Pioneers Close out Florida Trip with Sweep

The Alfred State softball team ended their spring training trip to the Gene Cusic Classic with a sweep. They won on a walk-off 5-4 over SUNY Canton and then used the big inning in the nightcap to defeat Knox 15-7.

The Pioneers jumped out to an early advantage vs. Canton. Marissa Varela (Egg Harbor Twp, NJ) collected a RBI single to left and Arianna Traugott (Elmira) followed with a two-run double to right center. The Roos chipped away at the lead with single runs in the 3rd and 4th. They took a brief lead in the 6th when they plated a pair but the Pioneers tied it right back up when Angela Martone (Candor) scored on a fielding error.

Brittany Fisher (Indianapolis, IN) retired Canton in order in the 7th to set up a walk-off opportunity. Varela and Traugott both worked walks to set the table for Ashley Peterson (Valley Central). Peterson laced a single to left field that allowed Varela to score the winning run.

Morgan Franklin (Wellsville) was the only Pioneer with multiple hits finishing 2 for 4. Fisher earned the win in the circle with the complete game effort. She allowed two earned runs on six hits while striking out three.

In the nightcap, Varela gave the Pioneers the 1st inning lead when she laced a double to left to score Jamie Parente (Mt. Sinai) who had singled earlier in the inning. The Prarie Fire tied it up in the bottom of the inning but Varela connected on her second double of the game to give the Pioneers back the lead (2-run double). Peterson drove in Varela with a laser down the left field line to make it 4-1. Knox responded with a pair of runs in the 3rd but Alfred State answered right back in the 4th with a sac fly by Parente. 

Knox took a short lead as they scored four in the bottom of the 4th but the Pioneers regained the lead with four in the 5th. Jordan Leonard (Lancaster) started the scoring in the 5th with a sac fly, Peterson scored on a wild pitch, Fisher drew a bases loaded walk, and Franklin scored on a wild pitch. Fisher threw a scoreless 5th inning and Alfred State put the game out of reach by scoring six times. Three runs scored on wild pitches and Varela capped a big day with a bases clearing 3-RBI double.

Varela finished 3 for 5 with 6 RBI while Parente was 3 for 3 with a RBI. Peterson picked up a pair of hits and finished 2 for 4 with a RBI. Fisher came out of the pen and earned the victory with 2.2 innings of three hit action. She allowed just one run and struck out three.

The blue & gold won three of their four games on the trip and head back to North with a 4-6 overall mark.

The Pioneers are back in action next weekend when they travel to the Philadelphia area for a pair of doubleheaders. They take on Cairn on Friday at 3 p.m. and Valley Forge on Saturday at 1 p.m.