MUCKDOGS FALL IN GAME 1

Saugeties, NY - Starter Virgil Heath allowed four hits over 8.1 innings as the Saugerties Stallions beat the Batavia Muckdogs 9-2. 

Saugerties is now one win away from winning the PGCBL championship for the first time since 2021. 

Muckdogs first baseman Brayden Horton put Batavia up immediately, hitting a home run on the first pitch of the game. Second baseman Omar Carreras followed up with a double before Jacob Veczko drove him in. 

Trailing 2-0 in the bottom of the second, Saugerties got on the board, taking advantage of an error by Horton. With two on and two out, leadoff man Adonis Medina delivered the biggest blow versus Muckdog starter Eric Woodley all season, drilling a three-run home run to put the Stallions ahead 4-2. 

Medina appeared to have driven in another run in the fifth inning when he doubled into the left-center gap. Still, a tremendous relay throw from shortstop Tyler Castrataro nabbed Brandon Fish at home plate, keeping Saugerties off the board.

The score would hold at 4-2 into the seventh inning. After nearly turning an inning-ending 5-2-3 double play, Evin Hollandsworth faced Dylan Passo with the bases loaded and two outs. Hollandsworth surrendered a walk, driving in a run and driving him out of the ballgame. On in relief came Gavin Chandler, who allowed a two-run bloop single to Logan Sanchez, putting Saugerties up 7-2 in the seventh. 

The Stallions tacked on two more runs in the eighth, sending Virgil Heath out to try for a complete game up 9-2. Heath was pulled with one out in the ninth after walking two batters. In relief came Jace VanValkenburg, who retired both hitters he faced to end the game. 

Heath allowed just one hit after the first inning. He struck out five and walked four batters over 8.1 innings. 

The Muckdogs now trail the PGCBL championship series 1-0. They host the Stallions at Dwyer Stadium on August 3 for a potential doubleheader. If Batavia wins game one, which will begin at 4 pm, they will play a second game to decide the league champion. Championship game tickets start as low as $12. For tickets, please call (585) 524-2260 or visit our website at https://www.canusamuckdogs.com/.