Lakeland Community College honored our nations 250th birthday today with food, games, a dunking booth, etc. CAB (Campus Activities Board) and Lakeland's Veteran Center, led by Shorhonda Osagie Erese, took charge of organizing a good part of the day as well as cooking the food. The Lakers baseball team also shared the spotlight as they played host to the Edison State Chargers at Laker Field. Lakeland President, Sunil Ahuja, threw out the ceremonial first pitch and the national anthem was sung by 5th grader, Ellie Hillyard. On the field, the Lakers had a tough inning in each game that wound up being the difference maker as they lost 16-9 and 10-0.
In game 1, the Chargers scored in the top of the first before the Lakers evened the score in the home half. Sam Tetley led off with a single and advanced to second on a Thomas Vokic walk. With 1 out, a strange play happened on a deep fly ball from Josiah Cuesta. In what was eventually ruled a catch in centerfield, Tetley had tagged and come all the way around to score. At the same time Vokic had not tagged. There was a lot of confusion as to whether or not the ball was caught and so after the ruling, the Chargers got Vokic out as he did not tag up. However, Teteley was hustling all the way and scored before the 3rd out and so the run counted to tie the score. Edison State added a single run in the 2nd and 3rd innings before the Lakers charged back in the bottom of the 3rd to lead 4-3. Ryan Thomson started the rally with a 1-out double. Sam Tetley and Thomas Vokic both walked to load the bases for Jacob Trevena. Trevena came through by hitting a bases clearing double to give the Lakers the lead. The Chargers would forge back ahead in the top of the 5th scoring 2 runs before the Lakers tied it again in the bottom of the 5th. Emmanuel Dominguez started things with a 2-out single. Will Mijares then laced an RBI-double to knot the score. The Chargers then scored 8 runs in the 6th inning as they strung hits together after the Lakers set the table with hit batters and walks. Trailing 16-5 going into the bottom of the 7th inng, the Lakers continued to battle. Emmanuel Dominguez led off the inning with a home run to straight away center. Will Mijares then reached on an error before Brooks Baker walked. Ryan Thomson then roped a 2-RBI double before he scored on an RBI-single from Sam Tetley. Unfortunately for the Lakers, that's as close as they'd get as they dropped game 1.
Ryan Thomson led the way offensively collecting 3 hits (two doubles) and 2 RBI's. Emmanuel Dominguez (HR) and Sam Tetley both finished with 2 hits and an RBI while Jacob Trevena (double) had a hit and 3 RBI's. Will Mijares (double) had a hit and RBI while Josiah Cuesta added an RBI in the defeat. Coleton Logan started and pitched 5 innings allowing 5 runs (3 earned) while striking out 7 batters. Dash Innes relieved and took the loss allowing 3 runs before Kaden Stout relieved and allowed 8 runs (7 earned) in 2 innings.
In game 2, the Chargers took an early 3-0 lead after two innings. The 3rd inning was Lakeland's tough inning as the Chargers scored 6 runs. The Lakers were in good position to get out of the inning allowing no runs, but were unable to make the needed play with 2 outs. The inning then ballooned as the Chargers took a commanding lead. The Lakers were unable to battle back after that inning. Ethan Duncan started game 2 and took the tough luck loss allowing 9 runs - but just 2 earned - in 2.2 innings. Landon Workman relieved and allowed 1 run in 2.1 innings of work. The Lakers managed just 2 hits as both Sam Tetley and Brooks Baker singled.
Next Up: The Lakers will play host to the Bryant & Stratton Bobcats on Friday (4/24) at Laker Field. First pitch is scheduled for 1:00 pm.
