Pitchers Duel Downs Pioneers, 5-0
The Pioneers had found ways to win at Dunn Field coming into Tuesday night's game against the Oneonta Outlaws another opponent that Elmira has handled with relative ease in the past. Unfortunately, baseball is a streaky game and after a hard fought well pitched contest the Pios have now lost three consecutive games.
Elmira tagged Kevin Teschko to take the hill against Oneonta's Anthony Van Fossen and both pitchers came out shinning. Three innings in with a 0-0 score the only offense had come from two Pioneers hits and a hit by pitch for the Outlaws. The fourth inning saw Teschko have some more difficulty with location. A hit by pitch, a walk, and another hit by pitch would load the bases for Oneonta with two outs, but a fly out to centerfield ended the threat and put up another 0.
The quick moving game continued to see 0 after 0 hung on the scoreboard until the seventh inning and the third inning of relief from Matt Busher, who had entered the game after the aforementioned control issues in the fourth. Busher had been perfect himself through two with still no Outlaws reaching base with hits. Baylin Moore popped up for the first out before Busher lost the zone and walked the next two batters. Back to back doubles scored three runs before a second out could occur. Oneonta would single in one more run to make it a commanding 4-0 lead when they were finally retired.
The Pioneers have prided themselves on being able to comeback from being down this season, but tonight they faced a pitcher in Van Fossen who nibbled the corners and maneuvered the strike zone like a painter with a brush and the Pios couldn't find the turpentine to wipe it out. Van Fossen went 8 full innings without allowing a single run and with the Outlaws adding one more run in the top of the eighth inning the writing appeared on the wall.
The Pios have now lost 3 in a row and with just 21 days remaining in the season they need to get hot right now. Elmira is back in action from Dunn Field on Thursday July 11th against the first place Geneva Red Wings! Tickets are available now by calling 607-734-2690!