BATAVIA MUCKDOGS ARE YOUR WEST DIVISION CHAMPIONS

Batavia, NY - The Batavia Muckdogs defeated the Jamestown Tarp Skunks 4-2 to win the West Division title. 

This is the Muckdogs' first West Division title since 2022. 

Batavia starter Luc Rising got into trouble in the second, as the Tarp Skunks loaded the bases with one out. Jamestown shortstop Brady Marshall grounded into a double play to keep the game scoreless. 

With two on and two outs in the third inning, Tarp Skunk catcher Jakob Haynes lined a single into right-center field, putting Jamestown on the board first. 

The Muckdogs responded in the bottom half with the top of their lineup. A double off the bat of leadoff man Brayden Horton tied the game at one, before an RBI single from Tyler Castrataro gave Batavia the lead. 

With two outs in the top of the fourth, Marshall smoked a ball into the left-center field gap. Center fielder Travis Hammond made a full extension grab, keeping a run off the board. 

Rising tossed scoreless fifth and sixth innings, keeping the score 2-1 heading to the bottom of the sixth. After Iannello hit Omar Carreras with a pitch, Cooper Fesh laid down a bunt, and Haynes sailed his throw down the first base line, putting runners on second and third for Batavia. Right fielder Jacob Veczko followed with a sac fly, putting the Muckdogs ahead 3-1. 

Luc Rising was pulled with two outs in the seventh inning for right-hander Ethan Papacek. He allowed one unearned run, surrendering six hits and striking out five batters. 

Papacek struck out the lone batter he faced in the seventh in his first appearance in over a month. 

A lead-off walk in the eighth inning prompted Batavia to go to the bullpen once again, as Eric Woodley came on in relief. Woodley had faced Jamestown just three days prior, tossing eight innings on July 27 to clinch the first seed for the Muckdogs. He allowed an RBI single to right fielder Ben Slanker but kept the scoring there, keeping Batavia ahead 3-2. 

The Muckdogs added a crucial insurance run in the bottom of the eighth on an RBI single from Fesh. The game went to the ninth with Batavia in the lead, 4-2. 

Woodley stayed out there for the final three outs. With two outs, Jamestown brought the go-ahead run to the plate, as Eric Weeks doubled and Dom Costello singled on the 11th pitch of his at-bat before Woodley got the final out, punching the Muckdogs' ticket to the PGCBL championship. 

For their efforts, Rising got the win, and Woodley got the save in the victory. 

The Muckdogs begin the PGCBL championship on Saturday. They will face the winner of the East Division final between the Amsterdam Mohawks and Saugerties Stallions. It’s still to be determined whether Batavia will be home on Saturday or Sunday. Updates will be given on our social media platforms and website when more is known. You can follow us at @batavia_muckdogs. Championship game tickets start as low as $12. For tickets, please call (585) 524-2260 or visit our website at https://www.canusamuckdogs.com/.