Lakers Rally to Split Doubleheader With Division II Cecil College

NORTH EAST, MD. - The Finger Lakes Community College baseball team kicked off their doubleheader against the Cecil College Thursday afternoon on the Seahawks home field.

The Lakers would fall short in game one of the doubleheader, with a final score of 9-8. The game saw both teams locked in a high-scoring affair, with the Lakers rallying to put up five runs in the second inning, followed by two more in the fourth and one in the fifth. However, Cecil College's late push in the fifth inning, and a decisive run in the seventh, sealed the win.

Sophomores Lucas Granger (Horseheads, N.Y./Horseheads) and Paulie Goodness (Palmyra, N.Y./Palmyra) led the offensive charge. Granger with a double and two stolen bases, contributed significantly, driving in a run and crossing the plate twice. Goodness added two RBIs on one hit in the game. Sophomore Collin Clark (Pittsford, N.Y./Pittsford Mendon) stood out, hitting two doubles and scoring twice. Classmates Danny Melendez (Victor, N.Y./Victor) and Ryan Mettler (Royalton, N.Y./Royalton-Hartland) each contributed with key hits and RBIs, with Melendez adding a sacrifice fly to bring in a run. 

Bruno Cergol (Brooklyn, N.Y./Rabun Gap) earned the start, striking out five batters on the mound. Teammates Nicholas Olmo (Webster, N.Y./Webster Thomas) and Alex Dungey (Webster, N.Y./Webster Thomas) worked through the middle innings and sophomore Matthew Rodriguez (Lackawanna, N.Y./Lackawanna) finished out the game, striking out two batters. 

The Lakers answered back in game two of their doubleheader with a hard-fought 10-8 victory over the Seahawks. The Lakers started strong, scoring two runs in the first inning, but Cecil College quickly answered to tie the game. The middle innings saw Cecil College build an 8-2 lead to put the pressure on. The Lakers mounted a comeback in the sixth inning, exploding for seven runs to take the lead, before adding an insurance run in the seventh. 

Sophomores Lucas Granger and Collin Clark were instrumental to the Lakers' offensive surge. Granger would hit a three-run home run, while Clark homered and tallied four RBIs. Sophomores Paulie Goodness and Alex Ahlstrom (Dunkirk, N.Y./Dunkirk) contributed with speed and timely hitting, with Goodness stealing two bases and Ahlstrom driving in a key run in the seventh.

Sophomore Matthew DiSanti (Farmingdale, N.Y./Farmingdale) made the most of his debut this season, driving in a run while classmate Danny Melendez drew two walks and reached on a fielder's choice to bring home a run.

The Lakers' pitching rotation navigated the ups and downs of the game, with Mason McClurg (Warsaw, N.Y./Warsaw) earning the start and striking out two batters. Freshman Drew Wilson (Brockport, N.Y./Brockport) who earned the win, Dom Morsch (Churchville, N.Y./Churchville-Chili), and Charlie Cross (Stockbridge Valley, N.Y./Stockbridge Valley), who secured the save, providing stability and clutch pitching when it mattered most to limit the Seahawks late in the game.

The Lakers will return to action this Saturday, March 16th for a trip to Caldwell Community College and Technical Insititute for a doubleheader with the Cobras. The game's first pitch is scheduled for 1 PM, followed by a 4 PM start for game two.