The Lakeland baseball team continued their southern trip and earned a split today. In game 1, the Lakers used a furious 9 run 7th inning effort to key a 14-13 win over the Moraine Valley Cyclones. Lakeland was trailing 10-4 going into the botom of the 7th inning when they exploded to take the lead. The inning started when Ray Cowen reached on an error. Julien Bourgeois singled before Alarik Sierra singled home Cowen. Andhris Martinez then knocked in Bourgeois with an RBI-single. Estevan Ruiz walked to load the bases before Seth Cervello and Rafael Nakandakari followed with RBI walks. Brayden Fellouzis then steppd to the plate and hit an RBI-single. Jose Fichera followed with a bases clearing double before scoring the 9th run of the inning when Alarik Sierra ripped an RBI-double. The Lakers would then hold the Cyclons scoreless in the top of the 8th before scoring what turned out to be the winning run in the home half of the inning. The run scored when Nakandakari reached on an error and later scored on a double by Jose Fichera. The Lakers would then bend but not break in the top of the 9th by allowing 3 runs and holding on for the win.

Jose Fichera went 4-5 as he had 2 doubles, a homerun, and 6 RBI's. Alarik Sierra collected 3 hits on the afternoon while Julien Bourgeois and Ray Cowen each collected 2 hits and an RBI. Rafael Nakandakari also added 2 hits and 2 RBI's while Brayden Fellouzis and Andrih Martinez each added a hit in the Laker win. Zach Sullivan started on the mound and went 4 innings allowing 8 runs (5 earned) while striking out 4 batters. Logan Edwards relieved and threw 5 innings allowing 5 runs (2 earned) on 8 hits while striking out 5 and picking up the win.

In game 2, the fortunes reversed for the Lakers as they dropped a tough 15-13 decision to the Adirondack Timberwolves. The teams were knotted at 8 after 6 innings when the Lakers scored 5 runs in the top of the 7th inning. The rally started when Brayden Fellouzis singled and advanced to second on a Jose Fichera sac bunt. Ray Cowen would then rip an RBI-single scoring Fellouzis to give the Lakers the lead. Cowen would then advance to second on a passed ball and to 3rd on a fly ball out from Julien Bourgeois. Rylan Mengelkamp then stepped to the plate and delivered an RBI-single for the Lakers. Mengelkamp advanced to second on the throw home. Alarik Sierra would then single home Mengelkamp before Estevan Ruiz roped an RBI-triple. Ruiz would then score on an RBI-double from Rafael Nakandakari, and just like that, the Lakers led 13-8 going into the bottom of the 7h inning. Unfortunately, the lead did not hold as the Timberwolves took advantage of walks and Laker miscues to eventually win on a walkoff hit.

Ray Cowen finished the nightcap with 2 hits (2B) and 3 RBI's while Rafael Nakandakari and Estevan Ruiz each collected 2 hits and an RBI. Riley Wallace started and and allowed 5 earned runs in 4 innings. Jhonuel Dimas relieved and allowed 8 runs (4 earned) over 2.1 innings before Aiden Limtury relieved and was saddled with the tough luck loss. In total, the Lakers issues 16 walks and hit 3 batters in the game.  

Next Up: On Wednesday, the Lakers are scheduled to play another doubleheader as they face off against Rockland Community College and Black Hawk College - Moline.