Streak Ends as Pios Fall to Geneva, 16-2

The Pioneers came in on the back of a 4 game winning streak and looking to keep riding it through the end of the four game road trip. Unfortunately for the Pios pitching, which has been a weakness all year let them down early into the Friday night affair with division rival and divisional leaders, the Geneva Red Wings.

The first inning started off with Elmira not being able to get going as in the top half the Pios totaled one base runner as newcomer Brody Moore worked a walk. As Neftaly Severino Cronier took the hill the Red Wings came to play with their bats ready. After recording a quick out on the leadoff hitter Brainy Rojas the next three batters all made their way on base. A fly out by the fifth hitter Kross Grundy had Cronier one out from getting out of it, before Harrison Treble hit a single to drive in two runs. Daniel Sperling made the final out in the first as the Red Wings took a 2-0 lead to the dugout. 

The second inning started off as almost an echo of the first as the Pios reached base with two hitters, but could not finish it off to close the gap. The bottom of the second opened the flood gates. Geneva plated 8 runs in the bottom of the second to put a 10-0 gap on the Pioneers, which would see Cronier leave the game in favor of Alex Bardo. Bardo, a SUNY Cortland athlete, struggled in the mop up role in the second, but as he entered the third and fourth he shut the door on Geneva hanging two zeros on the scoreboard. Alex did give up one more run in the bottom of the fifth, but as has been the Pioneers MO they bounced back and answered the run with their first of the ball game. Zack Turner walked and came all the way around to score in the top of the sixth. 

Unfortunately for the bullpen the Red Wings weren't done there. Steven Rossi came in and gave up a run on a passed ball before making the final out in the sixth. Rossi remained in for the seventh inning that saw four more runs cross the board. The Pios brought in Chase Austin who put up another 0 in the bottom of the eighth to bring the Pioneers up one more time in the ninth. Despite the gap the never say die attitude of Elmira saw Preston Moore single and then come around to score to close the gap to 16-2 before the game ended. 

The Pios will be back at Dunn Field tonight at 7:05pm to host division rival Newark. The Pioneers have won the last two meetings against Newark and will be looking to keep that streak going! Call for tickets now 607-734-2690!