Lakers Open up the Season at 3-0

The Finger Lakes Community College Baseball teamed kicked off their season in Youngwood, Pennsylvania on Friday March, 4th against Westmoreland Community College. The Lakers turned around a played a doubleheader against the Wolfpack on March 5th as well. The Lakers, poised for a big season, did not disappoint in their road trip, coming away 3-0.

In the Lakers 1st matchup, they were able to open up the scoring in the top of the 1st inning. Lukas Haefner (Henrietta, N.Y./ Rush Henrietta) and Lucas Sulimowicz (Rochester, N.Y./ Greece Athena) scored on a Tyler Curtis (Greece, N.Y./ Greece Athena) 2-RBI double. Both teams exited the 2nd inning scoreless, but the Lakers were able to tack on two more to their score with two outs, Jorge Oropeza (Rochester, N.Y./ Greece Athena) drove in Tim McClare (Macedon, N.Y./ Gananda) and Justin Marshall (Bath, N.Y./ Haverling).

The Lakers continued to tack onto their lead in the top of the 6th inning, with 2 outs, 6 straight Lakers reached home safely. Lukas Haefner, Tyler Curtis and Justin Marshall helped pace the Lakers offensive attack, with 2 hits apiece. Jake Conklin (Fairport, N.Y./ Fairport) earned the win on the mound, tossing 4.2 innings and giving up no earned runs.

In the teams' 2nd matchup, the 1st of a doubleheader, the Lakers exploded for 11 runs on offense. Both teams' went scoreless in the 1st inning, however Lukas Haefner got the Lakers rolling with a 2 RBI single, with 3 runners crossing home plate in the inning. The Lakers continued their offensive attack in the 3rd inning, with the Lakers plating 3 runs on a 2-out bases clearning double by Ryan Smith (Fairport, N.Y./ Fairport). The Lakers were able to score 4 more in the in the 5th, with Tim McClare capping off the inning with a home run. Overall, Tanner Frank (Rochester, N.Y./ Brighton) earned his first win of the season on the mound, throwing 4 innings.

In the teams' final game and 2nd of their doubleheader the Lakers did not come without a fight. The nightcap of Saturday's double saw the Laker claw back in a come from behind, 9-5 victory over the Wolfpack. The Lakers broke open the scoring on their end in the 4th inning, scoring 3 runs, 2 of which coming off from a Lukas Haefner double. The Lakers struggled in the bottom-half of the inning, giving up 4 runs. However, the Lakers were able to tie the game up off from a Ryan Smith RBI single. The Wolfpack were relentless in the matchup regaining the lead the 6th inning.

The Lakers, trailing by 1 and down to their last strike relied on Devin Kelly (Clifton Springs, N.Y./ Midlakes) and he delivered, driving in the tying and go-ahead runs with a double in the gap. Three more runs would score for the Lakers, ultimately leading to a 9-5 comeback victory. Devin Georgetti (Rochester, N.Y./ Gates-Chili) closed the door on the Wolfpacks' attempt at a comeback, allowing the Lakers to come away 3-0 and complete the 3-game sweep.

The Lakers return to the mound Thursday, March 10th in a doubleheader against the Spartans of Cayuga Community College with start times of 2/5:30 PM. The Lakers will look to pick up a win over their Mid-State Athletic Conference opponent to continue their win streak.