Baseball Wraps Up Weekend of Regional Play

Baseball Wraps Up Weekend of Regional Play
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April 6, 2024

CANANDAIGUA, N.Y. - The Finger Lakes Community College baseball team struggled to find its rhythm as they dropped two games to Erie before splitting with Jamestown to finish the weekend 1-3.

In their first game on Saturday, April 6th, the Lakers would fall to Erie 5-1 in extra innings. Freshman Ian Goodness (Palmyra, N.Y./Palmyra-Macedon) pitched a solid 8 innings and allowed only one earned run on five hits, striking out three batters with no walks. Offensively, Jeffrey Broadnax (Hilton, N.Y./Hilton) and Collin Clark (Pittsford, N.Y./Pittsford-Mendon) provided the sparks for the Lakers. Broadnax hit a double, while Clark was responsible for driving in the Lakers' sole run with a sacrifice fly. Freshman Kyle VanAuker (Henrietta, N.Y./Rush-Henrietta) contributed with a sacrifice bunt, while Alex Ahlstrom (Dunkirk, N.Y./Dunkirk) and Ryan Mettler (Royalton, N.Y./Royalton-Hartland) put the pressure on with a stolen base apiece.

The Lakers would surrender a 4-0 lead in game two to fall 6-4 to the Kats. Sophomores Lucas Granger (Horseheads, N.Y./Horseheads) and Alex Ahlstrom led the offensive charge, each providing extra-base hits. Granger hit a triple, and Ahlstrom added a triple of his own, with Ahlstrom also driving in a run. Classmate Matthew DiSanti (Farmingdale, N.Y./Farmingdale) contributed with an RBI single while freshman Joey Sanna (Hilton, N.Y./Hilton) doubled a drove in two runs. On the pitching side, Michael Bowler (Geneva, N.Y./Geneva), despite taking the loss, struck out six batters over four innings on just two hits. Freshman Nicholas Olmo (Webster, N.Y./Webster Thomas) provided two solid innings of relief, not allowing any runs and striking out two.

In their first game on Sunday, April 7th, the Lakers were met with a tough 5-2 defeat. Sophomore Alex Ahlstrom stood out for the Lakers, delivering a home run and driving in both of the team's runs; serving as a bright spot for the Lakers offense. On the mound, sophomore Bruno Cergol (Brooklyn, N.Y./Rabun Gap) earned the start and struck out six batters over 2.2 innings. Classmate Matthew Rodriguez (Lackawanna, N.Y./Lackawanna) came in relief, providing 3.1 innings of working and allowing just one earned run while striking out two batters to limit the Jayhawks offense.

Despite a difficult three-game stretch, the Lakers rallied back to finish the weekend with a victory, capturing a 10-5 victory over Jamestown. Sophomore Alex Ahlstrom continued his strong streak, adding two hits, one of which was a double, and an RBI. Freshman Ryan Donovan (North Tonawanda, N.Y./North Tonawanda) matched the intensity with a 2-for-4 day at the plate in just his second start this season. Donovan's day at the plate included a double and three RBIs to close out his strongest showing this season. On the base paths, Lucas Granger and Danny Melendez (Victor, N.Y./Victor) put their speed on display with a pair of steals. Teammates Aiden Reed (Manchester, N.Y./Red Jacket), Dom Morsch (Churchville, N.Y./Churchville-Chili), Tino Tiermini (Irondequoit, N.Y./Irondequoit), and Tyler Arno (Geneva, N.Y./Geneva) shared the pitching duties, with Reed setting the tone early in the game for the bullpen. Morsch came in relief to earn the win, tossing two perfect innings with two strikeouts. Tiermini and Arno followed, with Tiermini contributing a scoreless inning and Arno closing out the final inning. 

The Lakers have a quick turnaround as they will hit the road tomorrow for a doubleheader at Genesee Community College in Batavia, N.Y. at 2 PM and 4:30 PM.