By Christian De Guzman
SYRACUSE, N.Y. — The Syracuse Spartans (2-0) used nine hits to score seven runs on Wednesday night en route to a 7-5 victory over the Cortland Crush (0-2).
The Spartans started the scoring early once again. This time it was Danny Cantor lacing a two-run single into right field to give Syracuse an early 2-0 lead. The Clarkson University first baseman picked up his first hit as a Spartan after coming on as a defensive substitute on opening day.
After aggressive baserunning by Grant Shepherd gave the Spartans another run, Cortland grabbed two runs back in the top of the fourth inning to make it a one-run ball game. However, Syracuse broke the game open in the fifth when the Crush made a throwing error on a Shepherd sacrifice bunt. That allowed two runs to score and Shepherd would eventually come home on a Kyle Hoog sacrifice fly.
Cortland would get another run back on a wild pitch, but Cantor crucially extended Syracuse’s lead with a double in the seventh inning that gave the Spartans an extra insurance run. The Crush picked up two more runs in the eighth inning off a bases-loaded walk and a wild pitch, but it was not enough for Cortland. Charlie Hawley came into the ball game and locked down the save to secure the Syracuse win.
Cantor finished the day with two hits and three RBIs. Pat May picked up three hits to lead the team and Shepherd scored three runs to lead the Spartans. Jordan Dickson also grabbed two hits as the final Spartan to grab a multi-hit night.
“We’re going to continue taking this energy to the field every single day,” said Cantor. “It was great being out there. Everyone did what they had to do, and it felt great to be a part of that.”
Syracuse starting pitcher Eddie Rosemont earned the win after throwing 5.1 excellent innings, only allowing three hits and three walks. He allowed three runs, one of them earned, and struck out four in his Spartans debut.
“He didn’t play this past season,” said Spartans Head Coach Matt Michalski. “But he’s mature enough to understand and realize the corrections that he needs to make. I thought he made good adjustments. He’s going to be a good pitcher and starter for us.”
Hawley was magnificent at the end of the game, retiring all six batters that he faced to pick up the save. He struck out four in his two innings of relief to shut the door against the Spartans. Syracuse pitchers struck out 10 Cortland batters in Wednesday’s win.
The Spartans move to 2-0 early in the NYCBL season and look to stay undefeated tomorrow. Syracuse welcomes the Sherrill Silversmiths to Onondaga Community College’s Baseball Complex for another NYCBL East Division matchup. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 pm. Fans should email [email protected] for tickets.