Sports

The Elba Lancers softball team came into the post-season as the #6 seed in the Class D2 Section V tournament and put together a string of wins carrying them to the championship game yesterday against Friendship.

Nice run but it came to an end with a 10-0 loss.

The Lancers finish the season with a record of 7-11.

Photos by Debra Reilly.

Press release:

Batavia rode their 10-5 win against the Niagara Power at Sal Maglie Stadium on Saturday to their second straight win as the Newark Pilots came to Dwyer. By no means was it a pretty game with two hits for the Dogs, but they were disciplined at the plate, drawing 11 total walks.

The Savanna Bananas' dancing first base Coach Maceo Harrison, a viral sensation on social media, also made an appearance for the fans at Dwyer. Harrison showed off his moves in the second, fourth and sixth innings.

Starting pitcher for Newark, Danny Owen, struggled with his location, hitting four batters in his two innings on the mound. Spencer Marcus had an RBI single in the first that scored leadoff hitter Caden Walton who was beamed three times in four at-bats.

Batavia stayed patient at the dish in the second inning, scoring three runs with no hits while stranding the bases loaded. The Muckdogs' other hits came in the bottom of the seventh after Abner Benitez had an RBI triple that also scored Walton.

Julian Pichardo picked up his second win of the 2021 season as the big right-hander from Coastal Alabama CC pitched seven scoreless innings for the Muckdogs. Pichardo only allowed two hits, striking out four Pilots batters and providing large cushions for relievers Kyle Kohlhafer and Nate Novia.

Both Kohlhafer and Novia pitched an inning. They allowed one baserunner each but left them stranded on the basepaths.

Now sitting at 5-5 on the season, Batavia will play at home Monday night against the Elmira Pioneers in an exhibition game that will not count toward their official record.

The games can be viewed on YouTube Live by subscribing to BataviaMuckdogBaseball. Make sure to follow our Twitter @BataviaMuckdogs and liking our Facebook Page, “BataviaMuckdogBaseball.”

Top photo: Julian Pichardo #40 starting pitcher.

To view or purchase pictures, click here.

Photos by Steve Ognibene Photography.

LAW Dance Studio

Savanna Bananas' dancing first base Coach Maceo Harrison​ showing off some moves.

George Parish age 96, World War II vet, of Alexander.

Submitted photo and information.

Elba Central School is hosting "Softball Showdown: Lancers vs. The Law" this Thursday, June 17th, starting at 5 p.m.

The seniors will be playing a team of Genesee County Sheriffs deputies and NYS Troopers in a showcase game.

Just for fun, Undersheriff Brad Mazur and Deputy Ryan Young stopped out at the school today to take on some good-natured smack-talk from the Lancers.

The school is located at 57 S. Main St. in Elba.

All proceeds will benefit the ECS scholarship fund.

The game will take place on our softball field and tickets are available for $5 in our district office (or at the field).

Food from Chap's Elba Diner, Andy's Pizza, and Los Compadres food truck will be available for purchase as well.

Press release:

At some points this season, it seems like the Muckdogs just haven’t been able to catch a break.

With the game hanging in the balance heading into the bottom of the ninth, Batavia trailed the Geneva Red Wings 7-5. Pinch hitter Caden Walton was beaned in the elbow on the first pitch he saw, and Cameron Conley also reached base after being walked on four pitches.

Abner Benitez kept his hitting streak alive as he laid down a bunt against southpaw reliever Ryan Gassler after first baseman Noah Reichman fielded the bunt and tried to get the lead runner Walton at third, but Walton reached before the throw.

Spencer Marcus stepped up to the plate down two runs with based loaded and no outs in what felt like a perfect scenario. Gassler hit Marcus in the foot with a breaking ball to cut the deficit to just one as the Muckdogs were in a prime position to win on Batavia Blue Devil Night.

Cleanup hitter Daniel Burroway struck out for the first out of the inning, but star outfielder/pitcher Blair Frederick was due up next in a great spot to have a walk-off in his first game as a Muckdog. In a 1-1 count, Frederick ripped a ball up the middle, and Gassler made an athletic play to catch the line drive and throw the ball over to third to complete the double play. And just like that, the game was over.

Batavia had the opportunity to cash in runners throughout the ballgame as well, leaving 12 runners left on base and the Muckdogs continue to struggle in that category. Starting Pitcher Nathan Hinkley was credited with the loss after going 5.2 innings, allowing 11 hits and six earned runs.

Catcher Joey Battaglia and third basemen Jerry Reinhart had great nights at the plate, scoring two runs apiece and having base hits in the three-run fourth inning for the Dogs.

The Muckdogs will now travel to Sal Maglie Stadium to square off against the Niagara Power for their first meeting of 2021. First pitch is scheduled for 6 p.m. Batavia will be back home for a 4:05 p.m. game Sunday against the Newark Pilots.

Today’s game can be viewed on YouTube Live by subscribing to BataviaMuckdogBaseball. Make sure to follow our Twitter @BataviaMuckdogs and liking our Facebook Page, “BataviaMuckdogBaseball.”

Press release:

The Elba/OA Lancers Golf Team completed the perfect season Friday, winning their third Section V Class C Golf Team Championship in the last five golf seasons.

In the new Sectional format, the Lancers started their day at Caledonia Country Club defeating the Kendall Eagles by a score of 173-238. CJ Gottler, the 2021 Individual Sectional Champion, was the medalist with a three-over round of 38 on the par 35 front 9. Brayden Smith (43), Jake Walczak (45), and Travis Wiedrich (47) were the other scoring golfers for the Lancers. Lilly Tobin was the Eagles low golfer.

As the Lancers stayed loose following their semifinal match, they awaited the winners of Byron-Bergen and Gananda. Byron-Bergen was able to knock off the top seeded Gananda by a score of 190-203.

The Lancers and the Bees then were set to square off in the all Genesee Region Class C Final. CJ Gottler and Travis Wiedrich dominated with a 1-under 36 and a 43, respectively, on the par 37 back 9. Brayden Smith (46) and Jake Walczak (47) rounded out the scoring group for the Lancers, while Peyton Yasses and Cooper Colantonio also shot well with tying scores of 52.

The Lancers finished the season at a perfect 13-0 overall (10-0 League) while winning their fourth Genesee Region Division Title in five years and their third sectional title in that same time frame. CJ Gottler was also back to back individual Section V Class C champion.

Photos by Kristin Smith. For more photos, click here.

Press release:

On the 80th anniversary of Russell E. Diethrick Park, the Jamestown Tarp Skunks picked up their fifth win of the season in a 9-0 victory against the Muckdogs Thursday night.

Not being able to drive in base runners in scoring position and minimizing errors in the field that create crooked numbers on the scoreboard was the difference in the ball game. Batavia was 0-7 with runners in scoring position and left double-digit runners stranded on the base paths.

The fifth inning has been cursed for the Muckdogs so far this season, as Jamestown added five more runs to their 2-0 lead. Three errors in the field played a large part in the blowup inning, with only two of the five runs scored were earned runs for starting pitcher Dathon McGrath.

For Batavia, Abner Benitez increased his hitting streak to six games after a single in the top of the fourth inning, as the Alabama State outfielder is hitting .414. Both Benitez and Daniel Burroway had two-hit performances for the Dogs, as they both had their hits in the fourth and ninth innings, respectively. Luis Rodriguez and Michael Florides had the two other hits for the Muckdogs.

The Muckdogs look to get back to their winning ways on Batavia Blue Devil night at Dwyer Stadium against the Geneva Red Wings tonight (June 11th). Geneva is second in the West Division with a 4-2 record. Last night the Red Wings lost to the Elmira Pioneers extra innings by a score of 5-4.

First pitch is scheduled for a 7:05 start Saturday night. Tomorrow’s game can be viewed on YouTube Live by subscribing to BataviaMuckdogBaseball. Make sure to follow our Twitter @BataviaMuckdogs and liking our Facebook Page, “BataviaMuckdogBaseball.”

Press release:

Elba bowed out of the Class D2 Section V tournament, losing a pitcher's duel 3-1 in boys varsity baseball action Wednesday night.

Senior hurler Andrew Hare was spectacular for the Lancers, striking out 14 while allowing just three hits but it wasn't enough.

Trailing 1-0 for most of the game, Elba finally managed a run in the top half of the sixth inning. Junior Caden Muehlig drew a lead-off walk and then moved to second on a perfect sacrifice bunt by sophomore Jake Engle. Muehlig would move to third on a passed ball on the next pitch. After an attempted suicide squeeze didn't work out, junior Connor Scott smacked a two-out double to deep right-center field to plate Muehlig with the tying run. Scio got out of the inning when pitcher Cam Loucks induced Hare into a short groundout.

In the bottom half of the sixth, Scio, who had been held hitless all day, suddenly got hot at the plate. Three straight hits by the Tigers, including a double to deep right-center by Cory Bolzan that scored the go-ahead run, highlighted the inning. The Tigers would add an insurance run shortly after when an infield hit by Loucks was misplayed by Elba.

Loucks went the distance for Scio, striking out five and walking three while surrendering just the one hit.

The Lancers finish the season at 4-9 while Scio will play Northstar Christian in the semifinals on Friday.

Oakfield's Mason Vigiano, pitching in a 12-U league, was dominating against Alden yesterday, notching a no-hitter while striking out 18 batters on 71 pitches.

He walked one batter at the top of the third inning. He struck out the first six batters he faced.

Oakfield won 10-0.

Photo and info submitted by Sam Vigiano.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Press release:

Sign ups for the 2021 OAE (Oakfield-Alabama/Elba) Titans Youth Football and Cheer League will be held on this Sunday, June 13, from 10 a.m. - 12 p.m. Registration will be at the Oakfield Community Center, located at 33 S. Main St. in Oakfield.

Unlimited weight is allowed for ALL positions.

Sign up for:

• Beginners -- 6-7 years of age
• Minis -- 8-9 years of age
• JV -- 10-11 years of age
• Varsity -- 12-13 years of age

Please provide: Birth Certificate & proof of health insurance. 

Cost for Football and Cheerleading is $130 per athlete.

Cash, personal check, and payment via Venmo are accepted.

"Continuing a Tradition!"

GO TITANS!

With questions, contact League Commissioner, Brandon Spurling (585) 297-3197 or League Secretary, Elizabeth Mullen (585) 813-5337.

Email: oaeyouthfootball@gmail.com

Press release:

As players and coaches reported to Dywer Stadium on Tuesday, they were determined to give the fans what they deserved on “Guaranteed Win Night” at the ballpark. Mission accomplished after a 10-1 route of the Elmira Pioneers to get back in the win column.

Pitchers allowing walks, errors in the field, and leaving too many runners on base have been the Muckdogs kryptonite ever since their last victory against the Pioneers at Dunn Field on opening night.

Tonight, Batavia checked off all the boxes to the winning formula, limiting the number of walks to six, playing error-free baseball, and tallying 13 hits.

Reliever Tyler Prospero explained his opinion of the team’s recent struggles saying, “we talked in the clubhouse today and we don’t feel like we’ve lost a game yet. There are some serious competitors and dogs in that clubhouse who come out and work their tails off every day.”

Prospero was crucial to tonight’s success for the Muckdogs, as the Niagara Purple Eagle pitcher pitched a scoreless three and a third innings, two walks, and two strikeouts out of the pen. The Batavia native did not have an ideal debut this past Friday against Elmira. Once the nerves settled down today, you could see that Prospero was locked in and that “dog mentality” held Elmira to just one run and four hits.

Julian Pichardo picked up the win as the Coastal Alabama CC right-hander had another masterful start against Elmira. In his first start of the season against the Pios, Pichardo went four and two-thirds scoreless frames with nine strikeouts and three hits given up. Tonight the Muckdogs ace was still very effective throwing five innings on four hits, one run, and two strikeouts.

After the lethal Muckdogs lineup came back down to Earth the past two games only mustering up five runs and seven hits, Batavia broke things open in the fourth and fifth innings scoring four runs in each inning. Second baseman Caden Walton got things rolling with a leadoff double in the fourth, as he would be driven in by cleanup hitter Daniel Burroway to tie the game at one.

In the next at-bat, shortstop Charlie Szykowny would slice a ball down the left-field line that would score Burroway as the flood gates opened for Batavia. Batavia would score 10 unanswered runs as they continued to put the ball in play against the Pioneer bullpen after starter Holden Wilder ran into turbulence in the fourth.

Instead of pressing the panic button Monday following the 13-3 loss in an exhibition game against the Mansfield Destroyers, skipper Joe Martinez and assistant coach Tony Brewington decided a better course of action would be to motivate their team to reach their full potential. After having deep conversations with both the hitters and the pitching staff, the Muckdogs saw it as a learning experience to build off and learn from the adversity that comes with a three-game losing streak.

Elmira’s win streak was stopped at three in Monday night, as Batavia has been the thorn in their side up to this point with both losses this season coming at the hands of the Muckdogs. With five errors Tuesday night, Elmira will try to get their revenge against Batavia as they host the Muckdogs Wednesday at Dunn Field.

First pitch will be at 7:05 p.m. and can be viewed on YouTube Live by subscribing to BataviaMuckdogBaseball. Make sure to follow our Twitter @BataviaMuckdogs and liking our Facebook Page, “BataviaMuckdogBaseball.”

Photos by Jim Burns. For more photos, click here.

Press release:

Batavia’s losing streak extends to four as the Mansfield Destroyers, a team in the NYCBL, beat them 13-3 Monday night. The game will not count toward the Muckdogs PGCBL record due to it being a crossover game between two different summer baseball leagues in New York.

The Muckdogs came out of the gates hot at home with a two-run bottom of the first after hits by outfielders Spencer Marcus and Abner Benitez. Mansfield, who was playing their first game of the entire season, tied the game in the third due to back-to-back doubles from Villanova catcher John Whooley and left fielder Tyler Castelli.

Batavia would answer in the bottom of the frame as Charlie Szykowny would reach via a throwing error by second basemen Randall Hiem that would score Ethan Frasca to take the lead. As starting pitcher Kyle Kohlhafer’s day game to close after allowing four hits and one earned run in four innings, things went south for the Muckdogs in the fifth.

As we have seen multiple times so far this year, opponents have put up crooked numbers against relief pitchers due to walking too many base runners. Mansfield would score five funs in the fifth to take the lead, and tack on four more in the seventh to increase their lead to 11-3. In those two blow-up innings, Batavia allowed nine runs on just four hits and two errors. The Destroyers lead would grow to double digits after right fielder Theron Schilling’s RBI double was Mansfields 10th hit of the ballgame.

Marcus would pick up Batavia’s only other hit of the contest with an opposite-field single to right field in the fifth. Even with only three total hits, Batavia could not cash in one of their eight runners left on base that reached via walks, hit by pitch, and errors. The Mansfield pitching staff of Vaughn, Shimp, Higgerson, and Kahn struck out 11 Muckdogs in the outing as well.

The Muckdogs will play home yet again tomorrow against the Elmira Pioneers who have won four straight games after losing to the Dogs 7-0 on opening night. It will be “Guaranteed Win Night” at Dwyer Stadium as all fans in attendance will receive a free ticket to a game later in the season if the Muckdogs fall to the Elmira.

First pitch tonight night will be at 7:05 and can be viewed on YouTube Live by subscribing to BataviaMuckdogBaseball. Make sure to follow our Twitter @BataviaMuckdogs and liking our Facebook Page, “BataviaMuckdogBaseball.”

Make sure to secure your ticket by calling the box office at (585) 524- 2260 or come to Dwyer Stadium today from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Press release:

The Geneva Red Wings remained unbeaten Sunday night as they picked up their third win of the year, defeating the Muckdogs 4-2.

Batavia’s bullpen struggled in the 9-7 loss to Elmira and the 12-10 loss to Jamestown during the homestand this past weekend. Today the pitching staff kept the game close when their offense was not putting up runs in bunches like we have seen up to this point.

Right-hander Nathan Hinkley got the start for Batavia in his first appearance for the Muckdogs after joining the team late due to Keystone College going deep into the NCAA Divison III tournament. Hinkley pitched six innings, allowing five hits, striking out six, and only allowing one earned run.

For Geneva, Joe Sperone also hurled six scoreless innings as the Muckdogs left six runners on base, including Charlie Szykowny and Brice Mortillaro stranded at third early in the ballgame.

After scoring two runs in the bottom of the sixth, (the second run was unearned due to an E7 charged to Luis Rodriguez) Kyle O’Neill gave up two runs in relief for the Muckdogs to make the deficit 4-0.

With only three hits for Batavia heading into the eighth inning, outfielder Abner Benitez hit a two-run no doubt homer off reliever Andrew Matthews. Benitez has been red hot at the plate as the freshman from Alabama State already has seven hits and four runs scored this season.

Byron-Bergen native Colin Noeth held the score at 4-2 in the eighth, making it the third straight night that the Muckdogs were down two runs with the game on the line. Matthews shut the door with a 1-2-3 inning that solidified the win for Geneva.

Batavia now falls to 1-3 after winning the season opener at Dunn Field against the Pioneers this past Thursday. They travel back to Dwyer Stadium for a two-game homestand on Monday and Tuesday. The Mansfield Destroyers, a team in the NYCBL will come to Batavia for a league crossover game tomorrow night while the Pioneers will come back to town on Tuesday.

The first pitch tomorrow night will be at 7:05 and can be viewed on YouTube Live by subscribing to BataviaMuckdogBaseball. Make sure to follow our Twitter @BataviaMuckdogs and liking our Facebook Page, “BataviaMuckdogBaseball.”

Make sure to secure your ticket by calling the box office at (585) 524- 2260 or come to Dwyer Stadium tomorrow from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

New era of Batavia Muckdogs baseball opens at Dwyer Stadium

Photos below by Jim Burns. For more photos, click here.

By Griffin Della Penna:

The Batavia Muckdogs defeated the Elmira Pioneers in their inaugural game as a member of the Perfect Game Collegiate Baseball League Thursday night 7-0 at Dunn Field.

Strong performances on the mound from Julian Pichardo, Andrew Parr and AJ Winger were crucial to halt the Pioneer offense. The Muckdog bats came through in big moments, as all seven of their runs were scored with two outs.

In the start, Pichardo hurled a scoreless four 2⁄3 innings on three hits, no walks, and nine strikeouts. With a runner on second base, reliever Andrew Parr struck out left fielder Kevin Serrano on three pitches to retire the side in the bottom of the fifth. Parr finished with four strikeouts while only allowing a hit in 2 1⁄3 innings pitched. Winger did not record a baserunner in the final two innings of work, retiring all six batters he faced in order.

Batavia’s runs came in bunches as the three runs came around to score in the third and ninth innings. Catcher Brice Mortillaro safely got to first after a drop third strikeout which would later be the first run of the game after an Abner Benitez line drive single. First baseman Daniel Burroway knocked in Alabama State University teammates Luis Rodriguez and Benitez to build the lead to 3-0.

Outfielder Spencer Marcus’ two-out single resulted in a Mortillaro opposite-field RBI single in the fourth inning to increase the lead to four. Batavia added their next trio of runs stemming from errors by Elmira’s Sam Polanco and Ryess Youmans. Utility player Charlie Szykowny and outfielder Trevor Dean were late-game substitutions who contributed with RBI singles to add some more insurance runs in the top of the ninth.

Elmira will travel to Dwyer Stadium in Batavia tonight with intentions to spoil the Muckdogs home opener. The Muckdogs will be playing their first home game in 637 days in what is anticipated to be a sold-out crowd. Make sure to secure your ticket by calling the box office at (585) 524- 2260 or come to Dwyer Stadium from 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.

First pitch will be at 7:05 p.m. and can be viewed on Youtube Live by subscribing to BataviaMuckdogBaseball. Make sure to follow our Twitter @BataviaMuckdogs and liking our Facebook Page, “BataviaMuckdogBaseball.”

Go Dogs!

Press release:

A Basketball Training Camp for the experienced and serious player only will be offered to boys in grades seven through 12 in Batavia city schools, and college.