Pioneers Reel in First Victory in Florida

The Alfred State baseball team scored 10 runs in their final three at bats as they defeated Lakeland University (WI) 10-2 in their first contest in Ft. Myers, FL on Monday. 

Kaleb Smothers (Geneva) and Nathan Hemmerling matched zeros over the first five innings of the contest. Smothers put another zero up in the top of the 6th before the Pioneers got the offense going. Connor Pingitore (Amsterdam/Broadalbin-Perth) had a RBI double, Brody Burdett (Scottsdale, AZ) connected on a two run double two batters later, Tim Holler (Brewster) singled home a run, and Mike Gibson (Schenectady) capped the inning with a RBI single to left.

In the 7th, the blue & gold added to their lead when Pingitore scored on a passed ball and Holler followed with a two-run single to right. Josh Laurie (LeRoy) made it 10-0 in the 8th when he lifted a triple to deep right center. The Muskies put a pair of unearned runs on the board in the 9th when the collected two hits but Smothers capped his complete game effort by stranding the bases loaded.

Laurie collected four of the Pioneers 10 hits on the day finishing 4 for 5 with 2 RBI. Holler also had multiple hits finishing 2 for 4 with 3 RBI.

Smothers allowed no earned runs on just four hits while walking two and striking out four to earn his first collegiate victory.

The Pioneers are back on the diamond tomorrow at Noon when they take on Lakeland in a rematch.