Pioneers and Hawks Battle in Back and Forth Affair

Hilbert scored two runs in the top of the 9th to win a back and forth battle 6-5 over Alfred State on postcard perfect Friday afternoon at Pioneer Park.

The Hawks got on the board in the 2nd inning when Erick Flores hit a double down the left field line. The Pioneers tied it up in the 3rd when Rafael Perozo (Bronx/St. Raymond) connected a double to center and Dan Woodward (Honeoye) drove in a run on a ground out.

In the 6th, Bradley Perrin singled to give Hilbert back the lead 3-2. Thomas Shofi (Carmel) tied it up with a RBI double in the 7th and Perozo followed with a RBI single to right to give the Pioneers their first lead.

In the 8th, Erick Flores collected a RBI single to tie it back up before Robert Cardona (Harlem/All Hallows) answered right back with a RBI single to left to give the Pioneers back the lead heading into the final inning.

Ryan Bonafede tied it up with a one-out single to left in the 9th and the Hawks took a 6-5 lead when Paul Wujek scored on a Kevin Moore fielder's choice. Andrew Cartaginese retired the Pioneers in order in the bottom half of the inning to preserve the victory.

Shofi and Jose Martinez (Queens/Newtown) were each 2 for 4 while Perozo and Andy Pichardo (Corona/Academy of American Studies) were each 2 for 5. Conner Odonoghue (Avon) allowed six hits and three runs in six innings of work but did not factor in the decision.

Flores led the Hawks 10-hit attack with a 3 for 4, 3 RBI day. Kevin Moore and Sal Carroccia both collected two hits. Michael Goodberry earned the win out of the pen and Cartaginese picked up his 3rd save of the year.

The Pioneers begin a four-game series with D'Youville on Saturday. First pitch on Saturday is slated for 1 p.m. at Niagara University.