OSWEGO, NY - The Lakers hosted the Buffalo State Bengals this afternoon in Oswego, NY. The Bengals came into this double header with a perfect 6-0 conference record. In game two, the Lakers handed them their first SUNYAC loss of the season! 
 
GAME 1:
THE BASICS
Oswego 4 (8-14, 1-5 SUNYAC)
Buffalo State 9 (13-11, 7-1 SUNYAC)

GAME 2:
Oswego 8 (8-14, 01-5 SUNYAC)
Buffalo State 4 (13-11, 7-1 SUNYAC)
Laker Softball Field | Oswego, NY 
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
Game 1
The Bengals struck first in the top of the opening frame, as M. Hurley launched a two-run homer to left field, putting Oswego in an early 2–0 hole. But the Lakers responded chipping away at the lead in the second and third innings.

Freshman third baseman Gianna DeGonza sparked the Lakers in the second with a single and later scored on a deep double by Tahlia Gerardi to cut the deficit to 2–1. In the third, Oswego capitalized on aggressive baserunning: Kira Wright singled, stole second, and scored on a wild pitch to even the game at 2–2.

Unfortunately, the momentum swung sharply in the fourth. Buffalo State strung together six hits and capitalized on two Oswego errors to post a six-run inning, jumping out to an 8–2 lead. Starter Milazzo (0–1) was tagged with the loss, giving up six runs on eight hits over three innings before being relieved by M. Lutz.

Oswego clawed back again in the bottom of the fourth. Lutz drew a leadoff walk and scored on Mackenzie Carlson's RBI double. Later in the inning, Lillian Haggerty singled in another run to bring the Lakers within four, 8–4. Haggerty also had a productive day at the plate, reaching base twice and recording an RBI and a stolen base.

DeGonza continued to shine, going 2-for-4 with a run scored, while Gerardi contributed both at the plate and behind it, tallying a double, a walk, and an RBI.

On the mound, Lutz held Buffalo State to just one earned run over four innings, keeping Oswego within reach. However, M. Hurley struck again in the seventh for the Bengals with a solo homer—her second of the game—to add insurance and cap the scoring at 9–4.

Game 2
After falling earlier in the day, Oswego came out determined in Game 2, striking first and never surrendering the lead. Center fielder Kira Wright set the tone right away, singling in the first and coming around to score on a sacrifice fly by Kylie Detz to make it 1–0.

The Lakers exploded for four runs in the second, sparked by a leadoff single from Gianna DeGonza. A passed ball and a clutch two-RBI single from Grace Dipalma helped open the floodgates. Lillian Haggerty added a run-scoring double, and Oswego quickly jumped out to a 5–0 lead.

While Buffalo State attempted to claw back with a run in the third and another in the fifth, Oswego kept the Bengals at bay with timely pitching and continued offensive pressure. Maria Lutz helped herself on the basepaths with a stolen base and advanced thanks to aggressive team baserunning. Gerardi's heads-up play brought in another run in the third, and Oswego added two more insurance runs in the sixth after key at-bats from Mahoney and DeGonza.

Lutz was stellar in the circle, going the distance while scattering 11 hits and allowing four runs—all earned—without walking a batter. She also tallied a pair of strikeouts and worked efficiently, tossing 93 pitches in the complete game.

Wright led the Lakers' offense with a 3-for-4 performance, scoring three times and swiping two bags. DeGonza continued her strong day with two hits, two RBIs, and a walk. Haggerty, Dipalma, and Carlson each chipped in with key RBIs, as the Lakers showcased their depth and aggressiveness on the bases—stealing a total of seven bases on the day.
 
WHATS NEXT 
The Lakers will return to action tomorrow as they host Fredonia and celebrate their seniors starting at 3:00 PM.