Hot Day Not Enough to Cool Americans, Win 8-7 Vs Batavia

        NIAGARA FALLS, NY - On a very hot day at Sal Maglie Stadium, the Niagara Falls Americans defeated the Batavia Muckdogs by a score of 8-7. Both teams tallied double-digit hits, but the Americans scored just enough to hold off the Muckdogs. After this win, Niagara Falls has won matchups between the teams. The Americans move to 10-6, while Batavia drops to 10-7.

        The Americans’ offensive output was led by Greydon Miller, Shane Pray, and Paul Dulanto. Miller batted 3-of-4 with one RBI, falling just a home run short of a cycle. Pray was the only other multi-hit American, batting 2-of-3 with an RBI. Dulanto was the only American with multiple RBIs, tallying two on a single, his one hit of the day.

        Hudson Boring was the first of four Americans to step on the mound in the contest. Boring pitched 5.0 innings, allowing three runs with four strikeouts and was credited with the win. Brady Toney entered to start the 6th, and allowed four of his five batters faced to reach base, earning himself two runs allowed in his 0.1 inning outing. Matthew Kasprowicz entered in relief and pitched the next 2.2 innings. Kasprowicz allowed two earned runs on only one hit and two strikeouts. After the first four batters reached base in the 9th, Carmen Panaro entered into the save situation. After hitting his first batter faced with a pitch, Panaro recorded two strikeouts and a flyout on his next three batters faced to end the game and earn his first save of the season.

        On a strong night by Batavia’s offense, Cooper Fesh, Justin Espinal and Caleb Walker. Fesh hit three singles in five at bats, tallying three RBIs. Espinal also tallied three hits in five at bats, one of them a double, and drove in one run. Walker batted 2-of-3 with one RBI and one walk.

        The Muckdogs also used four pitchers in the game. Pablo Sainz, the losing pitcher, started the first 2.1 innings, allowing five runs with two strikeouts. Erwins Branche entered in relief and pitched the next 3.0 innings. Branch allowed just one run and struck out three. Cole Taylor entered next, allowing two runs with one strikeout in his 2.0 innings pitched. George Creighton pitched the final 0.2, allowing one hit.

        Much like the thermometer, the Muckdogs came out red hot to start the game. The first two batters of the day reached base, moving to second and third with no outs. A groundout by Cooper Fesh drove in Brayden Horton, the first run of the day. After a flyout put two outs on the board, Justin Espinal doubled down the right field line, scoring Tyler Castrataro. A strikeout ended the inning with Batavia securing an early 2-0 lead.

        Batavia next extended their lead in the top of the 3rd. Leadoff batter Travis Hammond singled to left field before stealing second base. A pop out recorded the first out of the inning, followed by a groundout that advanced Hammond to 3rd. With two outs and a runner 90 feet from scoring, Fesh hit a single to left field that scored Hammond. The top of the 3rd ended with Batavia holding a 3-0 advantage.

        The Americans did not let this score by Batavia go answered by having the biggest inning of the game in the bottom of the 3rd. After a strikeout by the leadoff batter, the next three batters reached base. With bases loaded and one out, a hit by pitch on Gavyn Boyle pushed Greydon Miller over home plate for the first Americans run of the game. Cleanup batter Paul Dulanto continued the party by singling through the left side and scoring Grant Moore and Evan Kohr, the tying runs. After this hit, the Muckdogs turned to Erwins Branche. Branche struck out his first batter faced before a single to center field by Shane Pray scored Boyle, the go-ahead run. A walk on Brady Boles loaded the bases with two outs. Chris Guzaldo hit into a fielder’s choice, where an error allowed Boles to reach 2nd base safely and scoring Dulanto. During the play however, Boles continued running to 3rd, where Pray had already stopped advancing. Caught in a rundown, Pray rushed toward home where he was tagged out by the catcher, ending the inning with the Americans up 5-3.

        In the bottom of the 5th, Niagara Falls added one to their lead. The second batter of the inning, Nick Paszt, reached on a hit by pitch, before advancing to second on a groundout. Boles stepped to the plate with two outs and a runner in scoring position, and drove in Paszt with a single down the right field line. A strikeout by the next batter ended the inning with the Americans leading 6-3.

        In the top of the 6th, the Americans turned to Brady Toney. Batavia welcomed Toney by hitting a leadoff single, followed by a walk. A sacrifice bunt advanced runners to 2nd and 3rd with one out. During the next at bat, a wild pitch allowed Espinal to score, and advanced Braedon Reina to third. Reina was injured on his slide into 3rd base, resulting in him being pinch ran for by Jacob Veczko. The next batter walked before advancing to 2nd on a wild pitch. A single to left center by Caleb Walker drove in Veczko, and after an advance on throw, runners were on 2nd and 3rd with one out. Niagara Falls decided to end Toney’s day and enter Matthew Kasprowicz. A fielder’s choice followed by a pop out on the first two batters faced ended the inning with Niagara Falls still up, now by a score of 6-5. Americans batter Loagan Stickler hit a home run ball to leadoff the bottom of the inning before being ruled out at first on an extremely controversial call.

        No runs were scored until the home team scored the eventual winning run in the bottom of the 8th. A leadoff hit by pitch on Guzaldo made way for a Miller triple to left center to drive in the first run of the inning. After the hit, the Muckdogs turned to George Creighton, who hit his first batter faced. After a stolen base by Moore put two runners in scoring position with one out. Kohr hit a single to left center that scored Miller, the eventual winning run. A caught stealing and ground out ended the inning 8-5 Americans.

        Needing three or more runs to keep their hopes alive, the Muckdogs did not go down without a fight in the top of the 9th. Batavia came out hot, with the first three batters reaching base, two by walk and one hit by pitch. Fesh hit a single to right field, advancing each runner one base and scoring Hammond, cutting the Americans lead to two runs. After this start to the inning, Niagara Falls turned to the bullpen and brought in Carmen Panaro. Panaro pitched into a  full count on his first batter faced before hitting him with a pitch, scoring the second Muckdogs run of the inning and giving the Americans just a one run lead. Following the run, Panaro got right back on track, striking out the next two batters before a flyout by the third batter ended the game.

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        Catch the next Americans home game June 24th, when we host the Niagara Ironbacks in a contest scheduled to start at 6:30pm. We will be giving away Americans-branded frisbees! 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.