Andrew Dawson, Staff Writer
The SUNY Oneonta baseball team split their doubleheader against Brockport on Saturday, Mar. 27. Brockport won the first game of the series 8-1 but the Red Dragons took game two 3-1.
In the first game of the series, Brockport jumped out to an early three-run lead at the end of the second inning and never looked back, quickly scoring five more runs. Oneonta struggled throughout the game, only having four hits and striking out 11 times. Oneonta’s only run came in the bottom of the third inning. The Red Dragons played situational baseball to move runners around the base path. Sophomore Liam Kaseta reached first base on a throwing error by Brockport’s shortstop. Then, junior Michael Sabatine recorded his first hit of the game, advancing the runner to second base. Senior Sean McGlynn came up to the plate next and attempted a sacrifice bunt to move both runners into scoring position. The bunt was successful causing Brockport to overthrow the first basemen, allowing Kaseta to score on the error.
The Red Dragons retaliated back in the second game of the doubleheader. The game was scoreless through three innings, but Brockport took first blood in the top of the fourth inning. Brockport’s Michael Spulnick hit a line drive to left field, scoring their only run of the game. Oneonta responded in the bottom of the fourth inning with sophomore Sean Liquori leading off the inning with a hard-hit single up the middle. Then sophomore Jake Barrett followed up the single with an RBI (runs batted in) double to deep centerfield, tying the game at 1-1.
The play of the game for the Red Dragons happened in the bottom of the sixth inning. Junior James Zupo led off the inning with a strong single up the middle into centerfield. Zupo advanced to second on a wild pitch and Barrett came back up to the plate. Barrett hit an RBI single and gave the Red Dragons the lead. Later in the inning, Oneonta had runners on first and second with senior Patrick McGee up to bat. McGee popped up into foul territory and looked to be the second out of the inning, but Brockport misplayed the ball, giving McGee a second chance. McGee capitalized on the second chance, belting a double to deep centerfield, scoring Barrett. This was a valuable insurance run for the Red Dragons as they entered the final inning.
In the final inning, senior Michael Losak retired Brockport’s batters in order, earning his first win on the season. Losak pitched a total of three innings, giving up one hit and striking out two batters.
This was a huge win for the Red Dragons, improving their record to 5-1 on the season. Hopefully, the Red Dragons can keep up their impressive start and continue to win close ball games. Their next game will be against SUNY Plattsburgh in a doubleheader on Apr. 6. The games will be held at the Red Dragon Baseball Field at 1 p.m. and 4 p.m.
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