Two Games, Two Tales: Americans Split Doubleheader with Pioneers

NIAGARA FALLS, N.Y. — After a lopsided 13-0 loss in the opener, the Niagara Falls Americans responded with an 8-7 walk-off victory in game two, earning a doubleheader split with the Elmira Pioneers on Sunday at Sal Maglie Stadium.

Game 1: Elmira Pioneers 13, Niagara Falls Americans 0

The Pioneers jumped out to an early lead in game one, scoring five runs in the first two innings on four hits. Adam Weiss started on the mound for the Americans, tossing two innings and allowing five earned runs on four hits, with one walk and no strikeouts. It was Weiss’s first pitching appearance of the season, and he took the loss. The Americans were held hitless until the third inning, when Anthony Savino lined a single into left field. Porter Slattery came on in relief for Weiss, firing four innings and allowing just two runs (one earned) on three hits, while walking four and striking out two. Elmira led 7-0 entering the seventh, when the Americans turned to Jackson Learner for his eighth appearance of the season. Learner surrendered six runs on one hit in the inning, with three walks, four hit batters, one balk, and one strikeout. Xander Clark opened the bottom of the seventh with a single but was caught stealing to complete a double play after Loagan Stickler struck out swinging. Clark’s hit was the Americans’ second of the ballgame—and their last. The Americans committed two errors and grounded into three double plays in the contest.

Game 2: Niagara Falls Americans 8, Elmira Pioneers 7

In game two, the Pioneers scored one run in the opening frame after the Americans made an errant throw during a failed double-play attempt. The Americans answered with three runs in the bottom of the inning. Justin Gladfelter led off with an infield single and stole two bases before scoring on a wild throw to second during a stolen-base attempt by David Harris. Harris later scored on a balk. Later in the inning, Christian Mikulski singled home Dominick Zangardi, breaking an 0-for-13 slide. Elmira scored one run in the second on two hits, but left the bases loaded.mThe Americans added one run in both the third and fourth innings. In the third, Dominick Zangardi and David Harris executed a double-steal. Vincent Favata then delivered an RBI pinch- hit single up the middle in the fourth to extend the lead to 5-2. After being held scoreless for two innings, Elmira reclaimed the lead with four runs on four hits, included two extra-base hits, while also capitalizing on an Americans error to take a 6-5 advantage. After a one-out triple in the top of the seventh, the Pioneers added an insurance run on a wild pitch. Justin Gladfelter led off the bottom of the inning with a hit-by-pitch and later scored on a pinch- hit groundout by Derek Gesmondi. Later in the inning, Dominick Zangardi drilled a double to center, scoring David Harris, and tying the game at seven, sending it to extra innings. Under Perfect Game Collegiate Baseball League (PGCBL) extra-inning rules, each team begins with a runner on second base. Mitchell Canuel worked a clean eighth inning to complete an outing in which he threw 133 pitches, allowing seven runs (four earned) on 10 hits with no walks and seven strikeouts. With Anthony Savino on second as a pinch-runner, Alexander Glasscock led off the bottom of the eighth with a perfectly executed sacrifice bunt. After an errant throw on the play, Savino scored to give the Americans a walk-off win. Dominick Zangardi finished 2-for-2 with an RBI, one run scored, and two walks. David Harris reached base four times, going 1-for-1 with three runs scored and three walks. Zangardi extended his on-base streak to five games, while Harris stretched his to seven. The Americans committed two errors in game one and three in game two, extending their streak of games with at least one error to 13. With the split, the Americans moved to 9-12 overall, while Elmira now sits at 10-9. The twin-bill marked the first meetings between the two teams this season, leaving the season series tied at one game apiece.

Links

Game 1 PGCBL Box Score

Game 1 Livestream

Game 2 PGCBL Box Score

Game 2 Livestream

The Niagara Falls Americans’ next game is Tuesday, June 30, against the Geneva Red Wings— the teams’ first matchup of the season. First pitch is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. at McDonough Park. After three straight road games, the Americans will return home to Sal Maglie Stadium on Saturday, July 4, to host the Batavia Muckdogs. There will be a postgame fireworks show presented by the city of Niagara Falls following the game. For single-game or season tickets, call (716) 215-6161 or visit www.niagarafallsamericans.com. Season tickets start as low as $99. For sponsorship opportunities or to organize a group outing, contact General Manager Marc Witt at mwitt.canusa@gmail.com.