The Muckdogs (15-12) dropped the first game 3-1 but rallied back in dramatic fashion to win the second game and the series against the Aberdeen Ironbirds (13-14).
In the first game, Josh Hester (1-1) pitched three innings, giving up six hits and three runs with two strikeouts in the loss. Aberdeen’s Cole McCurry (4-0) earned the win, pitching five innings with five hits, one run and four strikeouts.
The Ironbirds scored two in the 2nd when Lee Ellis singled and Robert Widlansky hit a homerun over the right field wall. The Muckdogs looked to threaten in the bottom of the inning when they scored their one run. Chris Swauger doubled and Domnit Bolivar singled to move Swauger to third before Xavier Scruggs flied out for the RBI.
Aberdeen’s last run came on three singles off the bats of Caleb Joseph, Jacob Julius and Tyler Kolodny. Batavia’s Colt Sedbrook went 2-for-3 in the game.
In the second contest of the night, Hector Cardenas (1-0) got the win through his one inning of work. Joseph Esposito (0-1) got the loss and the blown save as he allowed two hits and three runs with three walks and two strikeouts in one inning.
The Ironbirds jumped out to an early lead in the 1st when Calvin Lester singled, stole second and scored on a wild pitch. Batavia started their offense in the 3rd, scoring three runs. Charley Cutler singled then Sedbrook tripled to drive him in. Jermaine Curtis singled and Shane Peterson doubled to score the other two.
Things then got interesting when Aberdeen had a big six-run 6th inning. An Eric Perlozzo single, Calvin Lester single, then a Joseph double started the rally. After a pitching change, Julius walked and Kolodny was hit by a pitch to load the bases before Joseph scored on a wild pitch. An Ellis double and Widlansky single plated the other runs.
The Muckdogs weren’t done though, as they started the comeback, scoring twice in the bottom of the 6th. Peterson singled and Jon Edwards was hit by a pitch before both advanced a base on a wild pitch. Cutler then singled to get two RBI.
After holding Aberdeen in the next inning, Batavia continued their rally. Sedbrook led off with a walk and moved to second on a wild pitch. Curtis followed with another walk. Then with two outs, Christian Rosa dropped a single in front of the plate to score Sedbrook. Scruggs then came into the spotlight, as he smashed a double to right field to score the two winning runs to end the game as the Muckdogs won 8-7.
Peterson went 2-for-4 with a double and Cutler went 2-for-3 with two RBI to finish out the homestand. The Muckdogs now travel to Staten Island for a three game series.
