PLATTSBURGH, NY – The Lakers headed up to Plattsburgh to take on the Cardinals in a SUNYAC rivalry matchup. The Lakers came into the matchup with an overall record of 15-11 and a conference record of 5-4. On the other side, the Cardinals came in sitting at 19-10 overall with a 7-5 conference record.
 
THE BASICS  
Final Score:
Oswego 4, Plattsburgh  9
Oswego 7 (16-12, 6-5 SUNYAC), Plattsburgh 5 (20-11,8-6 SUNYAC)
Location: Chip Cummings Field | Plattsburgh, New York  

HOW IT HAPPENED
Game 1:
 
The Lakers jumped out to an early lead after a double off the bat of Owen Parliament and a Tishawn Featherstone single gave the Lakers a 2-0 lead
 
Plattsburgh fought back in the bottom of the first inning as a double from Kyle Cremin cut the Cardinals deficit to 2-1. A double off the bat of Aidan Diltz tied the score at 2-2. But the Plattsburgh offense did not stop there, a Jack Defayette fielder's choice gave the Cardinals a 3-2 lead, their first lead of the game. Andrew Veit pushed another run across with an RBI single to left field extending the Cardinals lead to 4-2. The very next batter, Adam Wein blew the game open plating two runs on an RBI triple to left center field, giving the Cardinals a 6-2 lead.
 
After holding the Lakers scoreless in the top of the second inning, the Cardinals added to their lead in the bottom half. After walks to Alex Kornblau and Kyle Cremin, a Conner Gonzalski hit-by-pitch loaded the bases for Aidan Diltz. He forced in a run, drawing the third walk of the second inning for the Cardinals, extending their lead to 7-2.
The Lakers looked to battle back after falling into a steep deficit. With one out, Jelani Hamer doubled down the left-field line and an intentional walk was issued to Owen Parliament, setting up Tishawn Featherstone to bring the Lakers back into the game. He pushed one run across on a fielder's choice, getting Parliament out at second base but forcing a throwing error in the infield to allow Hamer to score from second base, putting the Lakers down 7-3.
 
The offenses for both teams stayed quiet until the eighth inning, when the Lakers cut into their four-run deficit once more. Jelani Hamer got the top of the eighth inning started with a leadoff walk. He was moved over to third on a Tishawn Featherstone ground out, and scored on a two-out double off the bat of Blake VanDreason, pulling the Lakers within three with a score of 7-4 Cardinals.
 
However, the Cardinals had a response in the bottom of the eighth inning sealing the game. An Adam Wein walk got the inning started for Plattsburgh and Mike Rasquin scored on a fielding error, putting two runners on with no outs in the inning. An Alex Kornblau bunt single turned into two runs for the Cardinals after another fielding error burned the Lakers, giving Plattsburgh a 9-4 lead.
 
Nick Cody got the start on the bump for the Lakers and struggled to get outs. He finished his start tossing 1.0 inning, allowing seven runs on four hits and three walks while striking out two. He was replaced by Matthew Drillings in the bottom of the second inning. Drillings settled in nicely going 6.0 innings, allowing two unearned runs on five hits and two walks while striking out four. Grant Biederman tossed 1.0 scoreless inning in relief, allowing one hit and striking out one batter.
 
After the end of game one, the Lakers geared up for the second game of the doubleheader against the Cardinals. The game is scheduled to start at 3:00 p.m.

 
Game 2:

  The game began with the Lakers charging out of the gates, putting pressure on the Cardinals with a commanding five-run lead in the top of the first inning. Led by starting pitcher Jai Sharma's performance on the mound, the Lakers silenced the Cardinals' bats, striking out two of three batters to start the game. Oswego's offense wasted no time, with hits from J. Hamer (homer run), and D. Winchester driving in runs. 

The Lakers scored again in the fifth when a squeeze bunt from Brian Brezosky scored Blake VanDreason from third increasing the Laker lead to 6-0. 
         
The Cardinals tried to claw their way back into this one, scoring one run in the bottom of the fifth and three in the bottom of the seventh. Sharma was relieved by Larry Citrola and Richie Paul who held the Cardinals at bay for the final four innings.

In the eighth, Oswego tallied an insurance run when Blake VanDreason walked with the bases loaded, scoring Jelani Hamer.
           
Despite a late home run, the Lakers were able to capture the win in game two and split the important double header against Plattsburgh.

WHAT'S NEXT

The Lakers will take on the Plattsburgh Cardinals tomorrow at 12:00 PM for the final game of the three-game series.
 
Written by Amani De La Cruz and Ben Diamond

Photo Credit: Sophie Solarino