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