The Lakeland baseball team traveled to Owens Community College today to face the Express in OCCAC action. Lakeland had opportunities in both games, but ultimately were not able to capitilize as they fell by the scores of 12-5 and 4-0. In game 1, Lakeland fell in an early 1-0 hole as the Express took advantage of an error in the bottom of the 1st inning. In the top of the 3rd inning, the Lakers broke through and took a 2-1 lead. Tony Hall reached on an error to start the inning and was later followed by a Brooks Baker walk. James LaVigne then walked to load the bases before Adrian Cuadrado worked an RBI-walk to put the Lakers on the board. Jacob Trevena was later hit by a pitch to force in another run as Lakeland scored the two runs without the benefit of a hit. In the bottom of the 3rd inning, the Lakers hit a wall. Owens used 2 errors, 2 hit batters, and 2 walks to score 10 runs. Lakeland had the opportunity to get out of the inning allowing just 1 run, but inopportune errors started the rally. Once that occurred, the Lakers struggled to get out of the inning as they fell behind 11-2. In the top of the 4th inning, Lakeland started to climb back into the game. Emmanuel Dominguez and Tony Hall hit back-to-back doubles to start the inning. Brooks Baker then singled to put the runners at the corners before James LaVigne hit a ball the Express defense could not handle to score Hall. Lakeland added 1 more run in top of the 5th inning to close out their scoring. Brooks Baker singled to start the inning and later scored on an Adrian Cuadrado double.

Brooks Baker recorded 2 hits and scored 2 runs for the Lakers while Emmanuel Dominguez, Adrian Cuadrado, and Tony Hall each doubled. Josiah Cuesta added a hit in the Lakers loss. Ethan Duncan took the loss on the mound pitching 3 innings and allowing 11 runs (3 earned) on 8 hits. Landon Workman relieved and pitched 3 innings allowing 1 unearned run on 1 hit while striking out 4 batters.  

Game 2 was a pitchers duel. Coleton Logan led the way for the Lakers as he started the game with 5 hitless innings while striking out 8 batters. Offensively, the Lakers had a hit in every inning ond runners all over the bases. Unfortunately, Lakeland was unable to get the key hit as they left runners in scoring position in all 5 innings - including the bases loaded twice (once with only 1 out). Unable to take advantage of their offensive opportunities, it would finally catch them in the bottom of the 6th inning. The Express would get the rally going with a 1-out hit batter. They then recorded their only 2 hits of the game in back-to-back at-bats to take the lead. They would tack on two more runs with a sac bunt and a Lakeland error. Lakeland was unable to recover as they dropped game 2.

Coleton Logan took the tough luck loss as he pitched 6 innings and allowed 4 runs (3 earned) on 2 hits while striking out 10 batters. Ryan Thomson collected 2 hits while James LaVigne, Cameron Huang-Ince (double), Will Mijares, Sam Tetley, and Brooks Baker each had a hit in the defeat.

Next Up: On Friday (4/10), the Lakers will travel to Sandusky Ohio to face the Terra State Titans in a doubleheader. First pitch is scheduled for 1:00 pm.