Niagara Falls thought Batavia’s Michael Benedict would have an early exit, based on how its day at the plate began.
Nick Monile, Greydon Miller and Dalton Harper all worked the count for the Americans to get the bases loaded with one out against the Muckdogs’ right-hander, who entered allowing only 3.3 walks per game.
The extra men on base allowed Niagara Falls to score first, thanks to Vinny Mauro’s sacrifice fly to bring home Monile. But, outside of Miller’s base-hit to right field in the third, the Americans couldn’t replicate its early offensive production.
This countered Batavia’s production at the plate. Already with a three-game lead at the top of the PGCBL West Standings entering the contest, the Muckdogs scored twice in the third and four in the seventh to pull away with an 8-2 win over Niagara Falls Monday at Sal Maglie Stadium.
The loss prevented Niagara Falls (6-15-1) from defeating Batavia (16-4) for the second time this season, including an 8-6 win on June 19. The victory, meanwhile, marked Batavia’s seventh in its last 10 contests.
Entering the contest, Niagara Falls averaged five runs and seven hits per game and had already faced Benedict twice this season, both in defeats. In a 16-6 loss on June 7, the Americans scored four runs, the most Benedict has allowed in a start this season, but only scored one run in an 8-3 loss on June 24.
But after the first inning burst, the Americans left 10 men on base, including half in scoring position, such as in the fourth when they had Gavyn Boyle on second. With Batavia already leading 3-1, Benedict recorded one of his three strikeouts in his five innings of work, as a fastball on the outside corner left Niagara Falls’ Mike Huff caught looking to end the frame.
Once Benedict left the contest, Garrett Beaver took over in the sixth and seventh, with the Americans grounding to shortstop to leave men on base. But, against Reed Marcum in the eighth, the Americans found production again.
After Miller drew a hit-by-pitch and Dalton Harper was walked, Boyle ended the scoring drought for the Americans. The Gasport resident brought home Miller on a 1-out RBI single to right to cut the deficit to 8-2.
Niagara Falls’ inconsistency at the plate wasn’t enough to help its starting pitcher, Luke Blandino. Despite not allowing a hit through the first two innings, the Muckdogs began getting men on base in the third.
After drawing two walks and a fielder’s choice, Travis Hammond provided an RBI single to shallow center to tie the game at 1-1. Two batters later, the Muckdogs loaded the bases, with Caleb Walker eventually scoring off a fielder’s choice for the 2-1 lead.
Going into the top of the seventh with a 4-1 lead, the Muckdogs added four runs, with Lucas Lopez providing a two-run double to center. This was then followed by Jake Butler’s two-run single.
In the loss, Blandino threw 5 ⅔ innings on the mound for the Americans, allowing four runs on three hits and walked five but also had five strikeouts. In relief, Mike Helig threw 1 ⅓ innings, allowing four runs on three hits and one strikeout before Brett Johnson threw the final two innings and allowed two hits and retired one.
In Batavia’s win, James Bolton had a game-high two hits.
Niagara Falls hosts Jamestown at 6:35 p.m. Wednesday.