Americans Bats Propel Team to 11-4 Victory Over Pilots

        NIAGARA FALLS, NY - The Niagara Falls Americans batted hot in a victory over the Newark Pilots. On the back of 16 hits, the Americans won by a score of 11-4. Niagara Falls rise to 16-8 overall, tied for 1st in the West Division, while Newark falls to 10-9-1.

        Many Americans shined bright in the win, but Dalton Harper, Grant Moore, Ian Huang, and Gavyn Boyle stood out. Harper recorded a hit in all three at bats, two singles and a double, driving in one run and walking once. Moore hit three singles in his five at bats, tallying one RBI and a stolen base. Huang batted 2-of-5, driving in three RBIs. Boyle tallied only one hit on the night, a solo home run.

        Niagara Falls saw three pitchers throw in the contest. The starter and winning pitcher, Luke Blandino, allowed three runs and struck out three in his 6.0 innings. Matthew Kasprowicz was the second pitcher of the night, allowing no runs and no walks, and striking out two across 2.0 innings. Joe Czaja pitched the full 9th inning, allowing one run on three walks, and striking out one.

        On a 10-hit night for Newark, Nick DiGiacomo, Anthony Hector, Chris Finocchario Jr., and Evan Brock. DiGiacomo and Hector both batted 2-of-4, with DiGiacomo additionally walking and scoring once. Finocchario batted 1-of-4, tallying one RBI and a run scored. Brock had one hit in his four plate appearances, walking twice and scoring the final two Newark runs.

        Four Pilots saw the mound on the night. Jake O’Connor started the first 3.0 innings, allowing five runs, four earned, and striking out two before being relieved. O’Connor was tagged with his first loss of the season. Ian Goodness entered it pitch 1.0 inning. Goodness allowed a walk and two hits, one of them a home run before exiting. Cosgrove Zeiser pitched the next 2.1 innings, allowing four runs and striking out three. Grant Ingram pitched the final 1.2, allowing just one run and striking out two.

        The Americans struck first in the high-hit contest, scoring three runs in the bottom of the 2nd inning. After a leadoff strikeout, Dalton Harper reached on a hit by pitch, and then advanced to 2nd on a single to left field by Chris Guzaldo. Ian Huang batted in the first run of the day on a single down the right field line that scored Harper and moved Guzaldo to 3rd. Despite a successful pickoff off on Huang, the Americans momentum pushed forward, with Guzaldo scoring on a ball four wild pitch that put Shane Pray on 1st. An infield single moved Pray to 2nd, which put him in position to score on a Grant Moore double to left center field. 

        Newark responded quickly, chipping away at the early lead in the top of the 3rd inning. After back-to-back walks to start the inning, a wild pitch moved both runners to scoring position with no outs. Ending that same at bat, Parker Zeiser singled to right field, scoring Evan Brock from 3rd. With no outs and a runner on third, Newark looked to continue the run with a sacrifice fly by the next batter, however Grant Moore was able to catch the flyout, and then throw home, beating the runner and recording the double play. A strikeout ended the inning with Niagara Falls leading 3-1.

        The home squad didn’t take long to build upon their lead, scoring two more runs in the bottom of the 3rd, including the eventual game winner. A strikeout led off the inning before the next two batters reached base, Ethan Madison by single, and Paul Dulanto by error. On Dulanto’s batting play, Madison hurt his lower leg sliding into 2nd base, and was subbed out of the game. Loagan Stickler entered as a pinch runner, and stayed in Madison’s designated hitter position. With runners on 1st and 2nd and one out, Harper hit a double to left center that scored Stickler. The next batter, Guzaldo, hit into a fielder’s choice that got Harper out at 3rd, but scored Dulanto. A flyout ended the inning 5-1 Americans.

        The bottom of 5th saw the Americans come out blazing hot before quickly cooling off. Gavyn Boyle hit a leadoff home run to left field, scoring the only run of the inning. After a walk, Newark turned to Ian Goodness to close out the inning. Goodness saw early struggles, issuing four pitch walks on both of his first two batters faced to load the bases with no outs. Newark got out of this jam by turning a double play, followed by a strikeout.

        The Pilots built off the defensive momentum by scoring two runs in the top of the 6th, cutting Niagara Falls’ lead to three. The first three batters all singled, Chris Finocchario to center field, Nick DiGiacomo through the left side, and Cooper Loyal to right field. Loyal’s single scored Finocchario from 2nd, and advanced DiGiacomo to 3rd. Newark continued their productive at bat streak with another run scoring on the fourth at bat of the inning. Noah Brooks lined a ball back at the pitcher, which was deflected to the second baseman. The Americans’ defender, Huang, looked to turn a double play, but Brooks beat the throw at first to log the RBI fielder’s choice. Despite a single by the next batter, Newark’s spark ended after a foul lout and line out.

        Niagara Falls came out in the bottom of the 7th looking to shutdown any comeback hopes that Newark had. A strikeout led off the inning, followed by the next three batters reaching to load the bases. Dulanto and Harper both singled to center field, followed by Guzaldo walking. With one out and bases loaded, Huang capitalized on the opportunity by singling to left field, scoring Dulanto and Harper. After the first two runs, Newark turned to Cosgrove Zeiser on the rubber. Pray greeted Zeiser with a double down the left field line, scoring Guzaldo and setting runners in scoring position with one out. Greydon Miller stepped into the box next, singling to right field and scoring both Huang and Pray. Despite another single in the inning, the Americans streak ended at five runs, giving them a 11-3 lead through 7.

        Newark came out and scored one run in the 9th inning to keep some hopes alive, but were not able to reach the eight runs needed to force extra innings. To start the inning, Niagara Falls turned the ball over to Joe Czaja. Czaja struggled early, walking each of his first three batters faced after a loaded count. With bases loaded and no outs, Finocchario hit a sacrifice fly, scoring Brock. Czaja shutdown the spark there, striking out his next two batters faced to close out the game.

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        The Americans will travel to Batavia to face the Muckdogs on July 3rd. Tune into our broadcast, scheduled for 6:30pm, alongside the first pitch. Catch the next Americans home game the day after, July 4th, when we host the Muckdogs in a contest scheduled to start at 6:30pm. Stay through the game and enjoy a postgame fireworks display presented by the city of Niagara Falls! 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.