By Donny Chiarel

SYRACUSE, NY – The Syracuse Spartans took down the Syracuse Salt Cats by a final score of 5-3. This win improves the Spartans record to 5-0 against their in-town rival this summer. They have had their number every game, and it was mentioned post-game by Matt Michalski.

“It feels good to get wins against them,” Coach said. “They have a good team, they always have. That’s what we want. We want to put our guys in high pressure situations and hopefully we come out on top. If we don’t we learn from it.”

Incoming UAlbany freshman Nick Jessen got the start, looking impressive for stretches early on. A couple of one-two-three innings allowed him to get momentum moving forward.

“Nick came in and wasn’t phased by the hitters,” Michalski mentioned. “Charlie came in and picked up where he left off, and CJ came in to close the deal. It was a great day for the pitchers, and this is something we’ve really been working on.”

Kyle Hoog, in his first game back from injury, and Anthony May each collected RBI singles in the bottom of the first to get the scoring started early, leading 2-0. Hoog also added another RBI on a stand-up triple, while also scoring on a wild pitch to push the Spartans lead to 4-1 in the bottom of the third. After missing the last eight games, Hoog said he felt great in his return.

“I feel great, my ankle feels great,” Hoog said, smiling. “It was a fun game, so it made it more fun. It was good.”

The Salt Cats pushed across two runs in the top of the fifth off of Jessen to load the bases. An error in the infield allowed two runners to come home as the lead shrunk to 4-3. Only giving up one earned run, Nick Jessen’s final line included five innings, one hit and five strikeouts.

Charlie Hawley came in to relieve Jessen in the top of the sixth, his fifth appearance of the summer. Hawley finished with three innings, no hits, one walk and one strikeout.

Stephen Karis racked up his third RBI in as many games, as he drove in his fourth overall RBI of the season to extend the lead to 5-3. Heading into the top of the eighth, the Spartans still held a tight lead.

The Salt Cats threatened with a lead-off single and walk in the top of the eighth, leading to a mound visit from Matt Michalski. Hawley ended up retiring three straight batters to leave a few Salt Cats stranded, getting out of the jam.

Jackson Geisler reached on an error in the bottom half of the eighth, and then he advanced to second on a wild pitch. Caleb Millikan drew a four pitch walk, and Jordan Dickson laid down a sacrifice bunt to move both runners over. After an intentional walk to Shepherd, the Spartans could not capitalize, as the game stayed locked at 5-3 heading to the ninth.

CJ “Red Owl” Roulo entered the top of the ninth looking for his third save of the season, and he earned it. Forcing three flyouts, Roulo closed things down quickly to give the Spartans their third straight win.

The Spartans play on the “road” tomorrow at OCC, as they battle again with the Syracuse Salt Cats on Tuesday, June 29. The next Spartans home game is against the Cortland Crush at OCC on Wednesday, June 30. First pitch is set for 7:05 p.m. For tickets, email [email protected].