ONEONTA, N.Y. ---- The Fredonia baseball team began its last weekend of SUNYAC play with a 13-5 win over Oneonta.
Fredonia jumped out to an early lead in the top of the first inning. Kenny Johnston (Buffalo, N.Y./Kenmore West) reached first on a sacrifice bunt followed by a throwing error allowing Ryan Carmody (Montgomery, N.Y./Valley) to score from second. Vincent Sherman (North Collins, N.Y./North Collins) scored on a Ricky Mendiola (Williamsville, N.Y./Williamsville) sacrifice fly followed by an RBI single from Michael Prentice (West Seneca, N.Y./St.Francis).
The Red Dragons responded with two runs in the bottom of the inning following two Blue Devil errors.
Sherman drove in his first run of the game on a double that was lined into the left-center gap giving Fredonia a 4-2 advantage.
After another Blue Devil error LJ Gizzarelli hit a double to deep left field scoring Joe Franke. Mike Cruz knocked in the third run of the fourth for the Red Dragons on a two-out single through the right side. After four innings Oneonta led 5-4.
Fredonia reclaimed the lead in the sixth inning highlighted by Carmody's two RBI single down the left field line.
The Blue Devils added three more in the seventh scoring twice as an errant throw allowed Prentice and Mendiola to score.
The Blue Devils tacked on another three run inning in the eighth on RBI singles by Mendiola, Prentice, and Ciro Frontale (Syracuse, N.Y./Bishop Ludden). At the end of eight innings the score was 13-5.
Jake Harford (Silver Creek, N.Y./ Silver Creek) started on the mound for the Blue Devils tossing four and a third innings giving up six hits while striking out four. Bailey Gauthier (Camillus, N.Y./ West Genesee) earned his first collegiate win relieving Harford. Gauthier threw two and two thirds innings allowing just two walks and striking out two. Carl Wolf (Hilton, N.Y./Hilton) closed the door pitching the final two innings giving up just one hit.
Carmody finished the day with three hits, three runs scored, and two RBI. Prentice finished the day with four hits two RBI and a stolen base. Quinn Danahy (Buffalo, N.Y./Bishop Timon) went two for three and an RBI.
Fredonia improved to 11-17 (6-10 SUNYAC) while Oneonta dropped to 7-20 (4-12 SUNYAC).
Both teams will be back in action Saturday for a doubleheader. First pitch is set for noon.
