Score: Alfred State 5 – Elmira College 4
Records: Alfred State (7-18), Elmira (8-16)
Location: Dunn Field – Elmira, NY
 
Elmira, NY -- The Elmira College baseball team has been on the wrong end on several recent heart-breaking endings. Unfortunately, that trend continued to rear its head on Tuesday evening, as a late EC rally was cut down at the plate in 5-4 loss to non-conference foe Alfred State at Dunn Field.
 
Trailing by two runs heading into the ninth inning, Elmira showcased its trademark resiliency to launch one final comeback effort. After Bryce Plante '18 grounded out to second to begin the final frame, Hayden Rothenberg '17 got the rally started by beating out an infield single deep into the hole at short. The EC outfielder swiped second, as Dennis Rudolph '18 went down swinging, putting one runner in scoring position with two outs.
 
Dylan Bellinger '17 traded places with Rothenberg during the following at-bat. EC's power-hitter drove a deep blast that clanged off the fence in dead-center for an RBI-double. Conor Bawiec '18 wasted little time in his effort to tie up the game. He laced the first pitch from Alfred State reliever Kyle Kuzma right back through the box into centerfield. Off with the contact, Bellinger chugged around third and sprinted for the plate. Alfred State centerfielder Austin Baker quickly reached the Bawiec hit and fired a strike to the plate. The throw was perfect, nabbing Bellinger just in time to stymie the comeback just inches short.
 
The top of the ninth proved to be the difference in the game, as the Pioneers added on what would go down as the winning run. With one out in the inning, Rafael Perozo launched a 1-1 fastball from Elmira reliever Nick Zorge '19 over the fence in right to extend the Alfred State lead to 5-3.
 
The visitors lead was as large as 4-1 midway through the contest; however, Elmira again strung together some strong at-bats with two outs to begin cutting into the deficit. Rothenberg and Rudolph smashed consecutive doubles down the leftfield line to make it 4-3. Bellinger walked to put the go-ahead run at first base, but the inning would end on a bang-bang play on a near infield single by Bawiec.
 
EC took the early lead in the contest, plating the first run of the game in the second inning. Nate Hanner '18 started the frame with a single through the left side. Nick Sampogna '18 sacrificed him to second, while Will Jenkins '18 brought him around two batters later with a lined single into right center.
 
Blake Phelps '19 made the spot-start for Elmira and fired his strongest outing of the season. He turned in a quality start with six innings of two-run ball, allowing five hits and three walks, while striking out five. Unfortunately, he was the hard-luck loser on this night, as the Pioneers were able to pull ahead with a run in the fourth inning. With one-out and a runner on third base, Joe Cardona executed a perfect suicide squeeze to give the Pioneers their first lead at 2-1.
 
The visitors held the lead for the duration of the contest, setting the stage for the late excitement of the final inning.
 
Turning Point
The play of this game was undoubtedly the final sequence. With two-outs, Conor Bawiec '18 lined a hard hit single right up the middle. Dylan Bellinger '17 made a break from second and chugged around third in an effort to tie the game, but a perfect throw from Alfred State centerfielder Austin Baker cut down Bellinger at the plate for the final out of the contest.
 
Inside the Box Score

• Elmira outhit Alfred State 11-to-9 in the contest.
• Alfred State committed one error, while Elmira turned in an error-free performance.
• Elmira had 8-of-9 starters record at least one hit.
• Rothenberg continued his recent offensive surge, going 3-for-5 with a double, two runs scored, one RBI, and a stolen base.
• Jenkins also had a strong game, finishing 2-for-3 with an RBI and a stolen base.
• Rudolph went 1-for-5 with a double and an RBI.
• Bellinger finished 1-for-3 with an RBI-double and Elmira's lone walk.
• Hanner went 1-for-4 with a run scored.
• Bawiec, Sampogna and Thistle each collected one hit.
• Josh Haines '18 came on as a pinch-runner in the seventh inning and scored a run.
• Phelps notched a quality start for the Soaring Eagles, going 6.0 innings and allowing only two runs.
• Joe Marigliano '17 had a tough outing in relief, allowing two hits and walking three, giving up two runs.
• Zorge allowed one in two innings of work.

 
News and Notes

• Elmira has now dropped three contests in a row.
• EC is now 0-3 all-time against Alfred State. All three contests have been decided by two runs or less.
• Rothenberg continued his torrid stretch, going 3-for-5. He now has six hits in his last 10 at-bats, scoring four runs and driving in three RBIs over his last two contests. He has hit safely in seven of his last eight contests.
• Bawiec extended his hitting streak to 11 games and his on-base streak to 35 consecutive contests with his ninth-inning single.
• The six inning start was the longest outing of Phelps' young EC career.

 
Up Next
Elmira returns to action tomorrow evening when it concludes its season-long homestand against Ithaca College. First pitch for the Empire 8 Conference tilt is slated for 6:00 p.m.