NIAGARA FALLS, N.Y. — The Jamestown Tarp Skunks led 4-1 after two innings, but allowed four runs in the bottom of the fourth and never recovered en route to a 9-7 Perfect Game Collegiate Baseball League loss to the Niagara Falls Americans on Friday night at Sal Maglie Stadium.

Jamestown fell to 16-20 and into a fourth-place tie with the Geneva Red Wings in the West Division. Last-place Niagara Falls improved to 12-22. The top four teams in the division advance to the playoffs.

Tarp Skunks starting pitcher Eli Shedd (Wagner College) allowed eight runs (seven earned) on six hits and five walks while striking out seven in 3 1/3 innings. Gabe Wheeler (University of Tampa) gave up the final run on four hits and a walk while striking out one in 3 2/3 innings. Will Saxenmayer (Wagner College) got the final three outs with a pair of strikeouts while walking the bases loaded in the eighth inning.

Jamestown’s Henry Juan (Williams College) walked and scored on a Bobby Stang (University of Dayton) RBI single in the first inning.

After Niagara Falls scored three runs in the bottom of the first, the Tarp Skunks retook the lead with a three-run top of the second. Shaniel Maldonado (Mercer Community College) reached on an error and scored on an RBI double by Noah Brooks (Siena College). Steve Scarfone (Clarion University) followed with an RBI single and Juan later hit an RBI infield single.

The Americans tied the game in the bottom of the third and took an 8-4 lead in the bottom of the fourth.

Jamestown scored its final three runs in the top of the fifth, all coming with two outs. Aidan Wallace (University of Tampa) walked and Maldonado singled ahead of an RBI single by DJ Stoianovich (SUNY Brockport). Brooks then hit a two-run single.

See TARP SKUNKS / B2

Trailing 9-7, the Tarp Skunks got two runners on in the sixth inning, but couldn’t score. Andrew Damiani then retired the final nine Jamestown hitters in order for the save.

The Tarp Skunks have just two home games remaining at Diethrick Park in the regular season, the first today at 6:30 p.m. against Geneva.