Steve Nickel hit his fourth home run of the season to tie the game in the sixth inning
AUBURNDALE, FLA. – Wheaton College (Mass.) scored three runs in the top of the eighth inning to break a 7-7 tie and the nationally 20th-ranked Lyons defeated 19th-ranked Cortland, 10-7, in a non-league contest. The two teams will play again Tuesday at 3 p.m.
Cortland (6-3) led 6-0 after two innings. The Red Dragons scored once in the first on a
Steve Nickel (Lake Ronkonkoma/Sachem North) sacrifice fly and added five runs in the second on an
Adam Dimino (Honeoye Falls/Honeoye Falls-Lima) three-run homer and a
John Zilnicki (Riverhead) two-run double.
Wheaton (2-0) got two runs back in the third on a Sean Munley two-run single and scored three in the top of the fourth. Tad Skelley singled in a run, Jeff Lieneck hit a sacrifice fly and Skelley scored the third run on a passed ball.
The Lyons grabbed a 7-6 lead in the sixth on RBI singles by Lieneck and Dan Haugh. Cortland answered with the tying run in the bottom of the inning when Nickel hit his fourth home run of the season. Wheaton's winning rally started with two walks, followed by a Haugh RBI double. After an intentional walk loaded the bases, Jason Clucas drew a walk to force in a run and a double play grounder plated the final run.
Cortland had rallies in both the seventh and ninth innings thwarted by double plays – two of four twin killings the Lyons recorded in the contest.
Matt June (Colonie) went 3-for-4 with a walk and two runs scored for Cortland. Dimino finished 2-for-5 with three RBI and
Alex Coffey (Hilton) went 2-for-2 with a walk off the bench.
Travis Ratliff (Levittown/Division Avenue) started for the Red Dragons and earned a no-decision. He allowed seven hits and two walks, struck out eight and gave up five runs, four earned, in four innings.
Scott Hartling (Pleasant Valley/Arlington), the second of four Cortland relievers, suffered the loss after walking the first two batters in the eighth.
Paul Malaguti went 3-for-5 with a walk for Wheaton. Lieneck was 2-for-4 with two RBI and Skelley finished 2-for-4 with an RBI and three runs scored. Mike McGinnis earned the win after pitching a scoreless seventh inning. Jon Shepard, the Lyons' sixth pitcher of the day, picked up the save despite allowing two hits in the ninth.
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