CORTLAND, N.Y. - Sophomore Sam Cestra tossed 9 2/3 scoreless innings before giving up the game's only run with two out in the bottom of the 10th inning as the Devils fell to Cortland, 1-0, on Saturday.  The loss, combined with a 5-3 defeat at the hands of Oswego earlier in the day ended the Devils' season.

Cortland tried to win the game with one out in the tenth. With Joe Tardif at second base, Garrett Hunter singled through the right side. Right fielder Tyler Phillips hit the cut and Billy Clifford nailed Tardiff at the plate on the relay thanks to a reverse spin tag by catcher Jon Morrison. The celebration was short lived. Steven Salisbury followed with a base hit to left to end the game. 

Cortland had an opportunity to take the lead in the seventh. After a leadoff double and an infield single put runners at the corners with no outs, Cestra got the first out with a diving catch on a safety squeeze attempt. The next runner grounded to third, and the third out was recorded on an infield pop up.

"Sam was in command all day," said head coach Matt Palisin. "He got strikeouts when he needed them, pitched around guys in key situations, and got some stellar defense. He took command of the game."

The Devils had an opportunity for a run in the ninth. Kole Brink was on first base with two out. Clifford smoked a ball, but it was right at the centerfielder for the third out.

Cortland almost won the game in the bottom of the ninth. With two outs and a runner at third, James Varian grounded deep in the hole to short. Nic Fiore backhanded the ball and nailed Varian at first with an outstanding defensive play.

The Devils struggled offensively with Cortland ace Matt Valin (8-0). The Devils managed just three hits and Valin recorded 17 strikeouts going all 10 innings.

Luke Kuczewski went the distance in Game 1 against Oswego. The senior scattered eight hits over eight innings striking out three. Kuczewski tied the school season-record with his sixth complete game and 10th start, both shared with Ricky Carlson. Kuczewski also broke Carlson's innings pitched mark with 75 1/3 innings and holds the season strikeout mark with 68.

"We relied heavily on Luke all season." said Palisin. "He was asked to go the distance almost every time out and carried our team through the early part of the season. His effort between starts really helped motivate Cestra as well. Both pitchers went out there today with the intent to finish what they started."

The Devils out hit Oswego, 9-8. Phillips and Billy Clifford finished with a pair of hits. Phillips had three hits on the day.

The Devils scored in the first and fourth innings to take a 2-0 lead. A Clifford single plated Russ Mistretta in the first, and Trevor Bradshaw singled home Clifford in the fourth.

The Devils had an opportunity for a big inning in the third. Following back-to-back singles by Fiore and Mistretta, Brink smoked a ball right at the first baseman for a room-service double play.

"Both games we had a few hard-hit balls that were right at someone," said Palisin. "One of those falls in and it changes the game." 

Oswego combined for five runs in the fifth, sixth, and seventh innings.

It was the final game for four Fredonia seniors -- Kuczewski, Morrison, Kevin Yirinec, and D.J. Schiersing.

"Our four seniors put everything into the season," said Palisin. "On the field, off the field, and in the classroom. They were great supporters of our other athletic teams at Fredonia and great representatives of the school. Our returning players learned a lot from them in terms of what it means to be a great teammate."