The Pioneers hit the field on Tuesday after shutting down the Geneva Red Wings 5-0 at home Sunday. The Pioneers were looking for their third win of the season against Niagara with both of their previous wins against the Power coming at Sal Maglie Stadium.

Andrew Wall in his fifth start of the season and first against the Power looked to improve his record to 3-1 on the season. Wall kept Niagara off of the scoreboard in the bottom half of the first after the Pioneers offense gave Wall an early lead to work with.

Elmira in the first inning would start the game with Jake Rickenbach reaching base on an error by the third baseman. Rickenbach came around to score on a RBI double from John Snyder. Ryan Ferguson followed things up with a RBI double of his own scoring Snyder and giving
Elmira a 2-0 lead.

The Pioneers would add a run in the second inning when Jake Rickenbach laced a RBI double scoring Brian Erie. Erie led off the inning with a single and then moved to second after a walk to Brandon Martineson.

Niagara answered in the bottom half of the inning plating two runs after Wall got into trouble. A wild pitch would allow the Power to get runners in scoring position and eventually cut into Elmira’s lead after two RBI singles from Niagara hitters.

Elmira would regain the lead in the fifth inning after Brian Erie drove in Corey Keller with an infield single making it a 4-3 ballgame. The Pioneers were unable though to hold on to a two run lead as Niagara would tie up the game in the seventh inning and end Andrew Wall’s night. The Bullpen was able to hold the game at 5-5 and eventually send things into extra innings.

After the Pioneers failed to score in the top of the tenth inning, Niagara looked to end the game in front of the home crowd after they started the inning off with two walks that were issued by John Colella. A wild pitch would allow runners to advance to second and third before Colella issued another walk loading the bases thus ending the game as a sacrifice fly to right field scored the game winning run.

Five Pioneer batters finished the night with two hits apiece and eight Pioneers in all finished the night with at least one hit. The 6-5 loss moves Elmira to 12-9 on the season and will head home to play Allegany County on July 7th at 7 P.M. with it being Bark in the Park night. Dogs with a license and rabies vaccine certification can play in the Dunn Field Dog Park!

For ticket information or team news visit the Pioneers on the web at www.elmirapioneers.com or call 607-734-2690.

This Summer Have Some Fun at Dunn!