Muckdogs romp 10-0 to increase lead

BATAVIA – When eight of the first nine Batavia Muckdogs had hits or walked in the first inning, it was going to be a good night of baseball

In the end, the Muckdogs (38-31) won, 10-0 over Williamsport Monday night to move 1.5 games ahead of West Virginia (36-22) and two games ahead of State College (36-33) in the race for the first place and the playoffs in the New York-Penn League Pinckney Division.

The Muckdogs are home at 11 this morning for Senior Night, as there are $2 ticket specials and it’s Pups in the Park.

Jack Strunc had his best game of the season, going 3-for-3 with his seventh double and five RBI’s.

Milton Smith II (run, RBI), Troy Johnston (run) and Albert Guaimaro all had two hits.

Julian Infante had a 2-RBI single and scored two runs, Andres Sthomes had a RBI single and scored and Sean Reynolds was walked twice, reached on an error and scored three runs.

On the mound, Julio Frias, a Muckdog all-star, went five innings of shutout ball scattering three hits with five strikeouts and only one walk. Frias, a lefty, is 5-3 on the season with a 2.60 ERA.

Brock Love tossed two scoreless innings with three strikeouts and one hit lowering his ERA to 2.66 while Jonaiker Villalobos went two scoreless innings striking out three allowing just one hit.

After the 11 a.m. game today, the Muckdogs travel to f West Virginia for three games then return home Saturday night for a 7:05 p.m. game which is Fan Appreciation Night and fireworks. The final home game of the season is Sunday at 5:05 p.m. against Auburn.