Pios Win Bringing Down Pilots, 10-3
Elmira came into Sunday afternoons game hungry for a win. After winning in Watertown Friday night and losing to Geneva Saturday night The Pioneers were looking for their first weekend series win since the beginning of the season. Head coach Matt Burch said in the pregame interview that he was trying to get the pieces to fit and sometimes that meant bringing in new pieces as Zack Turner got his first start of the summer at second base.
The Pios turned to Ben Terwilliger on the mound who came in to the start with quality outings in every start, but without a win to his credit, like much of the Pioneers starting staff. Tonight would get off to a rocky start for the Elmira native as he surrendered 9 walks in the first two and two third innings. However, when he left the game the Pioneers still led 2-1 despite there being two runners on base. Chase Austin came in and gave up a single which allowed both runs to come home before making the final out and keeping the game close 3-2 in favor of Newark.
That would mark the end of the Pilots offensive work however as the Pioneers came back with 4 run outpouring in the third against starter Chris LeVere to put Elmira back up 6-2 as the top 4 batters all not only reached but came around to score. As Newark turned to the bullpen they would find success as they were able to blank the Pios in the next 2 innings.
The sixth inning got off to a much different start however as Jeff Mejia continued an amazing night at the plate going 2 for 5, but reaching on an error before stealing second. Andrew Sexton came to the dish next and did what many call improbable as he belted a home run over the 20 foot wall in right field in a no doubter to give the Pioneers two more runs. Dan Munn faced four more batters giving up 2 more runs for the 10-3 lead for Elmira before Munn was replaced in the sixth.
In an odd twist the Pioneers brought in DH Nathan Peng to pitch in the top of the seventh and he would close out the game facing just 12 batters to do and also in a rare event earning a save in a 10-3 ball game in just his second appearance out of the pen.
The Pioneers are off on Monday but begin a four game road trip on Tuesday before returning to Historic Dunn Field on Saturday night at 7:05 pm! It will be Ross Park Zoo night as well as Free Hilliard Thundersticks! Get your tickets early 607-734-2690!