Americans Fall to Tarp Skunks in Report Card Night Slugfest

NIAGARA FALLS, N.Y — The Niagara Falls Americans suffered a 14-8 loss to the Jamestown Tarp Skunks on Tuesday night at Sal Maglie Stadium. On a night when students received free admission by showing their report cards at the gate, both the Americans and Tarp Skunks put on an offensive showcase. The Tarp Skunks quickly got on the board, scoring four runs on three hits and an error in the top of the first. A bases-loaded ground ball hit to shortstop Miguel Salcedo was misplayed, allowing two runners to score. Dominick Zangardi laced an opposite field single in the bottom of the frame to score David Harris, making it 4-1. The Tarp Skunks added on in the top of the second, as the first three Jamestown hitters reached safely to start the inning. In total, the Tarp Skunks tacked on four more runs on four hits and one error, sending ten batters to the plate in each of the first two innings. In the top of the third, the Americans brought in three of four new infielders as defensive replacements. The Tarp Skunks added two more runs on three hits in the inning. Mitchell Canuel, appearing in his sixth game and making his first start, lasted three innings, allowing 10 runs (eight earned) on 10 hits, with three walks and four strikeouts. Canuel was credited for the loss, his first of the season. The Tarp Skunks added one run in each of the fourth and fifth innings off Dominick Zangardi, who took over for Canuel on the mound. In his first appearance of the season, Zangardi went three innings, allowing two runs (one earned) on three hits with one strikeout and one walk. While this was Zangardi’s first outing of the season, he recorded over 100 career strikeouts pitching for Dallas High School in Dallas, Pa. After being held scoreless for four innings, the Americans added two runs on two hits in the bottom of the sixth. Derek Gesmondi brought home a run on a walk, and Anthony Savino drove in another with a sacrifice fly to center field. Tonight was Gesmondi’s first game since June 17 after suffering a strained right calf in last week’s 10-9 Americans win over the Ironbacks. Porter Slattery pitched a clean seventh inning in relief of Zangardi. He did not surrender a hit, struck out two, and walked none. It was Slattery’s team-high eighth appearance of the season, and his second outing without allowing a walk. In the bottom of the seventh, the Americans scored two more runs on a sacrifice fly by Matthew Ganschow and a single by Dominick Zangardi. Tyler Foxcroft pitched the eighth inning, allowing no runs on one hit with no walks and one strikeout in his first outing of the season. The Americans added two more runs in the penultimate inning, as both Justin Gladfelter and Thomas Marcotte scored on a Ganschow double down the third base line, making it a 12-8 game. That would be the final runs scored by the Americans. In the ninth, the Tarp Skunks scored two runs on two hits, as both Ryotaro Munakata and Christian Mikulski pitched their first outings of the season. Munkata recorded two outs, giving up two runs on two hits with two walks, two wild pitches, and a balk. Mikulski came in off the bench and needed just two pitches to get the final out of the ninth. Dominick Zangardi went 3-for-3 with two RBIs, a run scored, and a walk. David Harris finished 2-for-3 with two walks. Matthew Ganschow went 2-for-3 with three RBIs and one run scored. Ganschow extended his hitting streak to seven games and has now recorded 13 RBI in his last seven games played. Four different Americans pitchers made their debuts on the mound in tonight’s matchup. The Americans also committed three defensive errors, marking their ninth straight game with at least one error. With the loss, the Americans dropped the season series against the Tarp Skunks to 1-3 and fell overall to 8-9. Jamestown improved to 11-6 with the win.

Links

PGCBL Box Score

Game Livestream

The Americans will return to action on Thursday, June 25, as they battle the Buffalo Diesel in an exhibition game at Sal Maglie Stadium. Fans can receive free admission by bringing a canned food item to the ballpark. First pitch is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. 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 23, 2026