NIAGARA FALLS, NY – The Niagara Falls Americans hosted the Niagara Ironbacks from Canada, and were hungry to add on a win after a recent cold stretch. The Americans did just that, defeating the Ironbacks by a score of 12-1 in just seven innings. The Americans climb to 8-6 while the Ironbacks drop to 2-9. The teams will rematch tomorrow in St. Catharines, where the Americans will look to take a 4-0 lead on the season-long series.
The Americans’ bounce back game was led by Evan Kohr, Paul Dulanto, Chris Guzaldo, and Carmen Panaro. Kohr was the only multi-hit American of the night, batting 2-of-3 with one RBI. He also walked once, tallied two stolen bases, and scored a game-leading three runs. Dulanto had a RBI single, a sacrifice fly, and one walk in four plate appearances. Guzaldo hit a two-RBI single in over his three at bats. Panaro had one hit in the contest, but walked in his two other plate appearance, stealing two bases and scoring a run.
The Americans used just one pitcher in the whole game. Keegan Bazinet started and pitched all 7.0 innings, allowing just one run. Bazinet allowed six hits in the game, but did not walk a single batter, and struck out three. The winning pitcher did so in just 73 total pitches.
Carter Shin was one of the Ironbacks hitters, and was the only visitor to score a run. Shin additionally stole the only base of the game for the Ironbacks. Andrew Bishop, Connor Gaitens, Chase Hubbel, Keanu Cowle, and Jax Arcuri were the other Ironbacks to all hit one single.
The Canadian squad threw three pitchers in the outing. Ethan Catney-Forbes, the starter and losing pitcher, pitched the first 4.0 innings. Catney-Forbes allowed six runs, just three earned, on five hits, two walks, and three strikeouts. Kaleb Seguin pitched the next 0.2 innings, allowing five runs before Jack Kemp took over. Kemp pitched the final 1.1 innings, allowing one run on two hits, and striking out one.
The visiting team got to work right away in the top of the 1st. Leadoff batter Carter Shin hit a single up the middle. During the next at bat, Shin stole second base, and then advanced to third on a throwing error on the attempt to catch him stealing. The at bat would conclude with Devan Madore reaching first on a fielding error by the shortstop, but this error would also allow Shin to score, giving the Ironbacks and early 1-0 lead. The inning ended soon after, and this run would stand to be the Ironbacks’ only scoring play of the game.
The Americans quickly responded by scoring twice in the bottom of the 1st. Leadoff batter Ian Huang hit a double to left field and then advanced to third on a wild pitch. Evan Kohr singled through the left side, scoring Huang and quickly tying the game at 1-1. Kohr stole second soon after, and then advanced to third on a ground out. During what would end up being the final at bat of the inning, a wild pitch allowed Kohr to score from 3rd.
The home team scored the next runs, extending their lead in the bottom of the 3rd. A leadoff walk by Carmen Panaro started the inning. Panaro soon stole second, and then advanced to third on a groundout. With two outs and a runner on third, Gavyn Boyle hit a deep double to right field that nearly left the park, and scored Panaro. Paul Dulanto, the next batter, walked to put two runners on base. Nick Paszt stepped to the plate and hit a dribbler to the pitcher that resulted in a fielding error. The error allowed Paszt to reach first, and for both Boyle and Dulanto to come home and score. During the next at bat, Paszt advanced to second on a wild pitch. With a runner in scoring position, Ethan Madison hits a single to left field that drives in Paszt. A fly out ended the inning with the Americans up 6-1.
The Ironbacks entered Kaleb Seguin in the top of the 5th, and the Americans welcomed him by having their biggest inning of the game. Walks by the first two batters, followed by a wild pitch put runners in scoring position with no outs. Paul Dulanto hit an unconventional sacrifice fly by popping out to the shortstop in the dangerous area between infielders and outfielders, getting the shortstop turned around and allowing Kohr to tally his second run of the game. A Paszt flyout put two runs on the board. The next two batters would swing momentum back to the Americans by walking to load the bases. Chris Guzaldo hit a single to right field that allowed Boyle and Madison. The next batter, Brady Boles, responded by hitting a bases-clearing triple to right center. After a walk of Carmen Panaro, the visitors turned to Jack Kemp, who induced a groundout on his first batter faced. The inning ended with the Americans adding five to their total, now leading 11-1.
Already with a large enough lead for the mercy rule to kick into effect, the Americans added one insurance run in the bottom of the 6th. Leadoff batter Kohr hit a to center field. After advancing on a wild pitch, Kohr was in position to be driven home by a Paul Dulanto single up the middle. This was the Americans 12th and final run of the night.
Links
PGCBL Box Score
Game Livestream
The teams will rematch tomorrow on the Canadian side of the border in a 4pm contest. Tune in to our broadcast! Catch the next Americans home game the day after, June 22nd, when we host the Batavia Muckdogs in a contest scheduled to start at 4:05pm. Stay late through the end of the game and you can have the opportunity to play catch on the field! 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.
All WNY is a proud partner of the Niagara Falls Americans.
