Errors got the best of the RailRiders Monday as they out hit the Pioneers and still lost 4-2. The 4 errors lead to 2 unearned runs in this game, which proved to be the difference.
Victor took the lead early in this one, scoring in the bottom of the second. Evan Fernandez (Jacksonville University) reached base via a hit by pitch, stole second, and advanced to third on a wild pitch. One batter later, Drew Kissel (St. Catherines College) singled him in to give the Riders a 1-0 lead.
Elmira would tie the game in the 4th with a little help from some sloppy Victor defense. Christian Santisteban (Manhattan College) walked, Hayden Kelly (Florida State University) was hit by a pitch, and a groundball that got under the shortstop scored Santisteban to make the score 1-1.
The Pioneers would then take the lead in the 5th, again with the help of poor Victor defense. Taylor Hillson (Mansfield University) started off the inning with a single to into centerfield. Will LaRue (Xavier University) then laid down a perfect sacrifice bunt, which he beat out for a base hit. On the play however, no one covered third base and Hillson was allowed to move to third. As he did, the first baseman threw to the unoccupied third base, attempting to throw out Hillson, but instead permitted him to score as LaRue moved to second when the ball went into foul ground beyond 3rd base.
Later in the inning, LaRue advanced to third on a ground ball off the pitcher and then scored on a Hayden Kelly Sac Fly, making the score 3-1.
Elmira would score their 4th run of the game in the very next inning when 3 straight walks and a hit by pitch, all with 2 outs, brought in another run to bring the score to 4-1 in favor of the Pioneers.
Victor put together a small rally in the bottom of the 9th, but would eventually be shut down after scoring 1 run and leaving the tying run on base.
Will LaRue finished 2-4 for the Pioneers with 2 runs scored.
Drew Kissel had a nice day at the dish for Victor, going 3-3 with a run scored and an RBI.
Luke Tomczyk (Monroe CC) took the loss for Victor after going 4+ innings, giving up 3 hits, 4 runs (2 earned), and striking out 5. He falls to 1-2 on the season but maintains an impressive 0.81 ERA.
Mark Giallanzo (Herkimer College) and Jesse Bogacz (Kenyon College) combined to throw the last 3.1 innings of the game, giving up just 1 hit and striking out 3.
Starting pitcher Tristian Widra (Samford University) improves to 2-0 on the season after pitching 6 strong innings, giving up just 1 run on 4 hits while Ryan Bellomo (Siena College) earned his 5th save of the season.