Muckdogs Hold Off Red Wings for Fifth Straight Victory

By: Cam Crossett

The Batavia Muckdogs continued their strong summer campaign Wednesday night, overcoming a late Geneva Red Wings rally to secure an 8-7 victory at Dwyer Stadium and extend their winning streak to five games.

Batavia improved to 20-6, maintaining its hold on first place in the Perfect Game Collegiate Baseball League West Division, while Geneva fell to 10-15. The two clubs continue their home-and-home series tonight in Geneva.

The Muckdogs jumped on Geneva starter Austin Deitz early after surviving a rocky opening inning from starting pitcher Collin Stefannuci, who made his Batavia debut,

Stefannuci loaded the bases in the top of the first and surrendered a run on a bases-loaded walk to Quinn Mahony that scored leadoff hitter Dylan Briggs. Despite the early trouble, the right-hander regrouped impressively, striking out three consecutive Red Wings hitters to limit the damage.

Batavia answered immediately in the bottom of the inning. Evan Brock lined a two-run single into left field, bringing home Jalen David and Jackson Inman to give the Muckdogs a 2-1 lead.

The offense continued to build on its advantage in the second. Bryan Johnson ripped an RBI double to center, scoring Jalen Roque, before a pickoff error by Geneva catcher Nick Filipponi allowed another run to score for a 4-1 lead.

The Muckdogs added two more runs in the third inning, taking advantage of another Geneva defensive miscue. Glenn Brooks came around to score after a pickoff error at home plate by Filipponi before Batavia pushed its lead to 6-1.

Stefanucci’s night ended after three innings, with Carter “Fridge” Ward taking over in relief.

Geneva chipped away in the fourth when Dylan Briggs delivered an RBI single to score Filipponi, trimming the deficit to 6-2.

Batavia answered once again in the fifth as James Quintero singled to center, driving in Brooks to restore a five-run cushion at 7-2.

The Red Wings refused to go quietly. They scored twice in the sixth inning on a passed ball, a Batavia throwing error and an RBI single by Connor McGough to make it 7-4.

Brock added another insurance run in the seventh with a sacrifice fly that scored Jackson Inman, extending the lead 8-4.

Geneva mounted one final push in the late innings. Chase Fogg launched a two-run homer to left field in the eighth, cutting the deficit to 8-6. In the ninth, Michael Uchee singled home Connor McGough to make it a one-run game before Batavia closer Eric Woodley shut the door.

Woodley struck out CJ Orrego with the tying run on base to earn his fifth save of the season and preserve another Muckdogs victory.

“We just battled,” Brock said. “The game got tight near the end, but that’s just baseball. We stayed through it, kept our mind straight and Eric Woodley came in at the end and got the job done.”

Ward earned the victory in relief to improve to 2-1 on the season, while Deitz was tagged with the loss, falling to 0-5. The Muckdogs will look to complete a series sweep tonight when they travel to Geneva before returning home tomorrow to host the Niagara Falls Americans. First pitch for both games is scheduled for 6:30 p.m.