SUNY Oneonta Athletics

Baseball (20-12/11-4)

Apr. 22nd at Cortland, L 4-6; L 1-3
The SUNY Oneonta and SUNY Cortland baseball teams entered last Friday's doubleheader tied with identical 11-1 records in the SUNYAC and the two teams didn't disappoint. Unfortunately, Oneonta came up on the short end of both games by the scores of 6-4 and 3-1. Oneonta got two solid pitching performances from juniors Corey Andresen (Deposit, Deposit) and Christopher Smith (Colonie, Colonie), but it just wasn't enough.

In the day's opener, Andresen pitched 6-1/3 innings in relief, allowing only one run and striking out four batters. Andresen entered the game in the second inning with Oneonta trailing 5-0 and finished the game.

Cortland scored four runs in the second inning to add to its run that they scored in the first inning.

The Oneonta bats finally came to life in the top of the sixth inning, which led to three runs to cut Cortland's lead to 5-3. Kevin Knack (Ghent , Ichabod Crane) led off the inning with a walk and stole second before scoring on an RBI single by sophomore Eric Wells (Athens, PA, Athens). Sophomore Michael DeCarr (Syracuse, Westhill), who was walked as well, went to third on Wells' single and scored on a fielder's choice. Wells scored the third run of the inning on a single to center field by sophomore Mike Mascari (Syracuse, Westhill).

A ground out by sophomore Bryan Marotta (Clifton Park, Shenendehowa) knocked in Matthew Whelehan (Brooklyn, Midwood) in the top of the seventh to cut the lead to 5-4. Whelehan entered the game as a pinch runner after Michael Arcuri (Utica, Proctor) hit a pinch-hit single to start the inning. Whelehan went to third on a single by Knack before scoring on Marotta's ground out.

Cortland added an insurance run in the bottom of the seventh and the bullpen made it stick for the final of 6-4.

Knack, Wells and junior Michael Center (Schenectady, Schenectady) each collected two hits in the game for Oneonta.

In game two, both starting pitchers went the distance with Cortland's outdueling Smith. Smith allowed five hits, three runs and had two strikeouts. Ratliff threw a three-hitter with six strikeouts in the victory.

Knack, DeCarr and freshman Sean Fruscio (Latham, Shaker) had the hits for Oneonta in the loss.

Apr. 23rd at Cortland, L 6-7 (12 innings)
SUNY Oneonta sophomore Mascari hit a three-run home run just inside the right field foul pole to give Oneonta a 6-5 lead in the top of the eighth last Saturday, but rival SUNY Cortland tied the game in the ninth before taking a 7-6 win in the 12th inning. For Oneonta, it was the third 12-inning game they had played this week. In the previous two contests, Oneonta was able to pull out victories thanks to some big hits and the solid pitching of junior Chris Tyson (Niskayuna, Niskayuna).

Oneonta scored the game's first run in the top of the third inning. Sophomore Marotta hit a two-out single to right field to drive in Fruscio from second base. Fruscio had reached base on a fielder's choice and went to second on a one-out single by Matthew Cintorino (Holbrook, Sachem East).

Cortland took command of the game with single runs in the third, fifth and sixth innings to go with a pair of runs in the fourth inning to lead 5-1 heading to the seventh.

With two outs in the top of the seventh, Oneonta rallied for a pair of runs to cut the lead to 5-3. Sophomore Nate Jones (Apalachin, Seton Catholic) hit a pinch-hit single to knock in Jonathan Wolfanger (Oneonta, Oneonta) from second base. Wolfanger had reached on a fielder's choice before moving to second on a pinch-hit single by junior William Rivas (Babylon, Babylon). Rivas came around to score on a single up the middle by Knack.

Oneonta and Tyson had Cortland down to its final out in the ninth before a pinch-hit single spoiled the upset bid.

Tyson took the loss for Oneonta pitching 5-2/3 innings allowing only two runs on five hits.

Softball (16-17/7-7)

Apr. 22nd at Buffalo State, L 4-5; L 4-5
The SUNY Oneonta softball came up short in a doubleheader last Friday at Buffalo State by identical 5-4 scores. The Bengals rallied in both games to pull out wins. The first game ended with the winning run scored on a wild pitch while game 2 ended in the bottom of the eighth inning on a one-out RBI single that drove in the winning run from second base.

Oneonta jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the first inning of game one on a two-out RBI single by senior Sam Voncina (Derby, Lake Shore) that knocked in freshman Tricia Kendziera (Poughquag, Arlington) from second. Kendziera led off the game with a single to right field. She went to second on a sacrifice bunt by junior Meg Beditz (Troy, Troy).

Buffalo State scored two runs in the bottom of the second to take a 2-1 lead. The Red Dragons came right back to tie the score in the third with a single run. Voncina once again came through, this time with a sacrifice fly to drive in Jillian Serraro (Hopewell Jct, John Jay). Serraro walked to start the inning and went to third on a double by senior Katie Hackenburg (Queensbury, Queensbury).

Oneonta plated two runs in the top of the sixth to take a 4-2 lead. After a one-out home run by sophomore Jaime Lukas (Ridgewood, NJ, Ridgewood), a pair of errors helped the Red Dragons score its second run of the inning.

Buffalo State got one run back in the bottom of the sixth before scoring the two runs in the bottom of the seventh to take the win.

In the second game, Oneonta trailed 1-0 before scoring a pair of runs in the fifth and sixth innings to carry a 4-1 lead into the bottom of the sixth inning. The big hit in the fifth was a one-out, two-run home run by sophomore Kalyn Deso (Schenectady, South Colonie). In the sixth, it was freshman Laura Loudis (Loudonville, Colonie Central) who hit a two-out, two-run home run for Oneonta.

Oneonta couldn't hold the lead as the Bengals scored two in the sixth and one in the seventh before winning the game in the eighth inning.

Apr. 23rd at Fredonia, L 1-4; L 3-7
The SUNY Oneonta softball team suffered its second straight doubleheader sweep last Saturday, dropping a pair at Fredonia. The Red Dragons fell in the first game, 4-1, and then lost game 2, 7-3.

Oneonta did outhit Fredonia in the first game, 7-4, but only managed a run in the top of the sixth. The Red Dragons loaded the bases with one out, and a ground out to second base by senior Stacey Donald (Saugerties, Saugerties), knocked in Caree Acre (New Berlin, Unadilla Valley) , who entered the game as a pinch runner for Hackenburg, who singled to start the inning.

Three runs in the bottom of the sixth for the Blue Devils gave them the room they needed for the win.

In game two, Oneonta took a 1-0 lead in the top of the first inning. A two-out double by Hackenburg knocked in Serraro from first base after she reached on a fielder's choice.

Oneonta trailed 2-1 entering the fifth inning before scoring a pair to regain the lead. Sophomore Lukas hit a one-out double to drive in Acre from first base. Lukas got to third base on the throw to the plate and then was squeezed home by Donald.

Unfortunately, the lead didn't last long as Fredonia came right back with two runs in the bottom of the fifth before adding three more runs in the sixth inning. Three errors by Oneonta led to four unearned runs in the contest.

Men’s Lacrosse (3-10/1-5)

Apr. 23rd at Brockport, L 13-14
The SUNY Oneonta men's lacrosse team started fast, but could hold the lead last Saturday as they fell to the College at Brockport 14-13 in SUNYAC action. Freshman Joey Finnegan (West Islip, West Islip) and sophomore Mike Salerno (West Babylon, West Babylon) each scored three goals in the contest for Oneonta. Finnegan also added an assist while sophomore Jimmy van de Veerdonk (Putnam Valley, Putnam Valley) added two goals and a pair of assists.

van de Veerdonk also won 20-of-31 face offs while collecting 16 ground balls.

Oneonta held a 6-1 lead at the end of the first period. A Daniel Stern (Shoreham, Shoreham-Wading River) goal to start the second period put the Red Dragons up 7-1. Salerno and Finnegan both scored a pair of goals during the outburst.

Brockport began to cut into Oneonta's lead to where the score was 8-6 at halftime.

Junior Ryan Gifford (Latham, Shaker) scored an unassisted goal for the Red Dragons to open the third period before the Golden Eagles ran off five straight goals to take an 11-9 lead with 4:33 remaining in the third. Back-to-back goals by van de Veerdonk and Salerno got Oneonta to even at the end of the period.

Finnegan's final goal of the game gave Oneonta a 12-11 lead, but three unanswered goals by Brockport put the Red Dragons in a 14-12 hole. Van de Veerdonk brought Oneonta back to 14-13 with 56 seconds to go and won the ensuing face off to give the Red Dragons the possession.

Oneonta got three shots off including one that hit the post by John DeOrdio (Chenango Forks, Chenango Forks) with 21 seconds to go, but Brockport was able to clear the ball and kill enough time on the clock where Oneonta ran out of time.

Apr. 27th vs. Plattsburgh, L 15-16
Despite a career day for SUNY Oneonta sophomore Tyler Jennings (Brewerton, Central Square), the Red Dragons lost another close game in the SUNYAC in its home finale for 2011. Jennings notched a collegiate career high six goals in a 16-15 loss to Plattsburgh that eliminates Oneonta from playoff contention. Oneonta lost its third one-goal game in the conference, which gives them four losses overall in the SUNYAC, which will not get them into the top four spots for the conference tournament.

The Red Dragons rallied over the final three periods after finding themselves behind 6-0 after the opening period.

The two teams combined for 12 goals in the second period with Oneonta scoring seven of those to cut the Cardinals halftime lead to 11-7.
The sophomore trio of Jennings, Salerno and DeOrdio accounted for all the scoring in the period. Salerno tallied three of his four goals in the game during the period while both Jennings and DeOrdio scored two goals apiece.

After a Cardinal goal to start the third period gave Plattsburgh a 12-7 lead, Oneonta ripped off four unanswered to pull within one goal at 12-11. DeOrdio, Salerno, Jennings and freshman Finnegan each scored for the Red Dragons. DeOrdio, who finished the game with three goals and four assists, had the assist on Finnegan's goal.

Plattsburgh scored two straight goals to end the third period up 14-11.

The Red Dragons trailed 16-12 when Plattsburgh scored an unassisted goal with 4:24 left in the contest.

Oneonta rallied to score three straight goals including a goal by sophomore van de Veerdonk with 33 seconds to go in the game. Van de Veerdonk won the ensuing faceoff, one of his 24 wins on the day, and Oneonta got two shots off, but they were both stopped by the Plattsburgh goalie.

Oneonta outshot Plattsburgh 65-44, including five shots that hit either the post or the cross bar.

Women’s Lacrosse (3-12/2-5)

Apr. 22nd at Oswego, L 11-20
Junior Heidi Kissinger (East Islip, East Islip) scored five goals last Friday afternoon, but a second half surge by Oswego sunk the SUNY Oneonta women's lacrosse team in SUNYAC action. After an unassisted goal by sophomore Caroline Tulley (Malverne, Sacred Heart Academy) cut the Lakers lead to 13-11, the hosts scored the final seven goals of the contest en route to a 20-11 victory.

Oneonta jumped out to an early 6-1 lead in the first 17 minutes of the day's contest led by Kissinger who scored three goals while adding one assist. From there, it was all Oswego as they outscored the Red Dragons 19-5 the rest of the way.

The score was tied at halftime, 7-7, and after a Kissinger goal tied the game at 8-8 early in the second half, the Lakers countered with a pair of goals to go ahead 10-8, a lead that they would not relinquish.

Men’s Track & Field

Apr. 22nd at Cortland Classic
Perseverance is the word to describe the outdoor season for the men's track and field team. The squad has had to deal with constant weather issues including wind, rain, and even snow at times.

Despite the colder temperatures this past weekend, there were multiple athletes who hit qualifying standards or broke school records.

It was the outstanding performance of freshman Jermaine Miller (Elmira, Southside ), who eclipsed Aaron Payne's five year old record in the pole vault as he cleared a height of 3.75m (12'3 ½”) qualifying for the SUNYAC Championships.

Between jumps Miller ran his way to qualifying for the next day's finals in the 110m hurdles with a time of 15.62, which qualifies him for the ECAC Championships. Earlier in the day, he hit the SUNYAC qualifying mark in the long jump with a leap of 6.40m.

The trio of sophomoresJohn Longo (Endwell, Maine-Endwell) and Ben Reynolds (Endicott, Maine-Endwell), and Oneonta native and freshman Jesse Hamway (Oneonta, Oneonta) swept the field in the 5000m run all crossing the line as the top collegiate runners in the even placing second, third, and fourth.

Longo was the first to cross with a time of 15:45.24, leading Reynolds and Hamway across the line in 15:48.95 and 15:56.09 respectively all hitting the SUNYAC qualifying standard.

Senior Nick Pampena (King's Park, King's Park) had the most exciting race of last Friday evening as he just nearly tracked down the leader in the men's 10000m run under the lights. Getting behind early, Pampena was dropping seconds each lap as he ran to a second place finish and an ECAC qualifying time of 32:17.06.

The foursome of freshman Tom Haskins (Tully, Tully), freshman Brendan Whitney (Fishkill, Beacon), senior Mark Gymburch (Rome, Rome Free Academy), and senior Sean Daly (Weedsport, Weedsport) took the title in the 4x800m relay with a time of 8:04.55 in the final event of the meet.

Women’s Track & Field

Apr. 22nd at Cortland Classic
Perseverance is the word to describe the outdoor season for the women's track and field team. The squad has had to deal with constant weather issues including wind, rain, and even snow at times.

Despite the colder temperatures this past weekend, there were multiple athletes who hit qualifying standards or broke school records.

It was the Sarah Timmons (Schodack, Maple Hill) show this past weekend winning all four throwing events. On day one, Timmons picked up a first place finish in the hammer throw and qualified for the ECAC championships as she broke her own school record with a toss of 43.96m (144' 3”).

Earlier in day, she captured another first place finish in the javelin throw with a mark of 31.52m (103'5”)

On day two, Timmons picked up where she left off, winning both the shot and discus throws. Her toss of 11.21m (36'9 ½”) in the shot qualified her for the SUNYAC championships and her spinning heave of 40.24m (132'0”) in the discus was just a little over a meter shy of hitting the NCAA provisional mark of 41.50m.

Sophomore Ashley Callahan (Mt. Sinai, Mt. Sinai) took the top time of the day in the 100m hurdles. Not only did she run a personal best but hit the SUNYAC qualifying standard with a time of 17.15.

Freshman Alex Nichols (Olivebridge, Onteora) hit the SUNYAC qualifying time in the women's 3000m steeple chase as she fought through the cold temperature and the even colder water pits running a time of 13:29.88.

Senior Liz Maziejka (Fort Edward, Hudson Falls), a 2009 All-American in the 400m hurdles, captured the event running a SUNYAC qualifying time of 1:06.99.