Three Run 8th Lifts Builders

Apprentice scored three runs in the 8th to break a 2-2 with Alfred State and lift the Builders to a 5-2 victory to end a three game weekend series. The Builders improve to 6-0 on the year.

The Builders got on the board in the 4th when Dalton Dye connected on a two RBI single to left. The Pioneers rallied to tie the game with a solo homer by Cullen Franz (Cazenovia) to right center in the 4th and tied it in the 7th when Dan Woodward (Honeoye) scored after a balk.

In the decisive 8th inning, the Builders put the first two runners on base and took the lead when a throwing error on a sac bunt allowed both bases runners to come around to score. Two batters later Robbie Watkins hit a RBI ground out to add an insurance run.

Watkins, who came out of the bullpen in the 6th, retired the Pioneers in order in the 9th to end the contest. Watkins struck out five in 2.2 innings of work and was 2 for 5 with a RBI on the day.

The blue & gold out hit the Builders 9 to 5. Nick Geyer (Newburgh Free Academy) was 2 for 2 while Franz and Thoams Shofi (Carmel) were each 2 for 4. The Pioneers stranded 11 runners on base.

Brady Sass (Cal Mum) tossed the first six innings and didn't factor in the decision. He allowed five hits and two earned runs while walking four and striking out four. The Pioneers pitchers eight walks in the contest.

The Pioneers return to action on March 4th when they head back to Virginia for a three-game series vs. Emory & Henry.