Pioneers Open up Season in Virginia

The Alfred State baseball team dropped a pair, 2-1 and 14-3, as they opened up their 2017 season vs. Apprentice (5-0) in Newport News, VA.

In the opener, Apprentice's Cory Hendrickson connected on a 2-run homer in the 1st inning to account for the only runs of the contest for the Builders. 

After stranding seven runners on base in the first four innings the Pioneers got on the board in the 5th, when Dan Woodward (Honeoye) doubled to left center to drive in Cullen Franz (Cazenovia) to cut the lead in half. 

In the 7th, Thomas Shofi (Carmel) hit a two-out double but Robbie Watkins came out of bullpen and induced a fly out to end the game.

On the mound, Jake Remington (Letchworth) tossed a beauty. He allowed just two hits (homer in the 1st and a single in the 4th) in a complete game effort. Both runs were unearned as he walked none and struck out eight.

The Pioneers outhit the Builders 7 to 2 in the contest with Woodward finishing 2 for 3 with the lone RBI.

The Builders scored single runs in the 1st and 2nd in the nightcap before exploding for 12-runs in the 3rd to put the game out reach. Shofi had a RBI goundout in the 4th to get the Pioneers on the board and the blue & gold plated a pair of runs in the 7th on a wild pitch and an error.

Apprentice outhit the Pioneers 9 to 4 in the contest and took advantage of walks. Mike Brumfield was the hero for the Builders as he was 2 for 3 with 3 RBI and tossed five innings of two hit ball to earn the victory. He allowed just one run, walked one, and struck out nine.

Three of the Pioneer hits were for extra bases. Woodward and Pedro Mora (Washington Heights/AP Randolph) collected doubles while Franz connected on a triple.

The Pioneers and Builders wrap up their three-game series on Sunday when the teams battle in a 9-inning contest at Noon.