Four Games Remain on Lakers Regular Season Schedule
CANANDAIGUA, N.Y. – The Finger Lakes Community College Lakers will hit the road today as they are set to take on conference member Onondaga Community College in an afternoon doubleheader. The Lakers will enter play with a record of 20-25 (10-4 MSAC) while the Lazers will come into action 27-14 (12-0). First pitch is set for 2pm.
The two teams last met twice on Apr. 21, 2013 on FLCC's diamond. In those two contests, the Lakers fell consecutively 4-2 and 7-4. In game one, pitcher Kevin Carpentier kept Finger Lakes in contention with his effective start. The righty tossed six innings of six-hit ball. On the day, he allowed just one earned run while striking out six. OCC's starting pitcher Turner Parry pitched a gem of a game. Going all seven innings, he allowed just one earned run while fanning 12 Laker hitters.
In the nightcap, Finger Lakes sent Kevin Close to the mound. In the losing effort, the 6-foot-4-inch freshman went six innings; allowing three earned runs on six strikeouts and two walks. OCC's Ryan Bidwell picked up his fourth victory of the season at the time as he struck out three while allowing two earned runs over six innings. The Lakers, who in game one collected just five hits, registered seven hits as a team in the second game. Hitting wise, they received a pair of two-hit performances from Joey Simmons and Kenny Urbanik.
After taking on the Lazers today, Finger Lakes will wrap up its regular season schedule on Thursday as it will remain on the road for a pair of conference games at Corning Community College (1-31). That doubleheader is expected to get underway at 2pm as well. The Lakers and Red Barons last met on Apr. 14, 2013 on FLCC's field. On that Sunday, the Lakers swept Corning as they took games one and two by the scores of 10-0 and 9-4, respectively.
In game one, Close picked up his first collegiate victory by launching a complete game one-hitter. Over six innings, the right-handed pitcher struck out eight while walking just three batters. The Lakers, as a team, tallied 14 hits. Branden Rhodes paced Finger Lakes with three hits. Simmons, Dylan Catlin, Nate Eastman, and Kyle Consolie each contributed two hits apiece.
In the finale, Finger Lakes' Dakota Stackhouse picked up the victory on the hill. The sophomore went four innings while striking out four. He failed to allow a single earned run in his win. The Lakers bats were hot yet again in game two. This time, they recorded 12 hits. Leading the way in the hitting column with three hits was Simmons. Consolie, Rhodes, and Troy Loparco each picked up two hits apiece for the home Lakers. Combined, Finger Lakes top four hitters went 9 for 12 in the 9-4 win.
The Lakers currently sit in fifth place in Region III's Western Division. Only the top four teams are eligible for sub-regional play. With four games remaining, Finger Lakes controls its own destiny. With Jamestown Community College lodged in fourth place, the Lakers still have a chance to enter postseason play. Jamestown concluded its regular season with a record of 18-13 in the Western Division while Finger Lakes currently holds a 14-11 record in the division.