Pioneers Discover Victory In Key Series Against Black Bears

Published on August 18, 2003 under Canadian American League (Can-Am)
Berkshire Black Bears News Release


Two different games took place tonight at Wahconah Park. Well, not really, but it sure seemed like two entirely separate efforts. The first four and a third innings were all Elmira as the Pioneers jumped out to a big lead. But then the Black Bears came to life, scoring four unanswered runs, falling just short 5-4.

Elmira was sharp right out of the blocks tonight, as Dennis Abreu and Cleatus Davidson hit back-to-back singles to lead off the game, both would score in the inning, giving Elmira an early 2-0 advantage. Elmira added runs in the third, fourth and fifth innings, increasing their lead to 5-0. Darren Bush removed Berkshire starter Courtney Hall with two on and nobody out in the fifth, and was replaced by left-hander Scott Meyer. The rookie reliever provided the spark that the Black Bears needed, pitching 2.2 scoreless innings, allowing just 2 hits and striking out four in his longest outing of his brief stint in Pittsfield. Playing like a new ball club, Berkshire immediately scored a run in the 5th to crack the armor of Elmira starter Geronimo Mendoza. The Black Bears would continue the assault scoring two more in the sixth on a Manny Crespo RBI double, and a Ryan Jones sacrifice fly. Trailing 5-3 going to the last of the ninth, Berkshire rallied against the hard throwing closer Chris McGee. Pete Paciorek led off the inning with stand-up-triple over the head of right fielder Scott Hunter.

Jones picked up his second RBI of the night as Paciorek scored on his ground out to short. Kevin Forbes followed with a single and moved up to second when PJ Johnston was thrown out trying to bunt for a hit. With two outs and the tying run at second base, Chris Briones came to the plate to pinch hit, having already smashed several game winners at home this season. However, McGee rallied himself, and stopped the Berkshire onslaught, jamming Briones into a weak grounder to second to end the ballgame.

Mendoza (9-6) threw 7.0 innings, allowing 2 runs on 3 hits, walking 1 and striking out 5 for his 9th win of the year. Jeffery Perez threw a scoreless eighth inning, and McGee gave up one run on two hits to earn his 11th save. Courtney Hall (2-10) went just 4.0 innings, giving up 5 runs (3 earned) on 8 hits, walking 4 and striking out 1 for the loss. Meyer was scoreless for 2.2 innings, and Eddie Aucoin closed things out with 2.1 shutout innings, allowing just one hit, a walk and three strikeouts.

Tuesday's Game 2 of the series at Wahconah Park has Tony Harden up against Ryo Takeuchi at 7:05pm.

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Canadian American League Stories from August 18, 2003


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