The annual Challenger Baseball game was held at Dwyer Stadium this afternoon with the Batavia Muckdogs hosting clients of Arc of Genesee Orleans.
The Muckdogs play a home game tonight at 7 o'clock against Jamestown.
The children and staff at the Agri-Business Child Development Center on Brooklyn Avenue in Batavia celebrated Juneteenth today with a parade in the playground.
Students at Batavia Middle School who have been accepted in to the Honor Society were celebrated in a ceremony at Van Detta Stadium on Wednesday afternoon.
From Ashley John Grillo, principal, Batavia Middle School:
Seventh grade 2021 Batavia Middle School Honor Society inductees
Brandon Currier, Cole Davis, Payton Dickinson, Elijah Fancher, Emma Godfrey, Gianna Grillo, Landon Hamilton, Kyleigh Kabel, Kailyn Lee, Harold Mellander, Sydney Parker, Gretchen Redder, Ella Shamp, Helaina Staley, Drew Stevens, Gianna Strollo, Isaac Varland
Seventh grade students who were inducted virtually last year as seventh graders
Ava Anderson, Cameron Baiocco, Kylee Brennan, Brooke Callahan, Lila Callan, Jeremiah Childs, Allison Debo, Maddison Dennis, Kahler Evans, Roan Finn, Will Fulton, Grant Gahagan, Samuel Grillo, Faith Guiste, Ava Higgins, Jakob Hutchins, Jameson Motyka, Mia Pellegrino, Jake Phillips, Kayla Richenburg, Campbell Riley, Bridget Taggert, Trevor Tryon, Alyssa Turner, Madilyn Underhill, Ava Wierda, Allyson Wormley, Kelsey Kirkwood
Eighth grade 2021 Batavia Middle School Honor Society inductees
Madeline Bellamy, Aubrey Bisher, Bronx Buccholz, Yannis Ciornei, Isabella DeVay, Nicole Doeringer, Lillian Emerson, Emerson Fitch, Brady Mazur, Alexandra Morrill, Jayla Odom, Samuel Pies, Lylianalynn Santos-Baez, Andrew Smith, Gavynn Trippany, Payton Vickery
Two months ago Batavia's Jack Houseknecht was involved in a horrific accident in the Town of Middlebury that left him hospitalized and in a coma. Yesterday, he came home, led to his house by a parade of family, friends, supporters, and escorted by City fire and Batavia PD.
Glenn Adams, of Bethany, produced this video of Sunday's "A Field of Thanks" ceremony at St. James Episcopal Church.
Previously:
Press release:
Inconsistency throughout the first two weeks of the season for the Muckdogs has created a roller coaster of high and low points. With Monday night’s walk-off, 6-5 exhibition win in the rearview, Batavia dropped to a 5-7 record after losing two straight.
On Tuesday against the Pioneers, a two-RBI triple by Charlie Szykowny in the opening frame created an early 2-0 lead. That lead stayed intact till the bottom of the third inning as the Pios put seven runs on the scoreboard on just five hits.
After adding two more runs for good measure to make the score 9-2 with four innings in the books, Batavia would score a pair of runs in both the fifth and sixth to make it a 9-6 ballgame. First baseman Joe Georger was a large part of the Muckdogs' success, tallying three hits and scoring two runs at the bottom of the order.
Georger and extra hitter Trey Bacon consistently getting on base created the opportunity for guys at the top of the lineup like Cameron Conley, Spencer Marcus and Abner Benitez to drive them in. Reliever Tyler Prospero had a great appearance for Batavia as Dathon McGrath could only go two and a third in the start. Prospero ran out of gas in the seventh with Chris Erickson smacking an RBI triple, while Kyle O’Neill would allow another to go up 11-6.
As they have shown repeatedly, the Dogs are a resilient group of guys that are determined till the very end. A spot that they found themselves in less than 24 hours before, down five runs with Bacon leading off the inning with a hit by pitch against pitcher David Ferguson. Benitez would walk on four pitches, and Marcus would have his second hit of the night to have the bases loaded with one out.
Charlie Szykowny battled against Ferguson to allow another walk that made the score 11-7. Coming to the plate was the game-tying run in Daniel Burroway would up to that point was 0-3 for the night but hit the ball hard all over the yard. Burroway laced a ball up the middle that was snagged by Pioneer shortstop Donovan Montgomery for the second out, and Montgomery stepped on second to complete the game-ending double play.
A situation that brought back flashbacks to Friday night’s 7-6 loss to Geneva as Blair Frederick hit a line-drive double play that ended Batavia’s comeback hopes just a few days before. The Muckdogs still hold the 3-2 season series against the Pios (not counting Monday’s exhibition win) as Elmira found themselves just a half-game back of first place.
Shifting gears into another challenging game on the road at Russell E. Diethrick Jr. Park Wednesday night, as the Muckdogs were still looking for their first win against the Jamestown Tarp Skunks. For the second straight night, Batavia got ahead early as Daniel Burroway score both Marcus and Benitez. However, a common theme for the Dogs is not capitalizing by adding to their lead with the bases loaded and giving their lead right back to the opponent.
Jamestown took the lead in the bottom half after a two-run bomb from extra hitter Luke Turner off Nathan Hinkley to go up 3-2. In the fourth, they added a trio of runs as DiMaggio Cazaras, Justin Bowers, and Justin Bailey all came around to score in the fourth.
Down 6-2 catcher Mitch Fleming got ahold of a fastball and drove it over the left-field wall for a two-run homer for his first of the season to cut the deficit to two. In the middle innings for Batavia, they continued to hit line drives and put the ball in play, but gold glove plays by Cazaras in left field, Bailey in right, Danny Hosley at third, and Haiden Hunt in center ensured that Jamestown kept their lead safe.
In the bottom of the sixth, AJ Winger retired the first two batters of the inning before allowing a walk to Bowers and a single to shortstop Chase Carlson. The next man up, Justin Bailey, hit a ball to Szykowny that was thrown to Georger at first, and a great pick was made to get the final out of the inning.
The only problem was the base umpire called Bailey safe at first base, allowing the inning to continue. Hunt on the first pitch he saw, hit a two-RBI single, followed by Mark Tucker, also driving in two runners.
With one call dictating a four-run swing for Jamestown, Batavia had more work to do with the bats as Benitez hit a towering solo shot over the 342-foot foul pole in right field to make it a 10-5 game. Outfielder Trevor Dean had himself a great day at the plate with two doubles and an RBI single in the seventh to make it a four-run game.
Matt Henson came and shut the door in the ninth for the Tarp Skunks, solidifying a two-game losing streak for the Muckdogs heading into a home-and-home series against the Niagara Power. Batavia beat the Power in their first meeting last Saturday 10-5 at Sal Maglie Stadium.
A home game at Dwyer Stadium today will be the Muckdogs first since Monday’s exhibition game. Niagara will then host Batavia on Friday for a 6 p.m. Friday start, with the Dogs then having three straight games at home throughout the weekend.
First pitch against the Power will be at 7:05 tonight -- Thirsty Thursday!
It can be viewed on YouTube Live by subscribing to BataviaMuckdogBaseball. Make sure to follow our Twitter @BataviaMuckdogs and liking our Facebook Page, “BataviaMuckdogBaseball.”
With field trips canceled this school year because of COVID-19 restrictions, the staff at Jackson Primary today organized a "Field Day" for the students.
Besides a visit for Deputy Andrew Mullen with K-9 "Frankie" and City fire, activities for the kids include carnival games, dance, rock painting, parachute, and moving-up certificates.
Each semester, students at Missouri State University who attain academic excellence are named to the dean's list.
For undergraduate students, criteria include enrollment in at least 12 credit hours during the spring semester and at least a 3.50 grade-point average (on a 4.00 scale).
Ilianthe Curie, of Batavia, made the list. Curie was among more than 5,000 students named to the spring 2021 dean's list.
An animal control officer headed to Bethany for a complaint that some ducks may be inadequately sheltered, is asked to stop at Walmart first. A caller says there's a dog tied to a cart corral in the last aisle in front of the grocery entrance.
There's an empty bowl by the dog and a sign that says "Do Not Pet."
UPDATE 3:17 p.m.: A couple of deputies are heading to Walmart to assist the animal control officers who says a female whom she detained at the vehicle wants to leave. The female then got in the vehicle and started to leave "even though I told her not to," says the officer, but now the driver has stopped.
UPDATE 3:20 p.m.: Deputies are on scene.
UPDATE 3:29 p.m.: After speaking with the driver, all officers have cleared the scene. The animal control officer is continuing to the Bethany complaint, which is in the 10,000 block of Silver Road.
SUNY Morrisville recently announced that Cameron A. Clark, of Batavia, was named to the President's List for the Spring 2021 semester. Cameron is majoring in Business Administration -- BBA.
To be named to the President's List, a student must achieve a perfect 4.0 average for the semester and complete 12 credit hours.
SUNY Morrisville's curricula are enriched with applied learning and pave the way for opportunity at both the Morrisville and Norwich campuses. An action-oriented, interactive learning lab, the college is a national leader in technology and has been lauded for its exemplary, innovative and effective community service programs.
The college was ranked among the Best Regional Colleges in the North by U.S. News and World Report Best Colleges 2021 issue and was also recognized in the Top Public Schools, Regional Colleges North in the 2021 Best Colleges rankings. For more information about SUNY Morrisville, visit or connect with us at: www.morrisville.edu, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube.
Elmira College celebrated the graduation of 192 students during its 163rd Commencement on Sunday, June 6. The Class of 2021 included 95 honor graduates receiving summa cum laude, magna cum laude, and cum laude honors.
Founded in 1855, Elmira College is a private, residential, liberal arts college offering 25-plus majors, an honors program, 17 academic societies, and 18 Division III varsity teams. Located in the Southern Finger Lakes Region of New York, Elmira's undergraduate and graduate student population hails from more than 20 states and nine countries.
Elmira is a Phi Beta Kappa College and has been ranked a top college, nationally, for student internships. The College is also home to the Center for Mark Twain Studies, one of four historically significant Twain heritage sites in the United States, which attracts Twain scholars and educators from around the world for research on the famous literary icon. Proud of its history and tradition, the College is committed to the ideals of community service, and intellectual and individual growth.
Elmira College celebrated the graduation of 192 students during its 163rd Commencement on Sunday, June 6 on Carnegie Lawn at the College. The exercises included 169 undergraduate and 23 graduate students, including:
Founded in 1855, Elmira College is a private, residential, liberal arts college offering 25-plus majors, an honors program, 17 academic societies, and 18 Division III varsity teams. Located in the Southern Finger Lakes Region of New York, Elmira's undergraduate and graduate student population hails from more than 20 states and nine countries.
Elmira is a Phi Beta Kappa College and has been ranked a top college, nationally, for student internships. The College is also home to the Center for Mark Twain Studies, one of four historically significant Twain heritage sites in the United States, which attracts Twain scholars and educators from around the world for research on the famous literary icon.
Proud of its history and tradition, the College is committed to the ideals of community service, and intellectual and individual growth.
At a time when politics sometimes obscure the good work people do, Superintendent Anibal Soler "took stock" Monday night of all the things parents students, staff, administrators and school board members accomplished during the coronavirus pandemic.
As part of his regular superintendent's update, Soler ran through a list of positive things that have taken place in the district since the pandemic rolled into Genesee County 15 months ago.
"Sometimes we get lost in the current events, the news articles, this whole thing we can’t really control, people question our integrity, our commitment to kids because we may not be extreme about masks or anything of that nature," Soler said to open his remarks.
In no particular order, he said:
It hasn't been an easy year but the best barometer for how the district has performed, he said, is what the kids say.
"Most of them say we did a pretty good job with what we had to work with," Soler said.
"This is a very politically divided time," he added. "If we stay grounded on what we do for children we can never go wrong."
At the start of his update, Soler announced that two principals in the district have taken new jobs elsewhere.
Ashley John Grillo will be leaving Batavia Middle School to become principal of the Junior-Senior HS in Byron-Bergen.
Amanda Cook is leaving John Kennedy to become director of curriculum in Pavilion.
Nate Korzelius will become interim principal at BMS. Soler said Korzelius will work on integrating high-school-credit courses into the offerings at BMS and that the change will open more opportunities for those students who participate to start Genesee Community College studies while in high school.
Citing increased work and personal commitments, Peter Cecere has resigned his seat on the Batavia City School District Board of Trustees.
Board President Alice Ann Benedict read Cecere's resignation letter before the board voted unanimously to accept his resignation.
Cecere said he came to the decision after many hours of deep thought.
"These many years I have been involved have been very, very rewarding," Cecere said. "It seems like 2013 was just a few minutes ago. I have enjoyed serving the parents, teachers, and administrators of this vibrant community. But most importantly I have enjoyed being an advocate for the incredible children of this district."
Before the vote, Cecere thanked his fellow board members for their friendship during his time on the board and said increased work commitments along with his desire to spend more time coaching soccer contributed to his decision to resign.
He said he felt to remain on the board he needed to give it his full commitment and with these changes in his life, that was no longer possible.
Photo: Screen capture from video of last night's meeting. Superintendent Anibal Soler presented Cecere with a certificate and a framed collection of drawings of the district schools.
Image: A first-place Graphic Arts creation, grades 10 to 12, by Michelle Jefferson from Dansville Central Schools called "Neon Lights."
Submitted image and press release:
The DIGIES is an annual digital media conference and festival run by the School Library Service, a program of the Genesee Valley Educational Partnership.
The mission of The DIGIES is to strengthen the digital media continuum between Pre-K-12 schools, higher education and professional institutions. The DIGIES recognizes student potential in an annual festival format and draws student entries from throughout the region and the Upstate New York area.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, this in-person awards’ ceremony was canceled. Emilee Williamson and Andrea Fetterly, library technologies’ specialists, coordinate this conference. Fetterly said despite the pandemic, this year’s festival drew a number of entries.
“We are excited to celebrate the amazing creativity and skill demonstrated by the participants in this year's DIGIES festival," Fetterly said. "Despite a much different school year with remote learning and other extraordinary circumstances, students continue to achieve great success."
Congratulations to these imaginative students!
Audio
Seventh-ninth Grades
10th-12th Grades
Graphic Arts
Pre-K-third Grades
Fourth-sixth Grades
Seventh-ninth Grades
10th-12th Grades
Interactive
Pre-K-third Grades
Fourth-sixth Grades
10th-12th Grades
Video
Pre-K-third Grades
Fourth-sixth Grades
Seventh-ninth Grades
10th-12th Grades
About the School Library Service
It is a program of the Genesee Valley BOCES. GV BOCES operates as a Board of Cooperative Educational Services offering shared programs and services to 22 component school districts located in Genesee, Wyoming, Livingston and Steuben counties in New York State.
A dog is reportedly locked inside a red F-1 50 pickup truck in the parking lot of BJ's Wholesale Club at 8330 Lewiston Road, Batavia. An officer is responding.
Press release:
Batavia rode their 10-5 win against the Niagara Power at Sal Maglie Stadium on Saturday to their second straight win as the Newark Pilots came to Dwyer. By no means was it a pretty game with two hits for the Dogs, but they were disciplined at the plate, drawing 11 total walks.
The Savanna Bananas' dancing first base Coach Maceo Harrison, a viral sensation on social media, also made an appearance for the fans at Dwyer. Harrison showed off his moves in the second, fourth and sixth innings.
Starting pitcher for Newark, Danny Owen, struggled with his location, hitting four batters in his two innings on the mound. Spencer Marcus had an RBI single in the first that scored leadoff hitter Caden Walton who was beamed three times in four at-bats.
Batavia stayed patient at the dish in the second inning, scoring three runs with no hits while stranding the bases loaded. The Muckdogs' other hits came in the bottom of the seventh after Abner Benitez had an RBI triple that also scored Walton.
Julian Pichardo picked up his second win of the 2021 season as the big right-hander from Coastal Alabama CC pitched seven scoreless innings for the Muckdogs. Pichardo only allowed two hits, striking out four Pilots batters and providing large cushions for relievers Kyle Kohlhafer and Nate Novia.
Both Kohlhafer and Novia pitched an inning. They allowed one baserunner each but left them stranded on the basepaths.
Now sitting at 5-5 on the season, Batavia will play at home Monday night against the Elmira Pioneers in an exhibition game that will not count toward their official record.
The games can be viewed on YouTube Live by subscribing to BataviaMuckdogBaseball. Make sure to follow our Twitter @BataviaMuckdogs and liking our Facebook Page, “BataviaMuckdogBaseball.”
Top photo: Julian Pichardo #40 starting pitcher.
To view or purchase pictures, click here.
Photos by Steve Ognibene Photography.
LAW Dance Studio
Savanna Bananas' dancing first base Coach Maceo Harrison showing off some moves.
George Parish age 96, World War II vet, of Alexander.
From Jim Fazio:
The 2021 summer camp for Girls Softball will be held at the Batavia High School Varsity softball field from 9 a.m. to noon on July 12th-14th. The 15th and 16th will be used as rain dates.
The camp is open to girls ages 8-17 (age 8 to upcoming senior in high school) from any town.
The camp will feature Batavia Varsity Softball Coach Jim Fazio, Cheektowaga Coach Kevin Walkowski, Batavia Varsity Assistant Coach and Athletes Edge Coach Brian Mruczek, Batavia JV Coach Jamie Masters, Batavia Modified Coach Toni PLatten, and Batavia Stingers Coach Stan Kaus.
The camp will focus on the fundamentals of the game including hitting, throwing, fielding, base running, and pitching.
A catcher (can be a friend, parent, etc.) must be provided for those taking part in the pitching lessons, which are 9:15-10 a.m. All players will be grouped according to age, ability, or both.
Cost of the camp is $50 and includes a camp T-shirt. Multiple kids from the same family will cost $45 per player.
Make checks payable to Batavia Softball Boosters and mail to: Jim Fazio, 5190 Ellicott Street Road, Batavia, NY 14020 Contact info: (585) 356-0901, email: jfazio@gvboces.org
For an application to print out, click here.
For the required waiver form acknowleging student athlete's assumption of risk of physical injury, click here.
A kitten was reportedly briefly caught in the motor of a black sedan parked outside Petco off Veterans Memorial Drive in Batavia. "It's doesn't appear to be injured," relays the dispatcher.
An officer was responding but the kitten has been freed and assistance is no longer needed. The sedan is hitched to a black trailer.
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