The Oswego State Lakers defeated the SUNY Fredonia Blue Devils at Laker Baseball Field on Friday afternoon, 11-4.
The Lakers dominated the first game of a three-game weekend series from the onset with junior starting pitcher Brendyn Karinchak earning his sixth win of the season.
Karinchak entered the game for the Lakers with a 1.76 earned run average and surrendered only one run in five innings of work, while striking out seven batters.
Oswego State head coach Scott Landers praised Karinchak, and the effect that he has on the team.
“The guys always rally around him,” Landers said. “They know he is going to give them a great chance to win. It’s always a luxury to have him out there.”
However, the Laker offense was the story for Oswego State. It tallied 11 runs on 21 hits.
Junior Zachary Jordan had a rough outing for the Blue Devils, allowing 10 earned runs on 10 hits, over 3.1 innings of work.
The Lakers received production all throughout their lineup, with their one through four hitters all producing extra-hit games.
Sophomore outfielder Myles Kutscher began the scoring for Oswego State in the first inning with a RBI single, scoring leadoff hitter Dan Saccocio.
The Lakers scored five runs in the third inning and four in the fourth. Saccocio was a highlight for the Lakers throughout the afternoon.
The outfielder went 4-4 on the afternoon, reaching base five times, while scoring three runs and driving in one.
After his big game, Landers emphasized the value of having a hitter like Saccocio at the top of a lineup.
“He is huge,” Landers said. “Just look at the stats and see how many runs scored he has compared to the other guys. We ride with him on the offense.”
Reaching base in whatever way he can, Saccocio understands his dynamic role with the team, and how important the mental aspect of the game is.
“My job is to be the catalyst,” Saccocio said. “When I’m on base, getting in the head of the pitcher is huge. Trying to get them to think about me, instead of the batter. That’s something all of our speed guys are taught. If you have a chance at all, to get in their head, go for it.”
The Blue Devils looked to mount a comeback against the Lakers in the sixth inning, scoring four runs, three unearned. But, the Laker bullpen silenced the bats.
Sophomore John-Michael Guarino, relieving Karinchak, tossed an inning, while allowing one run. Senior Dylan Kohlman and junior Andy Stuart finished the contest for the Lakers, with Kohlman pitching a scoreless seventh and eighth inning, and Stuart finishing off the Blue Devils in the ninth.
Despite struggling over the past two games previously, the ability to put the past in the rear view mirror, allows Saccocio and the team to be resilient.
“Our motto is ‘you’re always 0-0,” Saccocio said. “I’m not looking back, I’ve been struggling the past couple of games, but I was able to put together a good game here. Tomorrow is a new day.”
On Saturday, the Lakers (21-6, 12-2) match up with the Blue Devils (9-14, 4-7) once again with their doubleheader set to begin at 12 p.m. at Laker Baseball Field.
