The Lakeland baseball team dropped both ends of a doubleheader today to the Clark State Eagles by the scores of 6-1 and 10-8. In game 1, the Lakers jumped out to an early 1-0 lead. In the bottom off the first inning, Josiah Cuesta hit a leadoff double. Cuesta would later score on an RBI-single from James LaVigne. The Eagles would then score the next 6 runs as they took advantage of Lakeland errors mixed in with some timley hits.  In the 7th inning, the Lakers would make it interesting. Tony Hall started things with a 1-out single.  Brayden Fellouzis followed with a walk. Hall would then score on an RBI-single from Cuesto. Ray Cowen was then hit by a pitch to load the bases with one out. Unfortunately the Lakers would not get the hit they needed in falling in game one. The game ended with a deep drive to left by Wilfredo Ortiz that fell just short of being a game-tying grand slam.

Offensively, Josiah Cuesta (3 hits, 2 doubles, and an RBI) paced the Lakers. Tony Hall, Parker LaGreca, and James LaVigne each collected 2 hits for Lakeland. On the mound, Ethan Duncan took the hard-luck loss surrendering 4 runs (2 earned) while striking out 6 batters in 6 innings. Leo Alonso relieved and pitched 1 inning allowing 2 unearned runs. 

In game 2, Lakeland scored 8 runs, but had the opportunity to score several more in dropping the game. Lakeland jumped out a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the 1st inning. Josiah Cuesta walked, stole second base, and later scored on an RBI-double from Ray Cowen. Cowen would advance to 3rd on a wild pitch and eventually scored on a sac fly from Wilfredo Ortiz. Clark State would score the next 8 runs over 2 innings as they took advantage of 6 walks issued by the Lakers and an error. In the bottom of the 3rd inning, the Lakers scored 3 runs without the benefit of a hit to make the score 8-5. Cowen was hit by a pitch and then James LaVigne and Miguel Fuentes walked to load the bases. Parker LaGreca, Thomas Vokic, and Tony Hall all then worked RBI-walks. The Eagles would add a single run in the 4th and the 5th innings without a hit as they again took advantage of walks and an error. Trailing 10-5, Lakeland scored a couple of runs in the bottom of the 5th inning to make the score 10-7. Brayden Fellouzis started the rally with a 1-out single. Josiah Cuesta followed with a double to put runners on 2nd and 3rd. Ray Cowen would then connect for an RBI-single before James LaVigne drove in the second run with a fielder's choice. Lakeland tacked on another run in the bottom of the 6th inning to make the score 10-8. LaGreca and Vokic would both walk before Tony Hall singled to load the bases. Ray Cowen later scored LaGreca with an RBI-single. The Lakers would try one more time in the bottom of the 7th inning as they loaded the bases with one out, but were unable to get the clutch hit.

It was a frustrating game for the Lakers as they left the bases loaded 3 times. Additionally, they left runners on 2nd and 3rd in two other innings. The chances were there, unfortunately, they weren't able to convert their opportunities. Ray Cowen (3 hits and 2 RBI's) and Tony Hall (2 hits) led the way offensively for Lakeland. Thomas Vokic, James LaVigne, and Wilfredo Ortiz each recorded a hit and RBI. Brayden Fellouzis and Josiah Cuesta (2B) also added a hit in the defeat.  On the mound, Jackson Smith started and took the loss allowing 8 runs (5 earned) in 3 innings. Casen Smith relieved and allowed a run in one inning. Kaleb Corrin pitched the next 2 innings allowing 1 run while Aaron De Oleo Rivas closed it out with a scoreless 7th inning. 

Next Up: The Lakers are scheduled to host the Edison State Chargers tomorrow (5/1) in OCCAC action. First pitch is scheduled for 1:00 pm.