Pioneers Come from Behind to Split Doubleheader at NJ
June 15, 2002 - Canadian American League (Can-Am)
Elmira Pioneers News Release
June 15, 2002 - Yogi Berra Stadium, Little Falls, NJ - The Jackals took the opener of the twinbill 2-1 over the Elmira Pioneers. Steve Fish (3-1) fired a complete game for the 2nd time this season in holding the Pioneers to 1 unearned run. Fish retired the last 8 batters of the game.
Jeff Andra (3-2) took his 2nd consecutive 1-run loss. He allowed only 4 hits in 6ip with 1 walk and 3 k's. His only mistake came back to haunt him as Dave Kennedy blasted a 2-run HR in the 1st inning to provide the Jackals with all their scoring.
Ron Bush and Osmani Garcia both went 2-for-3 for the Pioneers with a single and double apiece. The lone Elmira run came in the 3rd inning when Luke Syfert reached on a throwing error by New Jersey SS Chaz Terni. Syfert scored on a Ron Bush double into the right-field corner. Elmira left 5 runners on base including 4 in scoring position. They had at least 1 hit and 1 runner left on during each of the first 5 innings.
ELM 1 6 1 (5) Time - 1:34 W - Steve Fish (3-1) NJ 2 4 2 (4) Att - NA L - Jeff Andra (3-2)
In the 2nd game, the Pioneers scored 6 unanswered runs in the 6th and 7th inning for a dramatic come-fron-behind win. The win gives the Pioneers sole possession of 1st place in the South Division by 1 game over NJ.
After the Pioneers built a 3-1 lead, including a solo HR by Norm Hutchins (3rd) New Jersey sent Matt Pike to the showers with a team record 3 HR's in the 4th inning to take a 6-3 lead.
In the 6th, Sandy Vasquez beat out an infield single with 2 outs scoring Norm Hutchins to make the score 6-4. Brian Baker almost tied it but his deep drive to left caught the top of the wall for a long double. Rod Smith went the opposite way to line a double into the LF corner scoring both Vasquez and Baker to tie the game 6-6.
In the 7th inning, Brian Jones delivered a bases-loaded, no-out, 2-run single plating Pedro Quero and Norm Hutchins to give Elmira the lead for good. Sandy Vasquez later singled in another run.
Donnie Thomas fired 2ip of 1 hit shutout relief for his 1st decision. Julio Perez had 2 K's in the 7th for his 4th save. RH Eric Estes (2-1, 4.12) opposes LH Mike Bertotti (2-1, 7.45) in the series finale Sunday at 2:05.
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Canadian American League Stories from June 15, 2002
- Pioneers Come from Behind to Split Doubleheader at NJ - Elmira Pioneers
- New Jersey moves into 1st place tie - Elmira Pioneers
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