A Quick Look
The SUNY Oneonta baseball clawed their way to an 8-4 win over Kean University Tuesday night in non-conference action.
The Inside Story
Oneonta (13-13) trailed 2-0 early on as Kean retired 18 batters in a row. The Red Dragons finally got some offense going when they scored three runs in the top of the seventh. With the bases loaded and two out, Patrick McGee was hit by a pitch, allowing Dominic Lamonica to score from third. Mike Graves gave the Red Dragons the lead with a two-run single to right, scoring Jonathan Lezette and Vincent Prisco.
Kean (17-10) respond with two runs in the bottom of the seventh to take a 4-3 advantage. Oneonta refused to back down as the Red Dragons rallied again for a pair of runs in the top of the eighth. Mickey Mullins led off the inning with double down the left field line. Brandon LaVenture followed with an RBI triple into the right centerfield gap, knotting the game at 4-4. The Red Dragons took the lead for good when Dominic Lamonica singled up middle to score LaVenture with the go ahead run.
Oneonta put the game out of reach with three insurance runs in the top of the ninth. With the bases load, Dominic Lamonica hit a sacrifice fly to centerfield to plate Mike Graves. Jonathan Lezette capped off the inning with a two-run single to center, scoring Brandon LaVenture and Mickey Mullins to make it 8-4.
Mickey Mullins paced Oneonta by going 2-for-3 with a double, two runs and a pair of walks. Dominic Lamonica, Jonathan Lezette and Mike Graves drove in two runs apiece while Brandon LaVenture went 1-for-2 with an RBI and two runs scored. Michael Dunne earned the win after allowing two runs on two hits in four innings of relief. Nick Fini earned his first collegiate save after tossing two scoreless innings in relief. Fini got himself out of a bases loaded jam in the eighth as the Red Dragons clung to a 5-4 lead.
What's Next
The Red Dragons return to action on Friday, April 12th when they travel to Oswego for their SUNYAC series opener with the Lakers at 3pm.