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Muckdogs lose to Spikes 3-0

By Howard B. Owens

The Muckdogs fell to State College on Monday night at Dwyer Stadium, 3-0.

Bryce Howe worked the first three innings and gave up only one run but took the loss.

Gunnar Schubert, out of Gonzaga University, drafted in the 28th round this year and added to the roster June 25, had two hits, raising his average to .333.

Batavia doesn't play today and travels to Connecticut for a three-game series. They're back home Saturday for a 7:05 p.m. game against Lowell.

Top photo: Michael Donadio stole second base in the fourth inning.

A strike-out, throw-out double play in the fifth inning. The Spikes' Edwin Figuera struck out swinging and Batavia's catcher Igor Baez threw out Nick Dunnwtih second baseman Luke Jarvis taking the throw on a short-hop.

Matt Brooks dives back to first safely in the fifth inning.

Spikes shortstop Delvin Perez.

Community Action seeks golfers and sponsors for its annual Angels in Action Golf Tournament

By Billie Owens

Press release:

Community Action of Orleans & Genesee, sponsored by Turnbull Heating and Air, is hosting its annual Angels in Action Golf Tournament on Sunday, Aug. 5th, at Hickory Ridge Country Club in Fancher.

*Golfers and sponsors are needed!  

Price for golfing (including cart, lunch, buffet dinner) is only $70!  

Donations of products and/or services are also graciously accepted for our raffle.  

Please join us for a fun filled day with raffles, prizes, food and FUN!

Please call Lisa at 585-343-7798, ext. 116, or Michelle at 585-589-5605.

Proceeds benefit Emergency Services Programs in both Genesee and Orleans counties. Thank you for your support.

*P.S. -- Also Needed:

Community Action of Orleans & Genesee is in need of recycled plastic bags!  

Please bring your recycled bags (no holes and clean) to Community Action at 5073 Clinton Street Road Batavia.

Thank you!

Muckdogs pick up win Sunday against Spikes

By Howard B. Owens

The Muckdogs have split the first two-games of a three-game series with State College at Dwyer Stadium.

Saturday night the home team lost 7-4 despite a strong start by Alberto Guerrero, of Panama, who went six innings and gave up only one earned run on three hits, striking out seven.

This afternoon, the Muckdogs scorched the Spikes 8-3. First baseman Sean Reynolds hit his fourth home run of the season. He had two hits, two RBIs, and scored three times. The winning pitcher was Dylan Cyphert, who tossed two innings in relief and gave up two hits and no runs.

Photos are from Saturday's game, which would have been posted this morning with a game story but for the Stumblin' Inn fire.

The good guys will try to capture the three-game series tomorrow night. Game time is 7:05 at Dwyer Stadium.

Top photo: Reynolds slides into third, taking an extra base on a single to center by Denis Karas.

Octogenarian golfer gets a hole-in-one at Terry Hills, the third of her lifetime

By Billie Owens

Submitted photo of Batavia resident and ardent local golfer Carolynn Taylor.

It's been hot lately and this past week was especially sweltering. Most octogenarians sensibly parked themselves near thrumming air conditioners and waited for things to cool down.

But not 81-year-old Carolynn Taylor. In fact, the Batavia resident played golf, her favorite sport, last Monday, Tuesday and Thursday.

Granted it was evening time when she did so, but it was still very uncomfortable for many people half her age.

Such is her athleticism and conditioning from regularly hitting the links for more than 60 years.

Taylor plays to win and the three other "girls" in her foursome do that a lot in local tournaments.

Her estimated handicap nowadays is 26.

She came to our attention a week ago when a couple of her friends told us about her recent hole-in-one. We called and confirmed this with her Friday afternoon.

"I was just shocked," she said. "You have to have a good shot, but the rest of it is just luck."

It was actually the third time she's been that lucky. In addition to the hole-in-one on #12 at Terry Hills two weeks ago, she got one on #22 two years ago, also at Terry Hills, and another in Wellsboro, Pa., several years ago at the Tyoga Country Club.

According to the U.S. Golf Association, the odds of the average golfer hitting a hole-in-one are 12,500 to 1.

Asked what she got for her latest feat, she said "Nothing. I got to buy everybody a drink!"

Terry Hills, the 27-hole, 72-par championship public golf course on former farmland on Clinton Street Road, is her favorite.

"It's spectacular," she said. "They take such good care of the landscaping and the greens. You never see any weeds."

Taylor plays in three women's leagues there. She also regularly participates in a trio of local tournaments for charity: Ricky Palermo's Golf Tournament to Cure Paralysis; Genesee Cancer Assistance Golf & Bocce Tournament; and the Leadership Genesee Golf & Bocce Tournament.

She says her foursome has won the women's division in the Ricky Palermo outing every year for several years.

If you are competing against them, that sinking feeling must sink in pretty quickly.

Muckdogs down 2-0 in rain-delayed game at Mahoning Valley

By Andy Helwig

The Batavia Muckdogs’ game against the Mahoning Valley Scrappers on Thursday night was suspended due to rain. Batavia was trailing 3-0 in the top of the fifth. Albert Guaimaro was up to bat with a 2-0 count when the tarp came out.

The game will be finished tomorrow at 5:05 p.m. The full nine innings will be played to finish that game. Then, the originally scheduled game for tomorrow will be played 30 minutes after the completion of the first game. The originally scheduled game will be seven innings, the first seven-inning game of the season for the Muckdogs.

The Muckdogs won game one of the series, and look to give Mahoning Valley their first series loss of the season by winning either one of tomorrow’s games.

Muckdogs beat division leaders behind strong outing by RJ Peace

By Andy Helwig

The Muckdogs topped Pinckney Division-leaders Mahoning Valley 4-3 on Independence Day for their third win in four games. RJ Peace had another strong start, and as a result, he secured his second win of the season. He was able to keep the league’s top offense to just one run through five innings.

The only run Peace gave up was in the first inning. A leadoff triple by Gabriel Mejia set the Scrappers in motion to start the game. Jose Fermin followed it up immediately with a single to make the game 1-0 after just two batters. In the second inning though, Peace found his groove. He retired seven straight batters and put Batavia in a position to take the lead.

The Muckdogs did just that in the top of the fourth inning. Three straight batters for Batavia would come around to score. Michael Donadio hit a single to start things off for a ninth game in the last 13 where he would get at least one hit. Sean Reynolds reached on an error to put runners on first and second. Albert Guaimaro ripped another RBI single, following up a performance where he had three last night. Demetrius Sims then extended his hit streak to six games with another RBI single. His hit also made it four straight multi-hit games for Sims.

Luke Jarvis continued the fun by knocking in his first professional RBI to make it 3-1.

The game would come across two consecutive scoreless innings until the seventh inning. Igor Baez then launched a home run over the left field wall to make it a 4-1 ballgame.

Bryce Howe would work his second inning of relief after the seventh inning stretch. He allowed two baserunners to start the inning. They would both come to score, but only one was earned as a result of a throwing error.

While it was a 4-3 game, Elkin Alcala came on to shut the door in the eighth and struck out the side. In the ninth, he would allow a leadoff walk. However, he was able to get a strikeout because of a foul bunt with two strikes. Then, a tailor-made double play ended the game and gave the Muckdogs the win.

Game two of the series is Thursday night, with a 7:05 first pitch from Eastwood Field. The Scrappers haven’t lost a series all season, and Batavia has a chance to deal them their first tomorrow.

Photos: Annual Kiwanis 5K

By Howard B. Owens

Bill Buckenmeyer crossed the finish line first in the annual Fourth of July Kiwanis 5K at Centennial Park in Batavia.

More than 280 runners and walkers participated this year.

Muckdogs supply fireworks on and off the field for Independence celebration

By Andy Helwig

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

Muckdogs can't hold one-run lead, fall to Black Bears, 3-1

By Howard B. Owens

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.

Golfers wanted to tee up for Chef Russell Memorial Golf Tournament that benefits two local charities

By Billie Owens
Press release:
 
We are looking for golfers for our 11th Annual Chef Russell Memorial Golf Scramble set for Sunday, Aug. 12th, at the Batavia Country Club. Alex's Place sponsors this event and it will benefit Crossroads House and the Chef Russell Bugbee Scholarship.
 
For those who have not played in this tournament before, Colleen Kemp does an amazing job putting together a fantastic afternoon with great people, prizes, and drink specials.
 
Deadline for registration is Aug. 1.
 
It is one of the rare weekend golf tournaments out there and spaces fill up fast (we limit it to 128 golfers). Please consider putting together a foursome (we can also put teams together for you if you have less) for a great time, a great charity and a great scholarship opportunity.
 
Crossroads House -- is a comfort care home that serves the residents of Genesee and Wyoming counties who have been medically determined to be in their last stages of life.  It is an alternative to a hospital or nursing home when care can no longer be provided in the patient’s own home. Crossroads is an incorporated not-for-profit organization that provides service free of charge.
 
The Chef Russell Bugbee Scholarship is awarded as a tribute to Chef Russell, who we tragically lost in October 2010. The scholarship will be awarded to an area high school graduate that is not only pursuing an education in the culinary field, but also has the drive and passion that Chef Russell had for the culinary arts.
 
Also note that Hole Sponsorships are available for $150 each. Proceeds will go to Crossroads House and the Chef Russell Bugbee Scholarship.
 
Last year we raised nearly $10,000 toward these two great causes! 

Thank you for considering!

WHERE: Batavia Country Club
WHEN:  Sunday, Aug. 12th
TIME: Shotgun start at 1 p.m. Registration and festivities to begin at 12 p.m.
PRICE: $95 per golfer for registration
 
Includes:
  • 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

Muckdogs win on walk-off grand slam

By Andy Helwig

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.

Doubledays complete three-game sweep of Muckdogs

By Andy Helwig

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.

Photos: Genesee Cancer Assistance Annual Golf and Bocce Tournament

By Steve Ognibene

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.

RESCHEDULED: Guided kayaking tour of DeWitt Pond is July 21, must register by July 14

By Billie Owens

Press release:

Seize the day with a guided kayak tour of DeWitt Pond on Saturday, July 21st! It is rescheduled to Aug. 10 due to inclement weather. Pregister on or before Aug. 8 by calling 584-344-1122.

Explore the pond by water and discover a new world.

Session 1 takes place from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., Session 2 takes place from 1 to 3 p.m. Meet at the boat launch at DeWitt Recreation Area off Cedar Street in Batavia.

No experience needed, a beginner kayaking lesson is provided!

Rent a kayak or bring your own. Kayak rentals with life vests are provided by Adventures in Fitness Inc. Solo kayak rentals are available for ages 12 and up, tandem kayak rentals are available for kids under 12 and must be piloted by an adult.

Guided tour fee is $20/person without rental or $25/person with kayak rental per session. Fee for children under 12 is $10 per session. Pre-registration is required by Saturday July 14th, call 344-1122!

For more information visit the website here, or contact Shannon Lyaski at Shannon.Lyaski@co.genesee.ny.us or (585) 344-1122.

To learn more about the 38-acre pond, a former sand and gravel quarry donated to the county in 1992, click here.

Muckdogs fall 14-9 to Auburn in one-game homestand

By Howard B. Owens

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.

Muckdogs complete sweep of State College

By Andy Helwig

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.

A total of 44 children took part in Saturday's Kendra Haacke Memorial Fishing Derby at DeWitt

By Billie Owens

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!

Byron-Bergen carries on tradition with Junior Olympics torch run

By Howard B. Owens

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.

Tri-Town 10-U team wins district championship, moves on to states

By Howard B. Owens

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.

Muckdogs take second game on the road at State College

By Andy Helwig

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.

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