Pilots score 3 in 9th to win regular season finale, 7-6

The Newark Pilots (26-20) pulled off a late inning rally to walk off in the ninth inning to win 7-6 against the Elmira Pioneers (17-29) Wednesday night at Colburn Park.The Pilots clawed their way back in the bottom of the ninth to score three runs to give them their first lead of the game and the walk-off. With a man on second base, Austin Logan (UC Davis) singled through the right side to score Ben Bostick (St. John Fisher College). With two outs in the inning and the bases loaded, Joe Landi (Univ. of Rhode Island) singled up the middle to score Logan and Brent Langston (Delta State).In the top of the of second inning, Elmira jumped out in front by scoring two runs to take the early lead on Newark. With men in scoring position, Steven Clout (New Haven) singled up the middle driving in Ty Yesensky (Old Dominion) for the RBI. With the next batter up, Aaron Nardone (Delaware State) scored on a wild pitch.In the top of the fourth, Elmira added to their lead over Newark to give them a 4-0 lead. With a hit-and-run situation, Corey Hamula (Sullivan County CC) was able to drive a double into right-center allowing Landon Prentiss (Virginia Commonworth) to score. While standing on third, Hamula scored after the shortstop threw inaccurate pass to the first baseman resulting in an error.Newark added a pair of runs in the bottom of the sixth, as Josh Perez (Mississippi College) scored on a RBI groundout out by Tyler McDonald (Millersville Univ.). Standing on third, Landi was able to score on a wild pitch, to make the score 5-4 Elmira.Elmira added a run in the top of the seventh inning. Prentiss was able to provide the team with a RBI single, scoring Nardone for the 6-4 lead.Kieran Murphy (St. John Fisher College) earned his first win as he pitched in his first appearance of the season. The righty worked one hitless inning of relief while striking out two. James Yacabonis (St. Joseph’s PA) blew the save and earned the loss for Elmira. The reliever gave up three runs, one earned, on four hits. He struck out two.With a Glens Falls victory, the Pilots would secure the number three seed. Newark will travel to Glens Falls and take on the Golden Eagles at East Field Stadium on Friday. Game two will be at Colburn Park, with a Game three back at Glens Falls if necessary.