CORTLAND, N.Y. – The Golden Eagles wasted little time to score its first run and victory of the State University of New York Athletic Conference (SUNYAC) Tournament by jumping on the Lakers during the first inning on Chris Davis' two out single before securing the 10-8 victory.
Brockport (23-17 Overall) rode the arm of Austin Spindler on the way to his seventh victory of the season. The Green and Gold backed its starter with 10 runs over his seven innings pitched. Oswego put up five runs in the bottom of the eighth inning to minimize the Golden Eagle run but Nick Jerolimov's powerful right arm worked the final one and two third innings for the save.
Greg Ruddy led the game off by reaching first base on a fielding error from the second baseman. Paul Ludden sent the ball sharply down the left field line for a double putting himself and Ruddy into scoring position. Three hole hitter, Wesley Burghardt hit the ball squarely but on a line at the shortstop for an out that turned into two when the throw beat Ludden back to the bag. Chris Davis wasted little time first pitch swinging as he sent the ball hard on the ground threw the left side of the infield for the 1-0 Brockport lead.
Spindler worked around a single and error in the bottom half of the first to keep Brockport ahead. He also worked around an error in the second inning as his battery mate Ludden gunned the runner out on a steal attempt.
Brockport rallied around the Ludden throw during the top of the third inning. Brett Sanders led the frame off with a single up the middle before Ruddy beat out the second baseman's throw to first for an infield single.
Ludden laid down a well-executed bunt to advance both runners. Burghardt cashed in both Sanders and Ruddy with a double to left centerfield, giving Brockport the 3-0 edge. Back-to-back singles from Davis and Josh Martin added another run to the Golden Eagle tally before the inning came to a close.
Spindler crafted a three up, three down third before his teammates scored their fifth run of the contest. With two outs, Sanders singled with a well-placed bunt to get things going. Ruddy smoked a 2-1 pitch towards the infield's gap on the left side. The Lakers' third baseman Eric Hamilton made a tremendous diving stop but his throw was off the mark as he tried to throw out the speedy Ruddy. Sanders scored on the play, putting Brockport ahead 5-0 in the fourth.
Oswego scored in the bottom half of the frame after its own two out rally for its first run of the game. The Golden Eagles however answered back with two runs in the fifth. With two outs, Martin sent the ball into the outfield for a base knock. The next batter, Mike Carson, hustled hard down the line after a routine grounder was bobbled by the second baseman to postpone the final out.
Outfielder's Luke Gilbert and Dane Cala both took advantage with run scoring singles to extend the Golden Eagle lead to 7-1. Oswego's second baseman, Zack Kollar, attempted to negate his fielding mistake with a home run to left center.
Brockport failed to score in the sixth inning while the Lakers trimmed the lead to a four run difference by scoring one. The Golden Eagles scored three runs in the top of the seventh. Gilbert knocked in Martin with two outs and scored on Sanders single. Ruddy knocked in Cala, who previously reached base on an infield single.
Oswego attempted to answer back with its own big inning in the seventh but Spindler worked around a single and hit-by-pitch to get the Oswego power hitting third baseman to line out to Gilbert in centerfield. Heading into the eighth inning Brockport held a 10-3 lead.
The Golden Eagles found themselves in trouble before Jerolimov's high velocity fastball helped keep Brockport ahead. The Lakers scored two unearned runs to close the Golden Eagle lead. Jerolimov worked a perfect ninth inning as he struck out the side needing just 11 pitches to do so for his first save of the season.
Brockport will next play Cortland after the Red Dragons defeated No. 4 seed Fredonia 8-1 in game one of the double-elimination tournament. Brockport and Cortland will square off at 1 p.m. Be sure to stay up to date on all your Golden Eagle scores and awards by following @BportAthletics on Twitter and by liking the "Brockport Golden Eagles" Facebook page.