Batavia Little League

The Dodgers and the Mets faced off today in the Batavia Little League Championship.

The Dodgers needed to win the first game to force a Game 2, or the Mets, if they won the first game, would have become champions.

The Dodgers did win the first game, 5-4 but the Mets came back in a big way in the second game to win 11-3.

The Batavia Little League 11-12 all-star team defeated Fredonia on Tuesday night to advance to the Section 1 finals against undefeated Webster. Batavia will host the game, starting at 5:30 this afternoon, at Ernie Park Stadium on State Street.

Manager Sam Antinore's club has bounced back after losing to Webster last weekend by topping Central Amherst on Monday and Fredonia last night.

The Batavians have to win two games against Webster to claim the sectional crown. If Batavia wins tonight, the championship game would take place at 5:30 p.m. Thursday at the same location.

Members of the Batavia club are Jay Antinore, Dane Dombrowski, Ryan Fitzpatrick, Jaden Firmstone, Bronx Buchholz, Ryan Fazio, Cole Grazioplene, Orion Lama, Brady Mazur, Trent Woods, Jamison Motyka, Jimmy Fanara and Cooper Hamilton.

Batavia Little League played a championship game at MacArthur Park on Wednesday. When I left, Batavia was ahead 7-1 or 8-1, but I've not yet received final results from anybody. Evan so, here are photos from yesterday's game.

UPDATE: Batavia won 9-4 and now advances to a sectionals round, which is hosted in Batavia this weekend. Teams in the tournament besides Batavia: Penfield, Auburn, Fredonia, Portville and Orchard Park.

Batavia's 11-year-old All Stars run at a championship season came to an end Monday with an 12-2 loss to Tonawanda.

Tonawanda moves on to the state championship next week in Pinebush.

Batavia made it to the District 1 regional championship game after beating Seneca Falls and Oleans.

Batavia’s Casey Radka turned a double play for the team, with Jerry Reinhart who pitched well in the loss to Tonawanda. Nick Bezinque and Evan Bender had the hits for Batavia in a well-played game by both teams. 

The 2011 11-year-old All Star roster included: Evan Bender, Alex Jones, Jerry Rinehart, Philip Koziol, Taylor Stefaniak, Nick Bezinque, AJ Marcello, Casey Radka, Griffen Moore, Michael Calderon and Cameron Ells.

The coaches were James Soggs, Dave Hall and Todd Bender

The team was coached by James Soggs, Dave Hall and Todd Bender.

Slide show of more photos below (be sure to click on the button in the lower right for full screen version).

Pictures from this event can be purchased by clicking here.