LIVE STATS

OSWEGO, N.Y. – Sitting in seventh place in the State University of New York Athletic Conference standings, the Oswego State softball team (7-13, 4-6 SUNYAC) has some work to do this weekend if the Lakers want to make the playoffs.

In the SUNYAC, the top six teams in the conference advance to the postseason. Last year, the Lakers nabbed the final spot with an 8-10 conference record, but were ousted from the playoffs in two games. The Lakers currently trail Buffalo State by two games for the sixth and final postseason spot in the standings, as the Bengals swept Oswego State earlier this month.

This weekend, the Lakers host a pair of doubleheaders against conference opponents. On Saturday, Oswego State welcomes in New Paltz, who currently sits second in the standings with an 8-4 conference record.

New Paltz was ranked seventh in the preseason coaches' poll, which ranked the Hawks right behind the Lakers. Coaches vote for every team in the conference, except their own and points were assigned for each vote (nine for first, eight for second, etc.).

However, the Hawks have exceeded expectations with their hot start.

New Paltz started the season with eight straight league wins before losing the last four to Geneseo and Brockport. The Hawks start their swing to the north with a doubleheader against Cortland (14-12, 7-3 SUNYAC), before they make their way to Oswego.

Though the Hawks are reeling from a six-game skid, senior captain Sarah Thayer (Winthrop, N.Y.) says New Paltz is a team the Lakers need to be really focused against.

“They're well coached, they got a new coach this year,” Thayer said. “You can see it in their record that they've improved quite a bit. I know their pitcher has had a very good season so far, so we need to get the hits and play our defense. Our defense is one of our strengths this year.”

After the Lakers do battle with New Paltz, Oneonta comes to town needing to make up some ground. The Red Dragons, who are currently 4-8 in conference play, will also be coming off a doubleheader with Cortland.

Junior captain Dee Apps (Camillus, N.Y.) says the bats need to be big for the Lakers in crunch time.

“[At] Potsdam, we didn't get the hits at the times we needed them,” Apps said. “Timely hitting is going to be key this weekend against Oneonta and for New Paltz.”

Last season, the Lakers split doubleheaders with both the Hawks and Red Dragons. Against New Paltz, both games were decided by one run. The Lakers defeated Oneonta 4-3 in the first game last season, but were unable to get on the board in the second game which they lost 9-0.

However, Apps cites team chemistry as a reason to have high hopes this weekend.

“We really work well as a unit and that helps us play solid on the field,” Apps said. “We're really encouraging everybody when they're up at bat. If we can put everything together, we should have a successful weekend.”

Before they host conference foes, the Lakers travel to Utica, N.Y., to play a doubleheader against SUNYIT today at 3:30 p.m.