Pioneers Rally to Down Elmira

The Alfred State baseball team fell behind early but was able to bounce back for a 12-7 victory over Elmira on Sunday afternoon.

Elmira benefited from six walks in the 1st and grabbed a 5-0 lead. The Pioneers answered back in the bottom of the inning when Matteo Avallone (Mahopac/Bridgton Academy) connected on a three-run homer down the left field line. Jack Henby (Hornell) made it 5-4 later in the inning with a sac fly.

The game slowed down until the 6th when Elmira made it 6-4 but the Pioneers tied it in the bottom of the inning when Gavin Moore (Hilton) hit a RBI single and Brody Burdett (Scottsdale, AZ) followed with a RBI double to left.

The Pioneers took their first lead of the game in the 7th with six runs. Jesse Kabat (Seneca Falls/Mynderse) drew a bases loaded walk, Moore was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded. Henby scored on a catcher's interference, Sam Dickerson (Cutchogue/Mattituck) drew a bases loaded walk, Ryan Santiago (Staten Island/HS of Telecommunications) hit a sac fly to right, and Avallone singled to left to make it 12-6.

Elmira plated a run in the 8th but could not get any closer.

The Pioneer bullpen was superb. Chris Baldwin (Patchogue/Patchogue-Medford) pitched 4.1 innings of relief without letting up a hit. He allowed one unearned run while walking two and striking out two. Connor Hong (Gates Chili) earned the win with 2.2 innings of relief and Devin Mersmann (Arcade/Pioneer) got the final four outs of the game.

Avallone led the Pioneers 11-hit attack with a 3 for 4, 4 RBI day. Moore was 2 for 3 with 2 RBI and Santiago was 2 for 3 with a RBI.

The game featured 19 Runs, 15 hits, and 21 walks.

The blue & gold (12-14) return to the diamond on Wednesday for a pivotal AMCC doubleheader at Penn State Behrend. First pitch is slated for 1 p.m.