Sophomore Shane Demo pitched a five-hitter and junior Tom Darling blasted a key three-run homer to lead the Oswego varsity baseball team to a 7-4 triumph over visiting Nottingham on Monday at the Leighton School diamond.

Demo was working on a 4-0 shutout when Nottingham plated a pair of unearned runs in the sixth to make it 4-2.

Darling gave the Bucs some breathing room in the bottom of the sixth to cap a two-out rally. Gary Carpentier walked, Andrew Anderson singled to left, and Darling crushed one over the center-field fence, giving Oswego a 7-2 lead.

The Bulldogs (1-16) never quit, and that was true in the seventh inning as well. Jon Reid reached on an error and Dan Newton belted a two-run homer to right-center field. But Demo responded by striking out the final two batters to end the game.

Demo walked none, hit a batter, and struck out 11.

Anthony Johnson went the distance for Nottingham. He allowed six hits and seven walks, while striking out 10. He allowed a run in the second inning and three in the third, an inning which included four walks.

Darling and Anderson had two hits each for Oswego (7-6). Lazzaro and Steve Stemple had the other hits.

Oswego plays at Rome on Wednesday.

For additional coverage, see Wednesday’s edition of The Palladium-Times.