ITHACA, N.Y. – On a cold and blustery afternoon at Freeman Field, the Ithaca College baseball team dropped its home opener by an 8-2 decision to nationally-ranked No. 13 SUNY Oswego on Tuesday. With the loss, Ithaca is now 6-8 on the season, while Oswego improves to 14-3.

Oswego plated one run in the top of the first on an RBI single through the right side with one out. A Laker runner reached on a walk and moved up to second on a failed pick off to set up the unearned run. The Lakers grounded into a double play to end the inning.

The Bombers loaded the bases in the bottom of the third on a pair of singles and an error with one down, but were unable to score after the next two batters were retired on a strikeout and groundout.

Ithaca tied the game up in the fifth on a ground-rule double off the bat of junior Trevor Thompson that brought home classmate Josh Savacool, who stroked a two-out double and moved up to third on a single by junior Ryan Dougherty.

Oswego put up five runs in the seventh to break the game open. The Lakers used five hits and an error in the inning to produce the five-run lead.

Two more runs would come home for the Lakers in the eighth to make the score 8-1 on a double and sacrifice fly.

The Bombers were able to get a run back in the bottom of the ninth on a passed ball to cap off the scoring. Freshman Adam Gallagher crossed home after he earned his way on base via a walk.

Dougherty paced the offense with a 2-for-3 day at the plate and a run scored. Junior Ryan Henchey doubled in a 1-for-3 afternoon with a walk.

Sophomore Tyler Hill started on the mound for the Bombers and tossed 6.1 innings. Hill suffered the loss as he allowed six runs (two earned) on six hits with four strikeouts. Freshman Andrew Bailey relieved Hill and lasted 1.2 innings with two earned runs on three hits. Junior Logan Barer finished the game with a perfect ninth inning.

The Bombers will look to get back on the winning track with a 4 p.m. home non-conference game against SUNY Oneonta tomorrow.