MUCKDOGS MOVE INTO FIRST

Niagara Falls, NY - Eric Woodley tossed seven innings, allowing just one run, as the Batavia Muckdogs beat the Niagara Falls Americans 7-2, bringing them into a tie for first place in the West Division.

The Muckdogs defeated the Americans for the first time this season, and tied up their current three-game series at one apiece.

Batavia jumped on Niagara Falls starter Keegan Bazinet early, scoring four runs in the first inning behind a pair of RBI singles from Sean Mindas and Justin Espinal.

The Muckdogs stretched their lead to 5-0 in the third inning on an RBI double from shortstop Brian Fry.

Woodley allowed a solo home run to SUNY Niagara teammate Gavyn Boyle in the fourth inning, but that proved to be all the Americans could muster versus Woodley.

Batavia dazzled defensively in the fourth. Catcher Cooper Romich cut down Paul Dulanto attempting to swipe second base, and Travis Hammond closed out the inning with a sparkling sliding catch in center field.

The visiting Muckdogs tallied an insurance run in the seventh, and Hammond stretched the Muckdog lead to 6 with an RBI double in the top of the eighth.

The Americans managed to push one run across in the final two innings on a two-out RBI single in the ninth from Tommy Mathay, but Reed Marcum finalized the Muckdog victory.

Seven of the ten hitters in the Muckdogs lineup recorded hits in the victory, and Brayden Horton, Sean Mindas, and Justin Espinal all had multi-hit games.

Batavia is 17-9 on the season, tied for first in the West Division alongside the Americans. The season series between the two teams now sits 3-1 in favor of Niagara Falls.

The Muckdogs return to the diamond on July 5th at Dwyer Stadium, where they’ll play the rubber match of the three-game series versus the Americans on Tully’s Night. The game begins at 6:30 PM, with gates opening at 5:30. Tickets start as low as $9! To purchase tickets, or to learn more information, please contact (585) 524-2260, or visit our website at https://www.canusamuckdogs.com/.