Lakers Split Midweek Action with Pair of Wins Over Allegheny, Setback vs. Broome

 

CANANDAIGUA, N.Y. - The Finger Lakes Community College baseball team recorded two wins and losses apiece over two days of action.

 

The Lakers displayed dominance all-around to secure a shutout victory over CC of Allegheny County in the first leg of a doubleheader on Wednesday. Markus Brehm (Wayland, N.Y./Wayland-Cohocton) showcased his most efficient performance of the season yet as he delivered three hits – two of which were doubles – along with two runs and a team-high four RBIs, while also using his quickness to an advantage with two stolen bases. Power-hitter Jeffrey Broadnax (Hilton, N.Y./Hilton) struck the leather just right to bring in a home-run, while also producing 3 RBIs to cap off a strong outing. Brennen Russo (East Irondequoit, N.Y./Eastridge) and Ryan Donovan (North Tonawanda, N.Y./North Tonawanda) each drove in two runs and RBIs apiece. Mason McClurg (Warsaw, N.Y./Warsaw) put up an excellent performance on the mound, pitching five innings and dealing 6 strikeouts along with allowing zero runs, while Andrew Wood (Big Flats, N.Y./Horseheads) was brought in for the final inning and also allowed zero runs while delivering a single strikeout. 

 

The Lakers capped off the day with another comfortable win over Allegheny. Justin Angora (Henrietta, N.Y./Rush-Henrietta) drove in a team-high three RBIs, while designated hitter Nate Hill (Webster, N.Y./Webster Thomas) brought in two of his own, along with three hits on four at-bats. Markus Brehm, Brennen Russo and Jeffrey Broadnax all drove in two runs, with Brehm and Broadnax also stealing two bases apiece, and Russo snatching one of his own. The Lakers cycled through three different pitchers, with Aiden Reed (Shortsville, N.Y./Red Jacket) leading the mound for the first four innings and providing a solid performance with one strikeout and only two runs allowed, while Zach Barrett (Kendall, N.Y./Kendall) and Dom Morsch (Churchville, N.Y./Churchville-Chili) both finished the day with strong finishes.

 

The Lakers started their Thursday with the first game of a doubleheader against SUNY Broome Community College. The first half of the match was all Lakers, as Ty Joy (Warsaw, N.Y./Warsaw) and Ryan Donovan came up big and contributed to the Lakers' 5-0 lead at the end of the first inning. Brennen Russo delivered an electrifying inside-the-park home run in the bottom of the second, before he and Jeffrey Broadnax again added to the Laker lead with RBIs. Unfortunately for the Lakers, their momentum would slowly be docked in the latter stages, as the Hornets came buzzing back to take a 10-9 lead in the top of the fifth – their first of the game. Both Christian Morrison (Macedon, N.Y./Palmyra-Macedon) and Brody Froman (Irondequoit, N.Y./West Irondequoit) drove in runs, but it wasn't enough to overcome the defensive errors made by Finger Lakes, which Broome capitalized off of to ultimately come away with an 18-13 victory. Tyler Arno (Geneva, N.Y./Geneva) and Alex Dungey (Webster, N.Y./Webster Thomas) highlighted the pitching rotation, with both having efficient outings.

 

In the second and final contest of the day, both squads went back and forth with momentum swings being had each way. The Lakers went down 6-2 after three innings, but Ethan Kuzma (Middleport, N.Y./Royalton-Hartland), Shaun Cannon (Spencerport, N.Y./Spencerport) and Trey Buchholz (Shinglehouse, P.A./Bolivar Richburg) drove in runs while also capitalizing on pitching mistakes made by the opposition to take a 9-6 lead. It was eventually knotted up at 10, until Anthony Weber (Depew, N.Y./Depew), Justin Angora and Jacob Gould (Middleport, N.Y./Royalton Hartland) brought in crucial runs to give the Lakers the lead. The momentum would not remain on their side, though, as the Hornets stormed back and took advantage of the Lakers' miscues, scoring six straight runs to ultimately give them the 16-15 win. The Lakers went through four pitchers in the contest, with Tino Tiermini (Irondequoit, N.Y./West Irondequoit), Finn Conklin (Canandaigua, N.Y./Canandaigua), Ty Joy and Trey Buchholz all taking the mound and putting forth solid efforts. 

 

The Lakers remain home for their next contest, where they will face off against Erie Community College in a doubleheader on Saturday, March 22nd at 12 & 2:30 PM.