Americans Fend Off Tarp Skunks for 7th Win in a Row

        JAMESTOWN, NY - The Niagara Falls Americans traveled to Jamestown and defeated the Tarp Skunks by a score of 4-3. After scoring four runs in the first two innings, the Americans defense was able to fend off Jamestown’s attempt to climb back into the game. Niagara Falls has now won seven in a row, moving to 14-6 overall and 1st in the PGCBL West Division, while Jamestown drops to 10-10.

        Niagara Falls’ offense was led by Grant Moore, Ethan Madison, and Evan Kohr. Moore hit a 2-RBI triple in one of his two at bats, walking twice and stealing his league-leading 23rd base. Madison batted 1-of-4, tallying the only other Americans RBI. Kohr batted 1-of-4, stealing one base and scoring a run.

        Three pitchers stepped to the mound for Niagara Falls in the contest. Keegan Bazinet started the first 5.2 innings, allowing two runs, striking out two, and earring his third win of the season. Matthew Kasprowicz entered in relief, pitching the next 2.1 innings, allowing one run and striking out four. Carmen Panaro entered to pitch the full 9th inning, allowing two hits but no runs and earning his second save of the season.

        Mid and late game efforts by Jamestown gave them a string opportunity to complete a comeback, largely led by the performances of Jakob Haynes, Dom Costello, and Brady McGuire. Haynes batted 2-of-5, including an RBI double. Costello batted 2-of-4, the only other Tarp Skunk with multiple hits, and drove in one RBI. McGuire had one hit in his three at bats, an RBI triple, and walked once.

        Jamestown used just two pitchers in the outing. Cohen Harris, the game’s losing pitcher, started the first 4.1 innings, allowing three runs, two earned, and striking out three. Anthony Serrano entered to pitch the next 4.2 innings and had an incredible game, shutting down the Americans’ efforts to extend their lead. Of Serrano’s 15 batters faced, he allowed one walk, one single, and struck out nine.

        The visitors got to work early, scoring a run in the top of the 1st inning. Grant Moore worked a leadoff walk before stealing 2nd base. The next batter, Evan Kohr, singled through the left side, moving Moore to 3rd. During the next at bat, Kohr stole 2nd to put runners in scoring position with no outs. A fielder’s choice during the next at bat ruled Moore out at home on a close play, and put runners on the corners. Ethan Madison hit into another fielder’s choice, but was able to allow Kohr to score, giving the Americans the early 1-0 lead.

        Niagara Falls continued building their lead in the top of the 2nd. Despite a leadoff flyout, the next two batters reached base, Ian Huang by walk and Shane Pray via a single to right field. Moore stepped to the plate once again, hitting a triple to left center field that allowed both runners to score. On the play, a relay throw by the Jamestown shortstop was thrown into the stands by 3rd base, pushing Moore from 3rd base to home, scoring the 3rd run of the play, and final run of the game for the visitors.

        The Tarp Skunks first chipped away at Niagara Falls’ lead in the bottom of the 3rd. Jakob Haynes hit a leadoff single through the left side, before back-to-back foul pop outs to the catcher put two outs on the board. Haynes stole second before being driven home by a triple to left center field by Brady McGuire. A flyout by the next batted ended the inning with Niagara Falls up 4-1.

        The next scoring play came in the bottom of the 6th. The second batted of the inning, McGuire, walked before stealing 2nd to put himself in scoring position with two outs. Dom Costello soon hit a single through the right side that scored McGuire, chipping the Americans lead to two.

        The final scoring play of the game came in the bottom of the 7th inning. After the first two batters were recorded out, Nolan Smith walked to get a runner on 1st. Jakob Haynes rose to the occasion, hitting a double down the left field line that scored Smith from 1st base. Despite a hit by pitch to put two runners on, the inning ended with just one run scored. Neither team was able to score again, and the score would stand 4-3 Americans.

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        Catch the next Americans home game tomorrow, June 29th, when we host the Elmira Pioneers for a doubleheader, with games scheduled to start at 2:00 and 4:00pm. It is Faith and Family Night, so bring along the whole family and your religious group to cheer on your Niagara Falls Americans! 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.