CORTLAND, NY – The Oswego Lakers baseball team hit the road to take on the Cortland Red Dragons for their third meeting of the season. During the previous two meetings Cortland has gotten the better of the Lakers. Today was a different result with the Lakers winning 7-6 on a walk-off.
THE BASICS
Final Score
Oswego 7 (15-11, 5-4 SUNYAC), Cortland 6 (21-9-1, 11–1 SUNYAC)
Location: Robert H. Wallace Field | Cortland, New York
HOW IT HAPPENED
Jonah Shearer took the mound today for his Seventh appearance of the season and immediately was able to grab momentum for the Lakers early. Getting out of an early jam in the top of the first inning with two runners aboard and threatening. This game, although being played in Cortland, was considered an Oswego home game due to weather and cancellations.
It was VanDreasen who was able to grab the early lead for Oswego in the bottom of the second with a chopper that forced a fielder's choice and an RBI that pushed McCarthy across the plate.
Jonah Shearer Maintained the pressure and was able to shut Cortland down in the second and third before Oswego would add some insurance runs. Behind the bats of Levine and VanDreasen, the Lakers were able to capitalize on some early inning hits from Mclaughlin and Hamer and push across another five runs to make the score sit at a comfortable 6-0 Lakers.
The Red Dragons again provided a scare by putting three runners aboard in the top of the fourth but Shearer was able to battle back and get a ground ball to end the inning.
Oswego's bats stayed hot in the fourth with Winchester hitting a single followed by a Hamer double to left. But they were unable to capitalize on a bases loaded situation. In the bottom of the Inning Oswego's defense again faced pressure, already having given up one run making it 6-1 Oswego. Shearer had a first and third, with one out, and was able to get two strikeouts to alleviate the pressure.s
In the top of the seventh Shearer faced some awoken bats out of the Red Dragons side, they were able to rally behind two singles through the right side of the infield to score two more runs (6-3 Oswego) before Oswego had a pitching change where they brought in Alex Conrad for relief. Cortland was able to push across two more runs (6-5 Cortland) before Conrad was able to get the final two outs.
Cortland's bats continued to stay hot in the top of the eighth where they were able to put together three hits and push across another run to equalize the score at 6 runs a piece. Larry Citrola entered the game for Conrad in relief.
Oswego would go on to commit a seemingly costly error in the top of the inning that put a runner on base and into scoring position. Citrola was able to answer the bell and put an end to the inning.
The bottom of the ninth the Lakers looked roaring to take the lead back starting off the inning with two runners on another hit by Hamer. A bunt attempt by Levine forced an error by the Red Dragons to load the bases. With One out McGowan hit a fly ball to left field where Winchester was able to tag up and make it home just in time to beat the throw for the 7-6 walk off win.
WHAT'S NEXT
The Lakers will keep it on the road as they take on conference rival SUNY Plattsburgh starting with a single game this Tuesday at 3:00 PM.
Written by Daniel O'Neill
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