The start of the game.

Santobuono Pitches Pioneers to Opening Day Split

Andrew Santobuono (Unatego) allowed just four hits and struck out 10 in eight innings of work as he led Alfred State to a 10-0 victory over Houghton as the baseball team split a opening day split doubleheader. The Pioneers fell to Messiah 6-1 earlier in the day.

Nick Geyer (Newburgh Free) got the Pioneers on the board in the nightcap when he lifted a sac fly in the 2nd to score Connor Pingitore (Broadalbin-Perth). The game remained 1-0 until the 5th when Josh Laurie (LeRoy) drove home a run on a fielder's choice and Dan Woodward (Honeoye) followed with a RBI ground out. Danny Doran (Irondequoit) made it 5-0 when he lifted a two run homer over the left field fence. Pingitore scored on a double-play ground out in the 7th and Mike Gibson (Schenectady) followed with a RBI single. Woodward made it 9-0 in the 8th with a two-run double to left center and Andy Pichardo (Queens/Academy of American Studies) scored on a double-play ground in the 9th to cap the scoring.

Santobuono, making his collegiate debut didn't walk a batter and allowed just three singles and a triple. Jarrod Deaton (Newburgh Free) struck out the side in the 9th to end the contest.

Doran was 3 for 4 with 2 RBI to pace the 12-hit attack. Colin Johnson (Alfred Almond) and Pingitore were both 2 for 3 while Woodward and Gibson were each 2 for 5. 

In the opener, the Pioneers committed three errors and left eight runners on base vs. Messiah. Messiah scored on in the 1st, four in the 4th, and another in the 5th. Sam Stewart had a pair of doubles (2 for 3) while Jarod Bingamon and Josh Haynor each collected two hits. 

Doran and Johnson both were 2 for 4 for the Pioneers and Laurie drove in the lone run for the Pioneers on a double in the 6th. AJ Gartland (Irondequoit) and Connor Hong (Gates Chili) combined for 5.1 innings of three hit relief. Gartland allowed two hits and an unearned run in 2.1 innings of work while Hong allowed just one hit and two walks in three innings of scoreless work.

The blue and gold are scheduled to travel to Mt. St. Mary's next Saturday for a doubleheader before heading to Wells next Sunday for another twinbill.