Pioneers Drop Season Opener to Adirondack, 13-6
June 1, 2017 - Perfect Game Collegiate Baseball League (PGCBL)
Elmira Pioneers News Release
BOONVILLE, N.Y. - The Elmira Pioneers (0-1) lost their first game of the Perfect Game Collegiate Baseball League season 13-6 to the Adirondack Trailblazers(1-0).
Sparked by a seven-run second inning, the Trailblazers took an early lead and never looked back.
Adirondack got the scoring started earlier in the second when Pioneers starter Zach Eggers (Old Dominion) got Jordan Torrento(Adrian) to ground into a fielder's choice that scored the game's opening salvo.
Following two walks with the bases loaded that extended the Trailblazers lead to three, Robert Zuwarski (Hillsdale College) struck the biggest blow of the ballgame. Zuwarski sent a 2-2 offering over the right-center field wall for a grand slam that blew the game open and gave the Trailblazers a 7-0 lead.
The Pioneers would fight back immediately by scoring one in the top half of the third, courtesy of an Anthony Nucerino(UConn) RBI single that scored Allbry Major(Xavier) after he walked.
However, the Trailblazers would get that run back and more in the fourth. Bryce Zaparzynski(Mansfield) would come in and replace Eggers in the fourth and would allow two runs in the inning. Following a lead off single to Jordan Torrento, Joe Simone(Rider) laced a double down the right field line that put runners at second and third. A wild pitch from Zaparzynski would score Torrento and a subsequent RBI ground out by Bailey Collins(Concordia) would score Simone and give the Trailblazers an 8-1 advantage.
Adirondack would extend their lead even further in the fifth thanks to a three-run inning. A lead off single by Charlie Hooker(Alderson-Broaddus) would be followed by back to back walks to load the bases. Zaparzynski would then plunk Matt Codispoti(Albany) on an 0-2 pitch to force home the Trailblazers ninth run.
Following a strikeout, an error on a ground ball by second baseman Andrew Orzel(Wofford) would allow two runs to score giving the Trailblazers a 12-1 lead.
The Pioneers would tack on two runs in the sixth thanks to a run scoring double play from Andrew Orzel and a passed ball that scored Casey Oliver(UL-Monroe).
In the seventh, a Zach Zschering(Adrian) single would plate the Trailblazers thirteenth and final run of the game.
Elmira would try to stage a rally in the eighth as singles by Allbry Major and Brett Rodriguez(Wofford) would each score a run cutting the deficit to eight.
In the Pioneers final at-bats, back to back doubles from Jon Crimmin(Siena) and Brett Vosik(Kansas) would be the only run the Pioneers could muster in the ninth as the game ended 13-6.
Matt Vallin(OCC) picks up the win for the Trailblazers. Vallin worked three innings, only giving up three runs and striking out three.
Zach Eggers gets hung with the loss for Elmira. Eggers tossed three innings, giving up seven runs on three hits and striking out two.
The Pioneers will be at home tomorrow, Friday, June 2, for their home opening game against the Saugerties Stallions at 7:05 p.m. Elmira will also be at home on Saturday and Sunday when the Pioneers face the Newark Pilots (1-0) and the Jamestown Jammers(1-0).
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Perfect Game Collegiate Baseball League Stories from June 1, 2017
- Pilots Defeat Outlaws on Opening Night - Newark Pilots
- Pioneers Drop Season Opener to Adirondack, 13-6 - Elmira Pioneers
- Mohawks Extinguish Flames on Opening Night, 12-1 - Amsterdam Mohawks
- Diamond Dawgs Score Early and Often, Hammer Glen Falls - Mohawk Valley DiamondDawgs
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