Batavia (44-26) had eight doubles in their 10-2 win over State College (16-54). With the win and another Jamestown loss, the Muckdogs now have a two and a half game lead as they sit in first place.
Thomas Eager (6-3) got the win in the start, going five innings with three hits, one run, three walks and one strikeout. Tyler Cox (0-1) picked up his first decision in the loss, going two innings with five hits, three runs, one walk and three strikeouts.
The game was scoreless until the 3rd when Batavia scored one when Jose Garcia hit a double and Jermaine Curtis reached on a throwing error, enabling Garcia to come home. The Spikes came back to tie it in the bottom of the inning, scoring after the bases were loaded after a walk, single and hit batsman. Jeremy Farrell then hit a sacrifice fly for the one run.
But the game didn't stay tied long, as the Muckdogs plated another run on a Charlie Cutler walk and Xavier Scruggs double in the 4th, and they never looked back. Two more tallies were added in the 5th. Back-to-back doubles by Garcia and Curtis scored the first. The other run came as Cutler singled to score Curtis.
Another two was added in the 6th. To start things, Chris Swauger doubled and Edwin Gomez singled. Garcia then hit into a force out which brought Swauger home. A double by Curtis later in the inning scored Garcia.
Batavia's big inning came in the 8th as they scored four runs in the inning. Gomez singled, Garcia doubled, Curtis doubled, Colt Sedbrook singled and Shane Peterson singled to plate the four runs on five hits.
State College showed some life in the bottom of the 9th as they plated one on a fielding error and a single, but the Muckdog damage was too great.
Garcia ended the night 3-for-6 with three doubles, four runs, two RBI and a stolen base. Curtis also had three doubles as he went 3-for-5 with two runs and three RBI. Let's hope Batavia can carry this offensive surge into Jamestown tonight as they strive for that first place finish.
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Here's where our Muckdogs stand in the NYPL:
- Thomas Eager: 2nd in pitching (6-3, 1.76 ERA)
- Arquimedes Nieto: 3rd in pitching (6-1, 1.76 ERA)
- Adam Reifer: T1st in saves (21); 1st in games (30)
- Colt Sedbrook: 7th in batting (.309); 3rd in hits (80); 3rd in on-base percentage (.396)
- Jose Garcia: 2nd in stolen bases (25); T4th in runs scored (44)
- Shane Peterson: 2nd in on-base percentage (.403)
- As a team: 2nd in batting (.268); 3rd in pitching (3.23)
