#15 Baseball Splits with #4 Niagara County; Breaks Win Streak Record

CANANDAIGUA, N.Y. - Lakers baseball picked up the upset of the day in JUCO baseball after defeating #4 Niagara County in game one of their doubleheader, 4-3. Nearly on track to take game two over the Thunderwolves, a 4-run fifth inning helped guide the opposition to a 6-4 finish over the Lakers.

Game one vs. Niagara County

In an instant classic, the Lakers would come from behind, down 3-1, to score 3 runs in the sixth inning and close the door on the Thunderwolves to secure the upset victory.

The Thunderwolves would strike first in the first inning with a single down the right field line to jump ahead, 1-0. The Lakers would tie the game 1 all in the bottom of the third with an RBI single from sophomore DJ Stoianovich (Fairport, N.Y./ Fairport) to bring home teammate Paulie Goodness (Palmyra, N.Y./ Palmyra-Macedon). 

A 2-run fourth inning would break the tie, giving the Thunderwolves the 3-1 advantage. The two teams would finish scoreless in the fifth inning. It was a triple off the bat of sophomore Kenny Murphy (Webster, N.Y./ Webster Schroeder) in the bottom of the fifth inning that shifted the momentum in the Lakers' favor and brought the game to a 3-all tie. The game-winning run would also be scored by Murphy on a groundout by Jorge Oropeza III (Rochester, N.Y./ Greece Athena). 

Nick Balcom (Camden, N.Y./ Camden) earned his second win of the season, striking out 5 batters over 5 1/3 innings while holding the Thunderwolves high powered offense to 3 earned runs. Sophomore Devin Georgetti (Rochester, N.Y./ Gates Chili) earned the save, holding the Thunderwolves scoreless while striking out 1 batter in the final inning. 

With the win, the Lakers earned their 12th straight victory, a program record.

Game two vs. Niagara County

Unlike the first game of the doubleheader, the Lakers quickly took a lead over the Thunderwolves, leading 4-1 after the fourth inning. On track to sweep the matchup, a 4-run fifth inning and an insurance run in the top of the seventh helped secure a 6-4 win for the Thunderwolves.

Teammates DJ Stoianovich and Matthew DiSanti (Farmingdale, N.Y./ Farmingdale) each picked up a pair of hits while Lucas Sulimowicz (Rochester, N.Y./ Greece Athena) and Kenny Murphy each earned an RBI. 

The Lakers will look to continue their winning ways this Sunday, April 2nd when they host the Kats of Erie Community College for 12/2 PM doubleheader.