SUNY Oneonta baseball (8-5) drops a mid-week match up against regional opponent Ithaca College (7-5), 12-6. The Red Dragons scored the first three runs of the game, but the Bombers capitalized on an error in the fourth inning to score a total of seven runs (six unearned).

The Red Dragons scored the first runs of the game in the top half of the second inning. Back to back 1-out singles by senior Sage Cheren (Bronx/Riverdale Kingsbridge Academy) and junior Donald Geloso (Staten Island/Monsignor Farrell), along with a sacrifice bunt by Michael Grudzinski (Islip/Islip) moved both runners into scoring position. Senior LJ Gizzarelli (Newburgh/Newburgh Free Academy) singled to left field to score both the runners to push the first two runs across. Junior Brandon Torres (Highland Mills/Monroe-Woodbury) singled through the left side which allowed Gizzarelli to advance to second base. Sophomore Mickey Mullins (Vestal/Vestal) drove in Gizzarelli on the next at bat to give the Red Dragons a 3-0 lead.

The Bombers took the lead in the third inning with four runs on four hits. Oneonta retired the first two hitters of the inning, but a four-pitch walk to sophomore Sam Little extended Ithaca's at bat. Senior Ryan Henchey then stepped to the plate and drilled a two-run home run to left field to tie the game at 3-3. The inning continued, as Bailey and sophomore Adam Gallagher singled, and then Matt Carey stroked a double over the centerfielder's head to bring in both runners.

In the fourth inning, Ithaca put up seven more runs on eight hits, including four extra base hits, to build a 12-3 lead. Senior Josh Savacool led off with a single and sophomore Webb Little followed with an infield hit. Another infield hit was credited to senior Trevor Thompson, and then S. Little drove in Savacool with a sacrifice fly. Now with two outs in the frame, Ithaca ripped four-straight extra base hits – doubles from Bailey and Carey, and triples by Gallagher and Domenic Boresta – which led the five runs. Savacool capped off the inning, as the Bombers batted around, with an RBI single to left field.

The Red Dragons struck for three more runs in the fifth inning all on a two out rally. Cheren singled to center field to score Mullins for the first run of the inning (12-4). With Dalton Beatty (Atwater/Atwater) on third base and Mullins on first, Gelso hit a double to left center to drive both runners in to bring the score to 12-6.

For the Red Dragons, Mullins went 2-5 with an RBI and a run scored. Cheren went 2-4 with two runs scored and two RBI. Gizzarelli was 2-3 at the dish with two RBI and a run scored.

The Red Dragons next game is against Fredonia at Sidney High School on Sunday (4/2) starting at noon. The conference matchup is set for a double header on Sunday, and on Monday they travel to Wells College to play a 9-inning game at noon.