Muckdogs Top Doubledays 9-3 to Tighten Grip on First Place
Written by Intern WBTA on July 24, 2026
By: Cam Crossett
The Batavia Muckdogs strengthened their hold on first place in the Perfect Game Collegiate Baseball League (PGCBL) playoff race with a convincing 9-3 victory over the Auburn Doubledays in the second game of a home-and-home series this week. With both teams battling for postseason seeding, Batavia used an explosive first inning and a dominant performance from starter Nolan Bonell to earn the important league win.
After Bonell opened the game by striking out two Auburn hitters in a scoreless top of the first, the Muckdogs offense immediately went to work. Jalen David reached and eventually scored the game’s first run when RBI leader Evan Brock beat out an infield single, giving Batavia a 1-0 lead.
Auburn starter Joe Williams struggled to escape the inning. After loading the bases, Cooper Russell delivered the big blow with a bases-clearing double, driving in three runs and extending the Muckdogs advantage to 4-0 before the Doubledays could record the final out of the first inning.
Auburn answered with its first run in the top of the second. Justin Batts led off with a double and later scored when Brayden Michaelson reached on a fielder’s choice infield single, trimming the deficit to 4-1.
From there, both starting pitchers settled into a rhythm. Williams recovered from his difficult opening inning, while Bonell kept the Auburn lineup in check over the next several frames, allowing Batavia to maintain its three-run cushion.
The Muckdogs broke the game open for good in the bottom of the fifth with a five-run outburst. Mason Davey, who had reached second base, scored when Jalen David lined an RBI single to center field, pushing the lead to 5-1.
Batavia added another run moments later when a passed ball by Auburn catcher Jake Bentivenga allowed David to score, making it 6-1. Brayden Reina then worked a walk, stole second base and chased Williams from the game before Auburn turned to reliever Andrew Licari.
The pitching change did little to slow Batavia’s offense. Brock continued his productive evening with another RBI single to center, scoring Reina to stretch the lead to 8-1. On the very next pitch, Jackson Inman delivered the knockout blow, ripping a bases-clearing triple that plated Brock and extended the lead to 9-1.
Bonell’s night came to an end after strong five innings when Jack Page took over in the sixth. Jackson Reid followed with a scoreless seventh before Auburn managed to score its final two runs in the eighth. With runners on first and second, an error by second baseman Braedan Eye allowed two runners to cross the plate, cutting the deficit to 9-3.
Logan Thomas entered in relief to close out the game in the ninth, retiring Auburn to preserve the PGCBL victory.
Bonell earned his first win of the season, improving to 1-1 after limiting the Doubledays to one run over five innings. Williams suffered the loss, falling to 5-3 after allowing Batavia’s early offensive surge.
With just two games remaining in the regular season, Batavia heads to Newark tonight before returning home to Dwyer Stadium for its regular-season finale tomorrow, which will feature a postgame fireworks show. First pitch for both games is scheduled for 6:30 p.m.
Playoffs begin Monday, July 27, with the first game being played at Dwyer Stadium. To reserve your playoff tickets, call the Muckdogs at (585) 524-2260 or stop by the Dwyer Stadium box office, located at 299 Bank Street, Batavia, NY.
