Johnson and Cronk Decimate Alfred State Offense, Express Secure Big Split vs Pioneers

AURORA, NY - Wells welcomed the pre-season AMCC #1 team on Tuesday in an exceedingly important matchup that could have very well decided the fate of the squad as they enter the final stretch of the 2024 season. Against an Alfred State side that was just ahead of them in the standings, the Express needed to make it happen and secure at least 1 win to stay in the race for the AMCC tournament. Zander Johnson and Zack Cronk had what was potentially the 2 greatest outings of any Express hurlers this season, shutting down the powerful Pioneer bats and securing a split, winning game 1 by a score of 5-2 and falling in game 2 by a score of 2-4 despite threatening throughout the entire duration of the latter matchup.

In game 1 it was Zander Johnson who was tasked with getting the day off to a great start against Alfred State. Despite a rocky first inning which included 2 walks and a run-scoring single from the Pioneers, Johnson began to settle in as he sat down three Alfred State batters with his amazing arsenal of strikeout tactics.

From then on, Johnson would cruise.

Over the next 4.2 innings, Johnson would only allow 1 more Pioneer runner to reach home, only allowing 3 more hits and also securing 3 more k's in a 5.2 inning stunner. The spectacular sophomore had it going all game, finishing with a final line of 2 earned runs on 4 hits with 3 k's in 5.2 innings, exactly what the Express needed to claim the momentum early in the 2-game set. 

Outstanding Express closer Cameron Hayman would pick right up where Johnson left off, controlling the mound for the final 4 outs of the first matchup. Hayman was equally as electric, only allowing a single hit and also notching 1 strikeout while slamming the door shut for a flustered Alfred State squad who was delivered a 5-2 loss in round 1 of 2 on the day.

In game 2, the Pioneers would steal some momentum back, having a 4-run second inning to give them a 4-0 advantage early. 

That momentum was completely halted though, as junior pitcher Zack Cronk made his way to the mound in the 3rd inning. 

Cronk, who has been used mainly in relief this season and usually only for brief surges, was on an entirely different level during this outing. The crafty veteran absolutely torched the Pioneers, going the final 7 innings of the game while allowing only 2 hits and completely shutting out the Alfred State offense, allowing 0 runs to score for the rest of game 2. Cronk's pitching prowess was unmatched, as he sat down batter-after-batter, even notching 14 straight put-outs at one point late in the game. Those 4.2 innings of consecutive outs allowed the Express an opportunity to crawl back into the proceedings, a feat which would eventually fizzle out and cause the Express to fall just short in a 4-2 defeat. 

Despite the defeat in game 2, the effort from Cronk will be a point of emphasis for the Express moving forward. Should the stellar outings from Johnson and Cronk prove to be contagious, then the Express will cause un-fathomable headaches for the rest of the AMCC during the latter stages of the AMCC season.

Wells now sits at 3-5 in the AMCC, slotting them 1 spot out of playoff position. An all-important doubleheader against La Roche on Saturday may prove to be the most impactful series of the year for the Express. 

GO EXPRESS!!

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