Lakers Split First Home Doubleheader Against Conference Opponent

CANANDAIGUA, N.Y. - The Finger Lakes Community College baseball team opened up at home Tuesday afternoon with a doubleheader against conference opponent Genesee Community College. The matchup lived up to the anticipation as the two teams split their series, 2-2, just a season ago. The Cougars would jump out to a lead in game one and never looked back, taking a 5-0 shutout over the Lakers. The Lakers would finish the afternoon on the right foot, earning a 7-3 victory in game two.

In game one, sophomores Lucas Granger (Horseheads, N.Y./Horseheads), Paulie Goodness (Palmyra, N.Y./Palmyra-Macedon), and Ryan Mettler (Royalton, N.Y./Royalton-Hartland) each contributed a hit. Still, the Lakers struggled to string enough offense to push any runs across the plate. Freshman Ian Goodness (Palmyra, N.Y./Palmyra-Macedon) started the game for the Lakers, pitching four innings and allowing three earned runs while striking out five. Classmate Nicholas Olmo (Webster, N.Y./Webster Thomas) came in relief, pitching the final three innings and striking out one batter.

The Lakers bounced back in game two in a big way, earning a thrilling 7-3 victory over the Cougars. The game started strong with Lucas Granger doubling to left field in the first inning before stealing third base. Granger would set the stage for Sophomore Matthew DiSanti (Farmingdale, N.Y./Farmingdale) who doubled, driving in Granger for the game's first run. The Lakers wouldn't find the scoring column until the fourth inning when catcher Collin Clark (Pittsford, N.Y./Pittsford-Mendon) added to the Lakers lead with a solo home run to left field to make the score 2-0. The Cougars rallied in the top of the sixth inning, scoring three runs to take a brief 3-2 lead. However, the Lakers responded in the bottom of the same inning. A Cougars wild pitch allowed sophomore Lucas Granger to cross home plate and tie the game at 3-3. Freshman Jeffrey Broadnax (Hilton, N.Y./Hilton) delivered the decisive blow with a triple to left field, clearing the bases for three RBIs and pushing the Lakers ahead 6-3. The Lakers would cash in their final run of the day on a double steal that brought home freshman Jeffrey Broadnax. 

Sophomore Michael Bowler (Geneva, N.Y./Geneva) started on the mound for the Lakers, delivering five innings of shutout ball, allowing only three hits while striking out four. Teammates Trenton Muck (Lyndonville, N.Y./Lyndonville) and Matthew Rodriguez (Lackawanna, N.Y./Lackawanna) closed the game, with Rodriguez earning the win in game two. Up next for the Lakers is a doubleheader back on the FLCC Multi-use Turf this Thursday, March 28th at 2 PM & 4 PM.