VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. -- The Oswego State Lakers baseball team split a doubleheader with the Rowan University Owls on Sunday afternoon on Marlins Field at Virginia Wesleyan College.
 
Game One: Rowan 3, Oswego 2:
 
Oswego looked to continue its offense from Saturday's games in the first inning as Dan Saccocio reached on an error by second baseman Shawn Leydon. Saccocio advanced to second and then third on groundouts from Brian Hamilton and Eric Hamilton, but was unable to score in the inning.
 
Rowan provided a threat of their own in the second inning, loading the bases; but the Owls were unable to bring anyone home in the inning.
 
After early threats on both sides, Oswego's Tim Cronin and Rowan's Ryan Sharkey settled down and allowed three hits combined over the middle four innings. Neither pitcher would factor into the decision.
 
Cronin pitched eight innings allowing five hits and two runs (zero earned) with two strikeouts.
 
In the bottom of the seventh, the Owls got help from a hit by pitch and an Oswego error. Steven Todd and Eric Oliver both recorded singles to drive in two runs for Rowan.
 
The Lakers immediately answered Rowan with two runs of their own in the top of the eighth inning. E. Hamilton ripped a single up the middle with the bases loaded scoring Kyle Simmons and John Rauseo.
 
Saccocio, Myles Kutscher, Eli Holton, Rauseo and E. Hamilton all recorded hits on the afternoon.
 
In the bottom of the ninth, Charles Arcuri entered the game to pitch. After recording two quick outs, Rowan was able to manufacture a baserunner; Oliver singled down the right-field line. Pinch-hitter Monny Strickland followed up the single with a double down the left-field line over the heads of the outfielders to bring in Oliver for the game-winner.
 
Brad Machinski (1-0) was the pitcher of record in the ninth and therefore was credited with the win. Arcuri (0-1) was tagged with the loss, allowing one run in one inning.
 
Game Two: Oswego 9, Rowan 8:
 
Kyle Simmons scored on a wild pitch, after tripling to deep left-center with two outs, scoring the winning run in Oswego's 9-8 victory in the second battle.
 
Rowan scored six runs in the seventh inning to give the Owls the lead after they trailed 7-1 at one point. In the following inning, the Lakers immediately fought back to tie the game at eight when B. Hamilton scored on a Kutscher groundout.
 
The Laker bats came alive early in the contest. Oswego scored seven runs over the first four innings.
 
In the second inning, B. Hamilton singled up the middle to collect an RBI; Simmons scored on the play. In the next at-bat, E. Hamilton singled to drive in Saccocio.
 
B. Hamilton finished 3-4 with three hits, three runs and an RBI. Saccocio was 1-4 with 2 runs and E. Hamilton went 3-5 with an RBI. Simmons also had two hits and two runs.
 
Kutscher made his mark on the game early, as well, when he whipped a single up the middle to drive in B. Hamilton and Saccocio. The sophomore scored later in the inning on a Rauseo sacrifice fly.
 
Kyle Liner had a huge day for the Lakers, going went 5-for-5 with an RBI. Other notable performances came from Jordan Giller (3-for-4, run scored, RBI) and Matt Capobianco (1-for-1 and BB).
 
Just like the first game, neither starter factored into the decision. Rob Donnelly threw six innings and allowed two earned runs, striking out three.
 
Micky Putillo pitched strong in 2.1 innings of relief. He allowed one run on three hits and struck out three.
 
The Lakers will head to Florida on Thursday to compete in the Russmatt Central Florida Invitational.