Oswego State suffered a morale-crushing three-game sweep at the hands of the SUNY Cortland Red Dragons this weekend. Losing by 8-1, 3-1, and 7-2 scores, the Lakers lost their hot bats that have been responsible for their success so far this season.
With the sweep, Cortland clinched the top record in the SUNYAC and home field for the conference tournament.
Before the games today, Oswego honored their seven seniors in a senior day ceremony to show their appreciation for the players dedication and effort throughout their Oswego tenure.
For today’s doubleheader, the main themes for Oswego were bad breaks and missed opportunities. All the situational hitting and great power that have been focal points of success went away this weekend in the biggest series of the year.
The first game began with some masterful pitching from both teams. Robert Donnelly for Oswego and Jeff Cooke for Cortland both had quality days on the bump.
It was a scoreless game heading into the fourth, when the controversy began for the Lakers.
Cortland started the inning with a walk, and followed it up with a bunt single from Paul Dondero. Donnelly made the effort to get to the first baseline and get the out at first base, but he was run over in his attempt. Both runners would reached safely.
This began a run of small-ball from Cortland to take a 3-0 lead, but the events left the Lakers reeling and they were never really able to recover for the rest of the day.
Jordan Giller gave the Lakers a run in the third, but that was all the offense the Lakers would muster for the game.
More controversy ensued in the fifth inning on a one out hit by Wes Randall, who was out on first, but when Zach Kollar went to advance to second, he was called out on an illegal slide. Coach Scott Landers came out to argue the questionable call of the routine play, but his efforts had no result.
It was a continuation of the constant frustration the Lakers exhibited throughout the weekend, never really able to embrace the easy going attitude they usually exude.
“There’s not much to say about the umps today,” Landers said. “We didn’t agree with some calls and I’m sure Cortland didn’t agree with some calls either. It’s a part of the game.”
In game two, both teams started off trading early runs, but were gridlocked at two apiece from the 2nd inning forward. Both pitchers, Tim Cronin for Oswego State and Tanner Whiteman buckled down and gave gutsy performances for a really entertaining pitcher’s duel.
“Timmy pitched his butt off today,” Landers said. “He gave us a chance to win, which is all we can ask for.”
Heading into the top of the ninth, with Andrew Morano on the mound for the Lakers, the score was still tied at two.
SUNY Cortland rallied to the tune of five runs and more small-ball that proved to be the thorn in the side of the Lakers all weekend.
The five run rally that brought the score to 7-2 took all the wind out of Oswego as they struck out in order to end the game.
All of Laker bats that have carried them to a SUNYAC leading offense went cold in this high-pressure series, providing storylines to watch as the season moves towards its close.
The Lakers look to get back on track this Tuesday against Ithaca and look forward to a three game set against Oneonta next weekend to close out their SUNYAC schedule.
