Muckdogs Take Late Lead to Edge Out Americans 5-4

BATAVIA, NY - The Niagara Falls Americans traveled to Batavia to face off the with first place Muckdogs. Despite a late push by the Americans, Batavia struck last to win the game by a score of 5-4. The Americans fall to 25-16 overall this season while Batavia climbs to 27-10-1.

Niagara Falls turned in eight hits in the contest, split between six players. Allen Ramos and Gavyn Boyle each tallied two hits across five plate appearances. Ramos hit a two-RBI double, as well as stealing one base. Boyle also reached once on an intentional walk. Ian Huang batted 1-of-4, hitting an RBI single and reaching in another plate appearance on a hit by pitch.

Three pitchers appeared in the contest for the Americans, with Matthew Kasprowicz throwing the first 5.0 innings. Kasprowicz allowed four runs, striking out six of his 25 batters seen. Aiden Klimtzak pitched the next 2.0 innings, allowing one run and striking out two of his 10 batters. Robert Leach threw the final full inning, allowing three baserunners, but no runs and striking out one.

Batavia tallied 10 hits in the game, with several Muckdogs tallying multiple hits. Tyler Castrataro hit three singles across five at bats, stealing one base and scoring two runs. Justin Espinal hit doubles in both of his at bats, as well as reaching on a hit by pitch, and batting into a sacrifice fly. Brayden Horton was the final multi-hit Muckdog, batting 2-of-3 with a double.

The Muckdogs threw four pitchers in the contest. Eric Woodley started the first 5.0 innings, allowing four runs and striking out four of his 25 batters faced. Relief pitchers Cole Taylor, Evin Hollandsworth, and Garrett Beaver did not allow a run in the remainder of the game. Taylor pitched 1.0 inning, allowing one hit and walking two, tallying one strikeout. Hollandsworth, the winning pitcher, did not allow a baserunner across 2.0 innings, striking out four. Beaver allowed one single and one walk, but retired his other three batters seen, earning his second save of the season.

Batavia opened the scoring in the bottom of the 2nd inning. Following a leadoff flyout, each of the next two batters recorded a hit, James Bolton singled up the middle, followed by Jacob Veczko doubling down the left field line to put runners in scoring position with one out. Justin Espinal put the first run on the board with a sacrifice fly to left field. 

The home team added one to their lead in the 3rd inning. The second batter of the inning, Tyler Castrataro, hit a single to center field before advancing to 3rd on a single down the right field line by Brayden Horton. The next batter popped out to put the second out on the board before a hit by pitch loaded the bases. Omar Carrerras stepped into the box and worked a four-pitch walk, driving in Castrataro. 

The Muckdogs continued their scoring streak, tallying two more runs in the bottom of the 4th. For the third consecutive inning, the leadoff batter was retired before the second batter recorded a hit. Espinal batted a double to center field, advancing to 3rd on an infield single by Kyle Vaughn. Cooper Fesh batted in the first run on a sacrifice fly to left field, driving in Espinal. Despite two outs on the board, Batavia kept pressure on with a single by Castrataro that moved Vaughn to 3rd. During the next at bat, Castrataro stole 2nd base, and Vaughn came home to score when the ball was thrown to 2nd to attempt the caught stealing. The inning ended on a strikeout, giving the Muckdogs a 4-0 lead through four innings.

The Americans responded big in the top of the 6th inning, scoring four runs and tying the game. Greydon Miller led off the inning with a double. Ian Huang followed up by hitting an infield single that deflected off the 1st baseman, allowing Miller to score from second. Each of the next two batters reached to load the bases, Nick Paszt on a single, and Carmen Panaro via a walk. Batavia turned to Cole Taylor to get them out of the jam, but Niagara Falls kept pressure on. Taylor's first batter seen, Connor Kiefer, worked a walk to push Huang over home plate. After the next batter struck out to put the first out on the board, Allen Ramos doubled down the right field line, scoring both Paszt and Panaro. The next batter was intentionly walked, allowing a double play to end the inning tied 4-4.

Batavia scored the winning run in the bottom of the 7th. The first two batters both recorded hits, putting runners on 2nd and 3rd. Castrataro hit a leadoff single before Horton doubled. Sean Mindas drove in the final run of the game on a sacrifice fly to center field, scoring Castrataro. Each of the next two batters grounded out to end the inning 5-4.

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Catch the next Americans home game tomorrow, 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.