July 24, 2010 - Elmira – Alfred desperately needed to get a win against the division leading Pioneers in order to stay in the playoff race, but the Pioneers put those hopes away early, scoring 7 runs against Thunder starter Trey Frazier, en route to an 10-2 victory.
After the first two outs in the top of the first inning, the clouds opened up and put the game on hold for nearly two hours. When play resumed, Bryan Lucas struck out, and the Pioneers came out in their half of the first swinging.
Elmira scored four in the first and then added three more before Frazier was pulled from the game. Ben Alison then came in to the game and did a phenomenal job in relief. He went 4 1/3 innings, giving up just one unearned run while striking out four and walking three.
Alfred put their first run on the board in the 7th inning when Taylor Kaprive smacked a bases loaded single into left field. Alfred was unable to push anymore across that inning, but ended up pushing another run across in the 8th. Yogi Vanaman led off with a double, and after consecutive groundouts, came in to score the second run, making it 8-2.
Greg Kilgore came in to relieve Alison in the 7th, and went on his way to pitch a scoreless inning. When he came back out in the 8th inning though, he ran into some trouble. After getting the first two batters out, Kilgore loaded the bases, and a two out double to right-center plated two more.
Alfred was unable to muster up a run in the 9th inning, and the game that was due to start at 7:00 PM finally ended 5 hours later.
Alfred’s record falls to 16-19, and the playoff hopes seem slim. There are still plenty of opportunities for the Thunder to jump back into the standings. With a game against the 4th place Dodgers Sunday, a double-header Monday with Geneva, and another double-header with Webster on Tuesday, Alfred has ample opportunity to control their own destinies.
Have questions or comments? Email SID Kyler Ludlow at kylerludlow@me.com
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