PIONEERS TRAVEL TO NEWARK AFTER FALLING SHORT AGAINST JAMESTOWN

A chaotic game between the Elmira Pioneers and Jamestown Tarp Skunks last night ended in defeat once again for the Pioneers, as they lost 4-3.

Mike Sokol (Chippola) was credited with the loss after conceding 4 earned runs in five innings. Despite the loss, he looked great, recording 4 strikeouts on just 5 hits and 3 walks. His ERA dips to 3.60, but remains one of the best aces for the Pioneers.

Tristan Ciampas (Northern Essex CC) and Kevin Serrano (Corning CC) both pitched two innings of great relief. Ciampas remains one of the top pitchers in the PGCBL, his ERA now at 0.93.

Jamestown’s Eddie Galatas and Nate Johnson both strung seven innings of no-hit ball for the Tarp Skunks, while Eric Crouse secured the save. The no-hitter was blown off a Bobby Marsh (Penn State) single with no outs in the bottom of the ninth.

Two controversial calls certainly had Pioneers fans thinking “what-if” in the game.

The first coming on a ball-four call on a checked-swing that nearly went around. If the pitch was called a swing and miss, the ensuing stolen base attempt from a runner on first would’ve been out for a double play, as he was caught thanks to a quick throw from Lucas Berube (Northern Essex CC). The Tarp Skunks cashed in on the good luck, scoring a run in that inning.

In the bottom of the ninth with one out, after Joe Muzio (Eckerd) swung and struck out on a pitch in the dirt, both Frank Wayman (UMass-Lowell) and Marsh tagged up to advance from second and third. Wayman reached home safely, but Marsh had a close play at third.

After originally being called safe, Marsh was called out at third, ending the game. 

Marsh was the only Pioneer to get a hit, but Chris Bear (Northern Essex CC) and Wayman each had solid games, the duo getting two walks each.

The Pioneers fall to 3-7 after the loss, but now are 3-2 in the last five games, a strong upturn in form after their 0-5 start.

The Tarp Skunks improve to 7-3, challenging Batavia for the division lead.

The Pioneers face the Tarp Skunks again in Jamestown on Saturday, June 18th. Today, June 16th, the Pioneers travel to Newark to face the Pilots.