A solo home run by Oswego State catcher Dan Maloney was not enough to lift the visiting Lakers to victory, as Cortland scored twice in the sixth inning en route to a 4-1 win at Wallace Field on Wednesday. The loss dropped Oswego State to 10-7 on the season and 0-4 in the SUNYAC standings, while No. 20 Cortland moved to 12-5 following the win with a 4-0 league record.

 

Cortland pitcher Michael Mahay had a solid outing. Pitching eight innings for his fourth win of the season, Mahay struck out six and allowed only four hits. Cortland closer Scott Hartling earned credit for the save and Laker pitcher Brady Farkas took his first loss of the season, pitching for six while striking out three and scattering nine hits.

 

Despite Cortland tallying three hits in the bottom of the first inning, it was Maloney's homer that led off the scoring as the Lakers took an early 1-0 lead in the top of the second.

 

Oswego State committed three errors on Wednesday, but only one would result in a score as Cortland catcher Justin Fredenburg reached on a fielding error that scored Red Dragon designated hitter Tim Panetta, pushing Cortland into a 1-1 tie entering the fifth inning.

 

A ground out by Chris Jackson moved Fredenburg to second and scored Adam Smith to push Cortland into the lead. A RBI single by Bryan Mistretta gave the Red Dragons a 3-1 lead entering the seventh inning.

 

Zack Graczyk helped Cortland tack on its final insurance run in the bottom of the seventh after a double to right field by pinch hitter Billy Ribiero.

 

Oswego State's attempts at a comeback were thwarted in the eighth and ninth innings by double plays and Hartling's sole strikeout of the save came for the final out.

The Lakers will look to get back in the win column on the road Saturday in a 12 p.m. doubleheader at Brockport.