The Syracuse Spartans opened up July with their third matchup against their rivals the Syracuse Saltcats, Friday night at OCC. The Spartans were surprisingly 0-2 against the SatlCats thus far, and that trend continued. The Saltcats once again tore apart the Spartans’ pitching, but the Soar tans matched their efforts. Both teams totaled 26 hits total (14 for Saltcats, 12 for Spartans), where the Spartans ultimately came back, fighting in the tenth for a 12-11 walk off win.

Jack Clifford was the unfortunate recipient of the Saltcats beating, starting the Spartans game with 4 runs allowed in both the first and second innings. Walks weren’t necessarily the concern this time, as the Saltcats tallied 4 hits in the first, and 3 hits in the second. Notable plays early one for the Saltcats came from 3 stolen bases in the first inning, and especially the bases clearing 3 RBI triple from Bailey Martin in the second inning. 

As for the Saltcats’ starter Josh Gorham, he didn’t necessarily have an ace of a start either, allowing two runs in the first and third innings. After allowing a 2 RBI Charlie Burton single in the fourth inning, he soon left the ballgame as Jack Knapp came in for his NYCBL debut. Charlie powered the offense early with his RBI double in the 3rd inning as well. 

NYCBL rookie Ryan Klementowski soon followed Jack Clifford, coming out of the bullpen in the fifth inning. He allowed the Spartans to play catch up, as 2 runs in the fourth, and 1 more in the fifth, made the score only 8-7 in favor if the Saltcats mid-way through the game. 

In his second inning of work, the Saltcats finally tagged him. 2 runs came in extending their lead to an eventual 10-7 entering the seventh. The two runs came off the bat of Ryan Gonzalez, who singled to right field. 

Carter Kowalczyk soon followed out of the bullpen for the Saltcats, coming in to start the 7th inning. The Spartans matched their move by putting in new RHP Logan Persse in the top of the 8th inning.

The Spartans never gave up despite their pitching troubles, providing 4 hits, to drive in 4 runs to tie the game.

They proceeded to walk it off, as Pat May struck his fourth hit of the night, a triple, then being driven in by a walk-off single from Bryce Moore. 

Your notable hitters for the Saltcats: Matt Rinaldi, 4-5, and Bailey Richey, 3-5.

Your notable hitters for the Spartans: Pat May, 4-5, and Bryce Moore, 2-6.

The Spartans surprisingly moved onto 12-10 on the season, maintaining second place in the East.