Oswego, NY - The Lakers looked to keep the undefeated season alive as the Pioneers of Alfred State came to Laker Softball Field on Thursday. After a commanding, 9-0 victory followed by a comeback win, Oswego remained unbeaten and improved to 8-0 on the season.
 
GAME 1:
BASICS 
Oswego 9 (7-0, 2-0 SUNYAC)
Alfred 0 (8-9, 3-1 AMCC)
Laker Softball Field | Oswego, NY
 
HOW IT HAPPENED 
Saying the Lakers got off to a hot start in this one would be an understatement. Alfred went 1-2-3 and it was Oswego's turn to go to work in the bottom of the 1st. Kira Wright kicked things off with a walk and followed by stealing second. Delaney Wiley then doubled to send in the first run of the inning. Ryan Perico had a double of her own to score Wiley. The Lakers stayed disciplined and were stubborn on what pitches they chose to swing at drawing three walks in a row after the double. The walks followed by a Grace DiPalma single sent in two more runs for the Lakers. The lineup came all the way around and Wright doubled to send in the sixth run of the inning. The Lakers, in a flash, jumped on the Pioneers starting the game off with a big lead. 
 
The Lakers kept scoring going as they added one run in the bottom of the second. It was a Pioneer error that let Wiley get home as the Lakers extended their lead to seven. 
 
Oswego added their finishing touches on a dominant win as they scored two more runs in the bottom of the fourth. Emma Budzinski had a sacrifice fly scoring Wiley and Mackenzie Carlson singled to left scoring Kayla Doerre.
 
Alyssa Budzinski pitched a complete game, only allowing one hit. She struck out seven out of the seventeen batters she saw on 84 pitches. 
 
WIN - Alyssa Budzinski (5-0)
LOSS - Sydney Howard (3-1)
 
GAME 2:
BASICS 
Oswego 7 (8-0, 2-0 SUNYAC)
Alfred 5 (8-10, 3-1 AMCC)
Laker Softball Field | Oswego, NY
 
HOW IT HAPPENED 
Just as Oswego got out to an early lead in game 1, Alfred did in game 2. With runners on first and third, the Lakers made some mistakes that sent both of them home. A wild pitch scored one and a walk a few batters later scored the other. The Pioneers had a quick 2-0 lead. 
 
Alfred would extend their lead on a sacrifice fly in the top of the second. Abbie Millard got it done and the Pioneers now led by three. 
 
Oswego responded in the bottom half of the inning scoring two on a Pioneer error. Lillian Haggerty reached first on it, and it scored Emma Budzinski and Ryin Perico. The Lakers got two back and were right on Alfred's tail. 
 
Alfred again would gain comfort in their lead with two more runs in the top of the third. It was 2 earned runs from the Pioneers courtesy of a Jordyn Colvin double and an Emma Edwards single. 
 
Again, Oswego would make the gap tighter as Kira Wright scored on a wild pitch in the bottom of the third. 
 
It wasn't until the fifth inning when Oswego would make their game-winning move. Oswego had two on base and Wiley sent in DiPalma on a single. The bases were then juiced and Perico looked at 4 balls, scoring Wright. Emma Budzinski singled to send in yet another run for the Lakers. The scoring rounded off with good base running on a passed ball by Erika Finney scoring the fourth run of the inning. Oswego now held a 7-5 lead. 
 
Oswego closed it out in the last inning leaving two runners on base as they went on to win, 7-5. 
 
The game ended after 5.5 innings due to darkness.
 
WIN - Alyssa Budzinski (6-0)
LOSS - Sophia Petrie (0-2)
 
WHAT'S NEXT
The Lakers look to keep their winning ways going as they welcome in the Plattsburgh Cardinals for a double header on Saturday. First pitch will be at noon. 
 
Written by: Luke Belanger