CORTLAND, N.Y. - Zack Luksic went 3-for-5, including a three-run homer as part of a six-run fifth inning, as Wilkes University defeated host and nationally sixth-ranked Cortland, 7-6, in a non-league baseball matchup. Cortland fell to 26-8 with the loss, while Wilkes improved to 21-15. 
 
Cortland hit three home runs to account for all six of its runs. Scott Giordano's (Croton-on-Hudson/Croton-Harmon) hit a two-run shot in the bottom of the third to give the Red Dragons a 2-1 lead and Paul Franzese (Somers) hit one out to lead off the bottom of the fourth to make it 3-1. Trailing 7-3 in the eighth, James Varian (Hopewell Junction/Trinity-Pawling) hit a three-run homer to cut Cortland's deficit to one. 
 
In addition to Luksic's 3-for-5 effort, Jason Spzzaferra was 3-for-4 with an RBI, Chase Vrabel went 2-for-4 with two runs scored, Peyton Schuck was 2-for-5 with two RBI and Dominick Bayo finished 2-for-5. Wilkes finished with 14 hits, although Luksic's homer was the Colonels' lone extra-base hit. 
 
Wilkes starter Tegan Shortlidge earned the victory after allowing three runs on seven hits over five and a third innings. He struck out two and walked two. Sawyer Kemp, the Colonels' second reliever, earned his eighth save of the season despite allowing Varian's homer. He was charged with one run on three hits. 
 
Shane Mugnolo (Howard Beach/Xaverian) started for Cortland and took a no decision after giving up one run on four hits over three innings. Dylan Beers (Woodbury/Monroe-Woodbury), the fourth Cortland reliever, tossed two and two thirds innings and gave up no runs on two hits with five strikeouts and one walk. Franzese led the Cortland offense by going 2-for-3 with a homer and a walk. 
 
Wilkes took a 1-0 lead in the third on a Michael Patrizio RBI single. Antonio Pragana (Hopewell Junction/John Jay) led off the bottom of the third with a double to set up Giordano's two-run homer two batters later. 
 
Down 3-1, the guests began their six-run fifth with consecutive singles from Vrabel, Connor Morgan and Spezzaferra, the last of which drove in a run. Patrizio walked to load the bases and Schuck hit a two-run single through the right side to give Wilkes a 4-3 lead. Following a strikeout, Luksic hit his three-run homer to right. 
 
Cortland stranded a runner on third in the fifth, and the Red Dragons hit into 1-6-3 double plays to end the sixth and seventh innings. In the eighth, Giordano and Danny Coleman (Saratoga Springs) drew walks to start the inning and Varian blasted a three-run homer to left center. Mat Bruno (Rye) followed with a bunt single, but on a groundout by the next batter Bruno attempted to advance from first to third but was thrown out for a double play. 
 
Wilkes threatened to extend its lead in the top of the ninth, but with the bases loaded and two outs Cortland second baseman Hunter Holliday (Camden) charged in on a chopper over the pitcher's mound, barehanded the ball and threw to first to end the inning. In the bottom of the ninth, pinch hitter Nick Chemotti (Warners/West Genesee) doubled with one out before a lineout to right and a flyout to center ended the game. 
 
Cortland will play a three-game series at 20th-ranked Oswego Friday (single game) and Saturday (doubleheader). The Red Dragons and Lakers are tied for first in the SUNYAC standings with 11-1 league marks and six games remaining.