Sports

Submitted photo and press release:

MORGANTOWN, W. Va. -- The Batavia Muckdogs were involved in a second-straight, exciting extra-innings game in just a 13-hour span, but came out on the losing end of a 5-4 contest Thursday.

Batavia (39-33) have a half-game lead over West Virginia (38-33) after the loss to the Black Bears.

Batavia's Albert Guaimaro continued his four-game tear, as he went 2-for-4 with a home run and two runs scored. Guaimaro is 9-for-15 in the last four games with three home runs, a triple, six RBIs and eight runs.

Catcher Dustin Skelton went 3-for-4 with a two-RBI double for Batavia.

In his last 10 games, Skelton is hitting .360. He is an 18th-round Miami Marlins draft pick out of Mississippi State. Andrew Turner had two hits. Jack Strunc and Troy Johnston (RBI) also had hits.

Lefty Easton Lucas had another strong start and has given up one hit his last two starts. He went three innings, struck out six and walked two without giving up a run. Jonakier Villalobos went two scoreless innings with three strikeouts.

Batavia returns home for a game Saturday at 7:05 p.m. and home Sunday at 5:05 p.m. before ending the season at Auburn on Monday. West Virginia has five games with Mahoning Valley.

Saturday is Fan Appreciation Night and fireworks. The Batavia High School 2019 Section V championship team will be honored as well.

Tickets are available at muckdogs.com or stop by the Dwyer Stadium Ticket office between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. during the week. The number is 585-483-3647.

Fan Appreciation Night

The Batavia Muckdogs have announced that the Saturday 7:05 p.m. game against the Auburn Doubledays will be Fan Appreciation Night with a post-game Disney-themed fireworks show presented by Ferrellgas.

The Muckdogs are in the midst of a heated playoff race and look to PACK THE PARK (Attendance is at a 14-year high!) with great ticket and food and beverage specials!

To celebrate Fan Appreciation Night, all general admission tickets will be only $5.

Food and beverage specials will include $2 hot dogs, $2 peanuts, $1 chips and $3 craft beer cans.

In addition, the team will host a post-game launch a ball contest with a portion of the proceeds to benefit the Willie Bee Foundation. Fans will have the opportunity to purchase six tennis balls for $5 for the chance to win round-trip airfare on Allegiant Air and other great prizes.

Tickets are available now online at Muckdogs.com or can be purchased at the Dwyer Stadium Box Office during normal business hours from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. on Thursday and Friday and from noon until the seventh inning on Saturday.

About the Muckdogs

Recognized as the birthplace of the New-York Penn League and one of it’s founding franchises, 2019 marks the 80th season of professional baseball in Batavia. Operated by Batavia Muckdogs Inc., the Muckdogs are the Class A Short Season Affiliate of the Miami Marlins and the only professional sports franchise in Genesee County.

About the Willie Bee Foundation

The Willie Bee Foundation is a not for profit charitable organization that benefits local families that have a child facing life-threatening ailments by proving monetary, medical and social support services.

Photo: Batavia Muckdogs Catcher Dustin Skelton went 3-for-4 with a two-RBI double Thursday. In his last 10 games, Skelton is hitting .360. He is an 18th-round Miami Marlins draft pick out of Mississippi State.

For a senior-day crowd of 1,083, with a start time of 11:05 a.m. on Tuesday, Albert Guaimaro, a fan favorite for his past two seasons in Batavia, hit his first home run of the season.

It wasn't enough as the Muckdogs fell 11-4 to the Williamsport Crosscuters.

Milton Smith continued his strong season in Batavia gathering two hits. First baseman Sean Reynold's doubled but starter Jackson Rose had given up five runs in the first four innings (of six he pitched) and Batavia never caught up.

The Muckdogs play four of their final five regular-season games starting with a 7:05 p.m. game Thursday at home against Auburn.

Photos by Jim Burns.

On Saturday, Aug. 31, the Muckdogs franchise will honor the 2019 Boys Varsity Batavia Baseball Team on their Section V victory on the field before the start of the game.

The Muckdogs will play against Auburn on Saturday night; game time is 7:05.

The Blue Devils shut out Geneva June 1, winning 9-0 in the Class B1 title game. It was their first sectional title since 1998.

Everyone is encouraged to come out and show their support of the BHS varsity baseball team in recognition of their victory.

The high school team's boosters will also be raising money for the 2020 baseball season by having a 50/50 and other raffles, selling Batavia Blue Devil apparel, and conducting a tennis ball toss into the ball field after the game.

Submitted photos and press release:

When eight of the first nine Batavia Muckdogs had hits or walked in the first inning, it was going to be a good night of baseball

In the end, the Muckdogs (38-31) won, 10-0 to move 1.5 games ahead of West Virginia (36-22) and two games ahead of State College (36-33) in the race for the first place and the playoffs in the New York-Penn League Pinckney Division.

"We were clicking on all cylinders. All we needed was one run and the pitching did the rest," said Jack Strunc, a 25th-round draft pick of the Miami Marlins this year out of Creighton University (Omaha, Neb). "This was big win because we are building some momentum going into the West Virginia series, we heard they lost tonight, so that's big for us. Hopefully we can keep things going into the game tomorrow and the big series ahead."

The Muckdogs are home this morning at 11 o'clock for Senior Day, as there are $2 ticket specials and it's Pups in the Park.

Strunc had his best game of the season, going 3-for-3 with his seventh double and five RBI's.

Milton Smith II (run, RBI), Troy Johnston (run) and Albert Guaimaro all had two hits.

Julian Infante had a two-RBI single and scored two runs, Andres Sthomes had a RBI single and scored and Sean Reynolds was walked twice, reached on an error and scored three runs.

On the mound, Julio Frias, a Muckdog all-star, went five innings of shutout ball scattering three hits with five strikeouts and only one walk. Frias, a lefty, is 5-3 on the season with a 2.60 ERA.

Brock Love tossed two scoreless innings with three strikeouts and one hit lowering his ERA to 2.66 while Jonaiker Villalobos went two scoreless innings striking out three allowing just one hit.

After the 11 a.m. game today, the Muckdogs travel to first-place West Virginia for three games, then return home Saturday night for a 7:05 game, which is Fan Appreciation Night and fireworks. The final home game of the season is Sunday at 5:05 p.m. against Auburn.

Tickets are available at muckdogs.com or stop by the Dwyer Stadium Ticket office between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. during the week. The number is 585-483-3647.

(Top photo: Batavia Manager Tom Lawless and Nic Ready share a laugh in the dugout during a pitching change as Batavia jumped out to a 5-0 first inning lead and won, 10-0. Batavia is in first place in the New York-Penn League Pinckney Division by 1.5 games after the victory.)

(Bottom photo: Jack Strunc went 3-for-3 with a double and five RBIs, earning him a pie in the face from teammate Sean Reynolds after the Batavia Muckdogs won, 10-0.)

Submitted photos and press release:

The Batavia Muckdogs dropped a game to the Williamsport Crosscutters, 10-3 to start a three-game home stand but retained the half-game lead of first place as West Virginia lost on Sunday as well.

Batavia (37-31) had eight hits but Williamsport was powered by shortstop Bryson Stott, the first round draft pick this year of the Philadelphia Phillies, who went 3-for-5.

Batavia's offense was led by Milton Smith II who had two hits while Troy Johnston had a RBI double and scored, Nic Ready, Sean Reynolds, Harrison Dinicola and Andrew Turner had hits.

Eli Villalobos struck out four in three innings while Joey Steele struck out three in two innings.

The Muckdogs are home tonight and the park will be "barking" for the 7:05 for Pups in the Park. It's the "dog days of summer" so there will be $1 and $2 food and drink specials.

The first 1,000 fans will receive a free tumbler from Genesee Orthopaedics and UMMC.

Tuesday is a special 11 a.m. start as it is Senior Day and all general admission tickets are $2 and it's a bonus Pups in the Park Day.

Tickets are available at muckdogs.com or stop by the Dwyer Stadium Ticket office between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. during the week. The number is 585-483-3647.

Photos: There were 90 members of the Western New York Muckdogs at the game Sunday -- Kids Day. They ran out with the players for the National Anthem (top photo) and talked to players like Troy Johnston (27) (bottom photo).

Batavia Downs had its annual “Family Fun Day” this afternoon, with the highlight being the Wiener Dog races.

Eighty dogs had entered for 10 heats with one final race, that was again this year, a photo finish.

Dallas owned by Kristy Hody (Dallas is pictured below) came from behind and won the Dachshund Dash by a nose in a near three-way tie. 

Dallas is a first-time winner of the race. He had a little light trainng in the days preceding the event and is seen here with his favorite treat, a carrot.

Apparently Dallas’s athletic training regiment will not allow for him to have a higher calorie snack even after a victory. 

There was also face painting, games, magic, and pony rides for the kids during the normal Sunday harness racing meet. 

Photos and information from reader Phil Fava:

Fava Brothers Lawn Care Service won the 2019 Championship of the Batavia Men’s Softball League on Thursday, Aug. 22nd, at Kibbe Park in Batavia.

This is their first championship in more than 12 years of sponsorship in the league and they are very proud of it! They ate cake to celebrate.

Above and below: Muckdogs catcher Dustin Skelton was an offensive bright spot for Batavia Saturday night going 2-for-3.

Submitted photos and press release:

The Batavia Muckdogs had outstanding pitching Saturday night but could not get a run across in a 1-0 loss to State College (Pa.).

Batavia (37-30) keeps the half-game lead in first place in the New York-Penn League Pinckney Division as West Virginia (36-30) lost to Auburn.

Batavia is home today at 5:05 p.m. as it is Kids Day at the park.

Easton Lucas had a strong start for Batavia, throwing a no-hitter with one strikeout through 3.2 innings allowing two walks and no runs.

Bryan Hoeing took the hard-luck loss, giving up one run in 3.1 innings with two strikeouts and no walks. Josh Simpson tossed two shutout no-hit innings.

The offensive bright spot for Batavia was catcher Dustin Skelton who had two hits. Skelton was an 18th-round draft pick of the Miami Marlins out of Mississippi State.

Harrison Dinicola and Julian Infante had hits.

Batavia is also home on Monday at 7:05 p.m. and Tuesday is a special 11:05 a.m. start.

Tickets are available at muckdogs.com or stop by the Dwyer Stadium Ticket office between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. during the week. The number is 585-483-3647.

Submitted photo and press release:

With West Virginia winning to games in Auburn Friday night, the pressure was on the Batavia Muckdogs to win and keeps slim first place lead in the New York-Penn League Pinckney Division.

Trailing 3-1, the Muckdogs rallied with speed and power, defeating State College 7-5.

Nic Ready had another monster game for Batavia (37-29) hitting an inside-the-park home run, his ninth of the season.

The Muckdogs are home tonight at 7:05 with State College with post-game fireworks. The game Sunday against Williamsport is at 5:05 p.m.

Ready, a 23rd-round draft pick of the Miami Marlins this year, had two hits, four RBIs and made several dazzling plays at third including one to end the game. Ready is an active member of the Air Force, where he graduated this past spring.

J.D. Orr is not only leading the league in average, but making a late-season push to the .400 mark as he went 3-for-5 with three runs, his third triple of the season and his seventh double. Orr, a 10th-round Marlins pick out of Wright State in Dayton, Ohio, is hitting .390.

Sean Reynolds, who blasted a 418-foot home run Thursday night, was walked twice, so the 21-year-old fourth-round draft pick of the Marlins in 2016 stole his third base of the season. Reynolds, who is 6-foot-8, 243 pounds, also went to third on a ball in the dirt, showing his speed.

Troy Johnston (double his 13th) also had two hits while Julian Infante had a RBI.

Jack Strunc stole a base and Milton Smith II stole his 19th base of the year.

Johnston and Strunc were playing in front of their fathers.

"I saw them behind home plate ... it was pretty awesome," Johnston said. "It's always good to get a Muckdogs win. That West Virginia series will be huge, we are hoping to win a couple there."

Strunc added, "We have to meep this winning up and hopefully make the playoffs. It always feels good to play good in front of your pops."

Edgar Martinez picked up the win, his third of the season, going five innings with five strikeouts and a walk. M.D. Johnson went two strong innings and Brock Love picked up his first hold going on inning with no hits and two strikeouts.

Batavia closer Evan Brabrand earned his 13th save going one inning with a hit, no runs, no walks and two strikeouts.

Upcoming schedule: Tonight home 7:05; and Saturday home 7:05 p.m. against State College. Sunday 5:05 p.m. against Williamsport; Monday home at 7:05 p.m. against Williamspor;t and Tuesday's game is at 11:05 a.m.

Tickets are available at muckdogs.com or stop by the Dwyer Stadium Ticket office between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. during the week. The number is 585-483-3647.

Photo: Winning pitcher Edgar Martinez fires a pitch to the plate during Batavia's 7-5 victory Friday night.

Submitted photos and press release:

For the better part of eight innings Thursday night, the Batavia Muckdogs were in danger dropping out of first place.

Enter the power of Nic Ready and Sean Reynolds.

After a Troy Johnston's RBI single gave Batavia a 5-4 lead, Ready blasted a two-run double followed by a 418-foot home run by Reynolds to center field.

Batavia (36-29) scored seven runs and went on to win, 9-5.

West Virginia fell to Auburn, 5-2 to drop to 34-29, one game behind Batavia. State College (Pa.) is 33-32 and three back.

Batavia and State College play again tonight at 7:05.

The Muckdogs trailed, 2-0 in the bottom of the fourth when Ready crushed his eighth home run of the season to left field. The ball left the yard in such a hurry the left fielder never moved.

Ready finished with four RBIs, and he returned from the New York-Penn League All-Star Game with six other teammates before the game.

"We are used to it, we like to think jet-lag is not a thing. We show up and play the game," Ready said. "We got some good rest, got some fluids in us, hydrated and go get them tonight.

"We knew we were in the lineup, we were at the all-star game for a reason so we might as well show it at our home field," Ready added.

Down 4-2 in the eighth, Ready, a 2019 Miami Marlins draft pick out of the Air Force, said the attitude was to win.

"We have a saying, 'Dogs, Never Die,' we are always in a fight, especially on our home turf, anything can happen," Ready said. "A team could take the lead, we put up seven runs late and come up to win it. We love playing at home, a lot of fans came out and we appreciate it."

The Muckdogs then played some outstanding defense as State College was threatening in the top of the sixth. Moises Castillo singled and Batavia center-fielder Milton Smith fired the ball to Muckdogs first baseman Sean Reynolds who alertly went to second base to nab Castillo. Second baseman Andrew Turner tagged him out then fired to Nic Ready at third base to get David Vinsky who originally was trying to score.

On the mound for Batavia, Jackson Rose started and struck out one in 4.1 innings, then Joniker Villalobos struck out two in one inning. Jeremy Galindez tossed 2.1 innings of one-run ball with two strikeouts. With runners on and State College leading 4-2, Edison Suriel came on and got a strikeout to end the seventh.

Suriel stayed in for the win, improving to 3-2 and he went 1.1 innings striking out three.

Tonight, the first 1,000 fans will receive a free 2019 team photo. There were 1,166 fans at the game Thursday at Dwyer Stadium.

It is also Crafty Hour sponsored by Eli Fish Brewing Co. for the first hour as all drafts are $3.

The Genesee County Economic Development Center is the game sponsor.

Saturday night there will be fireworks.

Upcoming schedule: Tonight home 7:05, and Saturday home 7:05 p.m. against State College. Sunday 5:05 p.m. against Williamsport. Monday, home at 7:05 p.m. against Williamsport; and Tuesday's game is at 11:05 a.m.

Tickets are available at muckdogs.com or stop by the Dwyer Stadium Ticket office between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. during the week. The number is 585-483-3647.

Top photo: Sean Reynolds after a two-run home run in the eighth inning for Batavia.

Bottom photo: Gunner Pollman, Batavia's catcher, singles against State College (Pa.).

The general manager at Dwyer Stadium has contacted the Genesee County Dispatch Center to report a drone flying over the field; the operator is unknown.

"They are unable to continue with their normal operations," a dispatcher says.

City police are responding.

It's Thirsty Thursday and the Muckdogs were set to play the Spikes at 7:05 tonight.

Photo: Batavia's all-stars, from left, J.D. Orr, Milton Smith II, Nic Ready, Josh Simpson, Troy Johnston, Brock Love and Julio Frias. Batavia's team won Wednesday, 7-3.

Submitted photos and press release:

Thanks to a rain delay, seven members of the Batavia Muckdogs may be a little tired tonight as the Muckdogs host State College (Pa.) in a six-game series that could decide the playoffs.

The players were in the New York-Penn League All-Star game Wednesday night and tonight Batavia plays at Dwyer Stadium at 7:05.

Batavia (35-29) and West Virginia (34-28) are tied at the top of the New York-Penn League Pinckney Division with tonight's opponent, West Virginia, in third place, two games back at 33-31.

The games Thursday, Friday and Saturday are at 7:05 p.m. On Sunday at 5:05 p.m. starts the series with Williamsport. The two teams play at 7:05 p.m. on Monday and 11:05 a.m. on Tuesday.

There are ticket and food and drink specials along with other promotions each game.

Wednesday night at the NYPL All-Star Game in Staten Island, Batavia's J.D. Orr and Milton Smith II put the game away early with their hitting, defense and speed.

Orr started the game with a sharp single, then went to second when a pitch just got past a catcher. He scored on a basest for a 1-0 lead for the Blue team.

Milton Smith II doubled in the second then with two outs had a head-first slide to score on a single. He also made a catch by the wall in left field to preserve the shutout.

Julio Frias threw a scoreless inning, Josh Simpson was perfect with a strikeout in his outing, earning a hold, as did Brock Love as the Blue team won, 7-3.

Nic Ready and Troy Johnston also played in the game and Ready hit two home runs in the first round of the home run derby pre-game tying him for first place. The rain stopped the derby and delayed the start of the Hall of Fame ceremony.

During the Hall of Fame Ceremony, the late Gene Baker, a former Batavia manager went in the hall. New York-Penn League President Ben Hayes talked about Baker and a video tribute was played in his honor.

Former Oneonta and New York Yankee Bernie Williams also went in the hall with Staten Island's Jane Rogers and the late Josiah Viera.

Tickets are available at muckdogs.com or stop by the Dwyer Stadium Ticket office between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. during the week. The number is 585-483-3647.

Above photo: Batavia all-star Troy Johnston is joined by his father, David, and fiancee, Haleigh, at the game in Staten Island Wednesday.

Above photo: J.D. Orr and Troy Johnston share a laugh in the dugout as Milton Smith II looks at the rain clouds coming in before the all-star game Wednesday in Staten Island.

By Tim Bojarski, for Batavia Downs

When live racing resumes at Batavia Downs on Friday (Aug. 23) at 6 p.m., the track will feature a $35,000 guaranteed pool on the early Pick-5 wager that runs from race one to race five.

It is part of the United States Trotting Association’s (USTA) Strategic Wagering Program and as such, free program pages are available for those races on the USTA website or by clicking here for a direct download.

The actual carry-over is $14,913 and the $35,000 guaranteed pool is the largest in the history of Batavia Downs. 

And to make it even more interesting, the fifth race of the Pick-5 is a $118,800 leg of the New York Sire Stakes for 3-year-old trotting fillies that has Quincy Blue Chip and Winndevie facing off against each other once again.