Late Push Allows Americans to Avoid Series Sweep

NIAGARA FALLS, NY - The Niagara Falls Americans faced off with the Jamestown Tarp Skunks for a third consecutive night, defeating the visitors by a score 6-3 in a comeback victory. With the win, Niagara Falls avoided a series sweep by Jamestown, and improved to 25-15 overall this season. Jamestown still wins the season-long series by a record of 5-4, but falls to 23-13 overall.

The Americans’ offense was led by Ian Huang, Greydon Miller, and Nick Paszt. Huang batted 1-of-2, with a two-RBI double. Miller batted 1-of-3 with a walk, scoring two runs and tallying two RBIs, including the game-winning RBI. Paszt reached base in three of four plate appearances, with one hit by pitch, one single, one double, and stole two bases.

Niagara Falls received three effective pitching performances in the contest. CJ Hurley started the first 4.0 innings, allowing just two runs, one earned, and striking out two of 20 batters faced. Austin Barton pitched the next 4.0 innings, allowing just one run, striking out seven on his 17 batters seen, and earning his second win. Hudson Boring entered to pitch the 9th inning, striking out one of his five batters faced and earning his fifth save of the season.

Jamestown tallied eight hits in the game, each by a separate batter. Blake Herman, Branston Lindquist, and Nolan Smith. Herman batted 1-of-2, walking once, driving in one run, and scoring once. Lindquist Batted 1-of-3 with an RBI and one walk. Smith reached base in three of five plate appearances, twice by walk and once on a double.

The Tarp Skunks also threw three pitchers in the outing, with Cohen Harris starting the first 4.0 innings on the bump. Harris allowed two runs on just one hit, and two strikeouts across 17 batters. Nick Ianniello entered for the next 3.2 innings, allowing four unearned runs, striking out three of 18 batters faced. Ianniello was credited with the loss, his first of the season after tallying six wins so far. Will Taylor faced just one batter, striking him out and recording the final out of the game for Jamestown’s defense.

Jamestown came out as hot as could be in the 1st inning, as Brady McGuire hit a leadoff triple to center field. Americans’ center fielder Grant Moore dove to attempt to catch the ball, but was unable to get in front of the hit, as well as being injured on the play. After the defensive substitution, the next batter was walked before Ben Slanker hit a single through the right side, allowing McGuire to score from 2nd. The next three batters were each retired, ending the inning with Jamestown tallying one run.

The Tarp Skunks added another un in the 2nd inning. Despite a leadoff groundout, the second batter, Blake Herman, reached on a muffed throw error by the first baseman. During the next at bat, Herman advanced to second on a wild pitch. After an infield single kept Herman on 2nd, Branston Lindquist singled through the right side, scoring Herman.

Niagara Falls responded in the bottom of the 2nd. The first three batters, Greydon Miller, Tommy Mathay, and Nick Paszt, were each issued passes to first base, Miller and Mathay by walk, and Paszt on a hit by pitch. Carmen Panaro batted in the first Americans run on a sacrifice fly down the right field line, scoring Miller, and advancing Mathay to 3rd. During the next at bat, Mathay scored the tying run on a wild pitch. Back-to-back groundouts left the game tied 2-2 through two full innings.

Neither team broke the tie until Jamestown added a run in the top of the 6th. The leadoff batter struck out looking before efficient baserunning gave the Tarp Skunks a great opportunity to score. Brady Marshall reached on a walk before stealing 2nd base. The next batter, Eric Weeks, singled, moving Marshall to 3rd. Weeks then stole 2nd to put two runners in scoring position with one out. Herman gave Jamestown the lead for a second time on a sacrifice fly to right field, driving in Marshall. The next batter struck out to end the inning, and Jamestown finished the day with three runs scored.

The Americans could not strike back against the Tarp Skunks until the bottom of the 8th. The first two batters, Allen Ramos and Connor Kiefer both reached on balls in the infield, Ramos on a single to the pitcher, Kiefer on a fielding error on the pitcher. The next two batters both hit into outs in the infield, leaving runners on 1st and 2nd with two outs. After working the count, Gavyn Boyle was intentionally walked to load the bases and allow the defense to get a force out at any base. Miller stepped into the box, and continued to flash his ability to drive in runs, scoring both Ramos and Kiefer on a single to left center field. Ian Huang built upon the Americans new lead with a double to left center field, scoring Boyle and Miller. After the second RBI hit, the Tarp Skunks turned to Will Taylor, who struck out his first batter seen to end the inning.

Links
PGCBL Box Score

The Americans will have a day off before traveling to Batavia to face the Muckdogs. Tune into our broadcast, scheduled for 4:00pm, alongside the first pitch. Catch the next Americans home game the day after, July 21st, when we host the Buffalo Diesel in an out-of-league game scheduled to start at 6:30pm. It is Report Card Night, so come to the stadium and be sure to bring along your child’s report card for a discount on entry to 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.