Eager to get into the high-level fray within the OHSL Liberty division, the Skaneateles baseball team put together a first-rate effort in last Wednesday’s home opener against Solvay, easily claiming an 8-3 victory over the Bearcats.
The Lakers wasted no time giving its pitching ace, Zach Augustine, some support as it scored four times in the bottom of the first inning.
By the end of the fourth, it was 8-0, as Augustine himself doubled and drove in three runs to set the pace. Sean Cooney and Brandon Barron each had two RBIs, with Nolan Cunningham earning one RBI.
Meanwhile, Augustine dominated on the mound, allowing just four hits before a shaky seventh inning where Solvay got all its runs, forcing Tom Jones to come in and get the final outs.
Still at home Friday to face Phoenix, the Lakers ignored the chilly conditions and more than doubled its Solvay production in a 17-0 shutout of the Firebirds.
A five-run first inning set a positive tone, and Skaneateles scored five more times in the bottom of the third to reach double digits. By the time it was over, the Lakers has 18 hits on the board.
Barron, Jake Bride and Jacob Carvalho set the pace with two RBIs apiece. Six others — Augustine, Cunningham, Jared Amory, Pat Roberts, Owen Stokes and Matt Carvalho — drove in single runs. Pitching the whole way, Cunningham earned a five-hitter.
Skaneateles would visit Hannibal Monday, then prepare for a big Friday trip to Geddes to face Bishop Ludden, who has started 3-0.