Coleman Homers in Debut Leading Pioneers to 8-6 Victory
August 9, 2002 - Canadian American League (Can-Am)
Elmira Pioneers News Release
Thursday, August 8, 2002 - Dunn Field, Elmira, NY
Former New York Yankee Michael Coleman launched a 3-run HR in the 3rd inning in his Elmira Pioneers debut leading his new club to an 8-6 win over the Allentown Ambassadors Thursday night at Dunn Field in front of 1479 fans.
Coleman also singled in the 5th and scored a run as he took part in half of the team's runs on the night.
The victory snaps Elmira's 3-game losing streak and extended Allentown's losing skid to 5 in a row. The Pioneers are 38-30 overall and 13-10 in the 2nd half. The Ambassadors have the league's 2nd worst overall record at 21-46 as they fall to 7-15 since the mid-way point.
Rafael Alvarez went 2-for-3 with a 3 rbi's with a single, a double a walk and 2 runs scored. Pedro Quero had a double and triple going 2-for-4 with a pair of RBI's.
Brandon Pernell went 2-for-4 with a walk to extend his hitting streak to 7 games.
Jeff Andra bounced back from a rocky 1st inning in which he allowed 3 runs to earn the victory (8-5). After allowing 3 runs and 4 hits in the 1st Andra allowed only 4 hits and 1 run in the next 6 innings.
Chris Zallie (1-3) allowed 10 hits in 6 innings for the loss.
Allentown used doubles by Jorge Diaz and Stephen Larkin in building an early 3-0 advantage. The Pioneers got 2 back in the bottom of the 1st including an rbi triple by Pedro Quero underneath the glove of the diving RF Stephen Larkin.
In the 3rd Ron Bush singled and Rafael Alvarez setting the table for Coleman who launched a drive the opposite way over the wall in right-center to give the Pioneers the lead at 5-3.
Pedro Quero's rbi double in the 6th plated Coleman who had singled as Elmira built their advantage to 6-3.
In the 7th, Casey Baker singled and Brandon Pernell walked to start the inning. Rafael Alvarez brought in both runners with a double to deep center as the Pioneers led 8-3.
Allentown scored 1 in the 7th off Andra with Schuyler Doakes doubling and coming around on a Jorge Diaz single. The Ambassadors tacked on 2 more in the 8th off Kenji Iwahara with a 2-out rally. Joe Kerrigan reached on an infield single. Joe Gannon followed with a single to LF and both scored on a double off the wall in LF by PH Josh Tehonica closing the gap to 8-6.
Donnie Thomas came on the in the 9th for a pewrfect frame to record his 1st save of the season and 4th of his career.
Greg Keagle (5-9) starts for the Pioneers on Big Flats / Horseheads community night. Bake Leonards (2-5) will go for the Ambassadors. Saturday night is Pepsi Fireworks Night with WENY.
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Canadian American League Stories from August 9, 2002
- Coleman Homers in Debut Leading Pioneers to 8-6 Victory - Elmira Pioneers
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