Muckdogs Pull Away Late to Defeat Elmira 10-4
Written by Intern WBTA on July 4, 2026
By: Cam Crossett
The Batavia Muckdogs continued their strong start to the 2026 season on Friday night, defeating the Elmira Pioneers 10-4 at Dwyer Stadium to improve to 18-6 overall and remain in first place in the Perfect Game Collegiate Baseball League (PGCBL) West Division.
The Fourth of July weekend matchup began as a classic pitcher’s duel, with neither offense able to break through during the first three innings. Batavia starter Mason Davey and Elmira ace Landen Birch traded scoreless frames, keeping the game deadlocked at 0-0 while both lineups searched for an offensive spark.
That spark finally came in the bottom of the third inning when Jackson Inman delivered the game’s first big hit. With runner’s aboard, Inman lined a two-run single to bring home Cooper Romich and Jalen David, giving the Muckdogs an early 2-0 lead.
Elmira answered immediately in the top of the fourth. Alex Davis and Jack Aylward both crossed the plate on a two-run double to right field, tying the game 2-2 and shifting the momentum back towards Batavia.
Muckdogs wasted little time responding. In the home half of the fourth, James Quintero ripped a double down the right-field line before Myles Monell followed with a go-ahead RBI single to right, scoring Quintero and restoring the Muckdogs’ advantage at 3-2.
The Pioneers once again had an answer in the fifth inning. Brett Baker launched his first home run of the season, a solo blast that evened the score at 3-3.
From there, however, the Muckdogs took control.
Batavia opened the bottom of the fifth with back-to-back singles before Inman came through again, crushing a two-run triple to extend the lead to 5-3. The offensive surge continued moments later as Quintero added an RBI single, scoring Glenn Brooks to cap a three-run inning and give the Muckdogs a comfortable 6-3 cushion.
Dean Hoshide entered in relief during the sixth inning and provided Batavia with valuable innings on the mound. Elmira countered by bringing in Lukas Rylander to replace starter Landen Birch, but the Muckdogs continued to apply pressure offensively.
Batavia stretched its lead to 8-3 in the seventh inning thanks to heads-up baserunning and an Elmira defensive miscue. Jalen Roque reached on an infield hit and advanced after an error by second baseman Tyler Adamo allowed both Glenn Brooks and Evan Brock to score.
Elmira attempted one final comeback in the eighth when Jack Aylward belted his third home run of the season, trimming the deficit to 8-4. The Muckdogs quickly erased any hopes of a rally, however, as a bases-loaded walk followed by a hit-by-pitch forced home two additional runs, extending the lead to 10-4.
Carter “Fridge” Ward handled the ninth inning with authority, retiring the Pioneers without allowing a hit, run, or error to secure his first save of the season and close out the victory.
Hoshide (2-0) earned the win in relief for Batavia, while Birch (2-1) suffered his first loss of the summer after allowing the Muckdogs’ offense to break through in the middle innings. Ward recorded the save in a spotless ninth inning.
With the victory, Batavia improved to 18-6 overall and maintained its hold on first place in the PGCBL West Division. The Muckdogs will return to Dwyer stadium on Sunday, July 5, for a non-conference matchup against the Buffalo Diesel. First pitch is scheduled for 4:05 p.m.
