The Lakeland men's baseball team played host to the Lorain County Commodores and completed a season series sweep by winning 8-2 and 11-0. After spotting the Commodores a 1-0 lead, the Lakers would take the lead by scoring two runs in the bottom of the 1st inning. Rafael Nakandakari Alves, Kyle Zaluski, and Caden Gopalakrishna would all walk to load the bases. Cody Crawford then delivered a 2-RBI single to stake the Lakers to the lead. The score would remain 2-1 until the bottom of the 3rd inning when the Lakers tacked on two more runs. Alves would reach on an error before Kyle Zaluski doubled. Once again, Cody Crawford would deliver as he hit a 2-RBI double. In the 5th inning, the Lakers would stretch the lead to 5-2 as Gopalakrishna would score on a Joey Elly sacrifice fly. In the bottom of the 6th, the Lakers would finish out their scroing by adding three more runs. Seth Cervello would get the Lakers going by hitting a 1-out double. Cervello then scored on an RBI single from Rafael Nakandakari Alves. The Lakers would take advantage of two walks and a hit batter to score again before Riley Wallace finished off the scoring with an RBI-single. The Lakers were led offensively by Cody Crawford who went 2-2 with 4 RBI's. Rafael Nakandakari Alves also collected a pair of hits and an RBI. Frank Sloan started on the mound for the Lakers and pitched 2 innings allowing 3 hits an earned run. Zachary Sullivan relieved and pitched 5 innings allowing just 1 hit and 1 unearned run to pick up the win.
In game 2, the Lakers took advantage of some early wildness by Commodore pitchers as Cody Hejduk, Seth Cervello, Rafael Nakandakari Alves, and Kyle Zaluski all walked to push home the first run. Riley Wallace would later hit an RBI-single before Cody Crawford knocked in two more runs with a single to give the Lakers a 4-0 after 1 innng of play. In the second inning, the Lakers would tack on 4 more runs. Cody Hejduk got things going with a single before Alves doubled. Kyle Zaluski then hit a double to knock in both runners. Riley Wallace followed by scoring Alves with an RBI-single. Wallace would later score on an RBI-single from Caden Gopalakrishna. The score would remain 8-0 until the bottom of the 5th inning. Joey Elly and Seth Cervello would both earn walks. Cervello was erased on a fielder's choice by Alves. Kyle Zaluski then stepped to the plate and delivered a walk-off 3-run home run to to end the game by a run-rule. Zaluski finished the nightcap going 2-3 with 5 RBI's. Cody Crawford and Riley Wallace both went 2-3 with 2 RBI's. Caden Gopalakrishna went 1-3 with an RBI while Rafael Nakandakari Alves went 1-3 (2B) and scored 3 runs. Cody Hejduk finished 1-3 while scoring 2 runs. Riley Wallace pitched the complete game shutout pitching 5 innings while allowing 2 hits and striking out 3 batters.
Next Up: The Lakers will continue their home stand by hosting the Owens Express on Monday (4/10) in a doubleheader. First pitch is scheduled for 2:00 pm.
