Pioneers Taste Defeat with First Road Trip, 6-2
The Pioneers came out on the road riding high after a 2-0 home stand at historic Dunn Field defeating last year's playoff opponent, the Geneva Red Wings, and the Oneonta Outlaws. One day after a shutout toughed through two thirty minute rain delays the team from Elmira came out and just couldn't find their bats.
The first inning started off with some promise as the Pios had baserunners on first and second off consecutive walks with two outs, but were unable to do anything with them. Newark came up to face Chase Austin for the first time this season and though Austin would get a quick out he would then hit the second batter, who advanced to second on a steal and was driven in by a double by the next batter.
The Pilots added another run in the fourth before Elmira finally broke through. Garrett Schultz singled with one out and would be pushed to second on a misplayed fielder's choice. Brennen Dorighi drove Schultz in to bring the Pioneers within one. Unfortunately in the bottom of the fifth the Pilots added another run.
The sixth inning saw some relief from the bullpen as Alex Bardo made his first appearance of the summer. Bardo had a rough time as he entered the game giving up two more runs, but was able to pull together three outs and a near perfect seventh as well.
Elmira was able to tally one more run in the top of the eight, but that would be it before giving up one more in the bottom of the eighth to complete a 6-2 win for the Newark Pilots.Austin was saddled with the loss in his first start this season.
The Pioneers are back in action tonight as they face off with the Adirondack Trail Blazers at 6:35 pm. Check it out on our Youtube live page or listen in on Mixlr.com!