Pioneers Taken Down By Pilots 9-8

The Pioneers have played the Newark Pilots more than any other team on their schedule. To say these two teams are familiar would be a vast understatement. When they meet coaches rarely need to check a stat sheet as each player is a known commodity and both sides feel their side is the best prepared. That is all important for preparation, but as Boxing legend Mike Tyson once said "everyone has a plan until they get punched in the face." 

Tonight the Pioneers and Pilots exchanged 1-2-3 half innings to start the game before Newark struck first, again off a walk that turned into a run. Ben Terwilliger got the start and showed his usual quick delivery. Terwilliger has a penchant for being able to work quickly through an inning and in the first that worked to his advantage. In the second, Ben allowed a couple of walks, a passed ball, and a sac fly to tally the first run of the game, but was able to limit the damage. 

The Pios were able to continue a recent trend of responding when score upon as Andrew Sexton worked a walk then stole second and came around to score on a Brody Moore single and Preston Moore and Mason Ruhlman came around on a Trae Harmon double to give the Pioneers the advantage 3-1. Terwilliger came into the bottom half of the third and shut the door soon Newark despite giving up a double and a walk. 

The Pilots tied the game in the bottom of the fourth with two runs of their own before the Pioneers answered in the sixth to bring Garrett Schultz across to give themselves a 4-3 lead. The flood gates opened against Nathan Peng in the sixth however as the Pilots tallied four runs to take a three run lead over the Pioneers 7-4. The Pios were determined however and in the top of the seventh Brody Moore, Preston Moore, Quinn Buffington, and Trae Harmon all came across to give Elmira the lead 8-7 with just 9 outs needed. 

The Pioneers brought in Nathan Berg in the eighth inning for a six out save, something he had done twice before this season. This time, however, Berg could not find the strike zone and worked deep into counts and would be beaten for two runs before the end of the inning giving Newark the 9-8 lead heading into the top of the ninth, but the Pioneers had run out of comebacks and succumbed to the defeat.

The Pios come back to historic Dunn Field tomorrow night as they will face off with the Oneonta Outlaws at 7:05pm as it is STCF Mini bat night! Get your tickets now 607-734-2690!