Fort Myers, FL- The Alfred State baseball team picks up hard fought win against Illinois Wesleyan, 5-4. The Pioneers advance to 9-5 on the season.
Zachary Nelson tallied his first win as he pitched 8.1 innings only allowing four runs on six hits and five strikeouts. Michael Gangloff came away with a save after coming in relief and coming away with two strikeouts.
The Titans got on the board first scoring a run in their first at-bat. The Pioneers answered with four runs in the bottom of the first to take the lead. Connor Kiefer led off with a single up the middle, and Elijah Barinas followed with a walk. Zach Young would lay down a bunt but would reach on an error and advance to second. On that same play both Kiefer and Barinas came home to score to make it a 2-1 game. Jordan Hughes followed with a single to put runners on the corners. Tyler Korsky would then come to the plate and put in an RBI single through the left side for the 3-1 lead. Hughes advanced to third on a wild pitch before stealing home for the 4-1 lead.
After a few scoreless innings, the Pioneers would add another run in the bottom of the fifth. Devin Mersmann ledoff with a bunt single. Parker Drees followed with a sacrifice bunt to put Mersmann on second. Two batters later, Barinas put in an RBI single to right center to make it a 5-1 game
In the ninth, the Pios were able to hold off the Titans late rally to get the 5-4 win. The Pioneers will end the trip tomorrow as they will take on Skidmore in a double header starting at 9 am.
