Lakers Look to Build Upon Current Four-Game Win Streak

By Matt Troll

CANANDAIGUA -- Finger Lakes CC, riding a four-game win streak heading into weekend play, will return to action tomorrow as it is set to take on No. 10 Niagara County CC at home for a pair of games. The Lakers, currently 6-12 overall, will begin play with the visiting Thunderwolves at 1 pm on Saturday.

Finger Lakes has been playing some inspired baseball lately. Its four-game win streak began on Saturday, Mar. 30 at home. On that day, thanks to 18 combined hits and the strong pitching efforts of Alan Rombkowski and Derick Fera, the Lakers completed a sweep of the Ithaca College JV Bombers by the scores of 5-0 and 8-5. Both freshmen right-handers struck out seven batters in games one and two respectively to earn their first collegiate victories as pitchers.

After bad weather postponed the Lakers next two games against conference foe Tompkins Cortland CC, Finger Lakes would return to the field yesterday, where it would host TC3 at home. Yet again, the Lakers received another pair of solid performances out of their game one and two starting pitchers.

This time, helping them to another set of victories were Kevin Carpentier and Dakota Stackhouse. Both hurlers went the distance on the hill. Carpentier, in an FLCC 5-0 game one-shutout victory, registered seven strikeouts. Stackhouse then backed Carpentier's outing with a solid outing of his own. In a 2-1 exciting game two win for the Lakers, the sophomore struck out five Panthers, while allowing just one walk and one earned run against seven hits.

Aside from its strong pitching, Finger Lakes is also receiving solid hitting during the streak. Leading the charge offensively throughout the 4-0 run has been centerfielder Joey Simmons. The Victor, NY product is hitting a team-best .358 on the season. In his last four games, Simmons has gone 8 for 14 from the plate.

Following Simmons .358 batting average with a pair of .357 averages are Branden Rhodes and Matt Horne.

The consistent hitting efforts of shortstop Troy Loparco and Dylan Catlin have backed the bats of Simmons, Rhodes, and Horne. Loparco sits behind the three in hitting with his .312 batting average. Catlin, fresh off of being the game two hero of Thursday's 2-1 victory for the Lakers over TC3, is hitting .306 with his bat. In addition, the catcher/designated hitter has a team leading 8 RBI's credited to his name.

Catlin, in yesterday's nightcap against the Panthers, hit a walk-off single to drive home Simmons for the Lakers victory. Finger Lakes will now look to ride his game-winning hit into tomorrow when it takes the field to host Niagara County.