The Elmira Pioneers had the chance to stay away from a game three scenario on Saturday as they headed to Alfred with a 1-0 series lead in the first round of the NYCBL Playoffs.

The Pioneers sent Chad Simendinger to the mound looking for a sweep over the Thunder after defeating them 8-2 in front of the home crowd at Dunn Field Friday night. Simendinger held Alfred off the scoreboard until a run would cross the plate in the fourth inning.

Trailing 1-0 the Pioneers looked for a jump start to their offense as they once again were searching for a game tying run. The seventh inning proved to be the rally inning as Carlos Lopez drove a ball to right field and rolled to the fence allowing two Pioneers to cross the plate and give Elmira the 2-1 lead.

Jake Rickenbach added to the Elmira lead in the eighth inning as he doubled to drive in the Pioneers third run of the ballgame. Rickenbach would score later in the inning as a wild pitch got by the Alfred catcher and putting Elmira on top 4-1.

Alfred would try to get back in the game as they plated a run in the eighth inning off reliever Cody Normand. With Elmira leading 4-2 heading into the ninth, John Colella entered the game to shut the door on Alfred and move Elmira onto the second round. Colella would carry over his regular season success into the playoffs as he struck out the final batter to give Elmira the Sweep and Chad Simendinger his first win of the post-season.

The Pioneers will have to wait until tomorrow to see who their second round opponent will be as the Allegany County Nitros were able to defeat the Webster Yankees 2-1 at Basket Road Field on Saturday. The Pioneers will welcome in one of the two teams to Dunn Field on Monday, August 2nd for a 7:05 P.M. first pitch for Game 1 of the West Division Finals.

Tickets for all home playoff games can be purchased in advance from the Pioneers front office

For more information contact the Pioneers office at 607-734-2690 or visit www.elmirapioneers.com.

This Summer, Have Some Fun at the Dunn!