Guzaldo Hits Walkoff to Secure Season Series Against 1st Place Muckdogs

NIAGARA FALLS, NY - The Niagara Falls Americans hosted the division-leading Batavia Muckdogs, defeating the visitors in walkoff fashion by a score of 4-3. Chris Guzaldo hit a single that scored the final two runs to win the game. With the win, Niagara Falls has won the season-long series, holding a 4-2 record in the head-to-head with Batavia, with just one more matchup scheduled this season. 

The Americans tallied nine hits in the contest, with the offensive output being led by Chris Guzaldo, Greydon Miller, and Carmen Panaro. Guzaldo batted 1-of-2, hitting a game-winning, two RBI single, as well as one sacrifice fly. Miller was the only multi-hit American of the night, batting 3-of-4 and scoring two runs. Panaro reached base twice across four plate appearances, once by single, and once by walk.

Niagara Falls got three effective pitching performances in the contest. Luke Blandino started the game, pitching 4.0 innings before being relieved by Carter Hall. Blandino allowed just one hit, but two runs on three strikeouts and six walks. Hall pitched the next 3.0 innings, allowing just one run with two strikeouts on 12 batters faced. Austin Barton threw the final 2.0 innings scoreless, earning his second consecutive win. Across eight batters, Barton allowed just one walk and one single, but retired each of his other six batters faced.

Despite holding a lead for much of the game, Batavia’s offense tallied just four hits. Cooper Fesh, Tyler Castrataro, and Brayden Horton. Fesh reached base in three of four plate appearances, once by single and twice by walk. Castrataro batted 1-of-3 with a triple, walking once and scoring one run. Horton walked one time, and hit a sacrifice fly.

Batavia threw five pitchers in the contest, with several effective outings. Gavin Chandler, the starter, threw 4.2 innings, allowing just one run on four strikeouts across 19 batters faced. Luc Rising entered for the next 2.1 innings, allowing one single, but striking out five of his eight batters faced. Eric Woodley pitched the full 8th inning, allowing one hit, but retiring his other three batters seen, one by strikeout. Garrett Beaver entered to start the 9th inning, recording one out before loading the bases with two walks and one single. Beaver’s three baserunners came home to score, crediting him with the runs allowed, as well as the loss for the night. Evin Hollandsworth entered to attempt to close out the game. Hollandsworth threw a wild pitch to score one run, before an intentional walk loaded the bases again, and allowed a two-RBI single to win the game.

Niagara Falls took the first lead of the game in the bottom of the 2nd inning. Greydon Miller led off the inning with a single to right field before Carmen Panaro doubled down the right field line to put runners in scoring position with no outs. Chris Guzaldo opened the scoring with a sacrifice fly to center field, scoring Miller. Panaro was thrown out at 3rd on the play, and the Americans were unable to score again until the final inning of the game.

Batavia responded in the top of the 4th, scoring two runs and taking the lead. The Americans defense started effective, recording two outs across the first three batters. James Bolton reached first on a fielder’s choice before advancing to third on a single to left center field by Kyle Vaughn. Vaughn advanced to second on a throw from the outfield. The next three batters all worked walks to first base. Cooper Fesh walked to load the bases, followed by RBI walks by Justin Espinal and Cameron Copple. Bolton and Vaughn were pushed over home plate by the bases loaded walks. After the second run scored, a flyout ended the inning.

The Muckdogs built upon their lead in top of the 5th. Carter Hall entered to start the inning on the mound for Niagara Falls. Leadoff batter Tyler Castrataro welcomed Hall with a triple to right center field. The next batter, Brayden Horton hit a fly ball to center field, scoring Castrataro and completing the sacrifice fly. Each of the next two batters were retired, ending the inning with Batavia up 3-1.

Up two in the bottom of the 9th, Batavia entered Garrett Beaver into the save situation. Beaver induced a ground out on his leadoff batter before loading the bases. Gavyn Boyle and Paul Dulanto both walked, followed by Miller reaching one a single to left field. After the hit, Batavia turned to Evin Hollandsworth to get them out of the bases loaded, one out jam. During his first at bat, Hollandsworth threw a wild pitch that advanced each baserunner, scoring Boyle. The Muckdogs made the decision to intentionally walk Panaro, in an effort to make a game-ending double play more possible. Guzaldo stepped into the batters box in the clutch situation, facing a 3-1 count, he batted a ball to left field, scoring both Dulanto and Miller, and winning the Americans the game.

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Catch the next Americans home game tomorrow, July 16th, when we host the Jamestown Tarp Skunks in the first of three consecutive contests, 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.