ANNANDALE-ON-HUDSON, N.Y. - The temperature at first pitch was 21 degrees, but Brockport and Bard got out there Sunday and played like it wasn't that bad at all.
The visiting Golden Eagles rallied late to win Game 1, 9-6, then dominated Game 2, 9-2. Brockport improved to 4-3 overall; Bard starts the season at 0-2.
Considering how cold it was, it was a surprise that both teams came out fast in Game 1. Brockport put up a pair in the top of the first, and Bard got one back in the bottom of the inning on an RBI single by
Adam Carafotes. A pair of unearned runs gave Bard a 3-2 lead through two innings.
Brockport scratched out two more runs in the fifth to go ahead, 4-3, but Bard scored three in the bottom of the sixth to take a 6-4 lead. Those three runs came on an error, an RBI single by
Lee Perry, and a hit batsman with the bases loaded.
Brockport scored three in the eighth - two unearned - and one in the ninth on a fielder's choice. But it was relief pitcher Nick Jerolimov who earned the gold star in Game 1. Over three innings he gave up two hits and worked around five walks to get the win, holding Bard without a run over the final three frames. The Raptors left 19 runners on base in the first game and committed six errors.
Bard got an effective start from
Evan Richardson (4 IP, 5H, 2ER, 4K) but his pitch count was really getting up there through four innings.
Kyle Zigner took the loss in spite of giving up just one earned run.
Luke Gilbert (Liverpool, NY) went 2-for-5 with three RBI for the Golden Eagles.
David Schlosser went 4-for-5 with an RBI, two runs scored and a stolen base;
Matt Lasky went 2-for-2 with four walks, and Carafotes went 2-for-6 with two RBI.
Lee Perry had a double among his two hits.
Game 2 wasn't nearly as tense. Brockport threw their ace, Steve McCumiskey (Belfast, NY), and the Raptors managed just one unearned run against him through five innings.
Meanwhile, Brockport jumped on Bard starter
Steve Marotta for five runs in the second and four in the third. The umpires called the game after six innings because of darkness - Game 1 took four hours. Dana Cala (Derby, NY), Justin Valentino (Auburn, NY) and Charlie Serino (Hopewell Junction, NY) drove in two runs apiece for the winners.
Lasky went 2-for-4 with an RBI for Bard.
Up next for the Raptors is a home doubleheader on Saturday vs. Mount St. Vincent. Follow both games via Live Stats or Live Video right here.
