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The Oswego State softball team split with Cortland in its home-opener doubleheader on Saturday. In game one, the Lakers defeated Cortland, 2-1, in a pitchers’ duel. The win was Oswego’s first over Cortland since March 29, 2013. In game two, Oswego fell to Cortland, 17-5.
Starting pitcher Rebecca Vilchez dazzled on the mound for Oswego in game one, outdueling her Cortland counterpart. Giving up just one earned run and not issuing a single walk, Vilchez pitched a complete game and earned the win. The sophomore struck out five Cortland batters along the way.
Not only did Vilchez dominate on the mound, but she was critical offensively as well. With Oswego down by one run in the sixth inning, Sarah McCullough got things started by drawing a lead-off walk. The next batter, Angela Frampton, perfectly executed a sacrifice bunt to move McCullough into scoring position. Vilchez then came through in the clutch, smacking a double to right field to drive in McCullough and tie the game.
Later in the inning, Vilchez came around to score the game-winning run on a passed ball. When the Franklin Square native returned to the mound in the seventh, she issued two strikeouts and a popout to seal the victory.
In game two, the Laker bats were hot, but fell short of topping Cortland. Vilchez continued where she left off in game one, driving in a team-high four runs in the second. Starter Jessica Roe drove in the Lakers’ other three runs, first with a double in the third inning and later with an infield single in the fifth. Erin Sweeney, who scored two of the Laker runs, led the team with three hits.
Oswego remains at home but returns to nonconference play on Wednesday as it hosts Utica for a doubleheader, beginning at 3 p.m.
