Pios Set Off Fireworks To Win on July 4th, 5-3
The Elmira Pioneers came into Thursday nights game riding a two game win streak following a win in Watertown the night before 14-9 as the Rapids would come south looking for revenge. On a day that is known for fireworks and parties the Pios provided both for all the fans in attendance.
The first four innings of the game were quick and painless for both sides as starters Neftaly Severino Cronier and Watertown's Sachin Nambiar would work themselves into and out of trouble at several points, but not a run would cross. The fifth inning was when the wheels finally came off. After a fly out to start it off Cronier walked his first and only batter of the night. After getting the next batter swinging Di Marzo stole second before an Emil Matti single brought him around to score to give Watertown the 1-0 lead heading into the bottom of the 5th.
Nambiar had a lot of trouble as the fifth got underway. Three straight singles, including an Andrew Sexton bunt for a hit, led to a bases loaded situation for Elmira. Jeff Mejia hit a sac fly to advance all runners and score the tying run before Brody Moore walked to reload the bases. Preston Moore came up and for his third consecutive at bat found a hole in the defensive as he hit one out to the wall for a triple bringing Preston just a home run away from a cycle and scoring three more runs. Nathan Peng grounded out but scored Preston Moore to give the Pios a 5-2 lead.
The sixth inning saw Brendan Koester come in. Koester quickly gave up a walk and a hit by pitch before a meeting on the mound seemed to calm him down. Brendan got two quick strike outs before a double from Brandon Taylor drove in Watertown's third run. From there Koester, Ben Terwilliger, and Nathan Berg shut down the Rapids to give the Pioneers their third straight victory as they closed the door 5-3.
The Pios now will play back to back home games against a team from Canada for a US vs Canada series of exhibition games. The first game will be tonight at 7:05pm followed by a second game at 7:05 pm Saturday night. Get your tickets now 607-734-2690!