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| July 27, 1999 |
Contact: Geoff Rose or |
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Ric Sisler 607-734-1270 |
PIONEERS, GROPPUSO CONTINUE TO ROLL, WIN 6-3 TO TAKE FIRST
Third baseman Mike Groppuso continued his hot streak, hitting his tenth home run of the season and third
in his last four games, to lead the Pioneers to their fourth win in five games, 6-3 over the visiting Albany-Colonie
Diamond Dogs. The Pioneers win coupled with a 7-0 loss by New Jersey to Massachusetts gave Elmira sole possession
of first
Groppuso (two-for-four) put the Pioneers (28-25 overall, 7-4 second half) on the board early, hitting a
two-run home run, driving in David Tidwell (one-for-four) in the first to give Elmira a 2-1 lead. The two-run
shot gave Groppuso eleven RBIs in his last four games, and 49 for the season.
The Pioneers continued to build on their lead with runs in the second and fourth. Brian Downs (two-for-three)
singled in Nelson Abreu for the 3-1 lead, and Kiko Reyes drove in Gus Kennedy in the fourth
for a three run lead.
The Diamond Dogs (25-29 overall, 4-7 second half) cut the Pioneers lead in half when Vic Davilia hit a lead-off
home run, his third of the season. The Pioneers answered Davilia's home run with one of their own in the fifth
when Dan Kopriva hit his first home run as a Pioneer and his sixth of the season. The Pioneers finished
their scoring for the night in the seventh when Ossie Garcia drove in Tidwell with a single to right.
Albany would once again cut Elmira's lead in half at 6-3 with a run in the eighth, but were unable to get any closer.
Tidwell regained the league lead in stolen bases, stealing two bags in the seventh inning. He now has 26 stolen
bases on 28 attempts this season.
Starter Ivan Arteaga (7-4) pitched eight innings, allowing three runs on eight hits while fanning five.
Rod Steph came in to close the game in the ninth to pick up his 14th save of the season. Fermin Cruz
dropped to 1-6, allowing all six Pioneers' runs on ten hits in six innings.
There were 1,021 fans in attendance out of a paid crowd of 1,198. The Pioneers total for the 1999 season has now
reached 33,721 in 23 openings.
The Pioneers close out their six game homestand tomorrow when Jamie Nichols (4-4, 3.81 ERA) takes the mound
against Jose DeJesus (0-1, 8.50 ERA). Fans are encouraged to come out for Wacky Wednesday as the Pioneers
will be holding a Diamond Dig at the conclusion of the game. Gates open at 6:05 p.m. for the 7:05 p.m. contest.
Advance tickets are available for this and all remaining games in the Pioneers' Administrative Offices.
