Americans Fight Off Tarp Skunks and Rain 13-6

        NIAGARA FALLS, NY - On a rainy day at Sal Maglie Stadium, the Niagara Falls Americans defeated the Jamestown Tarp Skunks by a score of 13-6. In a day notable for defensive missteps, the Americans took advantage, scoring runs in six of the eight innings they batted in, including two or more runs in all but one of the six scoring innings. The teams will both take a rest day before an early-day rematch in Jamestown on Tuesday the 10th.

        In the baker’s dozen offensive performance, Grant Moore, Dalton Harper, Paul Dulanto, and Brady Boles led the way. Moore achieved two hits for his fourth consecutive game, doing so in four at-bats, as well as turning in two walks. Grant had an exceptional day on the base paths, stealing four bases and scoring four runs himself. Harper reached base four times in his five plate appearance game, recording three hits, one walk, and tallying one RBI. Dulanto went 2-for-4 with one RBI and one walk, and hit a double, one of only two extra base hits by the Americans. Boles scored three runs, doing so with one single and one walk.

        Keegan Bazinet started on the rubber for the Americans in a day that would see three pitchers step to the mound. Bazinet would pitch the first 5.2 innings, earning the win, before being relieved by Carter Hall. The starter allowed four runs, only two earned, striking out four and walking only one along the way. Hall would enter and allow one hit and two walks before Brady Toney relieved him. Toney would pitch the final 3.1 innings, and earn his second save of the season in a long relief outing. The final pitcher of the day would allow two runs, both earned, and strike out three.

        The Tarp Skunks offensive efforts were headed by Niko Frizell, Ty Lagoni, and Jakob Haynes. Frizell would turn in only one hit on the day, but it would be a two-RBI inside the park home run. Lagoni batted 2-of-4, with one double and one RBI. Haynes tallied two hits in three at bats, including a double, which was the only other extra base hit for the Tarp Skunks, and walked once.

        Jamestown used a barrage of pitchers in the rainy day, with eight different pitchers stepping to the mound. Cohen Harris was the first among them, pitching the first 1.2 innings, where he allowed three runs, two earned, and striking out three before the team turned to Mark Holm. Holm, the game’s losing pitcher, pitched the next 2.0 innings, allowing no hits and two unearned runs, leaving with another three strikeouts. Of the remaining six relief pitchers, Eddie Dolansky would be the most effective. Dolansky was Jamestown’s final pitcher of the day, pitching 1.1 innings. He would allow only one hit and strike out one in his five batters faced.

        The Tarp Skunks offense came out firing in the top of the 1st inning. After the leadoff batter went down on a lineout, the next three batters would reach base, one by error and two by single, loading the bases. The next batter, Nolan Smith, would hit a sacrifice fly to left field that allowed Nathan Borchardt to score and both of the other baserunners to advance. The throw into home from left field was wild, and though fielded quickly by Bazinet, a drop error by the catcher would allow both runners to advance another base, allowing Justin Bremner to score a second run on the play. Ty Lagoni, the next batter, would reach base on a third error in the inning, allowing Jakob Haynes to score. The seventh batter in the lineup, Eric Weeks would then ground out to third base, ending the disastrous defensive start by the Americans.

        The Americans offense would take their first at bats of the game, eager to claw back into the game early. Grant Moore would hit a leadoff single before stealing second. After a Derek Gesmondi walk and a Dalton Harper single, Niagara Falls found themselves in a prime position to close the gap, with bases loaded and no outs. Cleanup hitter Jake Hollins stepped into the box, and worked a walk that would push the first Americans run over home plate. After the next two batters were recorded out, a hit by pitch on Tristan Raley would score the Americans’ second and final run of the inning. 

        Niagara Falls’ 2nd inning chances started off slow, as the first two batters would not reach base. The next three batters would reach base, with a bunt single by Moore, and walks by Gesmondi and Harper, the same three batters loaded the bases for a second straight inning. This jam would make Jamestown turn to their first reliever of the day, Mark Holm. A passed ball allowed Moore to cross home and score the tying run, but Holm would make it out of the inning allowing no more runs, as the only batter he faced in the 2nd would fly out to center field.

        The next runs would occur in the bottom of the 4th inning. Following walks by the first two batters, Allen Ramos and Brady Boles, a two error play would allow both runners to score. On a double steal attempt, both runners successfully stole a base. An overthrow by the catcher allowed both runners to advance a second base, scoring Ramos. When attempting to field the errant throw, the Tarp Skunks’ center fielder overran the ball, allowing Boles to score as well. The pitch that the runners stole on would strikeout the batter, and after another strikeout, Jamestown turned to their third pitcher of the day, Nick Ianniello. Ianniello’s first and only batter of the 4th fouled out, ending the inning.

        In the bottom of the 5th, after a single by Paul Dulanto, and a hit by pitch on Raley, the Americans found themselves with runners on first and second base, with two outs in the inning. Loagan Stickler reached base by a throwing error on the third baseman, which allowed Dulanto and Raley to score. The next batter, Ramos, grounded out to end the inning.

        Down three runs with four innings left, Jamestown came out looking to retake the lead in the 6th inning. After the first two batters would not reach base, Bazinet walked Smith, his last batter of the day. Carter Hall entered in relief, and his first batter faced, Lagoni, hit a double down the left field line and drove in Smith. After walking the next two batters and loading the bases, Brady Toney took the mound for Niagara Falls. His first batter faced hit a groundball to third base, where Ramos would take the force out at 3rd, ending the inning.

        To start the bottom of the 6th, Will Taylor took the mound for Jamestown, hoping to build upon the momentum in the top of the inning. The American would take the opportunity to shutdown the momentum, by scoring four runs, the highest scoring half-inning of the game. The leadoff batter, Boles, hit a single to right field, and then advanced to third on an error. During the next at bat, Boles scored what would end up becoming the winning run on a wild pitch. Moore finished the plate appearance by working a walk. He would then steal second base. After a strikeout by Gesmondi, Moore stole 3rd base, his third of the game, and then score on a throwing error by the pitcher trying to catch him stealing. Harper then singled to right center, and Hollins would bunt and reach first via error. This second error of the inning by Taylor finished his day, and Jasean Brown tookover on the mound. Dulanto greeted the new pitcher with a double down the right field line, driving in Harper. A groundout by Treadway allowed Hollins to score from third. 

        The Americans scored their final runs of the game in the bottom of the 7th. The Tarp Skunks would use three pitchers in the inning. Brady Berdine came out to start the inning, and recorded one out, and have one batter reach on error before Colin Bolla took over. Following a Moore walk, and double steal by himself and Boles, Gesmondi walked and loaded the bases. Harper would take the plate and hit a single to center field, driving in Boles. The next batter, Hollins, grounded out to the pitcher, but still drove in Moore. Jamestown brought in their final relief pitcher, Eddie Dolansky, and the first batter he faced would fly out, ending the inning.

        After neither team scored in the 8th, Jamestown came out with their backs against the wall, needing eight runs to keep their chances alive. The Tarp Skunks had Branston Lindquist pinch hit for Brady Marshall, and he would reach base on a hit by pitch. Nike Frizell stepped to the plate, and hit a ball to right field. Gesmondi attempted to dive and catch the ball, but he was not able to control it. Jamestown was able to capitalize, as both runners came all the way to home on an inside the park home run. Brady Toney shut down the momentum after this point, recording an out on all of his next three batters faced, and earning his second save of the season.

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        The Americans next game will be a road game against Jamestown, scheduled for 11am on June 10th. Catch the next Americans home game on Wednesday, June 11th when we host the Geneva Red Wings in a contest scheduled to start at 6:30pm. To purchase single-game or season ticktes, 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.