Pioneers Fly by Eagles in 2021 Opener

The Alfred State softball team swept a pair of games from Elmira on Saturday afternoon as they opened up the 2021 season. They took the opener 7-6 and the nightcap 8-4.

The Soaring Eagles got on the board first in the opener when Jillian Cortez hit a RBI double. In the 2nd, Brittany Fisher (Indianapolis, IN) scored on a an error to tie it. Elmira retook the lead in the bottom of the inning with three unearned runs. 

Jade Parsons (Ovid/South Seneca) collected a RBI bases loaded walk in the 3rd and Emma Smithers (Waterloo) was hit by a pitch to drive in a run in the 3rd to cut the lead to 4-3. After another run in the 3rd, the Pioneers tied the game in the 4th when Parsons collected a two-run single to right.

The Pioneers took the lead for good in the 5th when Audrey Farrell (York/Notre Dame) scored on an error and Kailey Wonica (Staten Island/Moore Catholic) followed with a RBI single down the right field line. Elmira cut the lead to one with a run in the 6th but couldn't get any closer. The potential tying run was thrown out at home to end the 6th inning and a runner was stranded on base in the 7th.

Wonica finished 3 for 5 with a RBI while Parsons was 2 for 3 with 3 RBI. Sarah Boyce (Cortland) also collected two hits, finishing 2 for 4. Fisher got the win with a complete game effort. She allowed 11 hits and two earned runs while walking three and striking out ten.

Elmira jumped out to an early 3-0 lead with a pair of homers in the 1st inning but the Pioneers bounced back and scored the games next eight runs. Wonica hit a RBI single to right center, Krista Lovell (Addison) scored on an error, and Brianna Dittman (Brooklyn/James Madison) followed with a 2-RBI single down the left field line to give Alfred State a 4-3 lead in the 3rd. Boyce hit a RBI double to right in the 4th, Wonica hit a single through the right side to plated two in the 6th, and Boyce collected another RBI hit in the 7th to make it 8-3. Elmira cut it to 8-4 with a run in the 7th but could not get any closer.

Wonica led the way with a 2 for 5, 3 RBI day while Lovell and Smithers were each 2 for 4. Boyce finished 2 for 5 with a pair of RBI. Farrell allowed five hits and three earned runs to earn the victory in a complete game effort on the mound. She walked six and struck out five.

The Pioneers are back on the field on Tuesday when they take on Pitt Bradford in their home opener. The game is a non-conference match-up and slated to begin at 3 p.m.