Elmira, NY- Fireworks weren’t the only thing firing from Dunn Field on Thursday night as the Pioneers picked up their fourth straight victory against Newark 8-2 in front of 3,882 energetic fans. John Melville (New Haven) got the nod for Elmira searching for his first win of 2012 in his fifth start at Historic Dunn Field.

Elmira would break a scoreless tie in the bottom of the second inning as a Newark fielding error would allow Ty Yesensky (Old Dominion) to reach second base. Two batters later Zac Bellinger (VCU) drove a ball down the left field line scoring Yesensky to make it 1-0. Melville would keep Elmira in front working out of several jams through the opening four frames.

The Pioneers would widen their lead in the as they would score three times making it 5-0. Aaron Nardone would pick up his first hit of the night as he legged out an infield single that platted Steven Patterson (San Joaquin Delta). Bellinger would continue to swing a hot bat as he would drive in two more runners on his second double of the night.

Adding three more runs in the seventh the Pioneers would provide all the offense that their pitching staff would need on the night. Elmira scored seven of their eight runs between the fifth and seventh innings. Newark would break up the shut-out for Melville in the eighth inning as Austin Logan (UC Davis) drove in Brent Langston (Delta State) to make it 8-1.

Lee Gilliam (UNC Greensboro) would close things out for Elmira in the ninth helping the Pioneers pick up their 10th win of 2012 and making the post game fireworks display that much more enjoyable on the opening night of USA Weekend at Dunn Field.

The festivities will continue Friday and Saturday as the Pioneers will welcome in the Oneonta Outlaws and the Amsterdam Mohawks. Fans can still enjoy fireworks with the family after the upcoming two games as the Pioneers will be conducting a silent auction of the jerseys until the end of Saturday’s game. The Live auction portion will begin following the conclusion of Saturday night’s game and jerseys will go to the highest bidder. To be a part of USA Weekend at Historic Dunn Field call 607-734-2690 Today!