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Late Runs Push Americans Over Ironbacks in Home Opener
NIAGARA FALLS, NY - The Niagara Falls Americans beat the Niagara-Canada Ironbacks in the team’s home opener by a score of 7-4. A late inning push by the home team propelled the team to victory. The win over the closest opponent in the league moves the Americans to 2-0 on the year, and the Ironbacks fall to 0-2.
Jake Hollins, Christopher Guzaldo, and Shane Pray were key players in the batter‘s box for the Americans tonight. Hollins achieved two hits in his four at bats, including the team’s only extra base hit in the game, a triple that drove in two runs. Guzaldo also went 2-for-4, driving in one run on the game, and crossing home twice himself. Pray was the only other American to score two runs, doing so by achieving two hits and a walk across five plate appearances, as well as making several impressive defensive plays.
Luke Blandino was the first Americans pitcher to start in front of the home crowd this season, pitching 5.0 innings. In that time, Blandino allowed only two runs to score, one earned, and struck out five. Nolan Jackson came out to start the 6th inning, where he allowed one earned run, and struck out one before his time on the mound concluded after one full inning. Joseph Czaja would begin on the mound in the 7th, where he would allow one earned run on three walks, and would get relieved before the first out of the inning was recorded. Robert Leach would take over, and be the most effective pitcher of the night, allowing no baserunners in 2.0 innings, striking out two, as well as earning the win. He did so in just 21 pitchers, 15 of them as strikes. Hudson Boring entered into the save situation in the 9th inning, and took advantage of the opportunity, striking out two, and allowing only one hit before earning his first save of the season.
The Ironbacks’ offensive performance was led by Carter Shin, Marcus Butts, and Chase Hubbel. Shin went 1-for-2 at the plate, getting two RBIs through a double and a sacrifice fly. He added a walk as well. Butts was the only Ironback to achieve multiple hits, recording two in four at bats, and scoring one run. Hubbel reached base twice, one hit and one by walk, in four plate appearances, adding another one of Niagara-Canada‘s runs.
The Ironbacks used only two pitchers on the night. Jaden Korean started on the rubber for the visitors, and would pitch 6.0 innings. Korpan was credited with four runs, all earned, striking out one, but allowing seven hits. Brad Alexander would play the 7th and 8th innings, and would be credited with the loss for the game. Alexander allowed six hits, leading to three runs, all earned, and also striking out one.
The top of the first inning saw a fly out by lead off hitter Carter Shin. Alex Kean then singled through the right side. The Americans would shut down this momentum right away when the next batter grounds into a 3-6-1 double play. In response though, the Ironbacks pitched an inning sitting down the first three Americans batters of the day.
The visitors would score the first run of the night in the top of the 2nd. Marcus Butts would cross home on a wild pitch. Despite two errors in the inning as well, the Americans got back on the right track quick, with another double play to end the inning, this time on a deep fly out to the right field foul territory, and Evan Kohr would make a spectacular throw to home to assist on the putout of the runner attempting to complete the sacrifice fly.
The home team would build off this momentum by scoring four runs in the bottom of the second. The first three batters would all reach base, Shane Pray and Paul Dulanto by singles, and Grant Moore by walk. Kohr would step to the plate and single to right field, allowing Pray to score, but Moore would be caught in a rundown, where the defense would earn their first out of the inning. Christopher Guzaldo continued the on-base streak by singling through the left side, allowing Dulanto to score. Jake Hollins would then hit a triple down the right field line, pushing both runners over the plate. The spark would end at this point however, as the next two batters would pop out, and then fly out.
The Canadian club would start their early rally by earning one run in the 3rd. Chase Hubbel became the first base runner of the inning, hitting a single through the right side. Hubbel would work his way to third base, stealing second base, and then advancing to third on a wild pitch. This put Carter Shin in position to hit a double down the right field line that allowed Hubbel to cross home. The Americans would begin the 3rd inning hot, with the first two batters singling and then walking, but the next three batters faced would all result in an out.
Both teams offenses started to cool down in the 4th and 5th innings. There was a combined three hits, one double and two singles, and two stolen bases in the two full innings.
The top of the 6th would see Nolan Jackson enter for the Americans as the first relief pitcher of the game. Shin would be the first batter Jackson would face, and would work a walk. After the next batter flew out, Shin stole second base, and then additionally advanced to third on the pitch that was too wild for the catcher to control. After a walk for Brock Grainger, another wild pitch would allow Shin to score. Jackson would allow only this run, as the next three batters would foul out, single, and then strikeout.
The Ironbacks would tie the game in the 7th. Jospeh Czaja would relieve Jackson, and allow his first three batters faced to walk. After loading the bases, Robert Leach would enter the game for the Americans. After a strikeout by the first batter faced, a sacrifice fly by Shin would allow Devan Madore to cross home, tying the game. Leach would retire the next batter, allowing his team to bat with a chance to take the lead a second time.
To begin the bottom of the 7th, the Ironbacks entered Brad Alexander into the game. Ian Huang would earn a leadoff walk, and then advance to second on a sacrifice bunt by Dalton Harper. After a strikeout, the Americans would hit back to back singles to the edge of the infield near the shortstop. The first, by Pray, would move Huang to third. Dulanto would hit the next, allowing Huang to score. Moore would then step to the plate and single through the right side, allowing Pray to score. The inning would end with the next batter.
The lead change sparked the Americans defense as well, as they would record a 1-2-3 inning in the top of the 8th. This momentum would carry into the bottom of the inning, with the first three Americans batters, Guzaldo, Hollins, and Huang, singling to load the bases. After a lineout, Greydon Miller would reach on a fielder’s choice to third base that pushed Guzaldo in for a run.
Hudson Boring entered into the save opportunity for the Americans in the top of the 9th. The Ironbacks would respond by making their own sub, pinch hitting Andrew Bishop. Bishop would do his part in the rally, hitting a single through the 1st and 2nd basemen. The comeback would be quickly shutdown by Boring however, as after a foul out, he would strike out the last two batters of the game and earn his first save of the season, the second for the team in as many games.
The Americans will face off with the Ironbacks again tomorrow evening, with first pitch scheduled for 4:05pm at George Taylor Field in St. Catharines, ON, Canada. Catch the Americans next home game on Sunday, June 8th, when we host the Jamestown Tarp Skunks, scheduled to start at 4:05pm. Get to the stadium early when doors open at 3:05pm and enjoy our Meet the Team night. Tables will be set up near the entrance where fans can meet and greet with players, and get autographs from your favorite Americans. To purchase single-game or season tickets, call 716-215-6161 or visit niagarafallsamericans.com for more information. Seasons 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.