Americans Hold on 7-6 to Split Doubleheader Against Elmira

        NIAGARA FALLS, NY - After dropping game one of a home doubleheader, the Niagara Falls Americans came out looking to split the series with the Elmira Pioneers. Following an explosive first inning, the Americans were able to hold off Elmira’s attempts to comeback in the game. With the 7-6 victory, Niagara Falls improves to 15-8, while Elmira falls to 12-10.

        In the 10-hit outing, only one American didn’t tally at least one hit. Offensively, the team combined for three triples and five stolen bases. Derek Gesmondi, Allen Ramos, and Grant Moore were among the most prominent Americans batters. Gesmondi batted 2-of-3, hitting a triple and a single, driving in one RBI, and stealing a base. Ramos hit a two-RBI single in his first of three at bats, following the hit by stealing a base. Moore batted 1-of-2, hitting a leadoff triple. Additionally, Moore hit a sacrifice fly, and stole a base after reaching on a hit by pitch, scoring a run in both of his baserunning opportunities.

        John Ondus was the first of four pitchers to step on the rubber for Niagara Falls. Ondus, the winning pitcher, started the first 4.0 innings, allowing two runs and striking out one. Aiden Klimtzak pitched the full 5th inning, allowing just one single across four batters faced. The batter came around to score, giving Klimtzak one run on the day. Brady Toney entered next to pitch the full 6th inning, allowing two runs on three singles. Robert Leach entered in the 7th, pitching the final 1.0, allowing a triple and two walks, leading to one run allowed. Leach struck out one of his six batters faced, and earned his second save of the season.

        Despite falling just short in the end, TJ Gramesty, Aidan Grabowski, Michael Palmer, and Brandon Doubek. Gramesty reached base in all four of his plate appearances, tallying two singles, one triple, a hit by pitch, and four stolen bases. Grabowski batted 2-of-4, driving in two runs and stealing one base. Palmer batted 1-of-1, walking once and hitting two sacrifice flies. Doubek was the final Pioneer with multiple hits, batting 2-of-3.

        Elmira used three pitchers, with Tyler Hodella starting the contest. All three Pioneers pitchers saw 2.0 innings on the mound. Hodella allowed six runs, just three earned, on five hits and one walk. Andrew Jones entered next, allowing one run on four hits and one walk, alongside one strikeout. Andrew Roxby pitched the final two innings, allowing one hit and one walk, but getting his other six batters faced out, including two by strikeout.

        Much like game one of the doubleheader, the top of the 1st inning saw Elmira take a 2-0 lead. The Pioneers stayed on a winning path, with their first three batters all reaching safely, loading the bases with no outs. Aidan Grabowski and Cooper Smith both singled to the outfield, and TJ Gramesty reached on a hit by pitch. Following this stretch, back-to-back sacrifice flies to center field by Michael Palmer and Anthony Manganello drove in Grabowski and Smith, respectively. Despite two stolen bases by Gramesty and a walk on another batter, the inning ended with just the two runs scored.

        The Americans came out looking to finally catch a spark in the eighth total inning of the day, scoring five runs in the top of the 1st of game two. After a rare game out of the lineup, Grant Moore came out hungry, hitting a triple to right field on the first pitch of the game for Elmira. After a lineout put the first out on the board, a wild pitch allowed Moore to come home, scoring the Americans‘ first run of the day. The at bat finished with Nick Paszt reaching 1st and 2nd base on a throwing error by the Elmira shortstop. The next batter, Derek Gesmondi, hit the second triple of the inning, this one to left center, and driving in Paszt to tie the game. After a Chris Guzaldo walk, an infield single by Greydon Miller scored Paszt. A fielder’s choice on Tristan Raley followed by a hit by pitch loaded the bases with two outs. The final two runs of the inning came on an Allen Ramos single though the right side, scoring Guzaldo and Raley, giving Niagara Falls an early 5-2 lead.

        The home squad continued their offensive performance with another leadoff triple in the bottom of the 2nd, this time by Jack Satinoff. Moore hit a sacrifice fly to center field that scored Satinoff, followed by two more fly outs to end the inning with the Americans now up 6-2.

        Niagara Falls tacked their final run on the board in the bottom of the 4th. After a strikeout put one out on the board, Moore reached 1st on a hit by pitch before stealing 2nd base. With the speedy Moore in scoring position, Evan Kohr took advantage by singling to center field and scoring Moore. Despite keeping pressure on, this would be the final Americans run of the game, and the eventual game winner.

        Elmira started clawing their way back into the game in the top of the 5th. With Americans pitcher Aiden Klimtzak, the Pioneers didn’t take long to welcome him, with Gramesty singling to left center field, and then stealing 2nd base. The following batter, Palmer, hit an unconventional sacrifice fly to deep center field. The ball was hit far enough that Gramesty was able to come around to score from 2nd base. Two more flyouts on the next two batters ended the inning with Elmira chipping just one run away from the Americans’ lead.

        In the top of the 6th, Brady Toney took over on the mound for Niagara Falls. After inducing a groundout on his leadoff batter, back-to-back singles by Carl Wagner and Brandon Doubek put runners on with one out. The next batter grounded out to put both runners in scoring position, now with two outs on the board. With his team’s back against the wall, Grabowski hit a single to left field that scored both Wagner and Doubek, cutting the home lead to just two runs.

        Robert Leach entered the 7th inning save situation for the Americans. Gramesty greeted Leach by hitting a leadoff triple to left center field. The following batter walked to put runners on the corners with no outs before Manganello hit a sacrifice fly to left field that scored Gramesty. Despite a stolen base and walk, no more runs were scored, winning the game for the Americans and giving Leach his second save of the season.

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        Catch the next Americans home game July 1st, when we host the Newark Pilots in a contest scheduled to start at 6:30pm. We will be giving away photos of your 2025 Niagara Falls Americans team! 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.