The nationally-ranked Oswego State baseball team split a doubleheader with host Clarkson University (11-13) on Tuesday afternoon at Jack Phillips Stadium. Oswego's loss in game one snapped the nation's longest winning streak at 15, but the Lakers were able to rebound in the nightcap to improve to 24-4 on the year. The squad is currently ranked No. 4 in the country in the latest D3baseball.com poll.
GAME ONE – Clarkson 12, Oswego 7:
Two multiple-run innings for the Golden Knights was enough to hand Oswego its first loss in almost a month, with the Lakers last defeat coming in Florida on March 20. After trading a run apiece in the first, Oswego seemingly grabbed control with a three-run top of the third. Clarkson answered with six of its own in the bottom of the frame to take a 7-4 advantage. The Lakers seemed ready to stage a comeback two innings later with a two-run fifth – closing the deficit to just one run – but again the Golden Knights answered in the bottom of the inning, this time with a five spot. Oswego tried to muster a rally with its final three outs, but was only able to tack on one run, falling 12-7.
Eric Hamilton continued to impress at the dish in the loss, going 4-for-4 with a double, two runs scored and two RBI. Brian Hamilton chipped in as well, crossing the plate three times, reaching base three times on a single, a walk and an error. Jordan Giller reached three times too, singling, walking and getting hit by a pitch. The senior drove in a run and scored once. Also aiding in the effort were Myles Kutscher – going 2-for-4 with an RBI – and John Barnes – doubling in a two runners.
Nathan Boughton took the loss in 2.1 innings, allowing seven runs while striking out four.
GAME TWO – Oswego 8, Clarkson 2:
Oswego responded in game two with a solid pitching performance by Miles Kelly. The senior went five innings, allowing two runs – both of which were unearned – while surrendering just five hits and fanning four to improve to 5-1 on the season. Andrew Morano closed out the contest's final two innings, giving up just one hit and zero runs.
At the plate, the Laker bats were hot, with seven of nine hitters recording multiple-hits. Mike Dellicarri led the way with a 2-for-3 performance that included a triple, three runs batted in and two runs scored. Robert Donnelly had the most hits for Oswego, going a perfect 3-for-3 in the batter's box, driving in two and scoring once. Wes Randall, B. Hamilton, Kutscher, Barnes and Matt Capobianco all finished with two hits. Randall, Capobianco and E. Hamilton each had an RBI as well.
On the base paths, Kutscher, Capobianco and Donnelly all swiped one bag.
Oswego will return to the diamond right away, hosting Cazenovia College at 4 p.m. on Wednesday at Laker Baseball Field.
