ONEONTA, N.Y. -- The Oneonta softball team came up short in game one before they defeated Oswego in game two for a SUNYAC series split, Saturday afternoon in their final home doubleheader of the season at Red Dragon Softball Field. The Red Dragons fell in the first game, 5-1, then they shut out the Lakers in the second game for a 2-0 victory. The twin bill results improved Oneonta's overall record to 13-23, 11-5 in the SUNYAC, while Oswego moved to 15-7 this season and 8-6 in conference play.

"This team continues to show up for one another inning after inning," said Interim Head Coach Catherine Johnson. "Game one was a tough loss, but they came out swinging in game two and showed the grit that they have as a team."

Senior Jaime Cardello (Cortlandt Manor, NY/Walter Panas) and freshman Ella Kean (Ballston Lake, NY/Shenendehowa) both recorded an RBI in the Red Dragons' game two win. Kean finished the day 3-for-6 with an RBI, while Cardello went 1-for-4 with an RBI, a walk and hit by pitch. Sophomore Tatum Passonno (Latham, N.Y./Shaker) ended the doubleheader 3-for-7 with a double, and sophomore Anna Spicciatie (Oakdale, N.Y./Connetquot) was 2-for-3 in the second game. Freshman Caitlin McTiernan (Staten Island, NY/St. Joseph by the Sea) and sophomore Tanner Smith (White Plains, N.Y./Vahalla) worked together and each threw a strikeout for the combined shutout victory in game two.

Game One: Oneonta 1, Oswego 5 
Oswego made it a 2-0 game in the top of the second inning. Their first run came from a one-out RBI single from Mackenzie Carlson, then Carlson crossed home on a single to left field from Kira Wright.

The Lakers capitalized on a couple of Red Dragon errors in the third inning and extended their lead to 5-0.

The Red Dragons got their lone run of the game in the bottom of the fourth. Oneonta loaded the bases with two outs when senior Emily Brown (Westbury, NY/Clarke) reached on a fielder's choice while Cardello and E. Kean got one with back-to-back singles. Sophomore Kayla Kean (Ballston Lake, N.Y./Shenendehowa) worked a four-pitch walk and brought in Brown. The Lakers ended the inning on the next at-bat with an infield pop-up.

Oneonta got a runner on base in the sixth and seventh innings for a chance to trim the lead, but Oswego managed to close out the game without surrendering any more runs.

Passonno finished game one 2-for-3 with a double. Freshman Kendall Ward (Manorville, NY/Eastport-South Manor) was 1-for-2, while Cardello and E. Kean both went 1-for-3. K. Kean recorded a walk and an RBI.

Senior Anna Torgersen (Chester, NJ/Mendham) (7-9) was tagged with the loss after pitching 2.1 innings, striking out four batters and allowing four runs, three earned, on six hits. Sophomore Bridget Barry (East Patchogue, N.Y.) pitched 0.2 innings and gave up one unearned run. Smith pitched 4.0 scoreless innings and only surrendered a hit.

Alyssa Budzinski (5-3) received the win for Oswego, pitching the complete game, striking out six, and allowing one run on five hits. Molly Reynolds went 2-for-4 with an RBI and scored twice for the Lakers. Kira Wright and Mackenzie Carlson both had a hit and an RBI.

Game Two: Oneonta 2, Oswego 0
Oneonta jumped out to the lead early in game two with a run in the first inning. Sophomore Sophia Camacho (Newburgh, NY/Our Lady of Lourdes) led the inning off with a walk, then she stole second before advancing to third on a fly out. With two outs, E. Kean roped a single through the right side to score Camacho.

In the bottom of the third inning, the Red Dragons loaded the bases once again and extended their lead to 2-0. After Passonno and E. Kean hit a pair of singles and Brown walked, Cardello worked a walk on a full count and scored Passonno.

Oneonta had a little misfortune for the rest of the inning, and were unable to extend their two-run lead. K. Kean was up after Cardello, and she hit a grounder that looked like the third baseman grabbed it in foul territory, however the ump called the ball fair, and the third baseman got the force out at home. With two outs and the bases still loaded, senior Abigail Silliman (Rensselaer, N.Y./Columbia) got into a 10-pitch battle with Budzinski during her at-bat. On the 10th pitch, Budzinski threw the ball low, and it bounced into her catcher. E. Kean took off from third, but unfortunately the catcher kept the ball in front of her, picked it up and ran towards Kean for the tag to end the inning.

Oswego got runners on second and third in the fourth inning with two outs. With the Lakers threatening to score, the Red Dragons brought in Smith, who forced Wright to hit a fly ball to shallow right field where Passonno made a diving catch to maintain the team's 2-0 lead.

"Game two was a great team win all around," Coach Johnson continued. "We are pumped to be going into our last week of regular conference play on that note."

The Lakers got the tying run to the plate in the sixth and seventh innings, but the Red Dragons held them off each time to secure the shutout victory.

E. Kean finished game two 2-for-3 with an RBI, while Spicciatie also went 2-for-3. Camacho and Brown both ended the game 1-for-2 with a walk, as Camacho scored a run and stole a base.

McTiernan (3-8) earned the win after starting 3.2 innings, striking out one, and allowing four hits. Smith (1) received the save after pitching the final 3.1 innings, striking out one, and allowing one hit.

Lyndsey Hmura (0-1) got the loss after pitching 2.0 innings, allowing two runs on three hits. Budzinski pitched 4.0 innings, struck out three, and allowed four hits. 
 
Throughout the day, the Red Dragons celebrated and recognized the careers of their four seniors for Senior Day. Those honored were Emily Brown (Westbury, NY/Clarke), Jaime Cardello (Cortlandt Manor, NY/Walter Panas), Abigail Silliman (Rensselaer, N.Y./Columbia), and Anna Torgersen (Chester, NJ/Mendham).

"We were so glad to celebrate our four seniors today," Coach Johnson concluded. "We can't wait to continue to watch them grow after graduation!"

The Red Dragons wrap up the regular season on the road on Friday, May 1, in New Paltz for a SUNYAC doubleheader starting at 3 pm. Read Full Article