Big Eighth Inning Propels Lakers to Victory

Recap, photo courtesy of Oswego State

OSWEGO, N.Y. – The Oswego State baseball team came from behind late to defeat the University of Rochester, 11-7, at home on Wednesday afternoon. With the victory, the Lakers improve to 17-6 on the season, while Rochester falls to 6-10.

Oswego jumped out to an early lead in the opening inning. With a full count, reigning Oswego State Athlete of the Week Ryan Enos led off the game by smacking a double down the left field line. Enos moved to third on a single by Brandon Nicholson and then came around to score on a grounder by Mike Dellicarri.

The next inning, the Laker bats quickly got to the Rochester starter again. Matt Deblasio led off with a double to right center, and Kevin Hylas knocked him in with a single.

Rochester put up two runs in the fourth and five runs in the fifth, but the Lakers fought back late. In the seventh inning, Dellicarri notched his second RBI of the game when he ripped a triple to left center to drive in Nicholson. A Yellowjacket error later in the inning cut the deficit to just three runs.

The next inning was crucial for Oswego. Hylas led off the eighth with a walk and moved into scoring position on a wild pitch. Pinch hitter Myles Kutscher then came through with a clutch single to knock in Hylas for Oswego's fifth run of the game. Later in the inning, with runners on first and second for Nicholson, the junior sent a double to left field to tie the game.

The Lakers grabbed the lead when Dellicarri singled to score Nicholson. The next three Laker batters, John Barnes, Eli Holton and Deblasio, put together a string of hits to extend Oswego's lead to 11-7. That was all the Lakers would need, as Rochester was unable to score in the ninth and the Lakers secured their victory.

Starter Nick Demarco finished the day with two earned runs in 3.2 innings pitched. Demarco was followed by Matt Zakala, who allowed four earned runs over 0.2 innings. The next five relievers for Oswego were flawless; Ben Geiger, Anthony Pacifico, Brad Wroblewski, Matt Disalvo and Robert Donnelly did not allow a run from the Yellowjackets and gave up just two hits.

Oswego remains at home at 3 p.m. on Friday, returning to conference action as it hosts Brockport for the start of a three-game series.