The nationally-ranked and second-seeded Oswego State baseball team advanced to the SUNYAC Championship final round for the second year in a row with a pair of victories on Saturday at Cortland's Wallace Field. Oswego used eighth-inning comebacks in both games on Saturday, defeating Fredonia 3-2 in the day's first game before a five-run eighth sent the Lakers past Brockport 9-8 in their second contest.
On Sunday, No. 7/7 Oswego will face No. 1/1 and first-seeded Cortland at 12 p.m. The Red Dragons do not have a loss in the double-elimination tournament, so the Lakers will need to win game one to force a winner-takes-all final tilt on Sunday afternoon.
GAME ONE – Oswego 3, Fredonia 2:
A two-run second inning for the Blue Devils had the Lakers playing from behind most of the contest. In the third inning, Wes Randall singled to left center to drive in Matt Capobianco, cutting the deficit to just one run at 2-1. After a few runless innings for both squads, Oswego was able to tie the game as John Barnes got in a pickle between third and home, but an errant throw deflected off the sophomore's helmet, allowing him to tie the game.
Eric Hamilton gave the Lakers the comeback it was looking for an inning later, working a full count before blasting a lined shot over the left centerfield fence to give Oswego its first lead of the day. That was all the team needed as Mickey Putillo closed out the game in the ninth for his second save of the season.
Randall, E. Hamilton, Barnes, Capobianco and Alex Brown each finished with a hit. Three of the Lakers five hits were of extra-base variety, as Barnes and Capobianco each had doubles to go along with E. Hamilton's aforementioned homer. Robert Donnelly got a no-decision in his start, scattering nine hits over 7.0 innings of work. Andrew Morano's one-inning of relief was good for the win, his second of the year, as he let up just one hit. Putillo then recorded the save, allowing no base knocks.
GAME TWO – Oswego 9, Brockport 8:
Oswego got out to a fast start in the nightcap, scoring one run in each of the first two innings. Brockport answered by outscoring the Lakers 7-2 heading into the bottom of the eighth inning. Facing a 7-4 deficit with just two possible at-bats remaining, Oswego rallied. Barnes led off with a triple into deep right centerfield followed by a Zach Kollar knock up the middle, driving in his teammate. The designated hitter Eli Holton then singled to left field, pushing Kollar to second. Donnelly sacrifice bunted to push the runners to second and third with just one out. Randall then went the opposite way over the shortstop's head into leftfield, sending Kollar home and making it a 7-6 game. Brian Hamilton came to the plate ans singled to left center, tying the game at 7-7. E. Hamilton then slashed one through the left side to score the go-ahead run. After another out, senior Jordan Giller got a hit of his own, sending in B. Hamilton which proved to be the game-winning run.
In the bottom of the ninth, Putillo secured his second save of the day, inducing a ground out to end the game with the tying run sitting on second base.
Oswego recorded 19 hits in the contest, led by Holton's 4-for-4 day with a run scored. Randall went 3-for-4 with three RBI and three runs scored while Kollar and B. Hamilton each had three hits as well.
Again the Lakers' starting pitcher got a no-decision, as Tim Cronin went 6.0 innings, surrendering nine hits and three earned runs. In relief, Cody LaFlamme improved to 2-0 on the year despite only facing one batter, striking out that hitter looking.
