MUCKDOGS HOLD ON TO FIRST PLACE

Batavia, NY - Muckdogs left fielder Sean Mindas provided the tying and winning runs as the Batavia Muckdogs came back to defeat the Niagara Ironbacks 5-4 in walk-off fashion. 

The walk-off was the fifth such win for the Muckdogs this season in just their seventeenth home game. 

Batavia got off to a hot start versus the Ironbacks JJ Reynolds, jumping out to a 3-0 lead in the bottom of the second inning on an RBI single from designated hitter James Bolton and a costly two-run scoring error from the Ironbacks. 

Niagara answered back against Muckdog starter Cameron Copple in the third, scoring two runs of their own on three straight two-out singles from Carter Shin, Andrew Bishop, and Alex Kean. 

The Ironbacks opened the fifth inning with back-to-back hits, chasing Copple from the game with no outs in the inning. Niagara scored both runners to take a 4-3 lead in the fifth. Three of the four runs surrendered by Copple were earned. He allowed eight hits and struck out five batters over four innings. 

Both offenses were quiet after the fifth. Muckdog relievers Evin Hollandsworth and Luc Rising pitched a combined five hitless innings of relief, striking out seven and walking two. After three scoreless innings, Rising has now gone 16.2 innings without allowing a run. The all-star dropped his ERA on the season to 1.37. 

With one out in the bottom of the eighth, with the score still 4-3 in favor of Niagara and starter JJ Reynolds still on the mound, Muckdog left fielder Sean Mindas lined a single into right field, then proceeded to advanced two bases on an arrant pick-off attempt and score on a wild pitch to tie the game at four. After tying the game, the Muckdogs loaded the bases with one away, but could not bring home the winning run. 

After a scoreless top of the ninth from Luc Rising, the Muckdogs needed one to walk it off in the bottom half. After second basemen Omar Carreras led off the inning with a double, and pinch-hitter Travis Hammond laid down a bunt single, the winning run was ninety feet away. With one out and the bases loaded, Mindas grounded a single into left field, driving home pinch-runner Caleb Walker and securing the Muckdog victory. 

The Muckdogs tallied fourteen hits in the win. Every member of their starting lineup reached base safely at least once. 

For the second time in two weeks, the Ironbacks' Reynolds was given a loss despite pitching a complete game. He threw 133 pitches, allowing three earned runs over 8.1 innings. His record on the season dropped to 0-3. 

The Muckdogs now sit at 20-9-1 and hold a season-high 1.5-game lead in first place. The Ironbacks remain last in the West at 4-26. 

The Batavia Muckdogs return to the diamond on July 11th. They’ll host the rival Elmira Pioneers at Dwyer Stadium at 6:30 PM. It’s Strike Out Cancer night at the ballpark, presented by Wilmot Cancer Center. Tickets start as low as $9. To purchase tickets or learn more information, please call (585) 524-2260 or visit our website at https://www.canusamuckdogs.com/.