No. 14/19 Oswego State baseball standing at 17-6 overall and 8-1 in SUNYAC conference are sitting in good shape to make another successful postseason run as reigning SUNYAC and New York Regional champions.
In order to return to the top, they will have to improve in some areas that may not reflect on their record and continue some key aspects that have carried them to their current position.
Defensive Flaws
It has been a rough go at it for the most part this season, fielding and throwing the ball for the Lakers. In a 3-2 loss in extra innings to St. John Fisher on Tuesday, the Laker defense surrendered a season-high seven errors that resulted in two unearned runs charged to their bullpen.
On the season, the Lakers are averaging 2.6 errors per game. With 61 errors in 23 games played, they have already surpassed last season’s error total of 57 in 43 games played. Starting infielder’s Zach Whelan, Brandon Nicholson and Ryan Enos have combined for 38 of those errors, but their presence in the lineup is far too valuable to consider other options.
In defense, it has been a rather brutal spring season of baseball compared to the others in recent years. Having lack of reps and experience outside on a traditional grass and dirt baseball fields compared to most of their practices and recent games taking place on artificial turf can explain some of the errors.
It was errors last season that prevented Oswego State from sweeping SUNY Cortland on the road after a 5-3 loss to the Red Dragons in extra innings. Those mistakes will need drastic improvement in upcoming series against the College at Brockport and SUNY Cortland.
Hot Delli
These crucial SUNYAC games between Oswego State, SUNY Cortland and The College at Brockport usually come down to performance of its stars, with professional scouts expected to be in attendance like in the past.
Junior outfielder, Mike Dellicarri, has been on an absolute tear this season leading the team in batting average (.438), RBI (38) and homeruns (4), to cap off what has been an overall efficient Laker offensive display.
Dellicarri spent most of his time last season mostly as the designated hitter, but returned to right field this season and has made sensational plays without committing an error.
It is hard to replace a top program player like Eric Hamilton, but Dellicarri has reached that level of play.
Weekend Pitching
With last year’s ace starter Tim Cronin graduating and Mitchell Cavanagh transferring, starting pitching depth was a question coming in, but not an area head coach Scott Landers was worried about.
Robert Donnelly has been a big-game pitcher his whole career. Whether needed for nine-inning outing or to close the final innings of a tight game, Donnelly is reliable on the mound. He is 4-0 on the year and leads SUNYAC in earned run averaged at 1.63.
Reston Pettit has served as the series opening pitcher and has held his own with a 2-1 record and a 2.03 ERA. Third starter Brian Nolan, who started off slow, has improved in each start and is coming off winning SUNYAC Pitcher of the Week for his two-hit, seven strikeout performances in the Lakers’ 13-2 win over SUNY Oneonta.
Oswego State baseball has established themselves as a winning program in the Landers era and has proven again so this season. Ending the regular season with two of three conference series at home have the Lakers with a solid chance to defend the SUNYAC title.
