Johnson and Mack Lead Pioneers to Split at Pitt Bradford

The hitting of Colin Johnson (Alfred Almond) and the pitching of Garrett Mack (Avon) led the Alfred State baseball team to a split of a AMCC doubleheader at Pitt-Bradford on Wednesday afternoon. The Pioneers won the nightcap 3-1 after falling to the Panthers 3-1 in the opener.

The Pioneers started off fast in the nightcap. Connor Pingitore (Amsterdam/Broadalbin Perth) singled, Samuel Dickerson (Cutchogue/Mattituck) was hit by a pitch, and one batter later Colin Johnson (Alfred Almond) hit a three-run homer to give Alfred State the early lead.

Mack made that lead stand with a complete game three-hitter. He allowed an unearned run in the 7th inning but didn't allow the Panthers any closer. He walked five and struck out 11.

Johnson finished the day 3 for 4 with 3 RBI. Pingitore was the only other Pioneer with multiple hits finishing 2 for 4.

In the opener, Pitt Bradford got on the board first in the 3rd when they scored an unearned run. The Pioneers tied it up in the 5th on a RBI single by Dickerson to score Mike Gibson (Schenectady) who had led the inning off with a single. The Panthers took back the lead in the bottom of the inning when Robert Sawicki delivered a two-out single. The Pioneers stranded a pair of runners in the 6th and Kevin Rehak hit a solo homer to left. In the 7th, Alfred State once again put a pair of runners on but were unable to plate another run.

Pingitore was the lone Pioneer with multiple hits. He finished 2 for 4. AJ Gartland (Irondeqouit) allowed just four hits and one earned run in 4.2 innings but took the loss.

Sawicki was 2 for 3 with a RBI for the Panthers. Reid Tarnowski earned the win with 5.1 inning of work on the mound. He allowed seven hits and one earned run while walking two and striking out six. Nate Renick allowed one hit and walked one in the final 1.2 innings to earn the save.

The Pioneers are right back in action on Saturday when they host Pitt Greensburg in a 1 p.m. AMCC doubleheader.