League recognizes Riverbats

The NYCBL recognized several Riverbats today for their success through the 2006 season.

Coach Jason Bunting was named NYCBL coach of the year.

Coach Bunting took the Riverbats from a 14 win regular season in 2005 to a 24 win regular season in 2006. The Riverbats made their first trip to the playoffs under Coach Bunting. The team won the first round playoff series but lost 2 games to 1 in the 2nd round against Allegany County.

During the spring season Bunting is head coach of the Greece Athena Trojans high school varsity team. He has lead the Trojans to several state tournaments since becoming the Trojans head coach in 1996. Many of his players have gone on to successful careers at the collegiate level.

A native of Rochester Coach Bunting graduated from Greece Athena in 1988 and subsequently graduated from the University of Buffalo in 1992. He captained baseball squads for both teams during his senior seasons. Coach Bunting is married and has a daughter and a son.


Pete McEneaney was named NYCBL 1st team all star.

Pete attends the University of Rochester where he will be a junior this fall. During the '06 Riverbat season he pitched a team high 62 innings with a team low 2.01 ERA. McEneaney was name 2nd team Liberty League during the spring '06 season for the Yellowjackets.

Joe Rizzo was named NYCBL 2nd team all star.

Rizzo attends St. Bonaventure where he will be a senior this fall. During the '06 Riverbats season he tied for the team lead in homeruns with 5, lead the team with 33 rbis, and had a combined slugging and on base percentage of .874 which was 9th in the league.

Rizzo has recieved many accolades over the years including being named to the All ABCA team twice including 1st team in 2005 and 2nd team in 2006 for his work with the Bonnies during the spring season.

Phil Butch was named NYCBL 2nd team all star.

Butch attends Slippery Rock where he will be a senior this fall. Phil led the team with 19 stolen bases and 33 runs scored. During the spring season Butch was named 1st team Pennsylvannia State Athletic Conference. Butch dazzled spectators, fellow team mates and the opposition with his defensive play in the middle infield.

Ryan Laboy was named NYCBL 2nd team all star.

Laboy attended Highpoint is 2005-6 and will be a sophomore this fall. Ryan tied with Joe Rizzo with 5 homeruns. He also drove in 29 runs, led the team with 11 HBP, and was second on the team with 12 stolen bases.

As a freshman at Highpoint (North Carolina) Laboy was name McDonald's player of the week.

2006 League Honors

2006 season a success for the Riverbats

After 14 win seasons in 2004 and 2005 the Riverbats had only one path in front of them and that was up.

The 2006 team equaled that win total at the half way mark and finished the season with a 24-16 record, a central division championship and the 2nd best record in the league. A look at the statistics shows why the team made the dramatic jump.

Team batting average jumped from .218 in 2004 to .241 in 2005 to .255 in 2006 (3rd best in the league). The Bats had 19 games with 10 or more hits. Offensively several Bats had strong years. Rob Maxwell (SUNY Brockport) led the team with a .323 batting average. Phil Butch (Slippery Rock) was 2nd in the league in runs scored with 33 and 3rd in the league with 19 stolen bases. Joe Rizzo (St. Bonaventure) was 2nd in the league in rbi's with 33 and 3rd in the league with 5 HR's. Ryan Laboy (Highpoint) also had 5 HR's for the Riverbats. Laboy was 2nd on the team with 23 rbi's and 12 stolen bases.

Team pitching saw similar improvement. The 2004 team ERA was 4.42 which backslid to 4.93 in 2005 but dramatically improved to 3.16 in 2006 (3rd best in the league). Pete McEneaney (University of Rochester) led the starting pitchers in ERA at 2.01 and 62 innings pitched. Jimmy Belanger (Cecil CC) led the team in strikeouts with 47 in 55 innings pitched. Jake Dennstedt (SUNY Brockport) walked only one batter for every 6 innings pitched. Keith Meyer (Duquesne) was unbeatable as a closer with an ERA of 1.69, 6 saves and a team low .162 opponent batting average.

The team started the season with a 8 and 6 mark and then reeled off 9 straight wins beginning with an 8-0 shutout against Hornell and ending with 7-0 shutout of Glens Falls. The win streak rocketed the team to a league best 17 and 6 record at the midway point of the season.

There were plenty of highlights throughout the season. A key early season 5-4 win against Geneva June 21showed the teams' ability to rally. Joe Rizzo after a slow start through the first 8 games of the season knotched his first homerun keying a 4 run 7th inning rally.

Another early season win against Geneva June 10th was keyed by Ryan Laboy throwing out a runner at home stopping a potential Red Wing outburst.

Laboy keyed the Bats first post season series win with a walk off homerun to win the deciding game three in the Rochester series.

Both Laboy and Matt Bennage (LeMoyne) showed great range in the outfield. Time after time they tracked down potential hits that ended up as outs.

Equally impressive was the middle infield play of Tim Wilson (SUNY Brockport) and Phil Butch. Both players ability to range side-to-side stole many hits away from Bat opponents.

Team awards:

Offensive Player of the Year - Joe Rizzo - outfield
.290 batting average, 42 hits, 8 doubles, 1 triple, 5 homeruns, 33 rbi's, and 28 walks

Pitcher of the Year - Pete McEneaney - Pitcher
2.01 ERA, .209 opponent batting average, 5-3 win-loss record

Team MVP - Rob Maxwell - 1b, Pitcher
.323 batting average, 2.79 ERA, 4-2 win-loss record

Mr. Excitement - Phil Butch - infield
19 stolen bases, countless "web-gem" assists at shortstop and second base.

Mr. Ground out - Jake Dennstedt - Pitcher
17 versus Geneva on June 19th and 17 against Allegany County on August 1st

Mr. Dramatic - Ryan Laboy - Outfield
Walk off HR versus Rochester on July 31st, 3 homeruns during playoffs

For several Bats this is their last season due to using up their NCAA eligibility. Matt Bennage played 3 years with the Riverbats. Matt enters his senior season at St. John Fisher College. Phil Butch (Slippery Rock), Jake Dennstedt (SUNY Brockport), Jeff Naughton (Duquesne), Joe Rizzo (St. Bonaventure), Alex Sharick (Duquesne), and Tim Wilson (SUNY Brockport) all enter their last college season in Spring 2007. It was an honor to have these gentlemen on the Riverbat team.

The following players are able to return for the Bats 2007 season. Jimmy Belanger (Cecil CC), Dan Benz (Williams), Michael Irving (SUNY Cortland), Kyle Klee (SUNY Binghamton), Ryan Laboy (Highpoint), Dave Lehman (SUNY Brockport), Rob Maxwell (SUNY Brockport), Pete McEneaney (University of Rochester), Keith Meyer (Duquesne), Matt Messer (Manatee CC), Nick Napolitano (Boston College), Corey O'Neill (Lemoyne), Pete Paris (Bloomsburg), Ryan Sullivan (University or Rochester), and Blair Veenema (University of Rochester).

The return of these players give the Bats a strong core. Player recruitment for the 2007 season begins right away.

Bats postseason over

The Bats postseason ended last night as Allegany County won the deciding 3rd game 6-0.

Nitro starting pitcher Steve Smith scattered 7 Bat hits over 7 innings of work.

The Nitros broke open a 0-0 game in the 3rd inning with 3 runs and that was all that was needed.

Boxscore

The Bats season ended with 27 wins. Although they were unable to prevail last night the team time and again showed why they were champions.

The team had great pitching, hitting, and defense. Riverbat fans were treated to a lot of exciting play.

Congratulations to the 2006 Genesee Valley Riverbats!!!!

An extended review of the season will be released on Saturday.

Nitros tie up series

The Bats road to the championship series found a land mine last night as they lost to the Nitros 9-3 in Scio.

The Bats started off smartly as Phil Butch led off the game with a triple and came home on a Joe Rizzo sacrifice fly.

As it turned out that would be it for the Riverbat offense until the top of the 9th inning.

Bats starting pitcher Dan Benz limited the Nitros to 1 hit through the first three innings.

The NItros tied the game up in the 4th and broke the game open with 4 runs in the 6th inning. Nitro batters were able to surgically softly line several hits over the Bat infield. Those hits combined with a Jeremy Haworth double left the Bats with a 5-1 deficit.

The Nitros continued their attack in the 8th inning adding 4 more runs keyed by 3 run triple by Michael Garcia.

The Bats added two runs in the 9th as Pete Paris drove in two runs on a triple.

Nitro pitcher Ryan Murray held the Bats to 2 hits over 6 innings of work.

Boxscore

The teams meet for the final game of the series at SUNY Brockport at 5p Thursday, Aug 3rd. The winner faces Saratoga in the three game championship series.

Bats take series lead against Nitros

The Bats won a hard fought game against the Allegany County Nitros Tuesday night at SUNY Brockport 3-1.

Bat pitcher Jake Dennstedt induced 17 groundouts while scattering 6 hits over 8 innings of work.

The Bats got on the board in the 4th inning. Joe Rizzo singled to right field and advanced to second on a Corey O'Neill single. Rob Maxwell reach on a fielding error by Nitro pitcher Ricky Reisenberger advancing Rizzo to third and O'Neill to second. Rizzo scored on a sacrifice fly to center field by Dave Lehman. O'Neill scored after Al Sharick singled to right field.

The Nitros got one run back in the 5th as Jaime Armendariz singled to center field driving in Nick Panzarella.

The Bats added an insurance run in the 8th. Matt Bennage doubled down the left field line to lead off the inning and with one out Corey O'Neill doubled to right center to bring Bennage home.

Keith Meyer closed the game in the 9th for the Bats recording his 6th save of the summer.

Boxscore

The Bats travel to Scio Wednesday for game two of the series. The game starts at 7p.

Directions to Scio:

From Rochester take 390 south to exit 4 and make a right heading to Hornell. Take I86 West toward Jamestown. Take exit 30 (Route 19) and turn left toward Belmont/Wellsville. Stay on Route 19 into Scio and make left at signal light. The field is on the left past the school.

The Saratoga Phillies wrapped up their series with the Little Falls Diamond Miners last night winning 5-2 reaching the championship series for the first time in their history.

The championship series will start either Thursday or Friday at either SUNY Brockport or Scio depending on the outcome of the Bats/Nitros series. Game two and game three of the championship series would be played as a two-nine inning doubleheader either Friday or Saturday at Saratoga.

Bats advance to semi-final series against the Nitros

The Genesee Valley Riverbats have moved on to the semi final series defeating the Rochester Royals 5-4 on a walk off homerun in the bottom of the 9th inning by Ryan Laboy. The Riverbats won the series 2 games to 1 and will face the Allegany County Nitros at SUNY Brockport at 5p on Tuesday.

Allegany County won their series against the Elmira Pioneers 2 games to 1 with a 7-6 win at Scio.

The Bats fell behind in the first inning 2-0. With two out and a runner on after a throwing error Gary Helmick drove in the first run with a single. Another single by Mike Papili drove Helmick in.

The Bats scored one run in the 2nd. Corey O'Neill led off the inning with a single into center. With one out Ryan Sullivan singled to right advancing O'Neill to 3rd. O'Neill scored after a fielding error.

In the 3rd the Bats added another run as Joe Rizzo homered over the right center field wall.

The Royals took a 3-2 lead in the 5th as Jason Stifler homered over the right center field wall and then a 4-2 lead in the 6th with three consecutive hits including a single by Papili, a double by Tim Nanry and an rbi single by Steve Skrinar.

The Bats tied the game with 2 runs in the 6th. Tim Wilson led off the inning with a walk and advanced to 2nd on a ground out. A throwing error on the pitcher allowed Wilson to score. Laboy double down the left field line driving in the 2nd run of the inning.

The game remained tied into the bottom of the 9th when Laboy hit the walk off homerun.

Boxscore

Bats 9th inning rally falls short

Down 8-2 in the top of the 9th the Riverbats scored 4 runs to close the game to 8-6. The inning started after a Royal's pitching change. The first four Riverbat batters were either walked or hit-by-pitches bringing in the first Riverbat run. Corey O'Neill singled driving in another run. A Dave Lehman double to deep left center drove in two more runs.

The Bats had runners on 2nd and 3rd with one out but could not complete the rally.

The Bats got on the board in the first inning as Phil Butch singled and was driven in by an O'Neill single. Ryan Laboy added to the lead with his third homerun of the year in the third.

The Royals tied the score after a Jason Stifler double and a Jordan Herr homerun. The Royals added 6 more runs before the Riverbats 9th inning rally.

O'Neill had 3 hits and two rbi's for the Bats. Herr, Ryan Jablonski, Mike Papili, Jordan Petraitis, and Tim Nanry all had multiple hit games for the Royals.

Royal pitcher Ryan Screnar limited the Bats to 6 hits and 2 runs over 8 innings of work.

Boxscore

The teams meet in the deciding game today at SUNY Brockport at 5p. The winner goes on to the next round of the playoffs to face the winner of the Allegany County / Elmira series. The Nitros/Pioneers series is tied at 1 game apiece.

Little Falls won their series in two straight games last night over Watertown and will face Saratoga who also won their series last night against Amsterdam.

Rob Maxwell will be on the hill for the Bats today and will face the Royal's Josh Stroup.

Bats take game one against Royals

Jimmy Belanger spotted the Rochester Royals a 4-0 first inning lead. With two outs and runners on first and third Gary Helmick laid down a perfect bunt past the pitcher driving in the first run while being safe at first.

After a walk to loaded the bases Tim Nanry singled up the middle into center field plating two more Royal runs. Steve Skrinar batted in the fourth run with a single to right field.

Belanger who looked like he might not be long for the game settled in. He limited the Royals to only 4 hits and 0 runs over the next six innings.

Meantime the Riverbats offense got untracked in the 3rd inning. Ryan Laboy started it off with a bang homering to right center. He was followed by a Phil Butch single, and Matt Bennage walk. Corey O'Neill drove in the 2nd run of the inning with a single down the right field line driving in Butch. With two outs Rob Maxwell single down the left field line driving in Bennage. Kyle Klee finished the scoring driving in O'Neill with a single to left field.

New game.

The Riverbats added two more runs in the fifth starting the inning with 3 consecutive singles by Maxwell, Klee, and Ryan Sullivan. Sullivan's single to right drove in Maxwell and the Bats took the lead for good. After a pitching change an error by the Royals center fielder allowed Klee to score.

The Bats added another run in the seventh as Tim Wilson singled and with excellent base running advanced to third on a Maxwell single. A sac bunt by Sullivan to the pitcher drove in Wilson.

The Royals tightened the game in the 8th scoring two runs. Jake Dennstedt relieved Belanger with the bases loaded and induced a sac fly. After a single brought in another run. Dennstedt got the third out with another fly ball.

Keith Meyer closed the game for the Bats in the 9th with a line out to Phil Butch at second and two ground outs to Tim Wilson at short.

Boxscore

The Bats play game two of the first round series at MCC (Rochester) tomorrow at 5p.

Bats win Central Division

The Genesee Valley Riverbats claimed their first division title this evening without throwing a pitch or swinging a bat.

The Bats had a scheduled doubleheader against the Allegany County Nitros Thursday in Scio. After completing infield practice a 13 minute downpour came and turned the field into a swamp.

An hour spent attempting to get the field ready proved to be futile as the 3rd base side of the field could not be made ready.

Watertown a half game behind the Riverbats played the Geneva Red Wings and won 9-4. Even with a Wizards win the Riverbats 24-16 record yielded a 0.600 winning percentage and the Wizards 25-17 resulted in a 0.595 winning percentage.

The league board determined Thursday morning that standings would be final after Thursday night play. Only teams that had the same record and winning percentages would play Friday if it affected the playoffs.

Below is the final seeding for the playoffs

The first round games are below and begin Saturday, July 29th.

Amsterdam at Saratoga 7pm
Rochester at Genesee Valley 11am
Elmira at Allegany County 7pm
Little Falls at Watertown 7pm

Game times may change so check back.

Wizards silence Bats

The Wizards tightened the Central division race claiming a 3-1 win over the Bats Wednesday evening.

The Bats got on the board in the first inning as a throwing error by the Watertown pitcher allowed Phil Butch to advance all the way to third and score on a Joe Rizzo ground out.

The Wizards tied the score in the 3rd and grabbed the lead for good in the 4th as Alex Jaffee hit a 2 run homer in right center field.

Daniel DeMarco limited the Bats to 3 hits over 7 innings and Matt Vieira closed the game allowing no hits in the 8th and the 9th. The save was Vieira's 11th of the season.

Blair Veenema relieved starter Jeff Naughton in the 4th and did not allow a run while scattering 5 hits.

The Wizards are now 1/2 game behind the Riverbats. The Riverbats play their last two games today at Allegany County. The Wizards play a single game today at Geneva and have potentially 2 rainout games to makeup.

If both teams win out (Bats win 2 and the Wizards win 3) they would be tied for 1st place in the central division with the Riverbats having a couple of percentage points advantage. The Wizards won the head to head series with the Riverbats 5 games to 3.

After tonight's game the playoff race may clear up. Stay tuned!!

Boxscore

Standings

Below is the current seeding for the playoffs.

Bats split with Royals

The Bats broke a 3 game slide defeating the Rochester Royals in game 2 of a doubleheader Tuesday night.

The Bats took a 1-0 lead in game one in the third inning as Ryan Sullivan got on base courtesy of a hit-by-pitch and advanced to third on a Corey O'Neill double to left center. Sullivan came home on a throwing error by the Royals catcher.

The Royals tied the game up in the 5th on a bases loaded walk and grabbed the lead in the 6th inning as two Riverbat errors to start the inning led to 3 unearned runs.

Boxscore game 1

In game 2, the Royals led after two innings 3-1. The Bats got a run back in the top of the third and then broke out for 3 runs in the top of the 4th. The 3 runs came on 4 hits and a Royals error. Joe Rizzo singled in 2 riverbat runs.

Rizzo added another run in the 6th with a solo shot to right center.

A Royals rally in the 7th came up short leaving the Bats with a 6-5 win.

Boxscore game 2

During the last three games (Hornell, Rochester, Rochester) the teams batting average has been .287. The three games prior to that the team batted a paltry .107 (Watertown, Geneva, Geneva).

The Bats play the Watertown Wizards on Wednesday at SUNY Brockport at 5p for the last regular season home game. The game is critical for both teams as they vie for the Central division lead. A Riverbats win would at least clinch a tie. The team closes out the season with a doubleheader against the Allegany County Nitros on Thursday in Scio with the first game at 5p. Watertown has a game in Geneva Thursday and two potential makeups against Saratoga and Amsterdam.

The Riverbats will be off Friday in preparation for the playoffs that start Saturday, July 29th. Below is the current seeding for the playoffs.

#1 plays #8
#2 plays #7
#3 plays #6
#4 plays #5

The second round begins Tues. Aug 1 and the championship series begins Fri. Aug 4.

Wings blank Bats 4-0

Red Wing pitcher Jeremy Kahrt silenced the Bats bats Sunday night allowing only three hits throwing a complete game shut out.

The Wings had only one earned run. Riverbat errors in the 5th inning allowed the Wings to score 3 runs and another Riverbat error in the 6th enabled the 4th Red Wing run.

Bats beat Wings with one hit

Kenny Gray and Marco Rivera limited the Bats to one hit Friday night. It wasn't enough.

The Bats manufactured runs. A run in the second came as Tim Wilson walked and advanced to second on a wild pitch and advance to third on a ground out. The only Bat hit of the game came as Rob Maxwell singled to left driving in Wilson.

The Bats plated two more runs in the 5th as Maxwell walked and advanced to second on a Dave Lehman sacrifice bunt. Walks to Ryan Sullivan and Phil Butch loaded the bases. A Matt Bennage sacrifice fly in foul territory down the left field line brought Maxwell home. Ryan Sullivan scored on a throwing error by the catcher.

That gave the Bats a 3-0 lead.

The Red Wings came back in the top of the 6th with two runs. But that was all the scoring as Jeff Naughton shut down the Wings in the 7th, 8th, and 9th allowing only one hit while striking out 4.

Blair Veenema started the game for the Bats. Veenema limited the Wings to three hits over 6 innings.

Boxscore

The Bats play the Allegany County Nitros Saturday at SUNY Brockport. The game is threatened by rain. A decision about the game will be made at 9:30a.

Bats drop Wings

The Genesee Valley Riverbats have won 13 of their last 15 games as they continue their march toward the NYCBL playoffs.

Facing the Red Wings Friday night the Bats put in a workman like performance on their way to a 6-3 win. The offense banged out 13 hits. Blair Veenema limited the Wings to 4 hits and 1 run through the first 7 innings. Jeff Naughton came on in relief and faced four batters and got four outs.

The Bats broke out with three runs in the 4th inning. Ryan Laboy singled and Joe Rizzo drove him home with a double. That was folowed by a Corey O'Neill single advancing Rizzo to third. An error by the Geneva third baseman allowed Rizzo to score. Kyle Klee singled in the final run of the inning driving in O'Neill.

A homerun by Nick Stewart gave the Wings a run in the bottom of the 4th.

The Bats offense continued in the 5th as Phil Butch doubled and Laboy homered giving the Bats a 5-1 lead.

The Red Wings rallied for two runs in the eighth and the Bats added a run in the top of the ninth. Naughton forced two Geneva ground outs and struck out one to end the game.

Boxscore

The Bats go East Saturday meeting the Saratoga Phillies for a doubleheader starting at 5p and the meet the Amsterdam Mohawks for a doubleheader starting at 5p on Sunday.

Bats 4 games up on Wiz

In a key division game the Bats built a 10-0 lead on the 2nd place Watertown Wizards through 6 innings. The Wizards added 2 runs in each of the last 3 innings for a final score of 10-6.

The Bats grabbed a 2-0 lead in the first inning. With two outs and Tim Wilson at first base Corey O'Neill reached on a shortstop throwing error advancing to 2nd while Wilson advanced to third. Rob Maxwell then singled down the left field line driving in Wilson and O'Neill.

The Bats added a run in the 4th. Al Sharick reached on a throwing error by the pitcher and advanced to third. Ryan Sullivan doubled down the right field line driving in Sharick.

Pete McEneaney held the Wizards to 3 hits through 6 innings of work on a very warm and humid evening.

The Bats blew the game open in the bottom of the sixth. Phil Butch walked, stole second and advanced to third on a groud out. With two outs the Bats blew the roof off the dump.

Five Bat hits, two walks, and a Wizard error resulted in 7 Riverbat runs extending the lead to 10-0.

The Wizards scored two in the 7th after two Wizards batters were hit-by-pitches and there were two wild pitches combined with a throwing error. In the 8th, the Wizards plated two more runs on 3 Wizard hits and a walk. Mike Connors relieved McEneaney in the 8th.

In the 9th, the Wizards loaded the bases and scored a run on a hit-by-pitch. Jimmy Belanger relieved Connors. Belanger struck out Ryan Femath, a run scored on a passed ball and then struck out James Donaldson to end the game with a 10-6 score.

Ryan Sullivan had 3 hits and 2 rbi's and Tim Wilson had 2 hits. Maxwell, Joe Rizzo and Al Sharick each drove in 2 runs.

Rob Maxwell left the game in the third inning. He was hit on the bridge of his nose by pitch fouled off his bat. After plenty of ice he looks ready to play.

Boxscore

Standings

The win gives the Bats a four game lead in the central division and the team continues to have the league's best record.

If the season were to end today the Bats would face the Rochester Royals in the first round of the playoffs. The playoffs begin July 29th.

The Bats travel to Geneva Friday, July 14th for a 7:30p start against the Red Wings.

The Bats continue on the road and play a doubleheader against the East division leading Saratoga Phillies on Saturday, July 15 with the first game at 5p. On Sunday the Bats face the Amsterdam Mohawks for a twin bill with the first game starting at 5p.

Bats down Royals

After Monday's rainout vs the Royals at MCC both teams met Tuesday at SUNY Brockport.

The Royals grabbed a 2-0 lead in the 2nd inning courtesy of a walk and 3 singles and added to the lead with a Mike Papili homerun in the 3rd inning.

The Riverbats offense got going in the bottom of the third. Two walks, a hit-by -pitch, two singles and two sacrifice flies brought in 3 runs to tie the game.

The Bats added to the lead in the 4th inning. A walk, a wild pitch, and fielding error brought in a run.

The Royals reclaimed the lead 5-4 in the 5th inning with two runs via two doubles, a walk, and a wild pitch.

The Bats took the lead for good in the lead for good in the bottom of the 5th with 3 runs on 3 hits. Tim Wilson drove in two runs with a homer to left center.

Joe Rizzo added to the lead in the 8th with a solo HR to right.

The Royals mounted a rally in the 9th and plated one run but with one out and the bases loaded Keith Meyer induced a double play ground out to end the game.

For the day, Tim Wilson had 3 hits and drove in 2 runs. Phil Butch, Corey O'Neill and Pete Paris each had two hits. Joe Rizzo and Matt Bennage drove in 2 runs each.

Rob Maxwell got the win in a relief appearance. Keith Meyer closed the game and got the save.

Boxscore


The Bats are back in action Wednesday at Hornell for a 7p start.

Bats split DH with Miners

The Bats continued their play vs the East division with a doubleheader against the Little Falls Diamond Miners Saturday.

In game 1 the Bats took a 2-1 lead in the first inning. After the Miners scored a run in the top half of the first inning the Bats offense started with Ryan Laboy singling to right center. He was followed by a Joe Rizzo walk and a Corey O'Neill fielder's choice leaving Laboy on third and O'Neill on first. Two successive singles by Tim Wilson and Kyle Klee (SUNY Binghamton) plated Laboy and O'Neill.

The Miners tied the score in the of the third. The Bats took the lead back in the bottom half of the third. Rizzo and Wilson walked and Klee loaded the bases with a single. Dave Lehman chopped a grounder to the Little Falls short stop. Klee was forced out at second and Lehman beat out the relay to first enabling Rizzo to score. That was the end of the scoring giving the Bats a 3-2 win.

Dan Benz (Williams) held the Miners in check after the third inning allowing only 2 hits as he pitched a complete game.

Boxscore game 1

In game two the Diamond Miners scored a run in the 2nd and 3 runs in the 3rd to win the game 4-0. Diamond Miner pitcher Craig Schneider (Francis Marion) scattered 7 Riverbat hits. The only serious threat occurred in the 3rd inning as the Bats had the bases loaded but could not get a run across.

Jake Dennstedt allowed 4 runs on 7 hits and 2 walks over 5 innings pitched. Keith Meyer pitched 2 scoreless innings to finish the game.

Boxscore game 2

Standings

Bats split DH with Glens Falls

The Bats came out flying in game one of the Friday doubleheader against Glens Falls.

The team put up three runs in the 1st inning, two in the 2nd, and 1 run in the 3rd. The Bats took advantage of sloppy Golden Eagles play scoring their 6 runs on 7 hits, 2 Glens Falls errors, 2 passed balls, and a wild pitch.

For the game Phil Butch and Rob Maxwell each had two hits while Maxwell drove in two runs.

Jimmy Belanger kept Glens Falls off the board limiting the Golden Eagles to one hit over six innings pitched. Al Sharick closed the game for the Riverbats in the 6th inning.

Boxscore game 1

In game 2 the Bats again scored in the first inning. Phil Butch reached on a fielding error and advanced to third on a single and a fielder's choice. Joe Rizzo got Butch home on a sacrafice fly.

Glens Falls jumped into the lead in the 2nd inning scoring 2 runs and extended their lead to 4-1 by adding 2 more runs in the 4th inning.

The Bats climbed back into the game by scoring a run in the bottom of the 4th inning as Maxwell singled in Karl Derbacher and added 2 more in the 5th as Butch and Laboy singled and were driven home by a Rizzo single to right.

The Golden Eagles reclaimed the lead scoring two runs in the top of the 7th. The Golden Eagles Jake Recknagel led off with a homerun and Dallas Cawiezell followed with a double and was driven in with a Brent McWhorter single.

The Bats did not go away quietly. Joe Kahlden led off the 7th with a single. Phil Butch lined out to right field. Kahlden then advanced to second on a Laboy ground out. Corey O'Neill singled to center field driving in Kahlden. Matt Bennage then pinch ran for O'Neill. Rizzo singled to right field and Bennage advanced to second. With runners on first and second Tim Wilson singled to left field. Bennage was waved home for the tying run but was thrown out with a perfect throw from left field.

Boxscore game 2

The Riverbats face the other Falls (Little Falls) Saturday, July 8th at SUNY Brockport with the 1st game at 1p.

The Bats lead the central division by 1.5 games and have the best record (17-7) in the entire league. The 2nd place Watertown Wizards won their game against Geneva last night 2-0.

Standings

Bat All-Stars

The NYCBL all-star team was named Monday and it includes 4 Riverbats including Corey O'Neill, Phil Butch, Ryan Laboy, and Jake Dennstedt.

Joe Rizzo will represent the team in the homerun derby before the game at 4p.

The All-Star game will be held in Watertown on Thursday, July 6th with a 6p start.

Bats beat Wiz

The Riverbats offered the Watertown Wizards a 3 run advantage in the top of the first inning. It was not enough to stop the Bats from defeating the Wiz yesterday 8-5.

Two errors by the Bats resulted in 3 unearned Wizard runs. The Bats redeemed themselves in the bottom of the first putting up 4 runs. Ryan Laboy (Highpoint), Tim Wilson (SUNY Brockport), Kyle Klee (SUNY Binghamton), and Ryan Sullivan (MCC) all singled during the inning.

The Riverbats added to the lead in the 4th as Karl Derbacher (So CT State) singled, stole second, and was driven home by a Joe Rizzo (St. Bonaventure) single.

Watertown tied the game 5-5 in the top of the 5th.

It did not stay that way for long as Tim Wilson lead off the bottom of the 5th with a homerun down the left field line. The Bats added another run as Joe Kahlden (So CT State) scored on a Phil Butch (Slippery Rock) single.

The Bats closed out the scoring in the 8th. With two outs the Wiz intentionally walked Corey O'Neill (LeMoyne) to load the bases. Wilson spoiled the Wizards strategy with a single scoring Butch.

Boxscore

With the win the Bats now hold a two game lead over the Wizards in the central division. The team is off for the 4th and is back in action on Wednesday July 5th traveling to Scio to face the west division leading Allegany County Nitros at 7p.

The teams next home game is a doubleheader Friday, July 7th versus the east division leading Glens Falls Golden Eagles. The first game is at 3p.

Show down today 7/3 vs the Wizards

The Watertown Wizards come to town today to face the central division leading Riverbats 3p at SUNY Brockport. The Wizards are a game down in the central after splitting a doubleheader with the Allegany Cty Nitros Sunday. The Riverbats swept the Bolivar A's Sunday 12-1 and 6-1.

Standings

In game one the Bats had 13 hits with Corey O'Neill leading the way with 3 hits. Joe Kahlden and Joe Rizzo each had two hits. Matt Messer drove in two runs with a triple.

Dan Benz got the win limiting the A's to 3 hits. Keith Meyer closed the game for the Bats.

Boxscore game 1

In game two the Bats scored twice in the second and three times in the seventh for the win. Ryan Laboy had 2 hits and two RBI's. O'Neill had a hit and two RBI's and Pete Paris (Cecil CC, MD) had two RBI's on a triple.

Michael Irving (SUNY Cortland) got the win for the Bats limiting the A's to two hits over 6 innings of work. Mike Connors (So CT State) closed the game for the Bats.

Boxscore game 2

O'Neill is 2nd in the league with a batting average of .387 and Laboy is 9th in the league batting .

As a team the Bats are second in hitting (.250 batting average) and first in pitching (2.66 ERA). Pete McEneaney (University of Rochester) has a 1.05 ERA through 25 innings pitched and Jimmy Belanger (Cecil CC) has a 1.07 ERA through 25 innings pitched.

Phil Butch (Slippery Rock) is tied for the league lead in stolen bases with 11 and Laboy is tied for 5th wtih 9 stolen bases.

Statistics

Bats sweep Royals

The Riverbats played a doubleheader Saturday against the Rochester Royals. The first game made up Tuesday's rainout.

The Bats jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the first on a pair of walks, a Joe Rizzo single and a fielder's choice by Corey O'Neill. In the third a pair of walks setup Rizzo for his 2nd homerun of the season building the Riverbat lead to 4-1.

The Royals walked 7 Riverbats during the game.

Blair Veenema got the win for the Riverbats scattering 8 Royal hits and leaving 9 Royal runners on base.

Boxscore game 1

In game 2 a pitching duel between the Bats Jimmy Belanger (Cecil CC, MD) and the Royals Jason Garder resulted in a 0-0 game through 5 innings.

The only run came in the 6th inning. Ryan Laboy walked and O'Neill singled. A wild pitch advanced the runners to 2nd and 3rd. Joe Kahlden drew an intentional walk as the Royals looked to force a double play. With one out the Riverbats executed a suicide squeeze as Dave Lehman got a bunt down the first base line and Laboy scored.

The Royals went down 1, 2, 3 in the top of the 7th sealing the 1-0 win.

Belanger allowed 5 Royal hits and walked 1 batter while striking out 7.

Boxscore game 2

The Riverbats travel to Bolivar Sunday for a doubleheader. The first game starts at 3p. The team wraps up it schedule before the July 4th holiday with a showdown against the Watertown Wizards at SUNY Brockport Monday at 3p. The Wizards and the Bats are tied for the Central division lead.

Bats bite Wings

A 4-run 6th inning paved the way to a 7-3 victory against the Geneva Red Wings Friday at McDonough Park.

Successive doubles by Corey O'Neill and Joe Kahlden started 6th. The Red Wings aided the inning with 3 walks and a hit batter.

Phil Butch had 4 hits while O'Neill and Ryan Sullivan had 2 hits each. Joe Rizzo had a triple in the 8th driving in a run.

Rob Maxwell limited the RedWings to 5 hits and 2 runs over six innings pitched.

The Bats play a doubleheader against the Rochester Royals at SUNY Brockport with the first game starting at 11a.

Boxscore

Standings

Games rescheduled

The Tuesday, June 27th game against Rochester at SUNY Brockport has postponed due to rain. The game has been rescheduled to Saturday, July 1 at 11a along with a previously scheduled game against Rochester at 1p.

Also the Monday, July 3rd game against Watertown originally schedule to start at 5p will now start at 3p.

RBats tricked by Wizards

The Riverbats traveled to Watertown Sunday to play a game originally scheduled for 7p at 1p.

Unfortunately the umpire crew was not notified of the change and substitute umpires not under contract by the NYCBL were brought in and the game got underway 45 minutes late.

After two and half innings John McGraw, the Wizards play-by-play announcer saw enough and said, "these umpires are horrible!"

Two calls that impacted the game included a called wild pitch on starter Jeff Naughton in the 2nd inning. The pitch went off the batter's foot. The end result was a runner scoring from 2nd base. The inning ended with the Wizards leading 2-0.

During the Riverbats half of the third inning Phil Butch stole 2nd and was given the safe sign and also called out by the same umpire. Butch heard the out call and proceeded to the dugout.

The Rbats snake-bitten start propelled the Wizards into their half of the 3rd inning as they added 4 more runs on 6 hits giving them a 6-0 lead. That was all the Wiz needed to win the game.

The Rbats did have 11 hits on the day and scored single runs in the 6th, 7th, and 9th innings. Ryan Laboy had 3 hits driving in 2 runs while Butch, Joe Kahlden, and Matt Bennage each had two hits.

Riverbats relief pitching trio of Pete McEneaney, Michael Irving, and Rob Maxwell shut down the Wizards after the 3rd inning.

Boxscore

Bats sweep Pios

The Riverbats have won 4 out of their last 6 posting an 8 and 4 record as they continue to lead the central division.

Two of those wins came Saturday against the Elmira Pioneers.

In game 1 the Pios got on the board as the leadoff batter was hit by a pitch, advanced to second on a groundout and advanced to third on pickoff attempt and continued home on a throwing error from center field. That was all the Riverbats would allow for the balance of the game.

Jimmy Belanger (Cecil CC, MD) scattered 4 hits getting the win and Al Sharick (Duquesne) close the game.

The Riverbats 2 runs came in the bottom of the sixth inning. Phil Butch (Slippery Rock) was hit by a pitch and scored on a Ryan Laboy (Highpoint) double. Laboy then stole third and then came home on a throwing error by the catcher.

In game 2 the Bats got offensive in a hurry. Butch single, advanced to 2nd on a ground out and scored on a Laboy single. Joe Rizzo (St. Bonaventure) singled advancing Laboy who then scored on a Corey O'Neill sac fly.

The Bats added a run in the third, 3 in the fifth and 4 in the 6th giving the team an 11-4 win.

Dan Benz (Williams) limited the Pios to 5 hits in 5-1/3 innings and Keith Meyer (Duquesne) closed the game out not allowing a hit and striking out two.

The Riverbats pounded out 13 hits. Joe Rizzo was 3-3. Butch, Karl Derbacher (So CT St), Laboy, and Joe Kahlden (So CT St) each had 2 hits. Corey O'Neill drove in 3 runs.

Boxscore game 1
Boxscore game 2

The Riverbats travel to Watertown Sunday 1p to revenge Friday's loss to the Wizards.

Mini-bat give away

The first 25 children 12 and under will receive a free mini-bat at the Friday, June 23rd game against Watertown (game time 5p at SUNY Brockport).

We will do it again Saturday when the Riverbats face the Elmira Pioneers in a doubleheader (game time 1p at SUNY Brockport).

Come out and join the fun and watch your division leading Genesee Valley Riverbats.

Riverbats defeat Royals

Pete McEneaney (University of Rochester) scattered 7 hits and 3 runs across 8 innings giving the Riverbats the cushion they needed to walk away with a 5-3 win over their crosstown rival Rochester Royals. Nick Napolitano closed out the game by inducing a double play with 2 Royal runners on base in the bottom of the 9th.

Ryan Laboy (Highpoint) started the scoring in the first inning after a hit by pitch, a steal of 2nd base, advanced to 3rd on a wild pitch, and was driven home by a Tim Wilson (SUNY Brockport) single. The Royals tied the score in the bottom of the 1st inning.

The Riverbats added two runs on a pair of hits in the 4th inning which the Royals matched in the bottom half of the 4th.

The Riverbats took the lead for good in the 6th inning with 2 runs on 2 hits and 2 Royal errors.

The Riverbats have taken a one game lead over the Geneva Red Wings in the Central division. Both teams meet tonight (Wed 6/21)in Geneva at 7:30p.

Standings

Boxscore

Riverbats lose as offense disappears

The story of the game was simple.

Through 8 innings Jake Dennstedt threw 72 pitches. Only a passed ball in the 7th inning allowed the Geneva Red Wings to put a run on the board. The Red Wings finally got to Dennstedt in the 9th as 2HR's put 4 more runs on the board and the game ended 5-0.

Dennstedt's counterpart Daryl Carey (Clarkson University) was the last man standing as he threw a 4-hit complete game shutout. Geneva converted 3 double plays in addition to leaving 4 Riverbat runners on base.

So far this season the Riverbat offense has played hide 'n seek scoring 32 runs in 4 wins and only 4 runs in 3 losses.

Boxscore

Riverbats take Wizards magic

The Riverbats traveled to Watertown Friday to play their first game ever at Duffy Fairgrounds.

Jimmy Belanger (Cecil CC (MD) - North Babylon, NY) took the wands out the Wizards hands for 7 innings allowing 6 hits in 7 innings. Belanger only needed 11 pitches to get out of the 6th and the 7th innings.

A Watertown rally in the 8th was put back in the bottle as Dan Benz (Willams College - Cicero, NY) allowed only 1 hit in 1-2/3 innings of relief.

The Riverbats offense came back to life with 11 hits including a double by Tim Wilson (SUNY Brockport - Long Beach, NY) inthe 2nd inning driving in 3 runs. Karl Derbacher (So CT State - Northford, CT) tripled in the 8th inning driving in 2 more Riverbat runs.

Also adding to the Riverbat attack were Corey O'Neill (LeMoyne - Pittsford, NY) with 3 hits and an RBI and Rob Maxwell (SUNY Brockport - Amherst, NY) with 2 hits.

The Riverbats stay on the road Saturday with a 7p game at Hornell. Boxscore

Riverbats at 2-2 after 2 losses

The Riverbats faced the West division leaders Allegany County Nitros. The game was a pitching duel that lasted 11 innings.

Both teams scored a run in the first inning and that score held til the top of the 11th when the Nitros pushed a run across with two outs.

The Riverbats were unable to match the Nitros in the bottom half of the 11th and the game ended with a 2-1 score.

Riverbats pitchers Blair Veenema (University of Rochester) and Pete McEneaney (University of Rochester) combined to scatter 8 Nitro hits through 11 innings.

Boxscore


The Riverbats travel Friday and Saturday as they face the Watertown Wizards Friday at 7p and the Hornell Dodgers Saturday at 7p. The team comes home Monday at 5p to face the Geneva Red Wings.

On Wednesday the team faced the Rochester Royals at Brockport. The Royals revenged their opening day loss to the Riverbats winning 8-3. Adam Curynski held the Bats to 4 hits over 7-1/3 innings. Only Ryan Laboy (Highpoint) was able to solve Curynski when he hit a 2 run HR in the bottom of the 3rd inning. That was after the Royals Gary Helmick hit a 3 run HR in the top half of the 3rd.

The Royals continued their attack ending the game with 9 hits which combined with 4 Bat errors resulted in an 8-3 final score.

Boxscore

Riverbats win at Frontier and win home opener

The Riverbats kicked off the season with a two game winning streak.

The "bats" opened away against the 1st year Rochester Royals at (AAA Rochester Red Wings) Frontier Field Friday, June 9th.

The team pounded out 11 hits and stole 6 bases enroute to a 7-2 win. Tim Wilson (SUNY Brockport) led the attack with 3 hits and 3 rbis. Ryan Laboy also had 3 hits and stole 4 bases.

On the mound a trio of Bats (Dan Benz - Williams College, Jake Dennstedt (SUNY Brockport, and Jimmy Belanger (Cecil CC - MD) .scattered 7 Royal hits.

Box Score

The Riverbats picked up a second win 8-6 in Saturday's home opener against the Geneva Red Wings.

Although Bat pitching limited the Red Wings to 3 hits the defense committed 5 errors. The team got off to a fast start building a 5-0 lead over the first 4 innings.

The Red Wings chipped away at the lead and after 8 innings knotted the game up at 5.

The Riverbats were not to be denied. During the bottom of the eighth a walk, 2 errors, and a hit by pitch put the team back in the lead. Corey O'Neill (LeMoyne) then singled to drive in 2 more runs giving the Bats an 8-5 lead.

The Red Wings could only score one run in the top of the ninth as Nick Napolitano (Boston College) closed the game with 2 scoreless and hitless innings of relief.

The Riverbats are off til Wednesday. MLB scout day is Tuesday starting at 9a at SUNY Brockport. The Bats get back in action at home on Wed, June 14th against the Rochester Royals.

Box Score

Riverbats at Geneva

Geneva boxscore

The Riverbats won the game against the Red Wings riding a strong pitching performance by Jeff Naughton. (Naughton will be attending Duquesne (Pittsburgh, PA) of the Atlantic 10 conference in the fall and join the Dukes pitching staff.) Naughton scattered six hits across six inning pitched.

Geneva scored their first run in the second inning as an error allowed a run to score. The Riverbats tied the game in the fourth as Jeff Schwegler reached on an error and advanced to third on a passed ball. Matt Bennage knocked in Schwegler on a ground out.

The Red Wings took the lead back with a run in the bottom of the seventh. The Riverbats broke the game open in the top of the eighth as Jeff Fetzner singled and then advanced to second as Corey O'Neill was hit by a pitch. Fireworks began as Jeff Schwegler singled and runners advanced on a throwing error. Both Fetzner and O'Neill scored on the play and Schwegler reached third. Matt Bennage then doubled bringing Schwegler home. The eighth inning gave the Riverbats a 4-2 lead which ended up being the final score.

Dodgers at Riverbats

Hornell boxscore

The Dodgers jumped out of the gate in the top of the first with two runs. The Riverbats got one back in the bottom of the first on consecutive singles by Tim Nanry, Jeff Fetzner, and Corey O'Neill loaded the bases. Phil St. Amant hit a sacrifice fly to score Nanry.

Hornell added a run in the third and the Riverbats scored a run in the fourth as Jaime Schild walked and was driven home by a Dave Lehman double. The Dodgers added runs in the sixth and the seventh building their lead to 6-2.

The Riverbats added another run in the bottom of the ninth as Tim Nanry homered to left field.

Today's game against the Allegany County Nitros has been canceled.

On Tuesday the Riverbats completed the halted game against Geneva from Thursday, July 14th winning 11-7.

TIed at 6-6, Geneva scored a run in the sixth inning to go ahead. The Riverbats took control of the game in the bottom of the seventh scoring five runs. The inning started with Jeff Fetzner doubling and advancing to third on a fielding error. After a Jeff Schwegler walk Joel Greany singled to drive in Fetzner and advance Schwegler to third. Schwegler scored on a passed ball. Corey O'Neill kept the inning going doubling in Greany. Tim Nanry singled driving in O'Neill. Nanry closed out the scoring for the inning and the game on a fielder's choice.

The bats stayed hot for both teams in the second game.

The Riverbats opened the scoring with two runs in the first as Jeff Fetzner walked, stole second and scored on a Corey O'Neill single. O'Neill then scored from third on a failed pickoff attempt at first base.

Geneva came back with five runs in the second and third innings. The Riverbats responded with two runs in the third and two runs in the fourth taking a 6-5 lead. In the third Tim Nanry doubled in O'Neill and Greany. In the fourth O'Neill tripled in Fetzner and Jeff Schwegler singled in O'Neill.

Geneva came back with a run in the fifth and the sixth taking back the lead. The Riverbats tied the game in the bottom of the sixth as O'Neill doubled in Fetzner.

The game stayed tied into the top of the ninth as Geneva pushed across run to win 8-7. The Riverbats had two runners with one out in the bottom of the ninth but could not bring one home.

A link for the map and school address is below:

Bolivar-Richburg High School

Boxscore game 2

The Red Wings jumped out to a 3 - 0 lead in game two of the doubleheader. The Riverbats were held to two hits in the game by Red Wing starter Steve Wenning.

The Riverbats attempted a rally in the sixth as Matt Bennage singled and Jeff Fetzner doubled Bennage home. The Red Wings added three more runs in the sixth as the Riverbats allowed two hits and comitted three errors in the inning.

The Riverbats play Wayne County Fri, June 24th in Newark at 7 pm.

Game 2

Boxscore

The Riverbats jumped out to a two run lead against the A's with a run in the first and a run in the fifth. Jeff Naughton (FLCC) cruised through the first five innings allowing only four Alfred hits.

The A's tied the game in the 6th on a two run homer and took a 4 - 2 lead in the eighth inning which turned out to be the final score. The Riverbats were unable to rally.

The Riverbats play Wayne County Thurs, June 23 at SUNY Brockport at 5 pm.

The Riverbat starter Matt Fuller (St. John Fisher) aggravated an arm injury in the first inning. Josh Ades (Trinity (TX)) came on in relief.

The Nitros scored one in the first, three in the fourth, and one in the sixth.

The Riverbats are off on Monday, June 20th for a much needed rest and then regroup to play four games at home including Allegany County on Tuesday at 5p, Alfred at 3p to finish a halted game from June 13th, with a second game to start at 5pm. The Riverbats play Wayne County Thursday 5p at home, travel to Wayne County for a Friday night game at 7p and then host the Amsterdam Mohawks for a doubleheader Saturday with the first game at 1p.

Three errors, three hits and a balk led to five Geneva runs in the sixth inning leading to an 8 - 2 win for the Red Wings.

The Riverbats took a 2 - 1 lead in the bottom of the first as the Red Wings committed an error scoring one run and a passed ball allowed another run.

Riverbat pitcher Joe Davis (MCC) settled in and set down nine straight batters in the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th inning. Geneva scored a run in the fith and then the five run sixth.

Jeff Naughton (FLCC) relieved Davis in the sixth allowing 2 hits and 1 run in three and a third innings.

The Riverbats took the lead in the first inning as Jeff Fetzner (St John Fisher) scored on a wild pitch. After the Dodgers scored a run in the top of the third, Andy Campbell and Jaime Schild (Widener) added two runs in the bottom of the third inning for the Riverbats after a HBP, walk, error and fielder's choice by the Dodgers.

The Dodgers added another run in the top of the 5th to close the score to 3 - 2. The Riverbats scored in the bottom of the 7th after Schild singled and advanced on an error, a sacrifice fly, and a passed ball giving the Riverbats a 4 - 2 lead.

The Dodgers tied the game in the top of the 8th as Jason James (Lindenwood (MO)) singled and Elvin Vargas (Connors State (OK)) homered.

After a scoreless 9th and 10th inning Campbell shut the door on the Dodgers with his run scoring single.

Matt Fuller (St John Fisher) threw 7 innings for the Riverbats allowing 5 hits. Josh Ades (Trinity (TX)) relieved Fuller in the 8th and after the Vargas homer in the 8th allowed only one hit and no runs during the 9th, 10th and 11th innings. Ades got the win.

The Riverbats next game is Wednesday June 15th in Brockport against the Allegany County Nitros at 5p.

Several 2005 Riverbats received conference honors this spring. Andy Campbell (Jr. - St. John Fisher College) was named 2005 Empire 8 conference player of the year. Campbell the 2004 Riverbat defensive player of the year hit .441 this spring with 4 HR's and 35 rbi's leading SJFC to a 22-15 season.

Other Riverbats recognized by the E8 were Nick Sottung (Fr. - Ithaca College) as 1st team pitcher, Jeff Fetzner (Jr. - St. John Fisher) as 2nd team 2b, and Matt Fuller (Jr. - St. John Fisher) as honorable mention at pitcher.

Riverbats recognized by the SUNYAC include Sean Davis (Jr. SUNY Brockport) as 1st team at SS and Jeff Schwegler (Jr. SUNY Brockport) as 2nd team at C.

May 9, 2005

Joe Davis of the 2005 Riverbat team (Fr - Monroe Community College) was named pitching MVP of the NJCAA DII regional held at Mercyhurst in Erie, PA. Davis pitched in relief for two games during the regional including seven shut out innings during the final championship game against Mercyhurst NE.

 May 10, 2005

Baseball is alive and well in Rochester, New York, not only in July but also in December! If you haven’t heard, soon the baseball universe will center around John Valle Baseball Academy and Camps, headquartered in Rochester, NY.

Started in the fall of 2004, John Valle has developed excellent programs of baseball coaching specifically designed to develop, improve, and inspire baseball players of all ages in a fun and positive environment. John and his staff have a common vision of developing draft-eligible baseball players on a continual basis from western New York. That vision not only encompasses developing the athletic and skill sets required, but also the character and confidence they will need to become successful in their personal lives.

John’s programs run throughout the fall, winter, and spring months indoors at Total Sports Experience, a multi-purpose athletic facility located in the town of Gates, just off of Rte. 490 West. In the summer, these same programs take place outdoors, weather-permitting.  These programs include clinics, camps, hitting leagues, academies, and personal instruction. John has designed and oversees each of these programs himself, to maximize the results.

John Valle began his professional baseball career at age 17 in 1972, when he was drafted in the second round, by the Detroit Tigers. His first manager was Jim Leyland, who later managed the Florida Marlins to their first World Series championship in 1997.

John went on to play with the Cincinnati Reds and Baltimore Orioles organizations. In his career, he was selected multiple times as an All Star, played on championship teams, and in 1981, played alongside Cal Ripken, Jr. with the Rochester Red Wings.

Recently, John was hired by the New York Mets organization as an associate scout to cover the Rochester, Buffalo, and Syracuse upstate area.

To find out for yourself what John is doing to perpetuate year-round baseball in the climes of Rochester and the surrounding area, please contact him through his web-site at www.johnvallebaseball.com, or contact the Total Sports Experience for the latest programs that he has going on.

May 2, 2005

Three members of the 2005 Riverbat team were recognized for their play during the week of April 18th - 24th.

Jeff Schwegler and Nick Sottung were selected by the by the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association for the week of April 18th - 24th. Andy Campbell was selected by the Empire 8 as its player of the week.

Schwegler (Jr. - SUNY Brockport) went .769 (10-13), with 3 doubles, 6 runs, 1 RBI, and a 1.000 slugging pct. Schwegler was also named as the State University of New York and the Eastern College Athletic Conference (SUNYAC) and ECAC Baseball Player of the Week.

Sottung (Fr - Ithaca) was 1-0, with a 2.00 ERA, 9 ip, 7 hits, and 11 strikeouts.

Campbell (Jr - St John Fisher College) went .691 (13-21) with 7 runs, 7 rbis, 2 stolen bases, and a home run.

April 27, 2005

The Riverbats opening game against the Alfred A's has been changed from Saturday, June 11th at 1 pm to Monday, June 13th at 5 pm.

The second change is the Friday, July 15th game against the Geneva Red Wings. The game has been moved to Thursday, July 14th at 5pm.

The Riverbats play their home games at the Clark Whited baseball complex on the SUNY Brockport campus.

January 24, 2005

The New York Collegiate Baseball League’s (www.nycbl.com) Genesee Valley Riverbats are pleased to announce the hiring of Jason Bunting as head coach. 

Since 1996 Bunting has coached the Greece Athena Trojans in Rochester, NY (Section V).  During that time his teams have been to four sectional finals winning three times.  Two of those teams went on to compete in the state tournament with the 2002 team ending the season ranked second in the state.

During his tenure over 25 players have gone on to play college ball with 7 receiving athletic scholarships to play Division I baseball.    In response to being named head coach, Bunting responded,

“As a person who has always loved the game of baseball, I try to stay involved with the game as much as possible. When I was offered the coaching job of the Riverbats I looked at it as a great honor and also a great opportunity. I am also looking forward to being with the best collegiate baseball players in this area.  I am curious and anxious to see these young men in our area play the game of baseball and I hope to share my love of the game with them.”

A native of Rochester Coach Bunting graduated from Greece Athena in 1988 and subsequently graduated from the University of Buffalo in 1992.   He captained baseball squads for both teams during his senior seasons.  Coach Bunting is married and has a daughter and a son.

Assisting Bunting is Robert (Bob) Switzer a 1999 MCC graduate.

The Riverbats played their inaugural season in 2004.  The team will play its 2005 home games at SUNY Brockport’s Clark Whited baseball complex.  The team’s first game is June 10^th versus the Geneva Red Wings at McDonough Park in Geneva.  The first home game is June 11^th against the Alfred A’s with a 1:00 pm start.  The entire Riverbat schedule will be released the week of January 24^th.

January 18, 2005

We are pleased to announce that the Riverbats will play home games on the SUNY Brockport campus at the Clark Whited baseball complex.

The Riverbats open the season at Geneva on Friday, June 10th. The home opener is against Alfred on Saturday, June 11th at 1pm.

This season the New York Collegiate Baseball League plays 47 games. Five more than in 2004. The Riverbats, who play in the West Division, will play each team in the NYCBL East Division (Plattsburgh, Glens Falls, Saratoga, Amsterdam, Mohawk Valley (Utica), and Watertown) this year. Three east division teams will play the Riverbats at home and the Riverbats will travel East to play the other three teams. During 2004 all regular season games were played within each division.

The Riverbats are currently assembling its roster. A partial roster is found on the roster page.

July 28, 2004

Offensive player of the year - Joe Rizzo (St. Bonaventure/Pittsford Sutherland)

Joe led the team in extra base hits (8), slugging percentage (.373) and on base percentage+slugging percentage (.728). Joe heads into his second year at St. Bonaventure where he was lead off batter at the end of the season. The Bonnies won the Atlantic 10 tournament and made their first trip to the NCAA Division 1 post season tournament.

Defensive player of the year - Andy Campbell (St. John Fisher College/Fayetteville-Manlius).

Andy had no errors throughout the season. He played multiple positions including right field, left field and first base. Andy enters his junior season at St. John Fisher. Campbell was named to the first team ABCA/Rawlings All-New York, ECAC All-Star Team, and was Rochester Area Colleges (RACA) Baseball Player of the Year.

Pitcher of the year - Matt Chollet (St. John Fisher College/Pittsford Mendon)

Matt won 5 and lost 2 on his way to a 2.06 ERA. He completed 2 games and held opponents to a .205 batting average. Matt allowed only 13 earned runs in just over 56 innings of work.

Matt enters his senior season at St. John Fisher.

Saturday, July 24th

Game 1 - Geneva 9 - Riverbats 8, 16 innings (at Dugan Yard)

The Riverbats built a 5 - 0 lead with Joe Ullman allowing only two Red Wing hits through 5 innings. Jeff Fetzner scored three Riverbat runs on RBI by Joe Rizzo, Matt Bennage, and Andy Campbell. Ed Sucre added a solo home run in the 5th.

The Red Wings broke through by scoring five runs in the 6th on three walks and three hits.

The Riverbats took the lead back 6-5 in the 7th on another Fetzner run driven in by Rizzo.

With two outs in the top of the ninth the Red Wings pushed across a tying run 6 - 6 on a single to right field.

Both teams traded runs in the 11th inning. Jaime Schild singled and scored on a Fetzner double and Fetzner scored his fifth run of the day on a passed ball.

The team went scoreless in the 12th, 13th, 14th, and 15th innings. At the top of the 16th the Red Wings drove in the winning run with runners on 2nd and 3rd. The Riverbats could not match the Red Wings in the bottom half of the inning.

Game 2 - Geneva 9 - Riverbats 3 (at McDonough Park)

After the four hour and fifteen minute game one marathon the teams traveled to Geneva to play game two.

The Riverbats completing their 12th game in 8 days had Joe Rizzo and Dave Lehman pitch. The Riverbats scored in the top of the 1st as Jeff Fetzner singled and scored on an Andy Campbell RBI. Geneva scored to runs in the bottom half of the inning. Rizzo held the Red Wings scoreless in the 2nd and 3rd innings. The Red Wings broke out in the 4th inning with six runs including a three run home run.

The Riverbats scored two runs in the top of the fifth with a double by Matt Agostinelli and was driven in by Mike Muzeka who scored on a Fetzner single. The Riverbats could not get any closer and the game ended 9 - 3.

Riverbat bonus days

Saturday, July 24th

The final home game for the Riverbats will include a prize blow out. Prizes include a 50/50, Riverbat t-shirts and dinner gift certificates.

Come early and buy plenty of raffle tickets.

A fan who has come to almost every game both home and away has volunteered to lead the festivities. Send an email to riverbats@bizpe.com with your guess on who that fan is and you will receive 3 extra raffle tickets when you arrive at the gate.

7/23/2004

Game 1 - Riverbats 4 - Wayne County 0

Consecutive hits by Dave Lehman and Dan Pfohl set the stage for the winning run which scored on an outfield overthrow in the 2nd inning. The Riverbats added a run in the 3rd and two more in the 5th.

Ryan Shekell allowed 4 hits and struck out 6 batters.

Game 2 - Riverbats 6 - Wayne County 5

The Riverbats jumped out to a 2 - 0 lead in the first inning on hits by Brendan Rubenstein, Mike Muzeka, and Jaime Schild (2 RBIs). The Raptors scored one run in the bottom of the first and then added three more in the bottom of the second. Rubenstein scored on Joe Rizzo's single in the 3rd to bring the Riverbats to within one run.

Another Riverbat run scored in the top of the 4th on a wild pitch and a fielding error. The Raptors came back with run in the bottom of the 4th to take the lead again.

With two outs in the top of the 7th inning Matt Agostinelli singled, Andy Campbell walked and Ed Sucre reach on an infield error which allowed Agostinelli to score tying the game. Matt Bennage then hit a double down the right field line scoring Campbell giving the Riverbats a 6 - 5 lead.

The Riverbats defense held firm in the bottom of the 7th to preserve the win.

The Riverbats complete their season Saturday, July 24th against Geneva with a 1pm game at St. John Fisher College and then a 7 pm game at Geneva.

Thursday, July 22nd

Four runs in the third and six runs in the fourth gave Alfred all the runs needed to defeat the Riverbats.

The Riverbats led briefly after two innings 2 - 1 as Joe Rizzo drove in a run in the first inning and Ed Sucre drove in a run in the 2nd inning. The Riverbats added two additional runs in the 8th inning as Matt Bennage and Mike Zaccardo drove in runs.

Mike Muzeka had two hits for the Riverbats.

The team plays a doubleheader against Wayne County in Newark on 7/23 with the first game at 5pm.

Wednesday, July 21st

The Riverbats shut out Hornell during their last visit. On Wednesday the Dodgers repaid the favor with a 10 - 1 win.

With two out in the bottom of the 7th and bases loaded the Dodgers cleared the bases with a single down the third base line into left field. The Dodgers picked up two more in the inning on a homerun. The five runs doubled Dodgers score to 10 - 1.

Dodger pitching limited the Riverbats to three hits.

The Riverbats face the Alfred A's Thursday, July 22nd at St John Fisher at 5pm.

Tuesday, July 20th

Tuesday's game vs Wayne County is postponed and rescheduled for Friday, July 23rd at 5 pm in Newark. The game will be added to the previously scheduled 7 pm game. The Riverbats will be the home team for the 5pm game.

We have had over 3.3 inches of rain this month with 2.8 inches in the last two weeks. Average rain for July is 2.9 inches.

7/19/2004

Game 6 in a twelve game in eight day stretch left the Riverbats very thin at pitching Monday night. Three Riverbats not a part of the regular pitching staff were called in to duty.

Geneva had a 4 run 2nd inning and a 6 run 5th inning en route to a 12 - 2 win.

Mike Muzeka was 2 for 4 with a triple and a double and Mike Zaccardo was 2 for 4 with a single and an rbi double.

The Riverbats face Wayne County Tuesday, July 20th at St. John Fisher College.

7/18/2004

Game 1 - Hornell 7 - Riverbats 3

The Riverbats held a 2 - 1 lead into the 3rd inning. After a half hour rain delay the Dodgers scored 3 runs in the top half of the third.

The Riverbats came back to score 2 runs to close the score to 4 - 3. In the top of the sixth Hornell a homerun brought in 3 more runs to extend the lead to 7 - 3.

Mike Zaccardo and Jeff Fetzner each had two hits for the Riverbats.

Game 2 - Hornell 4 - Riverbats 2

The Riverbats jumped out to a 2 - 0 lead in the first inning on two errors by Hornell. Hornell scored a run in the 3rd and another in the 5th to tie the game. The Dodgers then scored two more in the 7th setup up by an error on a double play ball and another error on a pick off attempt.

The Riverbats had runners on first and second with no outs in the bottom of the 7th but they were left stranded to end the game.

Mike Muzeka had a single and a double for the Riverbats. Joe Ullman allowed three Dodger hits through 6 innings.

The Riverbats play Geneva Monday, 7/19/2004 at St. John Fisher College at 5pm.

7/17/2004

Game 1 - Alfred 5 - Riverbats 1

Alfred pitcher Lance Marcum limited the Riverbats to three hits in game 1. The Riverbats lone run came in the 4th inning as Joe Rizzo and Jaime Schild had consecutive hits.

After a 3 run first Matt Agostinelli held the A's to 3 hits through the rest of the game.

Game 2 - Alfred 4 - Riverbats 1

In game two the A's again scored 3 runs in the first inning. The Riverbats lone run came in the 5th inning. The Riverbats left the bases loaded in the 5th inning on a called third strike.

Jeff Fetzner had three hits and Dave Lehman had two hits for the Riverbats.

The RIverbats play a double header against the division leading Hornell Dodgers Sunday, July 18th. Game 1 starts at 1 pm and Game 2 starts at 3 pm.

7/16/2004

The Riverbats in the midst of a seven game losing streak which included 4 - 1 run losses defeated Hornell Friday night 2 - 0.

Matt Chollet (St. John Fisher/Pittsford Mendon) shut out the Dodgers over 7 - 2/3 innings and Ryan Shekell (St. John Fisher/Churchville Chili) saved the game for the Riverbats.

Joe Rizzo (St. Bonaventure/Pittsford Sutherland), Jaime Schild (RIT/Fairport) had consecutive singles to start the 2nd inning. Mike Muzeka (Pittsburgh/Lake Mary, FL) drove in both runs with a single to left field.

The Dodgers threatened in the 7th with runners on 1st and 3rd with one out and again in the 8th with bases loaded with one out. Chollet, Shekell and the Riverbat defense stranded Dodger runners in both innings.

The Riverbats play a doubleheader Saturday, July 17th at Alfred. The first game is at 1 pm.

07/14/2004

The Riverbats vs Dodgers game was postponed due to rain. The game has been rescheduled to Sunday 7/18/2004 as a part of a doubleheader with the Dodgers. The first game will be at 1 pm and the second game will be at 3 pm.

The Riverbats travel to Hornell Friday, 7/16/2004 for a 7 pm game and then have a doubleheader at Alfred Saturday, 7/17/2004 with the first game at 1 pm.

07/13/2004

The Riverbats jumped out to a 7-0 lead in the 2nd inning with 6 hits including a 2 run homer by Joe Rizzo. The score was 7 - 3 heading into the 7th inning when Geneva scores 5 runs on 5 hits. The Riverbats tied the game in the bottom of the 7th but the Red Wings added a run in the top of the 8th which proved to be the winning run.

The Riverbats are now 11 and 19.

The team plays against the league leading Hornell Dodgers Wednesday, July 14th at 5pm at St. John Fisher.

Monday, July 12th

Joe Ullman allowed 6 hits and 1 earned run over 7 & 2/3 innings for the Riverbats. The A's scored 1 run in the 5th and 2 runs in the 6th enroute to the win.

Andy Campbell and Jaime Schild had the lone hits for the Riverbats.

The Riverbats next game is against Geneva at St John Fisher at 5 pm Tuesday, July 13th.

Sunday, July 11th

The Nitros blanked the Riverbats 6 - 0 Sunday afternoon at Dugan Yard. After 3 consecutive one run losses the Riverbats struggled against the Nitros.

The Riverbats next game is against the Alfred A's at St John Fisher at 5 pm Monday, July 12th.

The Nitros had 11 hits while allowing only 3 Riverbat hits. Leading 1 - 0 into the 6th inning a crucial error by the Riverbats enabled the Nitros to score 3 more runs opening the lead to 4 - 0.

Saturday, July 10th

Matt Agostinelli (St. Bonaventure/Greece Athena) pitched a three hitter and did not allow an earned run Saturday night against the Red Wings.

An error in the first inning and an error in the ninth inning gave the Red Wings the runs they needed for a 2 - 1 win.

Jeff Fetzner, Brendan Rubenstein, and Joe Rizzo had two hits each for the Riverbats who scored their lone run in the top of the 6th inning.

The Riverbats are in the midst of a 4 game losing streak. The team looks to get back on track against the Allegany County Nitros at 1pm Sunday, July 11th at St. John Fisher.

Friday, July 9th

The A's and the Riverbats pitchers dueled it out over 9 innings with the A's winning 2 - 1.

Matt Chollet allowed 6 hits during the game while Bryan Minkel of the A's gave up 7 Riverbat hits.

Matt Bennage drove in the only Riverbat run in the 5th inning tying the game at 1 - 1. The A's scored a run in the bottom of the 5th ending the scoring for the game.

The Riverbats play Saturday, July 10th 7 pm at Geneva.

Tuesday, July 6th

The Riverbats jumped out to a 4 - 1 lead in the first inning and carried a 5 - 3 lead into the 6th inning. During the top of the 6th the Riverbats walked two batters. A single drove in one run and an error allowed two more runs.

The Nitros added another run in the 7th inning extending their lead to 7 - 5. The Riverbats scored a run in the bottom of the 8th but could not extend the rally losing 7 - 6.

Phil St. Amant had two hits and Andy Campbell had two RBIs.

The Riverbats play again Wednesday, July 7th at St. John Fisher against the division leading Hornell Dodgers at 5 pm.

Monday, July 5th

The Riverbats allowed 6 runs in the 3rd inning on 2 errors, a wild pitch and 3 hits. The final score was Raptors 7 - Riverbats 4. The Raptors other run in the 6th inning resulted from two additional errors.

Offensively the Riverbats left 13 runners on base. The team had multiple runners on base in the 1st (bases loaded - 1 out), 3rd (1st, 2nd - 2 outs), 5th (2nd, 3rd - 1 out), 8th (2nd, 3rd - no outs), and 9th (1st, 2nd - 2 outs).

Jaime Schild drove in 2 runs in the 5th and Joe Rizzo and Mike Muzeka each had an RBI.

The Riverbats play again Tuesday, July 6th at St John Fisher against the Allegany County Nitros at 5 pm.

Saturday, July 3rd

Jarrod Rampey (SUNY Binghamton/Pittsford Sutherland) threw 16 strikeouts enroute to a 3 - 2 win over the Raptors. Through 6 innings Rampey allowed no hits and struck out 14 batters.

The Riverbats got on the board in the 5th inning as Mike Muzeka (University of Pittsburgh/Lake Mary, FL) doubled in the first run. The Raptors tied the game in the top of the 7th as the Riverbats committed two errors followed by a double that scored two runs.

The Riverbats had consecutive singles by Joe Rizzo (St. Bonaventure/ Pittsford Sutherland), Phil St. Amant (Lemoyne/Brockport) and Matt Bennage (Lemoyne/McQuaid). With no outs a double play ball allowed Rizzo to score giving the Riverbats a 3 - 2 lead.

The Raptors visit the Riverbats (11-12) again on Monday, July 5th at 5pm at St. John Fisher College.

Friday, July 2nd

Matt Agostinelli (St. Bonaventure/Greece Athena) allowed 10 hits over 9 innings versus the Nitros. The Riverbats had several opportunities to take control of the game offensively. The Nitros defense made several major league plays suffocating the Riverbat offense.

The final score of the game was Nitros 6 - Riverbats 2.

The Riverbats play a single game Saturday, July 3rd at St. John Fisher at 1 pm.

Riverbats vs Allegany County Nitros

Leading 1 - 0 into the top of the 7th inning the Riverbats defense imploded allowing 11 Nitro runs. The final score was 12 to 1 leaving the Riverbats with 10 wins and 11 losses.

The Riverbats visit Allegany County Friday, July 2nd for a 7pm start.

Riverbats vs Alfred A's

The Riverbats started the 2nd half of the season with a 3 - 2 win over the Alfred A's. Matt Bennage scored 2 runs. The first on an RBI single by Mike Zaccardo. The second on a pickoff play at first base that allowed Bennage to score from third. The run turned out to be the game winner. Andy Campbell drove in Brendan Rubenstein for the other Riverbat run.

The Riverbats now with 10 wins and 10 losses play the Allegany County Nitros Thursday, July 1st at St. John Fisher at 5 pm.

NYCBL All Star Game

THE WEST BEATS THE EAST IN A CLASSIC PITCHER'S DUEL

A 'no-hitter' in the All-Star game.  That unheard of premise came true in Watertown as nine NYCBL pitchers combined to shut out the East 1-0.  The game was a classic defensive struggle with some supurb plays turned in.

Terry Blunt from Saratoga received the Outstanding Defensive Player award for a circus like leap in center field to rob the West of at least a double. Bryan Minkel who plays for Athletes in Action took the Offensive Player award as the only player to have more than one hit in the contest.  The MVP award went to Pitcher Ryan Shekell of the Genesse Valley Riverbats.  Shekell was the last pitcher for the West who had the pressure of preserving the no-hitter.

The Homerun Derby held earlier in the day saw an awesome display as Joe Glevenyak of Plattsburgh pounded out 9 roundtrippers in the final third round of the event to take the trophy. The game concluded with a giant fireworks display accompanied by patriotic music.

Riverbats vs Hornell Dodgers

After two painful losses the Riverbats struggled against the Dodgers. The Dodgers jumped out to a 3 - 0 lead in the first inning. The Riverbats cut the lead to 4 to 2 in the top of the 4th but the Dodgers proceeded to score 4 runs in the bottom half of the inning.

The final score of the game was 11 to 3 leaving the Riverbats at 9 wins and 10 losses at the All Star break. The Riverbats have lost 3 straight games. Riverbat representitives at the All Star game include Jarrod Rampey, Ryan Shekell, Mike Zaccardo, and Matt Bennage.

The Riverbats are at home for 7 of their next 8 games beginning Wednesday, June 30th at 5:00 pm against the Alfred A's.

Riverbats vs Alfred A's

Cruising along with a 5 - 2 lead into the bottom of the 7th the "error plague" returned to the Riverbats. During the bottom of the seventh the Riverbats committed 3 errors to go along with 2 walks and 2 hits allowing the A's to score 6 runs.

The Riverbats were unable to recover scoring an additional run in the top of the 9th losing 8 - 6. The Riverbats record at the end of the game was 9 wins and 9 losses.

Through 6 innings Jarrod Rampey allowed 4 hits striking out 6 batters. On offense Brendan Rubenstein had 4 hits in 5 at bats and Andy Campbell had 3 hits in 5 at bats.

The Riverbats play later in the day at 7pm at Hornell.

Riverbats vs Nitros

The Riverbats defense gave up key runs in the first two innings of the game that led to a 4 to 3 loss to the Allegheny Nitros. Errors in both innings led to two Nitro runs.

The Riverbats did take the lead as 3 consecutive base hits by Jaime Shild, Jeff Fetzner and Brendan Rubenstein plated a run. In the 4th Dave Lehman singled and then Andy Campbell hit an inside the park homer sending the Riverbats into the fifth with a 3 to 2 lead.

The Nitros came back with 2 runs in the top of the 5th to regain the lead 4 to 3.

The Riverbats are now 9 wins and 8 losses. They play at Alfred at 1pm and at Hornell at 7 pm Saturday, June 26th.

Riverbats vs Geneva Red Wings

Trailing 4 to 2 into the bottom of the 8th, Matt Bennage (Lemoyne/McQuaid) hit a home run to bring the Riverbats to within one run. Dave Lehman (Ithaca/Churchville-Chili) drove in the tying and the leading run sending the Riverbats with a lead into the top half of the 9th inning. Hunter Hawkins (University of Rochester) and Jarrod Rampey (Wofford/Pittsford Sutherland) combined to shut down Geneva in the 9th preserving the 5 to 4 win.

The Riverbats now have 9 wins and 7 losses. They face the Allegheny Nitros at home on Friday and then travel to Hornell and Alfred on Saturday.

Riverbats vs Geneva Red Wings

Geneva beat the Riverbats 5-2 as their pitching scattered 5 Riverbat hits across 9 innings. The Riverbats scored in the 3rd inning as Mike Zaccardo (MCC/Irondequoit) doubled off the right center field wall driving in the lone runs for the day.

The Riverbats face the Red Wings again Tuesday, June 22 home at Dugan Yard at 5 pm.

Riverbats vs Hornell Dodgers (Game 2)

The pitching exhibition continued into game two for both teams. Mike Proctor (St. Bonaventure) faced 24 batters striking out 6 and allowing 1 hit for the Riverbats.

The game was tied 0-0 entering the bottom of the 7th. Brendan Rubenstein doubled to left center. Two outs later Joe Rizzo doubled to right center bringing home Rubenstein for the winning run.

The Riverbats are have 8 wins and 6 losses and are tied for 3rd in the Western Division.

The Riverbats play the Geneva Red Wings June 20th at Geneva's McDonough Park at 3 pm.

NYCBL Western League Standings
as of June 19th games

Alfred A's      9    4    .692 
Hornell Dodgers   8    4    .666     1.0
Allegany Nitros    8    6    .571     1.5 Genesse R'bats   8    6    .571     1.5
Geneva R'Wings  4    8    .333     4.5
Wayne Raptors    4   10    .286    5.5

Riverbats vs Hornell Dodgers (Game 1)

Jarrod Rampey (Wofford/Pittsford Sutherland) threw 11 strikeouts and allowed 4 hits. However the Riverbats were silenced offensively and Hornell prevailed 2-0 in game one of the Saturday doubleheader.

Mike Muzeka (University of Pittsburgh/Lake Mary, Fl) had the only hit for the Riverbats.

Riverbats vs Wayne County Raptors

Matt Chollet (St. John Fisher/Pittsford Mendon) struck out 9 and allowed 6 hits enroute to a 11 - 4 win over the Raptors. Chris Daley closed the game with 3 strikeouts in the 9th inning.

Jeff Fetzner (Alfred State/Greece Athena) had 3 hits in 5 at bats with 3 runs scored.

The Riverbats play a double header against Hornell at home Saturday. The first game starts at 1 pm.

Riverbats vs Geneva Red Wings

Geneva jumped on the Riverbat early and built an 8 - 2 lead into the 8th inning. The Riverbats threatened in the 8th inning loading the bases. Joe Rizzo (St.Bonaventure/Pittsford Sutherland) came to bat and hit a long shot that was caught at the right field wall ending the Riverbat threat.

The Riverbats have a day off on Wednesday and play home Thursday at 5 pm against the Alfred A's. The Riverbats and A's have split their series 1 game each so far this season.

Scout day

The Riverbats attended Major League Baseball scout day. Several Riverbat players peaked scout interest including Ryan Shekell (St John Fisher/CC), Phil St. Amant (UConn/Brockport), and Mike Proctor (St. Bonaventure).

Riverbats vs Allegheny County Nitros

After scout day the Riverbats made the 15 minute drive from Alfred to Scio to play the Nitros. The Nitros quickly took advantage of a flat Riverbat team. The game was called after five innings giving the Nitros a 7-2 win. The loss snapped a 5 game win streak for the Riverbats.

The Riverbats travel to Geneva Tuesday, June 15th to play the Red Wings at 7pm. The Riverbats won the first meeting 2-0.

Riverbats vs Wayne County Raptors

The Riverbats won their fifth straight against the Raptors in Newark 11 - 7. Their record improves to 6 wins and 3 losses.

The Riverbats took the lead as Mike Muzeka (University of Pittsburgh/Lake Mary, FL) and Jaime Schild (RIT/Fairport, NY) drove in two runs each in the 5th inning. Brendan Rubenstein (MCC/Greece Athena) went 4 for 4 driving in 3 runs.

The Riverbats travel south Monday, June 14th for Major League Baseball scout day. Each player will be evaluated in several areas including the 60 yard dash. Throwing from right field to 3rd, throwing from the short position to 1st, and hitting. Pitchers and catchers will also be evaluated for their respective positions.

Afterwards the team travels to Scio to play the Allegheny County Nitros at 7pm. The Riverbats and Nitros each have one win against the other so far this season.

Riverbats vs Wayne County Raptors

The Riverbats extended their winning streak to 4 games with a 4-0 win over the Wayne County Raptors. Their record improved to 5 wins and 3 losses placing them 2nd in the Western Division of the New York Collegiate Baseball League 1/2 game behind the Hornell Dodgers.

Matt Chollet (St. John Fisher College/Pittsford Mendon) pitched a complete game allowing 3 hits and striking out 7 batters.

Matt Bennage (Lemoyne/McQuaid) had 2 hits in 4 at bats with a double a 1 run scored. Jaime Schild (RIT/Fairport) had 2 hits in 3 at bats with a double and 2 runs scored.

The Riverbats play the Wayne County Raptors again at Colburn Park in Newark, NY Sunday, June 13th at 7pm.

Riverbats vs Alfred A's

The Riverbats won their 2nd game of a 3 game homestand against the Alfred A's 3 - 1. The Riverbats improved their record to 4 wins and 3 losses.

Jeff Fetzner (Alfred State/Greece Athena) and Ed Sucre (University of Pittsburgh/Archbishop Carroll, Fl) hit doubles in the 7th inning scoring 3 runs.

Jarrod Rampey (Wofford/Pittsford Sutherland) pitched a complete game allowing 6 hits and striking out 10 batters.

The Riverbats complete their 3 game homestand Saturday, June 12th at 1pm against the Wayne County Raptors at Dugan Yard on the campus of St. John Fisher College.

Riverbats vs Geneva Red Wings

The Riverbats began their inaugural season with a 2-0 win over the Geneva Red Wings.

The Riverbats scored their runs on consecutive hits by Tim Nanry (MCC - Churchville Chili), Phil St. Amant (University of Connecticut - Brockport), Dave Lehman (Ithaca - Churchville-Chili), and Dan Pfohl (University of Rochester - St. Joseph's-Buffalo).

The Riverbats next game is Friday, June 4th in Hornell against the Dodgers at 7pm.

Ryan Shekell (St John Fisher - Churchville-Chili) threw a 5 hit shutout with 9 strike outs over 9 innings.