep the Blue Devils out of the end zone each time.
There are no stats available for the game.
Photos by Howard Owens. For more photos and to purchase prints, click here.
Batavia's Jaimin Macdonald catches another interception to power Batavia's strong defense
Eastridge got on the board first, but it was all Batavia after that, as the Blue Devils went on to win a smoke-delayed, and then rain-delayed, Flag Football sectional semifinal playoff game on Friday at Van Detta Stadium.
The final: 27-6.
The game was originally scheduled for Tuesday but was canceled because of poor air quality due to wildfires in Canada.
On Friday, Batavia scored 27 unanswered points in the first half on scores by Julia Clark (twice), and Isabella Walsh and a TD keyed off an interception by Jaimin McDonald. Then the rain came, causing another delay.
There was no scoring in the second half.
Batavia plays in the first-ever Section V Flag Football final at 11 a.m. today (Saturday) at Monroe County Community College. Batavia, the #1 seed, will take on #2 seed Canisteo-Greenwood (7-1) for the Class B title.
"We found ways to win," Coach Ben Buchholz told he team. "We found ways to make big plays, and that’s exactly what good teams do.We finally started to click; big players made big plays.
Of the defense, he told them, "We had girls in some spots that did not play there all year. You stepped up, made plays for us, and that’s exactly what we needed, and I’m super proud of you.We have a lot of unfinished business.Tomorrow let’s go win a block, let’s win this.Let’s come in with the best version of us that we have had all year and let’s win this thing."
Game Highlights:
Isabella Walsh - four receptions, 87 yards, a TD and a two-point conversion.
Anna Varland -18 carries, 112 yards
Julia Preston - two receptions, 39 yards
Julia Clark - 127 yards passing. one passing TD, two rushing TDs.
Jaimin Mcdonald - four Interceptions and nine flag pulls
On Monday, June 5, 10 Batavia High School students signed with their perspective colleges for the fall.
JULIA PETRY: Daemen University / Track and Field. Back: Nick Burk, Rich Boyce, Bill Buckenmeyer. Front: LJ Petry, Julia Petry, John Petry
SHAWN KIMBALL: Genesee Community College / Baseball Front: Patrick Kimball, Shawn Kimball, Evan Kimball
AIDAN ANDERSON: USMA at West Point / Sprint Football. Back: Ava Anderson, Korinne Anderson, Mike Anderson, Brennan Briggs. Front: Aidan Anderson
NATHAN CANALE: St. John Fisher University / Cross Country, Track. Back: Rich Boyce, Nick Burk, Bill Buckenmeyer. Front: John Canale, Nathan Canale, Cindy Canale
CODY HARLOFF: SUNY Brockport / Cross Country, Indoor & Outdoor Track and Field. Back: Rich Boyce, Nick Burk, Bill Buckenmeyer. Front: Della Martinez, Cody Harloff, Shabi Gard, Rosella Williams
NOAH PICKARD: SUNY Oneonta / Cross Country, Track and Field. Back: Andrew Pickard, Rich Boyce, Nick Burk, Bill Buckenmeyer. Front: Jack Pickard, Noah Pickard, Karen Pickard, Bill Pickard
ABBY MOORE: SUNY Geneseo / Track and Field. Back: Rich Boyce, Nick Burk, Bill Buckenmeyer. Front: Abby Moore, Cassandra Moore
JAKALYA RIVERA: University at Buffalo / Competitive Cheer. Front: Kanaya Rivera, Jakalya Rivera, Essence Rivera
GARRETT SCHMIDT: Grove City College / Football. Back: Dan Schmidt, Shannon Schmidt, Brennan Briggs. Front: Garrett Schmidt
On Friday evening, in a less than 24-hour change of locations for the Class B1 outdoor track sectional competition, the Batavia Girls finished first place by a large margin, with 172 points.
Batavia Boys were edged by U-Prep by 2.5 points in the last race to take second place.
The event was moved at the last minute to Van Detta Stadium because of a fire at the Newark High School facility, the originally scheduled host of the event. There was an electrical fire late Thursday afternoon in Newark.
Girls head coach Rich Boyce said, "I am extremely proud of this accomplishment tonight. The girls worked really hard all season. We knew we would have to have the best meet of our lives to beat HFL, and they came here today, and every single girl on this team got a PR in every event they did."
"We knew it would come down to us and HFL," Boyce said. "172 points today was just amazing by our team, which to my recollection, is the most points Batavia girls outdoor track team have scored in a sectional meet.We will celebrate this one tonight and be back to work for state qualifiers next week."
Assistant Coach Bill Buckenmeyer said, "It was an outstanding effort to a change in scenery in one day and come out on their home track and put out the performance that they did. I thought it was amazing. The boys had a great meet, too. It just shows the true meaning of being a Blue Devil to go out there, up against tough competition and perform at the highest level."
Winners for Batavia include Nate Canale in the 1600m (4:29.44) and in the 800m (1:59.41).Cody Harloff won the 3000 Steeple (10:21.67), and the boy's 4x800 Relay squad won (9:06.29).
Relay runners for the winning 4x8 were Noah Pickard, Gavin Fowler, Donavin Solis, and Ryan Dillon.
Sheldon Siverling continued his impressive spring with a victory in the Shot Put (54-3) and a 2nd place finish in Discus (136-3).Lucas Crater won the individual sectional championship in the Pentathlon (2578 points) as well.
The team finished with 142.5 points, while Uprep scored 145.
"This meet was a very gutsy performance from many of our athletes, and the Blue Devils competed hard all meet long," said Boys Coach Nick Burk. "The meet was hosted by Batavia, so all of our seniors got to have one more chance to run on the home track against the top competition.We also had a very balanced meet, getting contributions in many events throughout the course of the day.Despite the bittersweet ending to sectionals, our athletes left it all on the track and competed until the end."
Full results can be found at: https://live.yentiming.com/meets/781/events
Batavia will host the State Qualifier meet this Friday at Vandetta Stadium at 4:45 p.m.
Batavia already had a 4-2 lead when Giana Mruczek scored the second run on a two runs that scored on a Sophia Minuto base hit in the fifth inning. Photo by Howard Owens.
For the first time in a decade and the second time in program history, Batavia's softball players lifted a Section V trophy over their heads after beating Waterloo for the Class B1 crown, 7-2.
Giana Mruczek tossed a complete game three-hitter, fanning seven and going 1-3 at the plate and driving in a run. She was selected as the tournament's Most Valuable Player.
Libby Grazioplene went 4-4. Julia Clark had two stolen bases and scored two runs.
This was the third year straight that Batavia and Waterloo have clashed in sectional finals and the first time in those three contests that Batavia came out on top.
"To beat Waterloo is a big accomplishment," said Coach James Fazio. "I had a feeling that if we made it this far, it was going to be Waterloo again. And it was, thankfully, we're able to get the job done today."
A key difference this year, Fazio said, is Batavia took an early lead.
"They're such a strong hitting team from top to bottom that no lead to safe against them," Fazio said. "For once, we were able to get the lead on them, and that's been our struggle the last couple of years -- we always play from behind. But this time, we put them on their heels, and we were just able to hold on. They're a tough team, and we were fortunate enough to beat him."
Mruczek said the win felt really special because she and her teammates have worked hard and grown close.
"I think it's very heartfelt," Mruczek said. "This team has worked so hard for these past two years, and this team (Waterloo), they've always come for us. This was the third year playing them, and I think that we really wanted it so bad. This one is just what everyone deserved. I think it's great."
Clark said there was something special about beating Waterloo, given the history between the two teams.
"This means everything," Clark said. "We've fallen so many times to this team, and we don't see him in the regular season. So it's really this game or nothing. So we always have to put our all in."
The win was also special, Clark said, because of the decade between championship trophies for the softball team.
"We haven't won it all in a very long time," Clark said. "We're always division champs and stuff like that. But to finally win a sectional title for our school means a lot."
Other performance highlights:
Sophia Minuto, 1-3, two RBIs
Drew Stevens, 1-3, one RBI
Arianna Almekinder, 1-3, one RBI
Lyndsey Grazioplene, 1-3
Next up for Batavia: The Class B consolidation game against either Wellsville or Haverling on Tuesday at 5 p.m. at Honeoye Falls-Lima HS.
Photos by Howard Owens. To view more photos, click here.
Arianna Almekinder popped up a bunt in the 7th inning that landed fair just out of reach of ....
... Waterloo catcher Logan Amidon.
Giana Mruczek tossed a complete game three-hitter, fanning seven.
Giana Mruczek
Sofia Branche scores.
Third baseman Hannah Carney charges toward the plate on a chop swing by Waterloo's Emily Plate.
Giana Mruczek takes a pitch.
Sophia Minuto fouls one off.
Hannah Carney throwing to first.
Kennedy Beniamino is out at first. Batavia's first baseman is Sophia Minuto
Batavia, the #2 seed in the Section V Class B Girls Softball tournament, beat Midlakes on Thursday to advance to the finals, where they will face #1 seed Waterloo on Saturday.
The final score was 5-4.
Libby Grazioplene was 2-4 with three RBIs, including driving in the winning run with a two-run single.
Julia Clark was 2-3.
Lila Fortes had an RBi while going 1-4.
Giana Mruzcek tossed a complete game for the win, striking out nine.
Saturday's game is at 11 a.m. at Webster Thomas High School.
Jane (Haggett) Paladino, longtime music influencer as Batavia High School's music teacher and department chairperson, delivers her final swan song as conductor during a band concert Tuesday evening at the high school's Frank E. Owens Auditorium.
Paladino is retiring from the district and looking forward to new adventures ahead -- albeit with staff, students and parents enriched by her lessons and saddened by her departure.
