Pioneers Shut Out Outlaws, 5-0
Rain and Thunderstorms couldn’t stop the Pioneers on Saturday night as the boys of summer came out to play. Elmira saw continued production from the heart of the lineup for the second game in a row and the pitching staff continued to dazzle.
Keegan Ernest had the ball for the Pioneers and came out quickly two straight strike outs gave the look of a very quick first inning, but after a walk and a bloop single a third strikeout ended the inning. Perhaps more impressive then that was the next seven outs recorded all came on strikeouts. Oneonta finally broke the streak in the fourth inning flying out to left and grounding out to first.
Oneonta starter Brendan Mullins didn’t have the strikeout success of Ernest, but certainly showed a thing or two himself limiting Elmira to two hits through three innings.
After the top of the fourth there would be a 30 minute rain delay due to lightning strikes. When the game resumed Oneonta chose to bring in a new pitcher as Anthony Van Fossen entered the game and gave up a double to Cam Redding. Mason Ruhlman came up and after getting the count to 1-2 lightning struck again causing another 30 minute delay.
The delay would see Fireworks shot off in the outfield as promised by the Elmira owners and after that the Pioneers would resume. Ruhlman flew out with the resumption of his at bat, but Trae Harmon drove in the first, and ultimately winning run.
Elmira’s coaching staff sent out another Elmira native to take the ball for the 5thinning as Ben Terwiliger took over pitching duties. Terwiliger made his impact known quickly as he earned 3 strikeouts in the top of the 5th. The bottom half saw the Pioneers score four more times as Dorighi, Ruhlman, and Harmon all earned RBI’s.
The rest of the game saw a pitching clinic from Terwiliger as the Pioneers blanked the Outlaws 5-0.
The Pioneers will be home again Wednesday night against the Saugerties Stallions for Weenie Wednesday! That means $1 hot dogs all night long! Call 607-734-2690 and get your tickets today!