Batavia Muckdogs outfielder Josh Leadem (Rochester) has been named the West Division Player of the Week after slashing .444/.643/.778 with six runs, four RBI, three walks, a home run and seven stolen bases during Batavia’s 2-1 week.
Leadem went 2-4 at the plate with three RBI, two runs scored, a hit by pitch and three stolen bases during the Muckdogs season opener on Friday at Elmira, which resulted in an 11-9 loss.
Leadem provided an RBI during Batavia’s three-run inning in the top of the fifth, then he delivered a two-run single in the top of the seventh to begin a four-run inning for the Muckdogs which tied the game at 7-7. He then scored a run in the top of the ninth, but Batavia’s comeback effort fell short.
During Batavia’s home opener against Elmira on Saturday, Leadem reached base twice and scored both times as the defending West Division champs recorded a 5-4 win. As the Muckdogs trailed Elmira 2-0 midway through the fourth, Leadem launched a solo home run in the bottom of the inning to cut his team’s deficit in half. He then drew a walk in the bottom of the seventh and came around to score later in the inning to give Batavia a 3-2 advantage.
Leadem contributed two walks, a hit, a hit by pitch, two runs scored and three stolen bases during Batavia’s 8-7 win at home over Niagara on Sunday.
Batavia right-handed pitcher Ryan Kinney (Xavier University of Louisiana) is the first West Division Pitcher of the Week in 2023 due to his performance out of the bullpen during the Muckdogs 8-7 win over Niagara on Sunday.
Kinney entered the game to begin the top of the sixth inning with the score tied 7-7. He went on to deliver three perfect innings with five strikeouts and was credited with the victory after Batavia scored the go-ahead run in the bottom of the eighth and Muckdogs left-hander Rijnaldo Euson recorded the save in the top of the ninth.
The Muckdogs will return to action on Tuesday when they host Niagara for another battle at 6:35 p.m.