The Pioneers came into Thursday's NYCBL game against the Allegany County Nitros with a 3 game lead and the season winding down. The Pioneers, who have been forced to make some changes to their pitching rotation as of late sent Casey Levens to the mound for his second start off the year.

Levens won his previous start at Dunn Field as the Pioneers faced the Alfred Thunder and Levens was able to pitch 6 innings of 3 run ball. Levens worked quickly in the early part of the game with Elmira already on top 1-0 in the second inning. The Nitros would score their run on a fielder's choice to second base and would amount to their only score of the night.

Jake Rickenbach gave Elmira the lead once again in the second inning as he singled home Brian Erie, who walked earlier in the inning. Nitros starter Ryan Davis would be pulled before the start of the third inning as Kyle Williams came in to replace Davis who allowed 2 runs on 3 hits and 4 walks.

The one run lead was all that Casey Levens needed on the night as he was able to get key outs from his defense when needed. Levens pin point accuracy on the night was also big as the Pioneer bats had some trouble against the pitching of Kyle Williams who surrendered just 2 hits over his 5.1 innings of relief for the Nitros.

Elmira added an insurance run in the eighth inning after John Snyder appeared to be picked off between third and home but was able to elude the Nitros catcher to give the Pioneers 3-1 lead.

With the Pioneers 3 outs from their 24th victory of the season, John Colella entered the game to try and hold off the Allegany team. Colella would strike out two of the four batters he faced in the inning to give himself save number 12 on the year and the Pioneers a big win.

The Pioneers improve to 24-12 on the season and now lead the West Division by 4 games over Allegany County. The Pioneers will enjoy an off day on Friday before hitting the field again as it will be the last Spectacular Saturday of the season and the Pioneers will be giving away a DVD player, jewelry, a Weekend Vacation to Atlantic City and Free Wings for a Year at the recently opened Buffalo Wild Wings in Horseheads. The Party in the Park Concert Series presents Code 3 in the concourse after the game.

Tickets for all Pioneers games are available at Jubilee Foods, located at 2898 Westinghouse Road in Horseheads.

For more information call the Pioneers office at 607-734-2690 or visit www.elmirapioneers.com

This summer, Have Some Fun at the Dunn.