Oneonta, NY - The Lakers kicked off SUNYAC play for the 2026 campaign. After an offensive barrage from the Red Dragons, the Lakers weren't able to pull off a comeback and fell in Oneonta, 11-1. 

BASICS
Oswego 1 (4-9, 0-1 SUNYAC)
Oneonta 11 (8-6, 1-0 SUNYAC)
Red Dragon FIeld  | Oneonta, NY 

HOW IT HAPPENED 
The Lakers looked to set the tone early in the top of the second when Brogan Olsen sparked the offense with a base knock up the middle. A wild pitch allowed Olsen to move into scoring position, giving Oswego an early opportunity to strike. Despite the promising start, the Red Dragons were able to work out of trouble and keep the Lakers off the scoreboard.

Oneonta capitalized in the bottom of the third, breaking the scoreless tie on a sacrifice fly off the bat of Alex Halwick to take a 1-0 lead. The Red Dragons kept the pressure on in the fourth, as Anthony Loia delivered an RBI single to bring home Ryan Cronin, extending the advantage to 2-0.

Oswego answered in the top of the fifth with some timely execution. Emil Sander reached after being hit by a pitch, and Daniel Winchester followed with a double to left-center to put runners on second and third. Harry Uvena grounded out, but it was enough to score Sander and cut the deficit to 2-1, briefly swinging momentum back toward the Lakers.

However, the Red Dragons responded emphatically in the bottom half of the inning. After a leadoff walk prompted a pitching change for Oswego, Oneonta strung together a series of hits, highlighted by a two-RBI double from Brendan Duffy. The surge gave the Red Dragons a commanding 5-1 lead and put the Lakers on their heels.

Oneonta continued to pull away in the seventh as Ryan Cronin delivered a two-run double to push the lead to 7-1, leaving Oswego searching for answers at the plate. The Lakers showed a brief spark in the eighth when Brendan Mair came through with a single, but strong Red Dragon pitching once again shut the door and stranded the runner.

The game was put out of reach in the bottom of the eighth, as Oneonta added four more runs, including a three-run inside-the-park home run to cap off the scoring. 

WHAT'S NEXT 
The Lakers are right back at it for game two with Oneonta tomorrow. First pitch is set for 12:00pm.

Written by: Luke Belanger