BROCKPORT, N.Y. – Brockport scored four runs in the bottom of the seventh inning to overcome a two-run deficit and the Golden Eagles defeated nationally 16th-ranked Cortland, 7-5, in the SUNYAC opener for both teams. Cortland drops to 11-5 overall and Brockport is now 12-5 with the decision. The teams will play a doubleheader at Brockport Saturday at noon.
Mark Driesel earned the win in relief of Golden Eagle starter Aaron Tilley. Driesel allowed only one walk one scoreless inning after Tilley gave up seven hits, a walk and five runs, four earned, in six and a third innings. Tilley struck out six batters. Justin McCarthy entered with the bases loaded and one out in the eighth and retired all five batters he faced for his sixth save of the season.
Cortland senior Aaron Schuldt (Liverpool) started and took a no-decision after giving up five hits and two walks in six innings. He was charged with five runs, four earned, and fanned two batters. Sophomore Brandon McClain (Coram/Longwood), the first of four Cortland relievers, was the losing pitcher.
Cortland took a 2-0 lead in the top of the second on a Tim Panetta (Mount Kisco/Fox Lane) RBi double and an Andrew Pezzuto (Hastings) RBI single. Brockport cut its deficit in half on Nick Bunce's solo homer in the bottom of the second.
The Red Dragons pushed two runs across in the fourth with a two-out rally. Max Rosing (Rockville Centre/South Side) doubled and scored on a Panetta RBI single. Pezzuto then singled to right, and an error on the play allowed Panetta to score from first. Brockport again answered with a long ball in the bottom of the fourth. Corey Booth singled with one out and Miek Weakley hit a two-run homer to left center to draw Brockport within 4-3.
Both teams also scored in the seventh inning. In the top of the inning, Bryan Mistretta (Commack) led off with a single, advanced to second on a Michael LaTempa (LaGrangeville/Arlington) sacrifice bunt and scored on Matt June's (Colonie) double to center.
In the bottom of the inning, Jake Coleman singled and Bunce singled him to third. Mike Gianni hit a grounder to first, but a throwing error allowed Bunce to be safe at second while Coleman scored. Following a sacrifice and a hit batter, Pete Wilson singled in two runs to give Brockport a 6-5 lead. The final run scored on a Booth RBI single two batters later.
With one out in the eighth, three straight Cortland batters – Panetta, Pezzuto and Mistretta – were hit by pitches to load the bases. McCarthy entered and got a pop-up and groundout to squelch the threat. He then retired the side in order in the ninth.
For Brockport, Booth finished 3-for-4 with an RBI and Bunce was 2-for-4 with an RBI and two runs scored. For Cortland, Panetta went 2-for-3 with two RBI and two runs and Pezzuto was 2-for-3 with an RBI.