The Pioneers took the field Wednesday night with the chance to inch closer to the Hornell Dodgers and First Place in the West. Before the full game the Pioneers and Nitro’s were scheduled to complete a game that was halted because of weather on June 22nd. Earlier in the day the NYCBL rules committee overturned the previous decision and the game was ruled a completed game with the score and statistics reverting to the end of the eighth inning with Elmira leading 5-0.

Andrew Foushee in his sixth start of the season made his first start against Allegany. Foushee earlier in the week was named the Pitcher of the Week for the Western Division after his four hit shutout against the Webster Yankees at Dunn Field. Foushee would breeze through the first three innings of the ballgame allowing four hits to Allegany.

Foushee and the Pioneers would get a scare in the top of the fourth inning when Foushee motioned for the trainers after throwing one pitch to Vinnie Malzahn. Foushee would leave the game with discomfort in his right shoulder and open the door for Cody Normand out of the bullpen.

The Pioneers would take the lead in the bottom of the fourth after Ryan Ferguson laced a double off the right field wall and took third on a passed ball. With runners on the corners Joey Jacobson hit a groundball to the third basemen who tried to turn the double play in which Jacobson beat out at first allowing Ferguson to score.

Normand did all he could to keep Elmira in front as he went four scoreless innings in long relief scattering four hits to the Nitro’s. The Pioneers took a 2-0 lead when Brian Erie hit an RBI single scoring John Snyder who drew a walk to lead off the inning.

Brian Loconsole entered the game in the eighth inning and held the Nitro’s off the scoreboard. Casey Levens made it a 4-0 game after he pulled a ball down the left field line scoring Jacobson and Keller. Elmira brought in John Colella to start the ninth and close things out. Colella got a big double play from his defense to get the first two outs and then induced a fly ball to right field ending the game.

Six Pioneers finished the night with at least one hit apiece and Mike Cleary finished the night with three hits in four trips to the plate. The wins move Elmira to 14-9 on the season and they will head to Webster on Thursday to play the Yankees at 7 P.M. The Pioneers will be back at Dunn Field on Friday night as they take on the Alfred Thunder at 7:05 P.M. It will also be Fantastic Friday at the ballpark as fans will have the opportunity to win lots of different prizes and giveaways throughout the night!

For ticket information or team news visit the Pioneers on the web at www.elmirapioneers.com or call 607-734-2690.

This Summer Have Some Fun at Dunn!