Americans Dominate Newark for Second Consecutive Mercy-Rule Victory

NIAGARA FALLS, N.Y. — The Niagara Falls Americans routed the Newark Pilots for the second time this season, earning a 14-4 run-rule victory at Sal Maglie Stadium on Saturday night. The Pilots came out swinging, putting runners on the corners after back-to-back singles to start the game. Newark scratched across its only run in the frame when the runner from third scored on a caught-stealing play at second base. The Pilots also worked two walks in the inning but managed to plate just one run. In the bottom of the frame, the Americans sent nine hitters to the plate and chased Newark’s starter from the game after two outs. The Niagara Falls offense managed four runs in the inning, capitalizing on one hit and one error. Newark added on in the top of the second on a sacrifice fly, forcing Americans starter Colin Price out of the game after recording two outs in the inning. Jackson Learner came on in relief and surrendered a two-run single that tied the game at four, with both runs charged to Price. Price fired one and two-thirds innings, allowing four runs on four hits with three walks and one strikeout. Jackson Bower took the lead back for the Americans in the bottom of the inning, after he hit a single that scored Justin Gladfelter. In the bottom of the fourth, Bower laced his second hit of the game into the left-center field gap for a two-run double. Bower later came around to score on a wild pitch, making the score 8-4. Jackson Learned earned the win on the mound, improving his record to 2-0. Learner tossed three and a third inning, giving up no runs on one hit, with one walk. After two and a half scoreless innings, the Americans poured it on in the bottom of the seventh. Following a Matthew Ganschow pop-up, Dominick Zangardi clobbered his first home run of the season over the right field wall. The next six Niagara Falls hitters then reached base safely. In the inning, the Americans scored five runs on two hits and four walks—the last being a walk-off walk by Niagara Falls native Anthony Savino, to secure the mercy-rule victory. Porter Slattery pitched the final two innings for the Americans, allowing just one hit and no runs, while issuing two walks. The outing marked Slattery’s team-leading seventh appearance of the season. Jackson Bower finished 2-for-4 with four RBIs, one run scored, a walk, and a stolen base. He is now riding a six-game on-base streak and has recorded three multi-hit games in his last five contests. Justin Gladfelter went 2-for-2 with two walks, three runs scored, and three stolen bases, upping his total to 16 on the season. Gladfelter is now ranked second in the Perfect Game Collegiate Baseball League (PGCBL) in stolen bases, trailing only Batavia’s Jalen David. Ryotaro Munakata also went 1-for-2 with three RBIs and two walks—his first walks of the season. With the win, the Americans improved to 8-8 overall and now lead the season series against Newark 2-0, as the Pilots drop to 1-12.

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The Americans’ next matchup is Tuesday night at Sal Maglie Stadium against the Jamestown Tarp Skunks. First pitch is scheduled for 6:30 p.m., and it’s Report Card Night: any student gets in free by showing their report card at the front gate. For single-game or season tickets, call (716) 215-6161 or visit www.niagarafallsamericans.com. Season tickets start at $99. For sponsorship opportunities or to organize a group outing, contact General Manager Marc Witt at mwitt.canusa@gmail.com.

By Tom Rook

June 21, 2026