ELMIRA, N.Y. -- Late-inning magic under the lights at historic Dunn Field nearly sparked an improbable comeback for Elmira College baseball in Tuesday's 10-9 non-conference loss to Alfred State.

The Soaring Eagles (2-9) surrendered eight runs in the first three innings and trailed 10-2 entering the bottom of the eighth. Down but not out, Elmira rallied to score six runs in the eighth and one in the ninth, but stranded the game-tying and go-ahead runs on base in what resulted in a thrilling finish.

Alfred State (4-8) suffered the same fate in the eighth as EC did in the third, as relief pitcher Lewis Pettit fell into a hole that was only dug deeper by numerous defensive miscues. With no outs and the bases loaded, Angus Adams '22 hit a chopper to third, but James Carman's throw for the force at home was errant and allowed two runs to score. In the following at-bat, Colin McLaughlin '22 singled in a run to make it 10-5 in favor of the Pioneers.

With Jarod Signorelli '23 at the plate, McLaughlin stole second, and the throw by catcher Amaury Samalot sailed into center. That error allowed McLaughlin to move up to third and Adams to score. McLaughlin then raced home on a wild pitch, cutting the deficit to 10-7. Signorelli and Shane Hake '21 helped re-load the bases with a pair of bunt singles, sandwiched around a hit-by-pitch that struck Jared Money '22. It was finally enough to chase Pettit from the mound, but pitcher Connor Hong gave up an RBI single to the first batter he faced, James Delaney '22.

The Soaring Eagles got a little too aggressive when Mason Ryan '22 lifted a shallow fly to right field, as Money was gunned down at home for a costly double play. Hong then caught Joe Morrone '22 looking at strike three to preserve a 10-8 advantage.

With two outs in the bottom of the ninth, Elmira put closer Christopher Mattoon in a pressure cooker. Luke Frontale '22 laced a grounder just past a diving shortstop to move Myles Littlejohn '24 to third. Littlejohn then scored when Money found the hole on the right side of the infield for another base hit. With Frontale on second representing the tying run and Money at first, Mattoon finally put an end to the comeback bid with an outside fastball that froze Hake to conclude a nail-biting seven-pitch at-bat.

News and Notes

• Elmira posted single-game season-highs with nine runs and 10 hits on Tuesday.
• The Soaring Eagles also committed a season-high six errors.
• Delaney (2-for-4) was the only EC batter with multiple hits against Alfred State.
• Delaney extended his on-base streak to a team-best seven consecutive games.
• Money has reached base safely in six straight outings.
• Ryan finished 1-for-3 with two walks and two runs scored.
• Jourdan Plaisted '21 was 1-for-2 with three walks and one run.
• Jack Finnerty '23 recorded his second scoreless relief appearance of the season with 2.0 innings and three strikeouts against the Pioneers.

Up Next
The 2021 Empire 8 Conference schedule begins on Friday, April 2, with a home doubleheader against Utica College. The opening tilt starts at 1:00 p.m. at Dunn Field.