Elmira shuts down Skunks in late innings
ELMIRA, N.Y. — Elmira scored five runs in the bottom of the fifth inning and held Jamestown scoreless over the final four innings en route to a 9-6 Perfect Game Collegiate Baseball League victory Saturday at Dunn Field.
The Pioneers improved to 8-9 in the West Division while the Tarp Skunks fell to 11-8-1 on the season.
Jamestown’s Ryan Rafalski (0-2) issued three straight walks to open the fifth inning before Jonny Wall drove in a run with a groundout to first. After an error plated another run, Elmira’s Cooper Smith hit a two-run single. Smith then stole second and third before scoring on another error by the Tarp Skunks.
Hunter Kendall, Kevin Serrano and Joe Olsavsky combined on a seven-hitter with six walks and 13 strikeouts on the mound for the Pioneers.
Eli Shedd threw 3 1/3 innings, allowing two runs on thre hits and two walks while striking out four before Rafalski threw 2 2/3 innings, allowing five runs (one earned) on two hits and five walks while striking out four. Eddie Galatas threw the final two innings for Jamestown, allowing two runs on four hits while striking out one.
Nate Johnson walked and scored on a Brandon Lane groundout in the first inning to give the Tarp Skunks a 1-0 lead.
Elmira took a 2-1 lead in the second before Jamestown answered with a two-run third inning. Johnson reached on an error and Yogie Hartigan singled before both scored on a one-out error.
The Tarp Skunks added on with three runs in the top of the fifth. Johnson was hit by a pitch and Hartigan singled before a one-out double steal. Brandon Lane then reached base and Johnson scored on an error by the Pioneers center fielder. Padraig O’Shaughnessy followed with an RBI single and Julian Thompson hit an RBI double.
But after Elmira’s five-run inning, Jamestown was shut out.
Hartigan finished 3 for 5 to raise his average to a team-best .373.
The Tarp Skunks return to action today at 6:30 p.m. against the Niagara Power at Diethrick Park.