Stackhouse Pitches Lakers to Split in FLCC's Season Opening Games

By Jimmy Habecker

LARGO, MD. – Standout starting pitcher Dakota Stackhouse threw a complete game two-hitter to salvage a split for Finger Lakes (1-1) on Sunday at Prince George's CC. In a pair of season-opening games with the Owls, the Lakers dropped game one 7-4 before notching a 6-1 game two victory.

The Lakers got out to a fast start in game two with a leadoff double by Aaron Freida. Corey Galletta followed that up with a single and both would end up scoring to give the Lakers an early 2-0 lead. The Owls answered quickly with back-to-back leadoff hits as well, which would prove to be the only blemishes on Stackhouse's day. Only one run would get across the plate and Stackhouse would be in control for the rest of the game.

Stackhouse would help himself and get help from his teammates with a pair of defensive gems in the third inning. With one out in the inning, the sophomore hurler would snare a line drive that was roped back at the mound. The next pitch was hit for a looping fly ball to right field. Right fielder Kenny Urbanik charged and dove for the ball. The ball hit his glove and popped up in the air. Second baseman Galletta would dive over Urbanik to catch the ball out of midair to end the inning.

Nicholas Petrantoni would lead off the fourth with a triple to right field and the momentum was in Finger Lakes favor for the rest of the game. Petrantoni would end up scoring and the Lakers would tack on another insurance run in the fifth.

With two outs and two runners on, Frieda would double to right in the sixth inning. Petrantoni would score from second and Kyle Consolie would score all the way from first on Frieda's double and push the Lakers lead to the eventual final score of 6-1.

Stackhouse was in control the entire game. After those two hits to start the game, he would retire 21 of the final 22 batters he faced. Frieda finished the game with three hits, two of which were doubles. He also drove in two runs. Petrantoni tripled and singled in his collegiate debut.

Game one was not as fortunate for the Lakers however. They found themselves down 7-0 after two innings of play. Finger Lakes attempted a late rally with 8 hits in the final three innings, but it was not enough. Joey Simmons, Branden Rhodes, and Troy Loparco each registered a pair of hits apiece for the Lakers. Danny Baker threw 4 innings of scoreless relief with 3 strikeouts for Finger Lakes.

The Lakers will return to the field on Monday, as they will take on Allegany College of Maryland on the road beginning at 2 pm.