Pioneers Split with Thunderwolves

The Alfred State baseball team rallied from a five-run deficit to defeat Niagara CCC 10-8 in the opener but NCCC used three big innings to win the nightcap 13-5.  The Pioneers are now 20-28 overall on the season and 16-13 in Region III Division III play.

Heading into the 5th inning of the opener the Pioneers trailed 8-2 (NCCC scored six runs in the 3rd to take back the lead).  In the 5th, Jordan Wheaton (Wayland Cohocton) drew a bases loaded walk, Steven Stapleton (Williamsville/Sweet Home) plated a run with a ground out, Ryan Hierlwimmer (Livonia) had a two-RBI single, and Nicholas Padley (Buffalo/Sweet Home) connected on a two-run homer to give the Pioneers back the lead for good.

Wheaton added an insurance run in the 6th with a RBI triple that scored Colton Caldwell (Dublin, OH) who had walked.

Jordyn Confer (Tioga, PA/Williamson) came out of the bullpen to earn the victory.  He tossed 4.2 innings of two hit ball.  He allowed two runs walked one and struck out two to improve to 4-0 on the year.

Hierlwimmer was 3 for 3 with 3 RBI while Wheaton and Stapleton each had 2 RBI.

In the nightcap, the Pioneers got on the board first in the 2nd when a squeeze bunt by Padley scored Hierlwimmer who had tripled. 

NCCC took the lead for good with four runs in the 4th and added six more in the 6th after the Pioneers cut the lead to 4-2.  The Thunderwolves collected 14 hits on the day including six extra base hits.

Hierlwimmer continued his hot hitting with a 2 for 3 day while Greg Koller (Chesterland, OH) was 2 for 4 with a RBI.

The Pioneers are still in a battle for the final spot in the RIII DIII West Standings.  The Pioneers trail Jamestown CC (18-13, .581 winning percentage), and Finger Lakes CC (15-12, .556 winning percentage).

Alfred and Jamestown will complete their suspended game from earlier in the season on Thursday at 3 p.m.  The game is tied at 9-9 in the top of the 7th inning with the Pioneers batting with a runner at 2nd and no outs.