The Lakeland baseball team finished up it's third straight day of doubleheaders by traveling to play the Hocking Hawks in OCCAC action today. Lakeland dropped game one 8-2 before rebounding to win game 2 by a score of 10-8. In game 1, the Lakers started slowly and spotted the Hawks a 4-0 lead in the first inning. In the top of the 2nd inning, Lakeland would score 1 run to make it 4-1. Wilfredo Ortiz started things with a single before Parker LaGreca doubled. Ortiz would later score on a Tony Hall groundout. After the Hawks answered with a run in the home half of the inning, Lakeland would score another run in the top of the 3rd inning on a Josiah Cuesta home run. Unfortunately for the Lakers, that is all the offense they would create as they dropped game 1.
Josiah Cuesta (HR) led the Lakers offensively in game 1. Ray Cowen and Parker LaGreca also doubled. Wilfredo Ortiz also added a hit in the defeat. Jackson Smith took the loss on the mound as he pitched 4 innings and allowed 7 runs (5 earned). Casen Smith relieved and pitched 2 innings allowing an unearned run.
Game 2 was a back and forth affair with the Lakers pulling it out in the 7th inning on a grand slam Aaron De Oleo Rivas. Lakeland jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the 1st inning. Josiah Cuesta and Ray Cowen started the game with singles. Cuesta would later score on a RBI-double from Wilfredo Ortiz. The Hawks answered with a run of their own in the first to make the score 1-1. Lakeland would score 2 runs in the top of the second inning to take a 3-1 lead. Tony Hall got things going with a double before Aaron De Oleo Rivas scored him with an RBI-double. Cuesta would later follow with an RBI-single. The Hawks would again answer scoring 4 runs in the bottom of the second to take a 5-3 lead. In the top of the 4th inning the Lakers would tie the score at 5. Cuesta and Cowen would again single before both scored on a 2-RBI triple from James LaVigne. The Hawks would answer by scoring single runs in the 4th and 5th inning and they held a 7-5 lead going into the top of the 7th inning. The Lakers would not quit though as they scored 5 runs to take a 10-7 lead. LaVigne started the rally with a double before Wilfredo Ortiz was hit by a pitch. Parker LaGreca followed with an RBI-single. Tony Hall then singled to load the bases and setting the stage for Aaron De Oleo Rivas who roped a game winning grand slam.
Aaron De Oleo Rivas led the Lakers with 3 hits (2B, HR) and 5 RBI's. Josiah Cuesta recorded 3 hits and an RBI while James LaVigne had 2 hits (2B, 3B) and 2 RBI's. Tony Hall and Ray Cowen both picked up 2 hits while Parker LaGreca and Wilfredo Ortiz both added a hit and RBI in the win. Lucas Nichols picked up the win pitching 6.2 innings. Kaleb Corrin earned the save coming in and striking out the last batter.
Next Up: The Lakers are sxcheduled to play the Hocking Hawks on Saturday (4/26) at Laker Field. First pitch is scheduled for 1:00 pm.