Slow Offensive Day For Americans Leads to First Loss 11-5 Vs Auburn

        NIAGARA FALLS, NY - The Niagara Falls Americans’ season-opening win streak came to an end tonight, June 12th, when the Americans fell to the Auburn Doubledays by a score of 11-5. Niagara’s offense could not click until too late in the game, as they entered the 9th inning with just one hit. The Americans will look to take revenge tomorrow when the teams rematch in Auburn.

        On a day with little production until late, Evan Kohr, Chris Guzaldo, Grant Moore, and Brady Boles stood out. Kohr was the only American to record two hits, driving in one run and scoring once himself. Guzaldo went 1-of-4, batting in one run and scoring one run. Moore continued his six-game hit streak, tallying one RBI single, and walking twice. Boles did not achieve a hit in the game, but walked three times in his five plate appearances.

        The Americans used four pitchers in the game. The starter, Matthew Kasprowicz, pitched the first 4.0 innings. He would allow six runs, all earned, striking out and walking one. Kasprowicz would be tagged with the loss. CJ Hurley entered to start the 5th, and pitched 3.0 innings. Hurley allowed only one hit, one walk, and one earned run, striking out two in his time on the bump. Carter Hall entered to pitch the 8th. Hall pitched 1.1 innings, allowing four runs, all earned, on three hits and four walks. Hudson Boring was the final American pitcher, finishing the final 0.2. Boring entered to throw one pitch and finish a full-count strikeout, and then the next batter would groundout to Boring.

        A double digit offensive performance by Auburn was led by B. Haarde, Adam Sullivan, A. Vasquez, and M. Fishbein, three debutants. Haarde saw three plate appearances, scoring on all three. He tallied two hits and two RBIs, walking once. Sullivan went 2-for-4 at the plate, driving in three runs. Vasquez hit a two-RBI single in his only hit of the day, and came around to score. Fishbein hit one RBI single in his three at bats, and walked once, scoring both times he reached base.

        Auburn reaped the benefit of a great performance by their starting pitcher. Brennan Hileman pitched the first 6.0 innings, allowing just one hit and striking out six. Matt McGeorge entered to pitch the next 2.1 innings, and was very effective until the end of his time, ending with five earned runs on four hits, striking out one. Ryan Paganelis entered to pitch the final 0.2, and pitched  into a double play to end the game.

        The 1st inning ended quick for both teams, seeing only a hit by pitch for Auburn, and a walk for Niagara as the only two baserunners. In the 2nd, Auburn took an opportunity to get out to an early lead against a top PGCBL-team so far this season. 

        After a single, an error, and then a steal, the Americans found themselves in a very risky situation with runners on 2nd and 3rd with no outs. Auburn would take advantage and the next three batters, Fishbein, Vasquez, and Haarde, would all hit one-RBI singles. A walk by Austin Droge loaded the bases, and Tyler ViVacqua stepped into the box. ViVacqua hit a sacrifice fly to center field that allowed Vasquez to score. A single through the left side by Adam Sullivan drove in Haarde, the final run of the inning as the next batter grounded into a double play. Evan Kohr hit a single in the bottom of the inning that would stand as the Americans only hit until the 9th inning.

        Auburn would extend their lead in the 4th. Fishbein reached on an error as the leadoff batter. A stolen base and advancement on a fly out put him on 3rd base with one out. The next batter, Haarde, hit a single up the middle that drove in Fishbein, the only run of the inning.

        The Doubledays would tally one extra run again in the 7th inning. A walk by Haarde led off the inning. Back-to-back groundouts to the pitcher allowed Haarde to advance to 3rd base. A single to left field by Sullivan drove in Haarde. The next batter would hit into a fielder’s choice that ended the inning.

        In the top of the 8th, Carter Hall entered to start the inning. After walking three of the first four batters faced, Hall faced bases loaded with one out. Vasquez hit a groundball to the second baseman that the Americans tried to turn a double play on, but Vasquez beat the throw to first, allowing Anthony DeCesare to score.

        After a leadoff hit by pitch on Haarde and single by Droge, Auburn scored multiple runs for the first time since the 2nd inning. ViVicqua hit a single to right field. As the lead runner rounded third, right fielder Derek Gesmondi threw to home in case the runner attempted to score. A miscommunication between several defenders allowed the ball to pass everyone, advancing ViVicqua to third and allowing Haarde and Droge to score. The next batter, Sullivan, grounded out to the pitcher, but still allowed ViVicqua to come home and score the final run of the day for Auburn.

        The Americans offense sparked in the bottom of the 9th, but was in too deep of a hole to dig back out of. The first four Americans batters reached base, Paul Dulanto by leadoff walk, and then Nick Paszt, Kohr, and Chris Guzaldo each hit a single. Kohr’s single to right center drove in Dulanto. Guzaldo hit a single down the left field line that drove in Paszt, but a fielding error by the right fielder additionally allowed Kohr to score. After a fly out put the first out on the board, A single by Shane Pray allowed Guzaldo to score.

        After the scoring streak by Niagara Falls, Auburn turned to Ryan Paganelis to get them through the end of the game. Singles by Gesmondi and Grant Moore greeted the new pitcher. Moore’s single drove in Connor Kiefer, who entered as a pinch runner for Pray after his single. This would be the final run of the game, as the next batter would hit into a 4-6-3 double play.

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        The Americans play next in a road rematch against Auburn tomorrow, June 13th. Catch the next Americans home game the day after, June 14th, when we host the Niagara Ironbacks in a contest scheduled to start at 6:30pm. It is Guaranteed Win Night! We guarantee a win, or else you will be given a ticket to another Americans game! To purchase single-game or season tickets, call 716-215-6161 or visit niagarafallsamericans.com for more information. Season tickets start as low as $99! If you or someone you know is interested in sponsoring the Americans, or organizing a group outing to an Americans game, please contact General Manager Marc Witt at mwitt.canusa@gmail.com.