Americans Outlast Batavia 2-1 To Take First Place in Division

        BATAVIA, NY - The Niagara Falls Americans traveled to Batavia to face off with the Muckdogs in the first of three consecutive matchups between the top two teams in the PGCBL West Division. Entering the game, both teams held a 16-8 record, with Niagara Falls winning both of the previous two matchups between the teams. In a tight, low scoring contest, the Americans were able to outlast Batavia by a score of 2-1, winning another matchup between the squads and setting themselves as the undisputed leaders of the West Division. 

        Despite only converting two runs, the Americans offense was still productive, tallying 10 hits. Paul Dulanto, Gavyn Boyle, and Ian Huang led the way for the visitors. Dulanto batted 1-of-3, driving in both of the Americans’ runs on a single in the 3rd inning. Boyle hit three singles across his four at bats, scoring one of the Americans’ runs. Huang was the only other multi-hitting American of the day, batting 2-of-4.

        Only two pitchers saw the rubber for Niagara Falls, pitching a scoreless game through the first 8 innings. Nolan Jackson started the game, pitching 6.0 scoreless innings and tallying his win total to two. Jackson struck out three, allowing just three hits and four walks across his 26 batters faced. Robert Leach entered in the 7th and converted a long save opportunity, his third of the season. Leach allowed one run on one hit, three walks, and two strikeouts on 13 batters faced.

        Tyler Castrataro, Justin Espinal, and Brayden Horton were the Muckdogs that led the way offensively. Castrataro reached first on all four plate appearances, two by single and two by walk, and scored the lone Batavia run. Espinal was the only other Muckdog to tally a hit, batting 2-of-4 and tallying a RBI. Horton walked twice, stealing one base.

        Pablo Sainz was the first of four Batavia pitchers to enter the contest, pitching the first 4.0 innings and being tagged with the loss. Sainz allowed just two runs, only one earned, walking once and striking out three, but allowed eight hits. Elvin Hollandsworth and Erwins Branche both pitched 2.0 scoreless innings, allowing one hit. Hollandsworth, the first of the two pitchers, additionally walked one and struck out one. Branche did not allow a walk, and struck out two. Luc Rising pitched the full 9th inning for Batavia, allowing just one walk, but striking out one of his four batters faced.

        Neither team was able to take a lead until the top of the 3rd, when Niagara Falls scored both of their runs for the game. A leadoff single by Gavyn Boyle started the inning. The next batter, Shane Pray, hit into a fielder’s choice to the 2nd baseman. In an attempt to turn a double play, the 2nd baseman looked to the shortstop covering 2nd base. The throw to 2nd was errant, and allowed both baserunners to advance further, putting runners in scoring position with no outs. Paul Dulanto’s bat broke the tie and stood to win the game for Niagara Falls, singling to left field and scoring both Boyle and Pray. The Americans kept pressure on in the inning, but were not able to score any more runs, leaving them leading 2-0.

        The 2-0 score held until the bottom of the 9th, when Batavia needed to score at least two runs to keep the game alive. Leadoff batter Tyler Castrataro worked a four pitch walk to start the inning, followed by a strikeout and another walk to two runners on with one out. After a flyout brought the Muckdogs down to their final run, Justin Espinal kept hopes alive by singling to left field and scoring Castrataro to cut the lead to one. Now with two runners on and two outs, pitcher Robert Leach shutdown any hopes by inducing a flyout on the first pitch seen by the next batter, ending the game 2-1 and earning another save for himself.

Links
PGCBL Box Score
Game Livestream

        Catch the next Americans home game the day tomorrow, July 4th, when we rematch with 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.