A dual threat in baseball does not happen often, but between Robert Donnelly’s ability to play defense on the field and the mound, as well as perform well in the batter’s box on offense, he has gone against the odds.

Oswego State has a strong SUNYAC record and had an impressive 11-game winning streak before losing to St. John Fisher College on April 10. Donnelly was a key factor in all aspects of their dominance, especially on the mound.

Donnelly’s ability to play both positions has been key in his career at Oswego State, head coach Scott Landers said, but they have relied on him too much in the early parts of the season. He currently leads the team in innings pitched with 33.0 and has thrown three complete games.

“He’s pitched very well for us this year,” Landers said. “Going forward, he’s going to have to play [shortstop] and just defend for us when he’s not on the mound.”

Donnelly’s dominate play on the mound started at the end of last season during conference matchups. As the only junior part of the rotation last season, he gained a lot of confidence just from the experience.

To start this season, Landers said Donnelly’s repertoire of pitching has improved since last season, and other pitches developed over the summer.

“I think his two-seamer is much better this year with getting ahead and locating,” Landers said. “His slider, … to go along with his curveball and changeup, has really helped him.”

Donnelly’s successful arsenal has helped him lead the team in other statistics such as earned run average, with a SUNYAC-leading 1.64, and an against batting average of .203. He attributed his commanding pitching to his lack of walking batters.

“Just trusting my stuff and trusting my defense,” Donnelly said. “I attack hitters, and if I let [opponents] put the ball in play, then my eight guys behind me are going to help me out.”

Despite being a weekend pitcher, Donnelly has also been used in other factions throughout the season. During mid-week matchups and sometimes during the weekend, Donnelly is used as a shortstop and contributes offensively.

In rare scenarios, Donnelly is used as a reliever to close out any given game. He was last used in this position against the University of Rochester on April 11. The Lakers were down 7-4 in the top of the eighth inning before scoring seven unanswered runs in the bottom of the eighth to take an 11-7 lead. Donnelly was brought in during the top of the ninth and closed out the game, allowing only two hits.

Donnelly said he wants to do anything to help the team win, including coming in for the uncommon relief. But in a game like those against the University of Rochester, he said he needs to be ready at any moment.

“I know that coach trusts me, and when my stuff’s on, I can be one of the best guys on the [pitching] staff,” Donnelly said. “I knew that when we started crawling back, I wanted the ball to secure the win.”

As a strategy, however, Donnelly is mainly used during the second game of any three-game weekend series. During the doubleheaders for the Lakers, games are only seven innings.

He has completed every game he has appeared in against SUNYAC teams, allowing Landers to avoid using the bullpen to rest other pitchers for the rest of the doubleheader and other mid-week games.

“Anytime you can get a guy that can go seven [innings] and finish the game with the starter, then you want to do that,” Landers said. “It gives us the ability to just roll a guy out there.”

Short term, the Lakers look to take on the College at Brockport on April 13 and 14. The Golden Eagles currently sit in third in the SUNYAC and are three games back behind the Lakers. During the weekend, Donnelly is ready for a potential challenge against a team “that can always steal a win” against Oswego State.

“He’s going to be key,” Landers said on Donnelly’s long-term impact. “He’s going to have to play [shortstop] and when it’s his turn to pitch, he’s got to go out there and dominate.”

Photo: Kyle Hurley | The Oswegonian