Americans Defeat Ironbacks 9-5 in Consistent Offensive Performance

NIAGARA FALLS, NY - The Niagara Falls Americans beat their cross-border rivals, the Niagara Ironbacks, by a score of 9-5. The Americans scored two or more runs in every odd-numbered inning they batted in, in a consistent offensive burn. The Americans climb to a 7-2 record, while the Ironbacks fall to 1-6.

On a 13-hit day for the Americans, Greydon Miller, Nick Paszt, Shane Pray, and Carmen Panaro were crucial pieces. Miller batted 2-of-5, driving in 3 RBIs. Two of these RBIs came in on a double in the first inning. Paszt batted 2-of-4, and walked once, scoring a run on all three baserunning opportunities. Pray tallied three hits in four at bats, including one RBI. Panaro batted 2-of-2 at the plate, driving in one run, and walking in both of his two other plate appearances.

The Americans put the newest member of the team, John Ondus, on the bump to start the day. Ondus pitched the first 5.0 innings, and earned the win in his Niagara Falls debut. He allowed five runs, four earned, and struck out four. Robert Leach entered in relief and pitched the next 3.0 innings scoreless. Leach allowed two hits and no walks, striking out three. Nolan Jackson entered to pitch the full 9th inning, and induced a groundout on all three of the Ironbacks’ first batters of the inning.

The Ironbacks had a few bright spots offensively despite ultimately falling short. Carter Shin batted 3-of-4 and drove in two runs. Two of Shin’s three hits were doubles. Chase Hubbel was the only other Ironback with multiple hits, batting 2-of-4 and scoring once himself. Andrew Bishop had one hit in his three at bats, an RBI double.

The Canadian squad threw three pitchers in the outing. Ethan Wolf was the first of them, pitching the first 2.2 innings, allowing five runs on six hits and two walks, striking out one. Kaleb Seguin entered in relief, pitching the next 3.2 innings and being tagged with the loss. Seguin allowed four runs on five hits and walks, striking out two. Aidan Bray pitched the final 1.2 scoreless inning, striking out three of his nine batters faced.

The Ironbacks put the pressure on the Americans early, scoring one run in the top of the 1st. After a single by the leadoff batter, outs on the 2nd and 3rd batters, and a walk on the 4th batter, the Ironbacks had runners on 1st and 2nd and two outs. The 5th batter, Carter Shin, hit a double to left center that allowed leadoff batter Chase Hubbel to score an early run for the Ironbacks.

The home team quickly responded in the bottom of the 1st. The first three batters all reached base, loading the bases with no outs, and putting themselves in prime position to put some runs on the board. The cleanup batter, Paul Dulanto, took the opportunity to erase the early visitor lead by hitting a sacrifice fly to center field that allowed Grant Moore to score. After a wild pitch during the next at bats advanced the two runners on base, Greydon Miller hit a double down the left field line that drove in Ian Huang and Nick Paszt. Despite keeping the pressure on by getting more baserunners on 2nd and 3rd with one out, the inning ended with no more runs being scored.

In the top of the 2nd, the visitors took their opportunity to re-tie the game. After an error and walk allowed the first two batters to reach base, a bunt by Cadyn Wilson allowed Bryce Bedrosian to score from 2nd, After a fielder’s choice and hit by pitch, Americans starter John Ondus found himself in a bases loaded, one out jam. A hard groundball by Marcus Butts appeared to be the end of the inning. Fielded by third baseman Shane Pray, the throw to home beat the player trying to score from third. Catcher Nick Paszt then turned to 1st looking to turn a double play and end the inning, but his throw would hit off the back of the batter running to first, allowing each baserunner to advance an extra base, including allowing Jax Arcuri to come home and score. After a walk, a groundout to the shortstop ended the inning with the game tied 3-3.

In the bottom of the 3rd, the Americans would retake the lead. After a leadoff flyout, Paszt reached first on a single to left field. A double down the left field line by Dulanto drove Paszt all the way around the bases, giving the home team the lead again. After a pop out, another hit down the left field line, this time a single by Carmen Panaro, drove in Dulanto to score the second and last run of the inning.

After neither team scored in the 4th, the Ironbacks came out in the 5th looking to tie the game back up again. A strikeout and a caught stealing on the first two batters led to the Americans being just one out away from holding their lead. A walk by Alex Kean gave the Ironbacks enough of a spark to get some production in the inning. Batting after Kean, Andrew Bishop doubled to right field, scoring Kean. A single by the next batter, Shin, advanced Bishop to third. A wild pitch allowed Bishop to score, tying the game at 5-5.

The Americans entered their offensive half of the 5th inning looking to break the tie again. Paszt led off the inning with a single, followed by Dulanto walking. On the pitch of the 4th ball on Dulanto, Paszt broke to steal second. The Ironbacks’ catcher threw down to 2nd base despite Paszt being safe due to the walk, and an errant throw allowed Paszt to advance to third, putting runners on the corners with no outs. A Miller single down the left field line drove in Paszt, the eventual winning run and Miller’s third RBI of the night. Panaro walked to load the bases with no outs. The next batter, Chris Guzaldo, hit into a confusing play. He hit a shallow ball to left field that the Ironbacks’ left fielder attempted to dive and catch, but the ball slipped out of his glove. The base umpire did not signal on the play, confusing the baserunners and leaving some stranded between bases, not knowing if they were forced to advance or forced to retreat to their initial base. After discussion between umpires, it was determined that Guzaldo reached first on a fielder’s choice, Dulanto scored from third, and baserunners Miller and Panaro were both ruled out. Despite a single by the next batter, Pray, the inning ended with no more runs.

The final two runs were scored in the bottom of the 7th. A leadoff walk by Dulanto, and a double by Panaro soon after put runners on 2nd and 3rd with one out. After the Ironbacks entered Aidan Bray to pitch, he would throw a wild pitch allowing Dulanto to score and Panaro to advance to third. Two batters later, an infield single by Pray drove in Panaro, scoring the final run of the game.

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The Americans have two road games before returning to Sal Maglie Stadium. They travel to Elmira tomorrow, June 15th to play in a contest scheduled for 4:00pm, and then travel to Newark for a 6:30pm game in Newark. Catch the next Americans home game June 18th, when we host the Jamestown Tarp Skunks to start a home and home series, scheduled to start at 6:30pm. It is $1 Hotdog Night! Come on down to Sal Maglie Stadium and enjoy a hot dog, or a few, watching the Americans play America’s favorite pastime. 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.