The Lakeland baseball team continued their southern trip today by playing a doubleheader against Rockland Communiity College and Blackhawk College. In game 1, the Lakers jumped out to a 6-0 lead before eventully falling to Rockland College 14-7. Lakeland struck first in the top of the 1st inning by putting across 2 runs. Estevan Ruiz would get things started by hitting a leadoff double. Seth Cervello would single and both runners would move up on a wild pitch. Rafael Nakandakari followed with a 2-RBI single. The Lakers would extend their lead to 4-0 in the 2nd inning. Andhris Martinez would get things started with a single. Ruiz would then hit a ball the second baseman couldn't handle allowing Martinez to advance to 3rd base. Seth Cervello would drive Martinez in with a fielder's choice. Later in the inning, Nakandakari would would drive Cervello in with an RBI-single. The Lakers would take on 2 more runs in the 3rd inniing to take a 6-0 lead. Jose Fichera hit a lead off double and advanced to 3rd when Rockland committed an error on a ball hit by Ray Cowen. Later in the inniing, Alarik Sierra plated Fichera with a fielder's choice. Andhris Martinez then scored Cowen with an RBI-single. Rockland responded with 5 runs in the bottom of the 3rd inning to make the score 6-5. Rockland would score 3 more runs in the bottom of the 4th inning to take an 8-6 lead. In the top of the 5th inniing, Lakeland would score a run to move with a run at 8-7. Alarik Sierra scored the run by hitting a leadoff doble, advanced to 3rd on a passed ball, and then scored on an Andhris Martinez fielder's choice. Unfortunately for Lakeland, they would not score again as Rocklnad pulled away.

Andhris Martinez and Rafael Nakandakari both collected 2 hits and 2 RBI's. Jose Fichera added 2 hits and an RBI while Estevan Ruiz picked up 2 hits for the Lakers. Alarik Sierra and Seth Cervello both recorded a hit in the Laker loss. Stephen Osowski pitched 3.1 innings allowing 8 runs (7 earned) while striking out 6 batters. Julien Bourgeois relieved and threw 1.2 innings allowing 4 runs (3 earned). Aiden Limtury closed out the game pitching 1 inning and allowing 2 earned runs.

The Lakers never got going in game 2. Blackhawk jumped out to an an early 1-0 lead and then blew the game open scoring 6 runs in the 4th inning. Lakeland would eventually fall by an 11-1 score. The Lakers were only able to collect 4 hits in the nightcap. Ray Cowen, Andhris Martinez, Rafael Nakandakari, and Alarik Sierra each singled in the loss. Logan Metz took the loss on the mound pitching 6 innings and allowing 11 runs (10 earned) while striking out 5 batters.

Next Up: The Lakers will follow an off-day tomorrow by playing CBC Elite on Friday morning.