Pios See Strong Outing Again From Rubino, Lose in Extras 4-2
Noah Rubino came out for the third time this season looking to claim a victory and certainly pitched well enough to do so. The Pioneers pitcher has been a source of pride on the mound this season as in three outings Rubino has pitched 17 innings and allowed just one run, unearned.
Rubino pitched a shutout in six innings of work last night and as the Pioneers were able to cash in twice in the fourth inning on two passed balls to bring in Mason Ruhlman and Trae Harmon it seemed as though the script had been written for the game and the Pioneers were about to bring home their first road victory of the season.
However, enter the bullpen. After struggling through much of the early part of the summer, the Pioneers bullpen has been responsible for numerous losses this season on the road despite good pitching out of the starting rotation. Last night was to be no exception as Connor Takacs entered the game in the seventh. Takacs gave up a single, but then got a ground ball the Pios hoped would be turned for 2. Unfortunately they were only able to get one out which gave the chance for current PGCBL player of the week Dylan Klock to hit a single advancing the runner to 3rd only to see him driven in by a sac fly by the next batter. Takacs walked the next batter, but got the final batter to strike out preserving a 2-1 lead for Elmira.
The Pioneers had no luck in the batters box in the eighth. Takacs returned to the mound allowing a double to the first batter he faced. After a passed ball, the next batter hit a double scoring the run and tying the game. Neftaly Severino Cronier came in and stopped the bleeding, but the damage was done and the game was tied 2-2.
The next three innings saw the Pioneers put runners not only on base, but in scoring position without the ability to drive them in. Cronier kept the Pioneers coming back to bat pitching the 8th, 9th, 10th, and 11th before handing the ball over to Trae Harmon in the bottom of the 12th. Harmon who had played first base all day came over to the mound and promptly walked the first batter he faced. The second batter flied out, but as Nick Cimillo came up Harmon left a pitch over the heart of the plate and Cimillo deposited it over the outfield wall to end the game 4-2.
Another close game and a strong outing by the starter went for naught as the Pios continue to struggle on the road. They are home again tonight as the Pioneers meet up with the Geneva Red Wings at 7:05pm at Dunn Field. Call 607-734-2690 for tickets!