WINTER HAVEN, FL – Steve Zaprowski's two-out double in the bottom of the ninth inning scored a pair of runs as the Devils mounted yet another comeback win and completed the doubleheader sweep of Oswego with a 7-6 win. They won the first game, 8-3.
Game 2
The second game of the doubleheader was scheduled for seven innings. Oswego tied the game 4-all with a run in the top of the sixth. With one out and a runner at third, they attempted a suicide squeeze to take the lead, only to see Blue Devil pitcher Lucas Schaefer gun the runner down at the plate.
Both teams mounted threats in the seventh and eighth, before breaking through in the ninth.
After retiring the first two Lakers, a walk, error and intentional walk loaded the bases. Oswego's Jordan Giller doubled to right field to give the Lakers a 6-4 lead.
In the bottom of the ninth, Kyle Sherman was hit by a pitch to start the inning. Ciro Fontale reached base on a fielder's choice as Sherman was put out at second.
With two out and two strikes, Michael Prentice kept the rally alive with a base hit scoring Frontale. On the next pitch, Liam Kelly singled and advanced Alexio Medina, who had pinch run for Prentice, to second.
The very next pitch saw Zaprowski line a ball to deep left center to score Medina and Kelly for the comeback win.
Starting pitcher Luke Kuczewski went five-plus innings. He was taken out after back-to-back doubles tied the game in the top of the sixth. Schaefer earned the win on the mound, going the final four innings, allowing two runs.
Offensively, Liam Kelly went four for five with a double and two RBI. Zaprowski, who entered the game as a defensive replacement, was two for two. Quinn Danahy and Prentice also had two hits, with Danahy popping a two-run homerun in the third inning.
Game 1
The series opener was played over two days. The teams played four-and-a-half innings, with Fredonia taking an 8-3 lead on Saturday, before the rains suspended play.
All the fireworks occurred on Saturday, with neither team scoring a run over the final four innings on Sunday.
Fredonia senior Zach Jordon took the ball on Saturday to start the game, and finished the complete game a day later.
Jordan yielded a run in the first inning, and allowed a two-run homerun to Eric Hamilton in the third. He settled in and allowed four hits over the final six innings. His final line was nine innings, 10 hits, one walk and five strikeouts. He improved to 2-1 on the season.
The Devils did their offensive damage early.
Shreman and Frontale both singled to start the first. Kelly then came through with a two-out single to tie the game at one.
Four runs in the second inning chased Oswego starting pitcher Tim Cronin. Rob Wiegand started the inning with a single and advanced to third when Dan Cecilia doubled. Joshua Crocetti then lined a single to center that went under the centerfielders glove for an error. The subsequent throw to the plate got away for another error, and allowed Crocetti to advance to third.
Crocetti scored on a single by Frontale. Frontale stole second and scored on a base hit by Prentice to give Fredonia a 5-1 lead.
Leading 5-3 heading into the fourth, the Devils scored three more times. Back-to-back base hits, and an error on a sacrifice bunt loaded the bases. Prentice double to clear the bases and provide an 8-3 lead.
The Devils loaded the bases again in the same inning before the Lakers quashed that threat.
Sherman, Frontale and Prentice finished with two hits apiece. Prentice drove in four runs. Fredonia finished with 25 hits in the two games.
Oswego, ranked No. 16 in Division III, falls to 8-3.
The Devils, winners of five straight, sport an identical 8-3 record. The final game of the series will be played Monday at 2:30 at the Lake Myrtle Complex, Field #7.
