COACH WILDERMAN MAKES TRIUMPHANT RETURN TO THE MOUND IN INTERLEAGUE VICTORY

Last night, the Pioneers played the Mansfield Destroyers in an interleague game, and won 8-5. Because the game doesn’t affect either team’s record in their leagues, coach Andrew Drum used this as an opportunity to try some new things.

Aidan Blake (UMass-Boston) got the start, and ultimately came away with the victory after three innings of one run ball, with one hit and five strikeouts. The only run came in the first after four free bases (three walks, one hit-by-pitch.)

Nick Reiser (Suffolk) took to the plate rather than the mound yesterday, and was able to score a run after getting on-base with a walk.

After that, Max Mandler (Seton Hill) pitched three shut-out innings, getting five strikeouts, and had a ridiculously fast pace of play, looking like Mark Buerhle as he recorded three straight strikeouts.

Joe Muzio (Eckerd) wore a Davy Crockett hat for his one plate appearance, and later took it to the mound when he pitched for an inning. Logan Scheider (Washington and Jefferson) also pitched for an inning, before a veteran came on to secure the save.

Billy Wilderman, the pitching coach, put on the #38 jersey and took the mound in the ninth inning to retire the three final outs and get the save in the 8-5 victory.

When asked how it felt to return to the mound, the Pioneer’s coach said,

“I was really happy to get out there, man. I tell these guys, ‘You don’t realize how much you love the game until it’s taken away from you, so take in every at bat.’”

It’s been a while since Muzio took the mound, as he said,

“Haven’t really thrown since little league, so it was nice to go out there and do it for the boys.”

When asked about his pitch set, Muzio said,

“Fastball. Fastball, everytime, mixing in an Eephus, wasn’t really working, so I went back to the sidearm fastball.”

Mandler had a good outing and was satisfied with his efforts to help the team, as he said,

“It was a good time to go out there, I tried my best, went out there and gave the team all I could. It worked out well.”

Tonight, the Pioneers face the Jamestown Tarp Skunks at Dunn Field for their third meeting of the season, the Tarp Skunks have won the first two.