ST. CATHARINES, ONTARIO, CANADA – The Niagara Falls Americans traveled to St. Catharines in Ontario to complete a home and home series with the Ironbacks. After the game was tied in the 6th inning, the Americans were able to pull ahead and win by a score of 5-3. This win makes the Americans 4-0 in the Battle for the Falls, and 9-6 overall this season, while the Ironbacks drop to 2-10.
The 10-hit outing was led by Grant Moore, Brady Boles, and Dalton Harper. Moore hit a double and a single across his four at bats, stealing his team-leading 14th base of the season. Boles batted 2-of-3, walking once. Harper reached base in all four plate appearances on an RBI double, one walk, and two hit by pitches.
Jake Roscher was the first of three Americans to pitch in the contest. Roscher pitched 5.0 scoreless innings, allowing just two hits and two walks, striking out four. Joseph Czaja entered to pitch the full 6th inning, allowing three runs. CJ Hurley, the game’s winning pitcher, threw the final 3.0 innings, allowing just one hit and striking out three.
The Ironbacks’ offensive results were led by Alex Kean, Carter Shin, and Connor Gaitens. Kean was the only home player to record multiple hits, batting 2-of-4 with a double and a stolen base. Shin entered as a pinch hitter, and hit a two-RBI single in his first plate appearance. Gaitens did not record a hit, but tallied two of the Ironbacks’ total four walks.
Two pitchers appeared in the game for Niagara-Canada. Ethan Wolf started and pitched the first 5.0 innings. Wolf allowed three runs, just one earned, and struck out two. Jaden Korpan entered during the 6th inning and pitched the final 4.0. Korpan allowed two earned runs on five hits, no walks, and two strikeouts.
The Americans struck first in the game, taking the lead in the top of the 2nd inning. Brady Boles, the second batter of the inning, reached on a walk before advancing to 2nd base on a wild pitch during the following at bat. The batter, Allen Ramos, finished the at bat by hitting a single through the left side that scored Boles. This was Ramos’ second RBI of the season, and first to come off of a hit. During the next at bat, an attempt at a back door pickoff of Ramos on first resulted in Ramos advancing to third on a throwing error by the catcher. This put him in position to score on a Derek Gesmondi sacrifice fly. Another flyout ended the inning with the Americans up 2-0.
The 2-0 score held until the 6th inning, when the Americans extended their early lead. After a hit by pitch and single by the first two batters, the Ironbacks turned to Jaden Korpan. During his first at bat, a passed ball allowed the runners to advance to second and third with no outs. Greydon Miller hit a sacrifice fly to left field that allowed leadoff batter Dalton Harper to score, putting the Americans ahead 3-0.
Niagara-Canada responded quickly to the lead extentsion. In the bottom of the 6th, the Americans turned the ball over to Joe Czaja. After recording outs on the first two batters faced, it appeared the Americans could exit the inning with their opponents still scoreless. Alex Kean changed the narrative by hitting a double down the left field line, giving some momentum to the home team. A stolen base by Kean, followed by two walks loaded the bases with two outs. Carter Shin entered to pinch hit, and took advantage by hitting a single to left center that scored Kean and Connor Gaitens. After another pinch hitter reached on a hit by pitch, the bases were loaded again. Andrew Bishop entered as a third consecutive pinch hitter, and for the second straight plate appearance, the batter reached on hit by pitch. With bases loaded, the hit by pitch pushed Chase Hubbel over home plate, scoring the tying run. A ground out by the next batter ended the inning tied 3-3.
The Americans took the lead back in the top of the 7th, scoring the final two runs of the game. Much like the last half inning, outs on the first two batters started the inning with the visitors backs against the wall. After back-to-back singles by Grant Moore and Evan Kohr put runners on first and second. Gavyn Boyle batted next, hitting a line drive to the pitcher that was deflected away, allowing Moore to score. Harper continued the hitting streak by doubling to left field, scoring Kohr. The inning ended with a pop out by the next batter. After the top of the 7th, the Americans led 5-3 and the score held through the remaining innings.
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Catch the next Americans home game June 22nd, when we host the Niagara Ironbacks in a contest scheduled to start at 6:30pm. We will be giving away Americans-branded frisbees! 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.
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