Pioneers Win with Big Fifth Inning to Open Weekend

The Alfred State Baseball team won today's game against Elmira 9-2. The Pioneers gave up both runs in the first inning, and didn't allow a runner to cross the plate the rest of the game. 

After falling behind 2-0 in the first inning, Chris Mattoon threw 5 shutout innings to keep Alfred State in the game, eventually earning the win. Mattoon finished with 8 punch out's, 2 earned runs and allowed 7 hits.

A 7-run fifth inning gave the Pioneers the lead, which they held the rest of the way. With all seven runs coming with two outs, the Pioneers nearly batted around with 8 consecutive hitters reaching base. Sam Dickerson started the scoring with a double in the left-center gap.

Some other standouts for the Pioneers include:

Josh Van Bramer: Threw 2 innings of relief and allowed only 1 hit with 4 k's

Caden Fortunato: Fortunato threw the ninth for the Pioneers, he didn't allow a hit in his relief appearance

Brody Burdett: Burdett went 2-4 with a big hit in the fifth inning that continued the scoring for the Pioneers. The bases loaded knock drove in two runs.

The Pioneers play again on Sunday against William Peace at 11 a.m.