Finger Lakes Knocks Off #6 SUNY Niagara in Twin Bill Split

CANANDAIGUA, N.Y. - As the Finger Lakes Community College baseball team approaches postseason play, the Lakers found themselves facing their biggest challenge of the season as host to the #6 nationally ranked SUNY Niagara Thunderwolves at the FLCC Multi-use Turf Facility.  

The Lakers, who have found their stride in the latter portion of the season came away with a big win in game one of their doubleheader as they earned the walk-off victory thanks to an RBI single from sophomore Matthew DiSanti (Farmingdale, N.Y./Farmingdale) that brought home Lucas Granger (Horseheads, N.Y./Horseheads) for the game-winning run. After tacking on two runs in the first inning thanks to a double from Matthew DiSanti to bring home Kyle VanAuker (Henrietta, N.Y./Rush Henrietta) and a single from teammate Collin Clark (Pittsford, N.Y./Pittsford-Mendon) that scored DiSanti, the Lakers held the Thunderwolves scoreless until the top of the sixth. 

Following back-to-back walks, Thunderwolves third baseman Nicholas Schulz would drive in two runs to bring the game to a tie heading into the bottom of the sixth. However, Lakers sophomore Matthew DiSanti would put the stamp on the game in the bottom of the seventh with the decisive walk-off victory. Sophomore Bruno Cergol (Brooklyn, N.Y./Rabun Gap) pitched 5 1/3 lights out innings, allowing a one-hitter with 2 earned runs and 7 strikeouts. It was freshman ace Ian Goodness (Palmyra, N.Y./Palmyra-Macedon) who would close out the game in 1 2/3 innings of relief to earn the win with no hits or earned runs, and 4 strikeouts. 

In game two, the Lakers struggled to find their rhythm as the team combined for one hit as freshman Justin Angora (Henrietta, N.Y./Rush-Henrietta) broke up the no-hitter for the Thunderwolves as the pinch hitter. The Lakers are back home tomorrow, April 29th for a 9-inning single game with the visiting Monroe Community College Tribunes at 6 PM on the FLCC Multi-use Turf. The Lakers will look to get back on track with a win as they vie for a top-2 position in the NJCAA Region III West Playoffs.