April 5, 2022
The Batavia Muckdogs’ first season in the PGCBL in 2021 was one that featured a winning product on the field and huge crowds in the stands. The 2022 season is expected to produce more of the same.
The 2022 version of the Muckdogs will feature a crop of returners, including infielder Jerry Reinhart (Akron), outfielder Abner Benitez (Alabama State), who hit .282 with three home runs and 27 RBI across 39 games for the Muckdogs in 2021. They also bring back pitchers AJ Winger (Texas Southern) and Tyler Prospero (Niagara), who pitched to a 2.48 ERA across 25 1/3 innings pitched for Batavia. Julian Pichardo (Coastal Alabama CC) is also back after pitching 55 innings for Batavia last summer to the tune of a 2.45 ERA.
“Those guys are fun to have just because they know what we do there, how we run the program and what’s expected. I think there will be good clubhouse leadership and kind of letting the young guys and the new guys know how we run things,” head coach Joey Martinez said.
As for some new players, that group is highlighted by Tyrese Turner (Southern Cal.), who hit .341 for the Trojans during the 2021 season.
“Speedy guy, speed demon. Plays a little outfield, a little infield. He’s probably a draft prospect this year. Good ballplayer,” Martinez said.
The incoming players also features outfielder/pitcher Kenny Schaedel, a top-ranked high school player who hails from Virginia and is committed to attend Georgia Tech in the fall. Schaedel is ranked in the top 500 nationally on Perfect Game USA for the class of 2022.
“A young prospect, big body type. I fell in love with him when I saw him at the showcase and talked to him a little bit and kind of recruited him. He’s excited to come play for us,” Martinez said. “When he told me he signed to Georgia Tech, I was excited.”
Martinez said that the style of the team’s play will be one that is exciting and with the belief that they always have a chance to win the game no matter what the score is.
“We always talk about playing relentless baseball. That’s kind of the style that I’ve always managed, to be relentless and just come out and try to win every pitch, every inning, every at-bat and compete,” Martinez said. “If we compete and the chips fall where they fall and we do our jobs, we have a chance of winning.”
As a whole, the team is ready to have fun and compete for a win on each and every night in Batavia this summer.
In the Muckdogs’ first PGCBL season in 2021 they averaged 1,778 fans per game, a 127{0553f5cca877f76e9c24e0ce8f7d010c4a94771a583493d721972367426e0f82} increase from the team’s final season in the New York-Penn League in 2019, when they averaged 794 fans per game. In addition, the number of season tickets purchased rose from 79 to 501.
“We’re always going to bet on our guys,” Martinez said. “It’s, pretty much, have a bunch of fun and try to win some games and enjoy the summer together.”