Blake Herman went first to third on a wild pitch to set up the go-ahead run and Jamestown stole five bases en route to a 6-5 Perfect Game Collegiate Baseball League win over Niagara Falls at Diethrick Park.

“We’ve obviously put a large emphasis on running the bases, especially if the bats come out a little slow,” Jamestown manager Joe Reitebach said postgame. “It’s good to be aggressive.”

Tied 3-3 entering the bottom of the sixth inning, Herman drew a one-out walk. When Americans reliever Colin Price uncorked a wild pitch to the backstop, Herman — a Canisius University and Gowanda Central School product — took off for second and didn’t stop there, diving safely into third base. Paul Dulanto followed with a single over the third baseman’s head to plate Herman with the go-ahead run.

“Blake Herman taking two bases on a wild pitch is a point we can put emphasis on,” Reitebach said. ” … That’s Blake’s game. He’s gritty. He tries 110% at all times. I totally expect that out of him.”

Jamestown's Matthew Dumas reaches third base on a stolen base during the seventh inning of Wednesday's PGCBL game against Niagara Falls at Diethrick Park in Jamestown. P-J photo by Matt Spielman

Jamestown’s aggressiveness on the bases plated two more insurance runs in the seventh inning. Matthew Dumas reached on a one-out walk before stealing second and third with Tito Kiefer at the plate. After Kiefer himself drew a walk, he stole second before Grant Moore hit a sacrifice fly to center field to make it 5-3. Eric Weeks followed with an RBI single to give the Tarp Skunks a three-run lead.

“Dumas, I’d put him up running against just about anyone,” Reitebach said. ” … Tito, over the last four or five games, just overall he’s one of the smarter baseball players we have. He kind of knows how to do a bit of everything. That’s a reason we have him in the No. 10 hole, to kind of flip around the lineup.”

Niagara Falls got a run back in the eighth inning off Tarp Skunks reliever Jack Santi. Jamestown closer Chase Beran then hit Yadiel Santos with the first pitch of the top of the ninth inning. After a strikeout, a groundout and a wild pitch, Santos scored on David Harris’ bouncer between the pitcher’s mound and first base. After a walk put runners at first and second with two outs, Beran struck out the final batter of the game looking to earn his second save of the season.

“That was going to be his inning to put away. We know what Chase is going to give us. He’s been great so far,” Reitebach said. “Anytime you have a 6-5 dude throwing mid-90s out of the bullpen it’s going to be a little scary for the other team. … He’s going to continue to be our guy in that situation.”

Zachary McLean started on the mound for Jamestown, allowing three runs and six hits while striking out five and walking two.

Jamestown native Jeff Brucculeri, aka Yippee, stands on the dugout during the late innings of Wednesday's PGCBL game at Diethrick Park in Jamestown. P-J photo by Matt Spielman

“Zach is a guy we know is going to be super consistent. I think he had a really great outing. Coming off the mound he said that was the best he’s felt,” Reitebach said of the Seton Hill University right-hander. ” … Overall he did a really good job bouncing back in the fourth and the fifth.”

After the Tarp Skunks fell behind 3-0, they answered with a three-run third inning. Weeks had an RBI single before Heath Fetchik’s two-run single tied the game.

“Their guy did a good job and threw up a couple of zeroes early,” Reitebach said, “but to bounce back with an answer right there kept the game tight so we didn’t stall.”

Santino Musone earned his third victory in two innings of relief, allowing two hits and no runs while striking out three and walking one.

Wednesday was the first of six games in five days for Jamestown, which visits Batavia tonight and Geneva on Friday before returning home for a 6:30 p.m. first pitch Saturday against Niagara and a 4 p.m. first pitch of a doubleheader Sunday against Elmira.

“We’re gonna need absolutely everybody. The team has been on a pretty good rotation so far,” Reitebach said. “We’ve seen new lineups day in and day out with different guys in the lineup producing. That brings the team together.”

NOTES: Weeks and Dulanto each had a pair of hits for Jamestown. … Justin Gladfelter, Derek Gesmondi and Matthew Ganschow each had a pair of hits for the Americans. … While celebrating Tarp Skunks mascot Whiffy’s birthday, Jamestown native Jeff Brucculeri, aka Yippee, returned to Diethrick Park where he was the original mascot for the Jamestown Expos from 1983 through 1988. Brucculeri then moved to Oklahoma and became the mascot for the Tulsa Fast Breakers basketball team.