What a wild game and day! The Lakeland baseball team played host to the Edison State Chargers in hopes of playing a doubleheader. The game started at sunny and in the 70's. The two teams played a marathon five innings before rain, lightening, and hail washed the rest of the day away with the Lakers leading 19-16 in the bottom of the 5th. Since the half inning was washed away, the score reverts to Lakeland winning 16-14. The game started with the Chargers coming out swinging and putting up 5 runs in the top of the 1st inning. The Chargers would take a 6-0 lead in the top of the 3rd inning before the Lakers battled back - and did they ever. Lakeland would score 7 runs in the home half of the 3rd inning to take a 7-6 lead. Aaron De Oleo Rivas, Brayden Fellouzis, and Josiah Cuesta all walked to start the inning. Ray Cowen then walked another walk while picking up the RBI. James LaVigne then stepped to the plate and ripped a bases clearing double to right center. Wilfredo Ortiz was then hit by a pitch before Thomas Vokic roped an RBI-single. Miguel Fuentes then stepped to the plate and delivered a 2-RBI single to give the Lakers the lead. That lead didn't last long. In the top of the 4th inning, Edison State answered right back scoring 4 runs to take a 10-7 lead. Again, the Lakers responded in a big way as they scored 9 more runs in the bottom of the 4th inning. Cuesta and Cowen would walk to start the inning before LaVigne advanced them with a sacrifice. Cuesta would score on a wild pitch before Ortiz was walked. Parker LaGreca then steppd to the plate and ripped a 3-run home run off the scoreboard to give Lakeland an 11-10 lead. Thomas Vokic would then start another Laker rally with a single. Miguel Fuentes followed with an RBI-double. Aaron De Oleo Rivas then hit an RBI-single before Brayden Fellouzis smacked an RBI-double. Josiah Cuesta later stepped up and hit a deep RBI-triple before Ray Cowen followed with an RBI-single giving the Lakers a 16-10 lead after 4 innings. In the top of the 5th inning, the Chargers would score 4 more runs to make the score 16-14. Edison State would load the bases with 2 outs and Jack Argie in on relief in one last effort to take the lead. The next Charger's batter ripped a ball up the middle for what looked like a hit that might tie the game. Argie denied that effort as he quickly flashed the leather catching the liner to end the threat.
The Lakers would come to bat in the bottom of the 5th inning. They scored 3 runs that would eventiually be erased because of the weather. Parker LaGreca again stated the inning with a doubie before Miguel Fuentes singled. Aaron De Oleo Rivas followed with a 3-run home run before the flood gates opened canceling the rest of the day. The game started with sun and temps in the 70's and finished with storms and temps in the 50's; but in the end, the Lakers got the win!
Lakeland had several standouts with the bat today as Thomas Vokic (3 hits, 1 RBI), Aaron De Oleo Rivas (2 hits, 4 RBI's), Parker LaGreca (2 hits, HR, 3 RBI's), and James LaVigne (double, 3 RBI's) all had strong afternoons. Miguel Fuentes (2 hits, 1 RBI) and Ray Cowen (hit, 2 RBI's) also helped fuel the Lakers win. Josiah Cuesta (hit, RBI) and Brayden Fellouzis (double, RBI) also contributed solid afternoons. On the mound, Lucas Nichols started and pitched 2.1 innings allowing 6 runs (3 earned). Anthony Barbosa picked up the win in relief allowing 4 runs (3 earned) in 1.2 innings while striking out 3 batters. Kaleb Corrin relieved and was charged with 4 runs in .1 innings. Jack Argie relieved and got the final 2-outs to earn the save.
Next Up: The Lakers are scheduled to host the Hocking Hawks tomorrow in OCCAC action. The game time has been moved due to today's weather. First pitch is now scheduled for 2:00 pm.
