Americans Explode for 16 Hits Against Canadian Rivals

ST. CATHARINES, ONTARIO, CANADA - In the first game under the lights in Canada for the Americans, they rose to the occasion, tallying 16 hits and winning by a score of 12-5. The Americans are now 9-1 against the Ironbacks, and 20-11 overall this season. Niagara-Canada falls to 4-24.

The offensive explosion was led by Greydon Miller, Nick Paszt, Grant Moore, and Connor Kiefer. Miller batted 3-of-5, including a home run for a total of three RBIs. Paszt batted 2-of-4 with a double and a home run, adding up to two RBIs. Moore hit two singles, walked once, stole a base, and tallied three RBIs. Kiefer batted 3-of-5, stealing one base.

The Americans used just two pitchers in the contest. Luke Blandino started, pitching 6.0 innings and allowing three runs, striking out three in his time. Blandino earned his fourth win of the season before being relieved by Hudson Boring for the remaining 3.0 innings. Boring allowed two runs on two hits, one walk, and one strikeout across his 13 batters faced. This outing earned Boring his 4th save of the season. 

The Ironbacks offensive output was led by Alex Kean, Connor Gaitens, and Marcus Butts. Kean tallied two hits in three at bats, being the only Ironback with multiple hits. He additionally walked once, stole a base, and scored three runs. Gaitens batted 1-of-2, walking once and driving in two runs. Butts batted 1-of-3, walking one time and stealing a base.

Ryan Facchini was the first of three Niagara-Canada pitchers, throwing 6.0 innings before being relieved. Facchini allowed seven runs, six earned, and struck out five of his 33 batters faced. Brad Alexander entered in relief first, allowing five runs with one strikeout in 2.0 innings. Cadyn Wilson pitched the 9th inning, allowing one walk, but recording an out on his next three batters faced, including one strikeout.

The Americans struck first in the top of the 3rd. Connor Kiefer singled to left field before stealing second base. With two outs and a runner on 2nd, Grant Moore opened the scoring with a single to center field, driving in Kiefer. Evan Kohr was hit by a pitch to put two runners on base before Gavyn Boyle singled up the middle, scoring Moore and putting runners on the corners. After Boyle stole 2nd base, an infield single by Greydon Miller scored Kohr, the Ironbacks' third baseman attempted a throw to 1st base that was errant, allowing Boyle to score on the play as well. The next batter hit into a fielder's choice to end the inning with the visitors up 4-0.

Niagara Falls extended their lead by two runs in the top of the 4th inning. After the leadoff batter hit a single and then got caught stealing, Carmen Panaro worked a four-pitch walk. Panaro showed off his legs from 1st, scoring on a double to left field by Nick Paszt. The next two batters reached base on an error and then a hit by pitch to load the bases with only one out. Moore drove in his second run of the day on a sacrifice fly to the left field foul territory, scoring Paszt and putting the Americans up 6-0.

The bottom of the 4th saw Niagara-Canada respond to the Americans scoring, chipping one run away from the lead. Alex Kean walked to leadoff the inning, followed by a walk and single by the next two batters to load the bases. With bases loaded and no outs, Carter Kipp grounded into a double play, which still allowed Kean to score from 3rd base. A strikeout ended the inning with just one run allowed.

The Americans built back to their lead six-run in the top of the 6th. Paszt led off the inning reaching on a hit by pitch before moving to 2nd on a Kiefer bunt single. Moore again took advantage of the runner in scoring position, driving in his third RBI of the day on a single to left field that scored Paszt. Moore advanced to 2nd on a throw, and despite runners in scoring position with just one out, the Americans came out of the inning with just one run scored.

Niagara-Canada responded by scoring two runs of their own in the bottom of the 6th. Matt Evans led off the inning with a single up the middle before stealing 2nd base. With a runner in scoring position and one out, Kean doubled to left field, scoring Evans. Facing the same situation as Kean, Connor Gaitens stepped to the plate and hit a single to left center field, scoring Kean. The Ironbacks' spark ended here, as no more runs were scored in the inning.

The visitors built a large buffer on their lead in the 8th inning, started by a leadoff homerun to left field by Paszt. Singles by Kiefer and Loagan Stickler, followed by a walk on Moore loaded the bases with no outs. Tommy Mathay entered as a pinch hitter, and though he grounded out to the second baseman, his batted ball still allowed Kiefer to score. Boyle continued the streak of productive plate appearances by hitting a fly ball to center field, advancing both runners and scoring Stickler to complete the sacrifice fly. With Moore on 3rd base and two outs, Miller knocked the second homerun of the inning to left field, scoring the final two runs of the game for Niagara Falls, giving them a 12-3 lead.

The Ironbacks again responded in the bottom of the inning, scoring their final two runs of the game. The leadoff batter struck out to put the first out of the board before a sequence of singles and steals by both Andrew Bishop and Kean put runners in scoring position. Gaitens took advantage, hitting a sacrifice fly to center field, scoring Bishop and advancing Kean to 3rd. Two batters later, a balk by Hudson Boring pushed Kean over home for the Ironbacks' fifth and final run of the game.

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The Americans will travel to Auburn to face the DoubleDays tomorrow. Tune into our broadcast, scheduled for 6:30pm, alongside the first pitch. Catch the next Americans home game July 12th, when we host the Elmira Pioneers in a doubleheader, with games scheduled to start at 4:00 and 6:00pm. It is Mascot Mania Night, so come to the stadium, meet Apollo and some of his best friends, 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.