RAILRIDERS WIN HOME OPENER

Cessa Pitches RailRiders To Victory in Home Opener

Right-Hander Fires Seven Scoreless Frames

Moosic, Pa. – The SWB RailRiders (Triple-A/ New York Yankees) notched their first victory of 2017 in front of a crowd of 11,515 at PNC Field, the second-largest home opener in franchise history. The RailRiders blanked the Lehigh Valley IronPigs 2-0, the fifth home-opening shutout in franchise history. The RailRiders improved to 1-3 while the IronPigs slipped to 2-3.

Luis Cessa (1-0) flummoxed the IronPigs for seven scoreless. He allowed six hits and struck out six while allowing two walks. Mark Appel (0-1) fired 4.2 innings for Lehigh Valley, surrendering two runs on four hits. He walked three and struck out two.

The RailRiders’ bullpen polished off the shutout by holding the IronPigs without a base runner for the final two frames. Ben Heller struck out a pair in a scoreless inning and Ernesto Frieri took home the save in his SWB debut.

The game was scoreless until the fifth. Donovan Solano began the pivotal rally with a leadoff walk and advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt by Mason Williams. Ruben Tejada followed with a thunderous double off the center field wall, scoring Solano. Ji-Man Choi then pounced on Appel with a single to left-center that brought around Tejada for the final tally of the evening.

The RailRiders continue their opening homestand on Tuesday, April 11, against the Lehigh Valley IronPigs (Philadelphia Phillies) at 6:35 p.m. Right-hander Chad Green will make his season debut on the mound for SWB. The first 5,00 fans through the gates will receive a 2017 magnet schedule, presented by Highmark. Every Tuesday home game at PNC Field is Two-Dollar Tuesdays with $2 concession items and $2 lawn tickets. For tickets and more information, please call 570-979-BALL (2255) or visit swbrailriders.com.