Editor

MORRISVILLE-The Cooperstown baseball team won its first game of the year Monday in impressive fashion, blanking Morrisville 9-0 behind a fine pitching performance from Greg Lott.

The senior struck out 12 in six innings of work, allowing four hits. Brian Dibble came in to pitch the seventh, and recorded three strikeouts giving Cooperstown pitching a total of 15. There were 29 strikeouts in the game, as Morrisville pitchers Seth Nichols and Mark Reed recorded 14 strikeouts.

Cooperstown did manage 10 hits, including a three-run home run by Nate Smith, and two hits each from Jake Saracino, Brad Hill and Kyle Willsey. The Redskins scored four runs in the fourth and three in the fifth to break the game open.

"We haven't had a single practice outside yet," Cooperstown head coach Frank Miosek said Tuesday. "We're going to be playing a lot of games in a short period of time, so we'll be learning as we go."

The Redskins began the season with an 8-7 loss to Canastota in a game played just before the spring break. Trailing 7-3 heading to the top of the seventh, Cooperstown battled back to tie the score at 7-7, but Canastota managed to push a run across in the bottom of the frame to take the win.

Luke Sittler was 3-for-4 and Nate Smith 2-for-4 in that game.

Cooperstown had their home-opener at Doubleday Field Wednesday against Mt. Markham, and host Milford Thursday. Miosek said junior Brett Wilhelm would start yesterday, with Dibble likely to pitch Thursday against Milford.

The Redskins made eight errors in the loss, while starting pitcher Andrea Kane allowed just nine hits. Cooperstown hosted Mt. Markham Wednesday and play Milford today at home.

"It would be nice to get a win under our belts and get some confidence," CCS softball coach David Bliss said. "If we can get some clutch hitting we'll be all right."

Bliss said Amy Kane, Melissa DeCarr and Rachel Bliss have all played well defensively in the first two games.