CORTLAND, N.Y. – Sophomore Max Rosing (Rockville Centre/South Side) hit a go-ahead two-run single and senior Matt June (Colonie) added a three-run triple in a five-run seventh inning as nationally seventh-ranked Cortland rallied to defeat visiting Cazenovia, 7-3, in a non-league matchup.
Cortland (28-7-1) trailed 3-2 before batting around in the seventh. Freshman Ryan McAlary (Shoreham/Shoreham-Wading River) earned his first collegiate victory. He recorded the final out in the top of the seventh and was the pitcher of record when the Red Dragons took the lead. Sophomore Adam Smith (Vestal), the last of Cortland's seven relievers, earned his first save. He entered with two runners on and one out and induced a double play grounder to end the game.
Junior Kyle Barkley (Penn Yan) finished 2-for-3 for the Red Dragons. Cortland pitchers combined for 12 strikeouts, including four by starter Zachary Badanes (Syosset) over the first three innings and three each by junior John Molloy (Franklin Square/Carey) and senior Brendan Hourihan (Yorktown Heights/Lakeland) over the next three innings combined.
Cazenoiva (16-19) was led by Adam Wiley, who finished 2-for-4, and Jerome Bright, who was 2-for-5 with an RBI. Brian Gaskell started and gave up only two runs in five innings. He allowed five hits and four walks and struck out one. Joe Rogers took the loss after entering in relief to start the sixth inning.
The Wildcats took a 1-0 lead in the top of the third. Pat Shepardson was hit by a pitch to lead off the inning and was bunted to second by Rich Battoglia. Shepardson moved to third on a groundout and scored on Bright's single to right center.
Cortland struck for two runs in the fifth. Sophomore James Quinn (Guilderland) and junior John Adornetto (Commack) each singled with one out, with Adornetto taking second on the throw to third to put runners on second and third. Junior Michael LaTempa (LaGrangeville/Arlington) hit a sacrifice fly to center to score Quinn and advance Adornetto to third, and junior Brian Barry (Smithtown/Smithtown East) was hit by a pitch. Barry then got in a rundown between first and second on a steal attempt. He eventually dove back into first base safely, and Adornetto stole home on the sequence to give Cortland a 3-2 lead.
Cazenovia answered with two runs in the top of the sixth. Colin Parry and Adam Wiley started the inning with singles to put runners on first and third. Wiley then appeared to be picked off first, but he got into a rundown. Parry took off for home and beat the throw, with Wiley advancing to second to complete the double steal. Wiley eventually scored on a two-out wild pitch.
Cortland's decisive rally started with an Adornetto walk and LaTempa hit-by-pitch. Barry's sacrifice bunt put two runners in scoring position and Rosing hit a single up the middle to drive them both in. Two walks eventually loaded the bases and June followed with a two-out triple to right field that cleared the bases and gave Cortland a 7-3 lead.
Cortland will host New Paltz in three SUNYAC games this weekend – a single game Friday at 3 p.m. and a doubleheader Saturday at noon. Cortland has already clinched the top seed for the SUNYAC postseason tournament and will host the four-team, double-elimination event May 4-6.