Americans Fall Just Short Against Elmira in Doubleheader Game One

NIAGARA FALLS, NY - The Niagara Falls Americans hosted the Elmira Pioneers for a doubleheader, dropping game one of the day by a score of 4-3. In the seven-inning contest, Elmira scored all four of their runs in the first two innings, but the Americans could not tie the game back up in the later innings. With the loss, Niagara Falls drops to 21-13, with Elmira climbing to 17-14-1.

The Americans were limited to just five hits in the contest, with Connor Kiefer, Allen Ramos, and Carmen Panaro leading the way. Kiefer batted 1-of-2, with a two-RBI double and a stolen base. Ramos also batted 1-of-2, additionally walking once and scoring a run. Panaro batted 1-of-3, scoring one run.

Niagara Falls used just two pitchers in the contest, with Keegan Bazinet starting the first 5.0 innings. Bazinet allowed four runs, just one earned, striking out four of his 24 batters faced. John Ondus entered to pitch the final 2.0 innings, striking out four of his eight batters faced, allowing just two baserunners to reach by walk.

The Pioneers winning efforts at the plate were led by TJ Gramesty, Carl Wagner, and Brooks Hicken. Gramesty was productive in all three of his plate appearances, walking once, as well as hitting one single and one sacrifice fly. Wagner batted 1-of-3, hitting a two-RBI single. Hicken batted 1-of-2, walking once and scoring one run.

Brendan Hayes was the first of three pitchers to appear in the contest for Elmira, pitching the first 5.0 innings and earning the win. Hayes allowed three runs, striking out four of his 23 batters faced. Casey Julkowski and Nolan Terwilliger each pitched one full inning, with neither allowing a run or hit. Julkowski entered to pitch in the 6th, walking one of his five batters faced. Terwilliger pitched the 7th, striking out one of his three batters faced, earning his 5th save of the season.

Defensive mistakes by the Americans allowed Elmira to take an early 3-0 lead in the top of the 1st. Aidan Grabowski hit a leadoff single in the infield, before advancing to 2nd on a throwing error during a pickoff attempt. The error came to not change the outcome, as a bunt single by Ty Martineau, followed by a walk on TJ Gramesty loaded the bases with no outs. American's starter Keegan Bazinet focused back in despite the jam, striking out the next batter before the following batter hit into a lineout. With bases loaded and two outs, a throwing error by the Americans' shortstop kept the Pioneers alive, scoring Grabowski. With bases still loaded and on extended life, Carl Wagner took advantage with a single to center field that scored both Martineau and Gramesty. Bazinet induced a fly out to end the inning.

Elmira tacked on another run in the top of the 2nd, which would crucially hold to be the winning run. The Pioneers had a similar start to begin the inning, with singles by Brooks Hicken and Jacob Moniz putting runners on the corners with no outs. Grabowski flew out before a walk loaded the bases with one out. Gramesty continued his day by hitting a sacrifice fly to center field, scoring Hicken. Bazinet closed the inning off on the next batter with a strikeout.

The bottom of the 3rd began with an extremely controversial call. Leadoff batter Loagan Stickler batted a ball down the left field that left the park. Despite the ball appearing to be fair by several feet, alongside discussion between Stickler, both umpires, and the Americans coaching staff, the call of the hit being a foul ball stood. Stickler went on to strike out in his at bat before a walk and double play ended the inning. 

The Americans first chipped away at the lead in the bottom of the 4th. Carmen Panaro hit a leadoff ground rule double before the next two batters were both retired. Walks by both Allen Ramos and Chris Guzaldo loaded the bases with one out. With his team needing a spark, Connor Kiefer delivered with a double to left field that scored Panaro and Ramos. Despite runners in scoring position, the inning ended on a strikeout with the Americans cutting the lead to 4-2.

Niagara Falls tacked another run on the board in the bottom of the 6th, again led of by a double, this time by Gavyn Boyle. After the hit, the Pioneers turned to Brendan Hayes. Greydon Miller greeted Hayes with a walk before both him and Boyle advanced bases on a wild pitch. A pop out recorded the first out of the inning before Guzaldo hit a sacrifice fly to left field that scored Boyle and moved Miller to 3rd. The Americans were not able to capitalize on the runner just 90 feet away, ending both the inning and the game with a 4-3 Elmira lead.

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Catch the next Americans home game the day after, July 15th, when we host the Batavia Muckdogs in a contest scheduled to start at 6:30pm. It is 716 Night, so come to the stadium, celebrate our home, and 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.