Sports

The Muckdogs got their third walk-off win of the season on Tuesday night against the West Virginia Black Bears. Batavia clinched the series win as the team topped West Virginia for the bottom of the ninth for the second time in three nights.

The game had an eerily similar start to the game that was played on Monday night: Muckdogs score one in the top of the first, give up multiple runs a few innings later, and then have to come back late in the game. Brayan Hernandez came around to score in the top of the first on the first of three RBI singles from Albert Guaimaro.

Martin Anderson, who made his first Muckdogs start in the game, was excellent through the first 2.2 IP. However, getting that third out of the third inning would prove to be difficult, and would result in four runs crossing the plate in the inning. Dylan Cyphert would come on in relief to get Batavia out of the inning.

The Muckdogs found multiple chances to score again in the game. They loaded the bases in the sixth and Guaimaro would drive in another run to make it 4-2, but Pablo Garcia bounced into an inning-ending 3-2-3 double play. Garcia made up for it on the defensive side, where he picked off two runners from behind the plate.

The seventh inning had some fireworks of its own before the Independence Eve show even started. Batavia loaded up the bases for the second straight inning. After a pair of infield singles from Gerardo Nunez and Matt Brooks, Hernandez would look to make it three in a row. He squared to bunt, and the throw from the pitcher to first base was too far away to catch, which allowed one run to score, and put runners on second and third base after the error. Michael Donadio got hit by a pitch after to load the bases.

Guaimaro roped a line drive into left field with one out. A diving catch was made by Edison Lantigua and by the time he got up to throw, Brooks had supposedly tagged up and nearly scored to tie the game at four. Shortly after the celebration, the Black Bears appealed to third to see if Brooks had left early, and home plate umpire Tyler Witte called Brooks out.

That was then the third out and reversed the score to 4-3. Mike Jacobs was ejected after arguing the call, leaving the Muckdogs with one less run and a manager than they thought they would have after the seventh inning.           

In the eighth and ninth innings, Batavia’s bullpen was able to shut the door on the Black Bear bats, leaving things up to the bottom of the ninth. Hernandez smacked a leadoff double to start the frame.

Sean Reynolds would draw a one-out walk two batters later to set up Guaimaro to hit his third RBI single of the game. Hernandez scored to make it a tie game and both Reynolds and Guaimaro moved into scoring position on the throw.

Since the Muckdogs had the winning run 90 feet away, the Black Bears decided to walk Denis Karas to load the bases for a third straight inning. Hoping to get the out at the plate, West Virginia was going to take their chances with Demetrius Sims, who is on a five-game hit streak. He collected a total seven hits in the series, with the last one coming in the game’s final at-bat.

Sims hit s short ground ball to the first baseman Luke Mangieri, who couldn’t make a play before Reynolds scored from third to win the game 5-4. That was the third walk-off win of the season for Batavia and the second of the series against the Black Bears.

The Muckdogs head out on the road for a three-game series against the Pinckney Division leaders: the Mahoning Valley Scrappers. Afterward, they will return home for another three-game set against the State College Spikes.

Photos by Howard Owens.

Top Photo and second photo: Muckdogs Manager Mike Jacobs getting tossed from the game by a seemingly smiling home plate umpire Tyler Witte in the seventh inning. After getting tossed, Jacobs walked over to home plate and methodically and meticulously covered it with dirt. Jacobs disputed a call by Witte that Matt Brooks left third base too soon when he tagged up on a fly out to left field. Instead of scoring the tying run, Brooks became the third out of the inning as a result of the call.

Dylan Cyphert pitched two-and-one-third innings, giving up two hits and no runs. He walked one.

Center fielder Brayan Hernandez had three hits in five at bats and scored twice. One of his hits was a double.

Albert Guaimaro had three hits in five at bats.

Brayan Hernandez

The Batavia Muckdogs struck first in their match against West Virginia on Monday night, scoring a run in the first on a double by first baseman Sean Reynolds but couldn't hold the lead and lost in nine to Black Bears 3-1.

The home team fell to 7-9 on the season.

Alberto Guerrero (2-1, 3.99) took the loss, giving up all three WV runs in the fourth inning. 

Demetrius Sims had two hits.

The Muckdogs face off against the Black Bears again tonight. Game time is 7:05. Since there is no home game tomorrow, July 4th fireworks will immediately follow tonight's game. Reserved seating is $9 per adult and general admission is $7 per adult and $5 for children and seniors.

Photo: The pink sky over Dwyer last night by Melanie Case.

• 18 holes of golf at BCC with cart
• Grilled lunch with draft beer and soda at registration
• Beverage service throughout the tournament including beer specials
• Buffet Dinner
• Prizes, Skins and 50/50
• Giveaways and goody bags for all!

GRAND PRIZE: Three-night stay at Captain Pip's Marina & Hideaway, with one-day boat rental and snorkeling for two from Spirit Snorkeling, in beautiful Marathon, Fla.!

Send payment via check or credit card for tournament registration and/or hole sponsorship -- with golfers' names and/or organization and contact person, addresses, emails and phone numbers -- to:

Alex's Place

c/o  Colleen Kemp

8322 Park Place

Batavia, NY 14020

(FAX: 585-219-4303)

(If paying by credit card, include name on card, card number, expiration date, amount to be charged on paper with your signature.)

Matty

Matthew Gray
Alex's Place
Managing Partner

Buffalo Brothers
Marketing Manager

The Muckdogs were in danger of dropping a fourth straight game after leading 4-0 after the sixth inning at Dwyer Stadium on Sunday afternoon. However, dramatics that led to heroics sent the Muckdogs home winners with a walk-off grand slam from Brayan Hernandez in the bottom of the ninth.

Chris Vallimont also made his professional debut in the series opener against West Virginia on Sunday. Vallimont’s start saw him work three scoreless innings, only giving up two hits, walking one, and striking one out. He threw strikes early and often, as the right-hander threw 41 pitches, and 27 of them went for strikes.

Batavia would get him some run support in the second inning. Albert Guaimaro hit a one-out triple to get things going. Denis Karas would immediately follow that up with a sac fly to right field to make the score 1-0 Batavia. Then, with two outs, Batavia strung together three straight two-out singles between Demetrius Sims, Luke Jarvis, and Igor Baez. Baez’s knock would score Sims and make the score 2-0 after two.

Batavia would tack on one more run in each the third and fourth innings. A leadoff double for Hernandez would quickly find himself on third base after a double-steal with himself and Michael Donadio. Guaimaro then grounded out, but in doing so, brought Hernandez home to make it a 3-0 lead.

The fourth inning saw another leadoff double, this time from Sims, who scored on a sac fly from Baez in a quick inning but put the Muckdogs in front 4-0 after four innings.

Manuel Rodriguez was having a good night in relief with the exception of the seventh inning when he gave up two base runners, and then a three-run home run to Michael de la Cruz to cut the Batavia lead to just one. He did bounce back with a 1-2-3 inning the next time out to maintain the Muckdogs’ lead.

Elkin Alcala came on to slam the door in the ninth but surrendered a solo home run to tie the game. However, Batavia had some energy left despite the stifling 98º temperature that was constant throughout the game.

In the bottom of the ninth, Sims picked up his third hit of the ballgame to lead off the inning. He advanced to second on a wild pitch and then tagged up to third after Luke Jarvis flew out to right. Batavia was then 90 feet away from winning the game.

Baez would be intentionally walked to bring up Matt Brooks, who was 0-4 on the game. He drew a 2-0 count, and then the Black Bears decided to intentionally walk him to get to Hernandez, who is hitting sub-.200. Hernandez accepted the challenge and smacked a walk-off grand slam that cleared the left-field wall and sent the Muckdogs home with their seventh win of the season.

Games two and three of the series start at 7:05 p.m. from Dwyer Stadium on Monday and Tuesday.

Batavia dropped their third straight contest to the Auburn Doubledays on Saturday night by a 4-2 score. The Doubledays’ pitching staff kept the Batavia bats in check for the second straight game in another low-scoring affair.

Batavia put up their two runs on a total of six hits, which are each one higher than the season low they set the night before.

Humberto Mejia had a strong start for the Muckdogs. Despite picking up his second loss of the season, he pitched five innings, giving up just two runs on four hits and two walks, he also struck out three.

The Muckdogs would plate the first run of the game in the second inning when Igor Baez would hit the unconventional 9-6 fielder’s choice that brought Denis Karas from third. It would only take to the bottom of the third for Auburn to answer when they scored two runs to take the lead.

Both came around to score on one swing: a Gage Canning home run that cleared the right-field fence.

No more runs would score until the bottom of the sixth inning, and it would be another pair for the Doubledays.

After Chad Martin gave up back-to-back walks to start the bottom of the sixth, an RBI double from Jacob Rhinesmith brought in the first of the two. The second would be from the bottom man in the order, Phil Caulfield. His single brought Kyle Marincoz around to score and put the Doubledays in front by a 4-1 margin.

That would be all the offense that the Doubledays would see after Tanner Andrews would make his Muckdogs debut, and shut the door on Auburn.

The Muckdogs would plate one more run in the top of the eighth. Brayan Hernandez started the inning off with a walk and would get to second on a passed ball. Albert Guaimaro pushed Hernandez over to third with a groundout, which set up JD Osborne with an opportunity to cut the deficit. Osborne hit a ball to center field that would bring Hernandez in to score on the sacrifice fly and would cut the Auburn lead to two. Sean Reynolds would get lucky with a fly ball that turned into a two-out double to extend his hit streak to eight games.

However, that would be all that Batavia would score in the game, and would lead to a third-straight loss.

Batavia opens up a three-game homestand on Sunday against the West Virginia Black Bears, before going back on the road to face the Pickney Division leader, Mahoning Valley.

Batavia Country Club was filled with players in the annual fundraiser for Genesee Cancer Assistance yesterday afternoon (6-29). Many golf and bocce teams helped support the event to raise funds for charity.

The sponsors, volunteers and door prize donors from local and regional area businesses were a huge part of the success. 

This year’s honorary chairpersons were Deb and Dan Fischer, who are pictured below with Sue Underwood, executive director of the local charity.

Genesee County’s local radio station WBTA (FM 100.1 / AM 1490) in Batavia is co-owned by the Fischers, who are actively involved in the community and longtime supporters of Genesee Cancer Assistance.

The couple serves on many organizational club boards and committees and co-chair the annual bocce tournament. 

Supporting the event helps offset expenses for cancer patients in Genesee County such as prescriptions and medical co-payments. Other services available to cancer patients who apply for assistance include a support group, and the Simply Beautiful wig and makeup program.

Team Winners:

Bocce – Sue Schuler, Katie Neff, Susie Ott and Scott Neff (pictured below)

Women’s score of 70 – Wendy Danisewski, Patti Darch, Brenda Galliford, Pat O’Brien

Men’s score of 61 – Jesse Meyer, Tyler Durkin, Tarek Jaboli, Joe Rosati

Mixed score of 74 – Willis Litter, Matthew Delre, Vincent Strollo, Carol Grasso

To make a donation or learn more about the program go to: geneseecancerassistance.com or call (585) 345-0417.

The Batavia Muckdogs fell back to .500, at 6-6, after a home loss Thursday to Auburn, 14-9.

A passed ball in the first inning followed later by an error by third baseman Denis Karas helped pave the way for a six-run first for Auburn. Starting pitcher Dakota Bennett, who gave up 10 runs, but only one of them earned, over four innings, took the loss. He's now 0-2.

The league's top hitter for average, Jerar Encarnacion, was 2-4 with a double. He's hitting .479 on the season.

J.D. Osborne, who was the DH last night, and has also played catcher and third base this season, was 2-5 and his now hitting .378, eight best in the league.

Big first baseman Sean Reynolds has been on a tear in recent games. He is now hitting .305, going 2-4 last night. He has an eight-game hitting streak, going 9 for 23 in that span with two home runs.

Karas was also 2-4.

The Muckdogs are in Auburn tonight.

Batavia completes their first sweep of the season by defeating State College 4-3 on Tuesday night. The Muckdogs have now won three straight contests on their first winning streak of the season.

Batavia got another strong start from Alberto Guerrero, who notched his second win of the season by going six strong innings, only giving up one run on four hits in the outing. He also struck out five in the start. Guerrero lowered his season ERA to a 2.81, and now has a team-leading two wins.

The first run of the game came in the second inning after a leadoff double from Wood Myers. The double was followed up by a single from Andres Luna that brought Myers in to put the Spikes in front 1-0 after the second inning.

Batavia brought their first runs of the game to the plate in the top of the fourth inning once Jerar Encarnacion smacked his only hit of the game into left field to extend his hitting streak to 10 games to open the season. Immediately after, Sean Reynolds continued his hot streak by cracking his first triple of the season down the right-field line.

Reynolds has improved his average to well over .300 in the last five games. Encarnacion scored on the play to keep himself atop the leagues scoring charts. Simultaneously, Reynolds propelled himself atop the league leaders for RBI’s, a spot he ironically stole from the player he drove in. The Muckdogs were not done. JD Osborne hit a sacrifice fly to right field.

The pitchers out of the bullpen would lock in during the fifth, sixth, and seventh innings. Once in the eighth, Batavia dropped two more on the Spikes. Encarnacion and Reynolds both reached base again. State College elected to intentionally walk Albert Guiamaro to load the bases and get Demetrius Sims to the plate. Sims, who was already 2-3 in the game up to that point, hit a single through the hole on the right side to bring in Encarnacion and Reynolds. Batavia would finish off the eighth in front 4-1.

Two leadoff singles in the ninth would come around to score on a two-run double from Edwin Figuera, but that would be it as Jeremy Ovalle struck three batters in the ninth for the save.

Batavia improves to 6-5, going over the .500 mark for the first time this season. Winners, of three straight, the Muckdogs play host to Auburn for one game on Thursday after having Wednesday off.

Above photo: Derby winners Chloe Lutrell, age 8, who caught a 13” bass, and Jose Vanegas, age 16, who caught a 9 1⁄4” sunfish.

Submitted photos and press release:

Free Fishing Day and the Kendra Haacke Memorial Fishing Derby took place at DeWitt Recreation Area on Saturday, June 23rd.

A total of 44 kids ages 16 and under participated in the fishing derby, catching a variety of panfish and bass.

Prizes were awarded for the largest fish caught each by a boy and a girl.

This was the fifth annual Kendra Haacke Memorial Fishing Derby held at DeWitt Recreation Area. Each year the derby is sponsored by the Oakfield-Alabama Lions Club.

Friendly fishing guides were on hand to assist newbies with baiting a hook and learning how to fish. This event was the result of collaboration between Genesee County Parks, Recreation & Forestry, the Oakfield-Alabama Lions Club, and ACORNS.

Fishing tackle and bait were provided by a generous donation from Smith’s Great Outdoors, formerly Hunters Landing. Fishing poles were provided through a grant awarded by Cabela’s of Cheektowaga.

As part of the NYSDEC’s Free Fishing Weekend, no fishing license was required to participate.

Families from 10 local cities and towns including Rochester and Lancaster, joined in the free outdoor fun.

All participants received fishing tackle prizes, while each derby winner took home a new rod and reel and tackle box.

Derby winners: Chloe Lutrell, age 8, who caught a 13” bass; and Jose Vanegas, age 16, who caught a 9 1⁄4” sunfish.

Special thanks to the Oakfield-Alabama Lions Club, ACORNS, Cabela’s, and Smith’s Great Outdoors for making this event possible!

Press release:

Alumni of Byron-Bergen schools might remember seeing high school runners carrying the Jr. Olympic torch through the streets of the two communities back in the 1970s. The custom began in 1976 to signal the start of the Elementary School’s Jr. Olympics Day celebration, but fell out of practice over the years. The tradition was back again on the evening of June 12, as a relay team of varsity runners from Byron-Bergen Jr./Sr. High School, escorted by town fire engines, traveled a route around the towns of Byron and Bergen.

This was the third year for the new town run, which was organized by Varsity Track Coach Ken Rogoyski and elementary school teacher Alyson Tardy. This year’s runners, Jerome Spinks, Dayanra Caballero, Siomara Caballero, Anna Hersom, Hope Hersom Miriam Tardy, Josh Tardy, Paul McDermott and Travis Lambert, were cheered on by neighbors as each took a turn carrying the torch.

The next day, the traveling torch made another appearance at the opening of Jr. Olympics Day at the elementary school. Students there had been busy studying the cultures of many different countries. Each class represented their chosen country in a parade, and then in a day full of track and field competitions.

“The Jr. Olympics Torch Run is a fun way to connect with our community and a good way to get the younger kids excited about participating in the next day’s ceremonies,” Tardy said. “We’d really like to thank the folks at the fire departments for their support. We hope that even more people will take a moment to come out, have fun, and enjoy the show again next year.”

Top photo: Runner Anna Hersom carries the Jr. Olympic torch in Bergen as neighbors look on.

Team Ireland celebrates at the Byron-Bergen Elementary School Jr. Olympics on June 13.

Proud Bees after the 2018 Jr. Olympic Torch Run, (l-r) Jerome Spinks, Dayanra Caballero, Siomara Caballero, Anna Hersom, Hope Hersom Miriam Tardy, Josh Tardy, Paul McDermott and Travis Lambert with driver from the Bergen Fire Department.

The Tri-Town Trojans beat Letchworth for the 10-U Cal Ripken Championship (District 3) on Monday by a score of 6-5. The team will play in the state championship July 5 in Canandaigua, which is the first time in more than 30 years the team has reached that stage of postseason play.

The team was escorted back to Alexander from Pavilion by fire trucks from Bethany and Alexander.

Submitted photos.

Batavia won their first back-to-back games of the season in a pitcher’s duel at Medlar Field at Lubrano Park, and they did not see any runs cross the plate until the eighth inning.

Logan Boyd had a masterful start in his five innings pitched but did not get a decision in the outing. He only gave up a total of two hits, which did not yield runs, nor did he issue any walks. He struck out four batters to keep State College scoreless through five.

Humberto Mejia came out of the bullpen in Monday’s game after Boyd. Mejia was scheduled to start but worked from the bullpen to put the pitching rotation back on track after Saturday’s game was rained out. Mejia’s outing went three innings and kept the Batavia lead in tact in the eighth by only giving in two runs over the three innings he pitched. He did pick up the win to move to 1-1 on the season. 

The Muckdogs’ offense came to life in the top of the eighth after Harrison White worked a two-out walk. Demetrius Sims smoked a ball to third base that got past the third basemen Edwin Figuera and put runners on the corners with one out. Sims broke early for second and had an easy stolen base.

Two runners were in scoring position for Michael Donadio, who slipped a ball past the Spikes’ infield; while they were playing in, Donadio picked up his second hit of his 2-4 day. That brought two runs around to score for the first of the game in the top of the eighth. Donadio tried to advance on the relay, but was thrown out at second base.

After a JD Osborne walk, Reynolds crushed a ball to the right-center gap that brought another run to the plate to make it 3-0. Immediately following that, Albert Guaimaro singled into center field to bring Reynolds in to finish the hit party in the eighth.

Two runs would cross for the Spikes in the bottom of the frame. One run would come to score on a Justin Toerner triple, and that would cut the Batavia lead in half.

In the ninth, the Muckdogs get one hit, but could not produce any runs from it. The bottom end of the frame would see one more run cross the plate. Jameson McGrane came on to pick up his first save of the season. However, it would take three walks and one run to get the job done.

Batavia looks to get their first sweep of the season with their final matchup of the series against State College. First pitch from Happy Valley is at 7:05 p.m., Batavia returns home to an off day on Wednesday before a home-and-home with Auburn this coming weekend.

Press release:

The 15U Girls Fastpitch Softball season gets underway on Tuesday, June 26, with a matchup at Lions Park between Batavia Stingers Black and Lyndonville at 6:30 p.m.

Lions Park is located at 11 Wallace St. in Batavia.

The Batavia Stingers Yellow team starts their season with a game at Le Roy at 6:15 p.m. on Friday, June 29^th. Yellow’s home opener is scheduled for Thursday, July 5^th, at 6 p.m. at Lions Park against Lyndonville.

The Stingers 15U Black team will be coached by Stan Kaus, Matt Landers and Chuck Richmond, while the 15U Stingers Yellow team will be coached by Jim Fazio, Jamie Masters and Brian Mruczek.

The T.F. Brown's and Viele Construction Dodgers beat the Graham Manufacturing Pirates for the Batavia Little League championship Friday in extra innings, 10-8.

Cole Grazioplene hit a three-run walk-off home run in the bottom of the seventh to win the game for the Dodgers.

The Dodgers are coached by Samuel Antinore and Jeffrey Grazioplene

The players: Jaden Firmstone, Cole Grazioplene, Dane Dombrowski, Jay Antinore, Bronx Buchholz, Benny Pontillo, Maggio Buchholz, Chase Antinore, Owen Helpin, Alex Merica and Darius Wahl. 

The Elba Youth Baseball Lancers won a U-12 Division Championship by beating Hamlin 9-3 on Saturday. They beat out eight other teams in the tournament to take the 018 Westside House Baseball Majors League Title.

Back row: Tyler Bedard, Coach Trevor Horzempa, Elijah Horzempa, Hunter Gaylord, Ashton Beazon, Alex Marks, Angelo Penna. Front row: Aydn Horzempa, Brendan Wyder, Coy Betts, Isaac Volpe.

Photo and info submitted by Lauren Zuber.

The Batavia Muckdogs continued their trend of putting up big offensive numbers in an 8-6 victory over the State College Spikes on Sunday evening.

Batavia enjoyed the comfort of scoring seven runs between the sixth and seventh innings. Denis Karas ripped a bases-clearing double, and Sean Reynolds belted his second home run of the season in the win. RJ Peace got the nod on the mound on his 21st birthday, and went 4.2 IP and holding State College scoreless until the fifth inning.

The Muckdogs were able to manufacture a run in the second inning by stringing together three straight two-out singles to bring in Albert Guaimaro. Igor Baez nabbed his first RBI of the season to put Batavia in front 1-0 after two innings.

Four runs came across the plate for State College in the bottom of the fourth, one coming in on a wild pitch, one coming from a bases-loaded walk to Nick Dunn, and then Wadye Ynfante smacked a two-run single to put the Spikes in front 4-1 after five.

Batavia was able to answer right back in the top of the sixth with a bases-loaded walk from Reynolds, that would set up Denis Karas to clear the bases with a double to the right-center gap. After grabbing four in the sixth, the Muckdogs get two runners on for Sean Reynolds who hits his second home run in as many games to push three more runs across the plate.

Batavia would then go into the eighth inning with an 8-4 lead. Jerar Encarnacion extended his hit streak with a single in the sixth to push the streak to nine games. During the streak, he is hitting 20-40 for a .500 average. Meanwhile, JD Osborne continued a streak of his own, going 3-4 to get a fourth straight multi-hit game, and continue his five-game hit streak. Osborne has now bumped his average up to .407.

The ninth inning would not go down smoothly for Batavia, however. Chad Martin would retire two batters in the ninth, but allowed two runs in doing so. Doug Domnarski would come out of the bullpen to seal the deal by getting Wood Myers to ground into a 6-5-2-5-6 fielder’s choice to end the game, and give Batavia the 8-6 win.

The Muckdogs improve to a 4-5 record, while the Spikes drop to 3-7. The Muckdogs look to win back-to-back games for the first time this season with their 7:05 matchup tomorrow at Medlar Field at Lubrano Park.

In the main event at the "Throwdown at the Downs" mixed martial arts event, with 24 fighters on the card, Tom Shelby, of Le Roy, who came into the fight 2-0, was KO'd in the second round by Yuri Panferov.

Panferov, now 3-0, claimed the Ground Force Fights Cruiser Heavyweight title.

Shelby was hurt early in the second round when Panferov wrestled him to the mat against a cage wall and landed a couple of punches to Shelby's head (see two pictures below). Shelby got up and continued to fight but with less energy.

Panfervo landed a punch (above) that sent Shelby down and the referee immediately waved off the fight. Shelby was attended to by a ringside doctor and Mercy EMS personnel but walked from the ring on his own, bloodied but alert.

Paid attendance was 700.

UPDATE: The official results of the fights:

• Gray Hendershott wins over Zak Sucharski by armbar in the Submission grappling match;
• Jason Pilkenton over John Gear Gart via Round 1 TKO, 1:11 kickboxing match; 
• Eric Bonner over Maxeron Dorn via unanimous decision;
• Anthony Gugino over Kenny Hale via Round 1 Submission 1:17;
• Brendan Kennedy over Steven Kleckler via Round 1 Submission 1:03;
• Marcus Dunn over John Doyle via unanimous decision;
• John Piersma over Benjamin Horton via Round 1 TKO 2:10;
• Tim Cronk over Alex Carroll via Round 1 Knock Out :15 Heavyweight title fight;
• Mark Murray over Bert Forney via Round 2 TKO 2:53 Lightweight title fight;
• Jon Marconi over Travis Streeter via Round 1 Knock Out  :14 Super Heavyweight title fight;
• Brad Vargasson over Matt Norstrand via Round 2 Submission 1:11 Middleweight title fight;
• Yuri Panferov over Tom Shelby via Round 2 Knock Out 2:59 Cruiser Heavyweight title fight. 

Local favorite Matt Norstrand, who entered the ring at 3-1, before his Middleweight title fight against Brad Vargasson (5-4). Norstrand, who seemed in control of the fight during the first round, tapped out early in the second after Vargasson got him in a stranglehold (third photo below).

Mark Murray and Bert Forney. Murray claimed the Lightweight title.

John Marconi celebrates with his fans his KO victory seconds into the first round over Travis Streeter. Marconi is now 3-4 and the Ground Force Fights' Super Heavyweight champion. Streeter is 1-1.

The Batavia Muckdogs were down by six runs before their first hitter even stepped to the plate Friday night and over the course of nine innings the hometown team never could climb out of the hole.

The Muckdogs fell to 3-5 on the season with a 9-7 loss to Williamsport, now 5-3.

Starter Dakota Bennett, a 2017 11th round draft pick out of Somerville, Ala., lasted only two-thirds of an inning and took the loss in his first NYPL game.

Muckdogs Right fielder Jerar Encarnacion continued to tear apart NYPL pitching, raising his average to .514, second best in the league, with a 3-4 night. He scored two runs.

Big first baseman Sean Reynolds, who had the game-winning hit Thursday night, knocked one over the fence for the first time in the season in the seventh inning.

J.D. Osborne also had two hits and two RBI. He raised his average to .348.

The Muckdogs close out the homestand tonight against Williamsport. Game time is 7:05 p.m.

Bryce Howe, from Tulsa, Oklahoma, took over for Bennett in the first and pitched 3 1/2 innings, giving up one unearned run and four hits.