CORTLAND NY – The SUNY Oswego Baseball team was in action for the second round of the SUNYAC Baseball Tournament on Saturday morning. They took on the SUNY Cortland for a spot in the championship. The Loser would have another game later in the afternoon for a win and they would get another chance to play for the SUNYAC title.
THE BASICS
Game 1
Oswego 1 (27-11, 14-5 SUNYAC)
Cortland 2 (28-11, 15-3 SUNYAC)
Game 2
Oswego 1(27-11, 14-6 SUNYAC)
Oneonta 3 (25-16-1, 9-9 SUNYAC)
SUNY Cortland, Cortland, NY
HOW IT HAPPENED
GAME 1
The Lakers took to the field after a massive win a few days before in the first round of the tournament versus New Paltz. The Lakers had the tough matchup against the #1 seeded Cortland Red Dragons. The Lakers Turned the ball over senior Joel Hayner as they knew they would be a battle all afternoon.
The Game started off with the defense being showcased on both sides. As each team flashed the leather they set the tone for the rest of the game. The first run of the morning was scored in the bottom of the third by Cortland off a single down the left field line that put the Red Dragons up 1-0. Joel Hayner would settle back into the inning and get a much needed out to get out the inning with Cortland threatening.
The Lakers would answer almost immediately as in the top of the fourth Oswego would show their first life against a tough Red Dragons defense. Back to back singles by Tishawn Featherstone and Daniel Winchester allowed for Dylan Rosenberg to smack a game tying single to center field that knotted the game at 1 a piece.
Cortland would score the third and final run of the game in the bottom of the fourth off a solo homerun to right center.
The Lakers offense would continue to sputter throughout the game as the failed to get runners aboard and to capitalize when they did. The Lakers would go on to lose game 1 2-1 to Cortland.
Senior Joel Hayner despite the loss put up an impressive stat line of 7.0 IP 9k's 2 ER. The Lakers would look to bounce back as they would have another opportunity to secure their spot and chance for a SUNYAC title.
GAME 2
The Lakers would take the next few hours to regroup but it was not long before they found out they would be pitting off against SUNY Oneonta for the final spot in the SUNYAC championship round. The Lakers would turn to Nick Cody to lead the Lakers on the mound.
Much like the first game, early defense stole the show as neither team would change the scoreboard lights until the fourth inning
In the bottom of the fourth inning the Lakers Tishawn Featherstone would add the first run of the game as he hit a blast to deep left center that put the Lakers up 1-0
The Lakers would hold onto the lead for the next two innings until the top of the sixth. A lead-off walk would allow for the Red Dragons to take the lead as a two-run home run by Ryan Cronin would put them up 2-1. The Lakers would turn the ball over to Alek Conrad to continue the game and end Oneonta's run.
The Red Dragons would push across an insurance run in the top of the seventh inning after a manufactured run after a perfectly laid down bunt. The Red Dragons would hold a 3-1 with the light dwindling from the Laker season.
The Lakers would get an opportunity in the bottom of the eighth as they put two runners aboard, put Oneonta was able to find key outs and plays when it mattered most as they got out of the inning unscathed.
In the bottom of the ninth the Lakers would again be unable to push any runs across and it would lead to the third and final out of the game as the Red Dragons would win 3-1 ending the Lakers season.
A Thanks to the Fans!
Oswego Athletics wants to thank our fans, athletes and families for amazing season! Although it did not end ceremoniously, this team will always have a spot in our Laker Family.
The Lakers will wait until Noon on Monday May 12th to see if they have earned an at large bid in the NCAA Tournament.
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