The Jefferson Cannoneers Split Opening Mid-State Conference Doubleheader

The Cannoneers traveled to Syracuse, NY to open up Mid-State Conference play with the Onondaga Lazers on a day where the temperature did not excel thirty-five degrees. It was the first time both teams played in the state of New York after each respective teams trips down south.

In the opening contest, Cannoneer lead off Yonelle Firebrace (Whitby, Ontario) and Joel Reynoso (Bronx, NY) drew consecutive walks. Later in the inning Firebrace would score on Michael Wood's (Seneca Falls, NY) ground out to take an early 1-0 lead. From there it was all Onondaga as the Cannoneer pitchers struggled to find the strike zone walking seven batters in the first two innings. Onondaga starter Reynaldo Hernandez kept the Jefferson hitters off balance all game only giving up one hit striking out six in four innings of work. With twelve total walks by the Cannoneers and twelve offensive hits by Onondaga, the Lazers would plate 19 runners in five innings. Hernandez and reliever Alexander Way would only give up two hits combined in five innings.

With a twenty-five minute break before the start of game two. The Cannoneers regrouped to fight for a conference spilt. Jefferson would plate a run in the top of the first inning to the second game in a row after a one out walk by Joel Reynoso (Bronx, NY). Next batter Hunter Thomas (Elmira, NY) drove a double in the gap to set the Cannoneer runners on second and third. Clean-Up hitter Jason Pastuizaca (Bronx, NY) would ground out to the left side plating Reynoso for the first run of the game. Cannoneer starter Junior Ramirez (Bronx, NY) would control the momentum early allowing two hits in the first two frames striking out three Onondaga batters. The Lazers however would add two runs taking a 2-1 lead in the bottom of the third with two hits and a walk in the frame. The Cannoneers would come right back in the top of the fourth when leadoff Hunter Thomas was hit by a pitch. Zachery Parilla (Shoreham, NY) successfully bunted for a single placing Cannoneer runners at first and second with two outs. Brad McQuinn (Midland, Ontario) would get down to an 0-2 count before driving an opposite field double  over the third basemen's head scoring both runners taking a 3-2 lead. Next batter Brandon Noble (Potsdam, NY) would hit a 2-2 pitch over the first basemen's head scoring McQuinn to take a 4-2 lead. Onondaga would add another run in the fifth inning after a leadoff double by Paul Fitzgibbons. Fitzgibbons would then steal third and score on a ground out making the score 4-3. Ramirez kept Onondaga off balance until the end of the sixth inning. Onondaga would enter the both of the seventh needing one run to tie. Ramirez struck out the first hitter on four pitches, before Fitzgibbons drove a double to right field. The Cannoneers however would throw the runner out at third trying to stretch out a triple for the second out. Two batters later a ground out to the third basemen would secure Ramirez's first collegiate win pitching a complete game, striking out seven and allowing just two walks.

The Cannoneers now have to battle the weather as cancellations and postponed games will close out this week. They hope to add another Mid-State Conference doubleheader with Finger Lakes next week before opening up their Eastern Division Region III schedule in April.