BROCKPORT, N.Y. – The College at Brockport Baseball team fell at the hands of nationally ranked SUNY Cortland Friday afternoon in a double header as it was nearly able to pull out a victory in game two before falling in the bottom of the seventh and final inning 6-5. Brockport's Josh Martin and Paul Ludden hit back-to-back opposite field home runs for the Golden Eagles in game one as it dropped an 11-2 State University of New York Athletic Conference (SUNYAC) game on the Clark V. Whited Complex grounds.
Brockport (15-8 Overall, 6-2 SUNYAC) dropped its first two conference games of the season as Cortland moved into first place with the victories. The Golden Eagles can regain their perch atop the standings with a victory during tomorrow's contest however.
The Green and Gold were unable to get much going in game one despite back-to-back homers from Martin and Ludden. Both right handed batters sent the ball into deep right field that was carried out of the park by helpful gusts of wind. On the back-to-back dingers Brockport tied the score up at 2-all but after a five run third for Cortland, the Golden Eagle energy was drained.
Reliever Kyle Perez did his best to keep Brockport in the game as he threw four consecutive scoreless innings to keep the Green and Gold within five runs during his longest outing of the season. However he got into some trouble during the eighth inning as Cortland was able to add four more runs to its total. Freshmen Matt Hogg and Ryan Greco both made their first appearances on the Brockport mound, neither allowing a run while Greco was impressive with two strikeouts.
During game two Brockport began to make things interesting in the bottom of the third inning after starting pitcher Sam McCumiskey tossed his first scoreless inning up to that point. Brett Sanders walked on four straight pitchers before Greg Ruddy singled through the right side of the field on what looked to be a hit and run situation with the second baseman ranging to his right to cover the bag.
One batter later Chris Davis singled through the left side of the infield allowing Sanders to score. Martin was next in line to come up big with a two out RBI single which was followed by one from Ludden as well as Brockport cut the Red Dragon lead to 5-3.
Sanders got things going for the Green and Gold once again in the fourth with a two out single. He advanced to second base before Ruddy singled into left field. As Sanders slid into home safe, Ruddy tried to advance to second base to put himself into scoring position however was out on the play. Brockport had closed the gap to a single run.
McCumiskey threw his third consecutive scoreless frame before Nick Jerolimov entered the game with another blank slate for Brockport heading into the bottom half of the sixth inning still trailing by one.
Brockport appeared like it was heading to the seventh inning still trailing by one until a fluke play allowed Sanders to get on base. With two outs and two strikes Sanders tried to check his swing but broke the plane of the plate for a swinging strike on a ball that got by the catcher. Sanders reached first base. In a hit and run play Ruddy was unable to make contact with a pitch at eye level, getting Sanders in a pickle on the bases. As he attempted to get back to first base the throw was off target from the shortstop, which allowed him to put himself in scoring position. Ruddy came up big with his third hit of the game and second RBI which tied the score at 5-all.
The leadoff Cortland batter led the seventh off with a single before being pinch ran for. The runner advanced to second on a pitch which brought the end to Jerolimov's night as he was relieved by Seve Kowalski. One batter later the Red Dragons connected on a single through the drawn in infield to take the lead. Kowalski worked out of the inning escaping further damage as the Red Dragons threatened with a ground ball double play.
Brockport put a runner in scoring position with two walks but with two outs was unable to manufacture a run to keep the game going as the SUNYAC ruling states a conference series will be played in consecutive order of innings nine, seven and finished with nine.
Ruddy extended his hit streak to seven straight games with a single in game one and three hits in the second contest. Ludden also had a strong day at the plate for Brockport finishing with four hits including a double and home run. Luke Gilbert went 2-for-4 in game one before exiting game two early.
Brockport and Cortland will square off with one another once again tomorrow pending good weather at noon to close out the series. The Red Dragons have already won the series with two victories but as previously stated, Brockport has much to play for tomorrow as a win would put them back in first place and on top of the SUNYAC. 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.
