The weather in Oswego continues to be used as an excuse to lessen expectations for Laker spring sports. But no excuse is needed as baseball sets its sights on NCAA play.

Four seasons ago, the Lakers were at the bottom of the conference and struggling around .500. Following that season, the college hired Scott Landers as its head coach and it’s only been up from there.

Landers, a successful collegiate player at SUNY Cortland, has led Oswego State to back-to-back SUNYAC playoff appearances, including the title game in 2013.

The Lakers won 21 games in 2014, the program’s second-most wins in the last 10 seasons. The team played just four home games throughout the season compared to 16 away games and 14 games at neutral sites.

This season, the Lakers (16-5, 9-1) are atop the conference through 10 SUNYAC games. They have played 21 games, including four away games and 17 at neutral sites. On Tuesday, the Lakers took No. 5 SUNY Cortland to 10 innings before falling 8-7 on the road.

There is no reason to think the number of times Oswego State takes to its home field this spring will affect its success. After sweeping the College at Brockport, SUNY Plattsburgh and SUNY New Paltz at neutral sites, the team is already a sweep of SUNY Oneonta this weekend away from clinching one of the top two spots come SUNYAC playoffs. From there, a spot in the NCAA regionals will be within reach.