ORONO – The Bangor Blue Ox continued their flair for the dramatic in home game season finales – pulling out a thrilling 1-0 victory in the first game of a doubleheader Friday Night.

Dave Ekelund’s cue shot line drive down the right field line with one out and the bases loaded in the bottom of the seventh inning kept Bangor mathematically alive in the second-half Northeast League standings.

The hit also rewarded starting pitcher Scott Chesmer with a victory for a seven-inning masterpiece.

Chesmer knew he’d have to be at his best against the Pioneers, whose pitching staff has dominated Blue Ox bats of late.

“I think (Elmira’s) the best pitching staff in the league,” said Chesmer. “Tonight before I pitched, I was like, `Oh great, this guy’s pitching. I’ve got to pretty much throw a shutout to win.’ ”

Chesmer (2-3) allowed five hits while walking two batters and striking out three by consistently working the outside corners with fastballs.

The “guy” that Chesmer dreaded facing was Pioneers lefty Frank Gonzales, who pitched six innings of four-hit ball, but got a no-decision.

The loser was Matthew Perry, who walked Chad White to start the seventh.

Gabe Duross then reached on a fielder’s choice when a muffed double-play throw from first hit White in the back and allowed him to go on to third.

Pinch-hitter Karl Bussey was intentionally walked, loading the bases, before Rogelio Nunez reached on a fielder’s choice on which Elmira second baseman Burt Hunter threw out White at home.

Ekelund followed, and with the count 2-2, fouled off a pitch before working the count full.

“I really wasn’t that nervous,” said Ekelund. “I think the pitcher was more nervous. He had trouble throwing on the intentional walk, so I was fairly calm.”

OX NOTES: Starting outfielder Chad White has been relegated to full-time designated hitter duties the last few games after aggravating a shoulder injury in his right arm. White slightly separated the shoulder earlier in the second half.

Friday’s scheduled doubleheader was delayed 105 minutes after umpires John Ramsey and Mel Chettum decided the infield basepaths were too soft after the two days of almost continual rainfall.

Several bags of a quick-dry compound were spread on the right side of the infield, where it was particularly soft. The extra field preparation caused the delay in the game’s start.

The Pioneers played the games under protest because they believed shortstop Manny Garcia was ineligible.

Elmira officials found 25 extra at-bats for Garcia, who Bangor signed after he was released by Elmira early in the second half. The extra at-bats made Garcia a veteran player under Northeast League rules and put Bangor one over the maximum number of veterans allowed per team (seven).

League executive director Michael McGuire ruled against Elmira Friday, saying the league certified Garcia as a non-veteran before the season began. Once a player is classified by the NEL, that classification remains the same the rest of the season.

Since it was the league’s mistake and not Bangor’s or Catskill’s, Garcia will be allowed to finish the season as a non-veteran.

Blue Ox 1, Pioneers 0

Elmira (19-17) Bangor (18-20)

Name ab r h bi Name ab r h bi

Hodge, rf 3 0 1 0 Ramsey, cf 3 0 1 0

Sawkiw, 2b-c 2 0 1 0 Hine, 2b 2 0 0 0

Gerteisen, cf 3 0 0 0 Morrow, rf 3 0 1 0

Sellers, c 3 0 1 0 Walker, lf 3 0 0 0

Craddow, pr 0 0 0 0 White, dh 2 0 0 0

Hunter, 2b 0 0 0 0 Duross, 1b 3 1 0 0

Bennett, dh 1 0 1 0 Garcia, ss 2 0 1 0

DeLaRosa, 3b 2 0 0 0 Bussey, ph 0 0 0 0

Landrum, lf 3 0 1 0 Nunez, c 3 0 0 0

Smith, 1b 2 0 0 0 Ekelund, 3b 3 0 2 1

Mangual, ss 1 0 0 0

Totals 20 0 5 0 Totals 24 1 5 1

Elmira 000 000 0 – 0

Bangor 000 000 1 – 1

E – Sawkiw, Smith 2B – Hodge LOB – Elmira 4, Bangor 7 DP – Gonzales to Smith; Duross to Garcia to Chesmer SB – Walker S – Bennett, De La Rosa, Sawkiw

PITCHER IP H R ER BB SO

Elmira

Gonzales 6 4 0 0 1 5

Perry (L, 2-3) 1/3 1 1 0 2 0

Bangor

Chesmer (W, 2-3) 7 5 0 0 2 3

WP – Gonzales TIME – 2:05