By Donny Chiarel
SYRACUSE, NY – Another edition of the Salt City rivalry ensued at Onondaga Community College on Friday evening. The Spartans took down the Salt Cats by a final of 9-4, improving their record to 9-5-1.
Anthony May and Jake Sisto led off the top of the second with two base hits. May advanced to third on a wild pitch. In an odd sequence, Enrique Morales overshot Reisinger on the mound to allow May to scamper home, making it 1-0 Spartans.
In the bottom of the second, Aaron Sisto was able to poke a fly ball into right field for a sacrifice fly, scoring Zach Buck to even things at 1-1. Matthew Bergan forced a ground ball to get out of the jam, leaving two Salt Cats on base.
Grant Shepherd was able to drive in Matthew Alexander on a sacrifice fly to make it 2-1 in the top of the third. That was Shepherd’s ninth RBI of the summer, tying Caleb Millikan for the team lead.
As if one RBI was not enough, Shepherd added in his tenth RBI of the summer on an stand-up triple, scoring Zac Legarretta. Thomas Coleman balked home Shepherd to make it 4-1, adding to the run total in the top half of the fifth.
Matthew Bergan’s night came to an end in the sixth, with a final line that was more than enough for the win. Bergan threw five innings, allowing two hits, one earned run and five strikeouts.
Kyle Platt led off the top of the seventh with a double into right-center field, followed by a stolen base at third. On the Eddy Garcia error, Platt was able to score as Shepherd skied one into the clouds to make it 5-1 Spartans.
Ethan Hennesey ignited the Salt Cat offense with a triple in the bottom of the seventh. Luke Smith grounded out to first, but it scored Hennessey to make it 5-2 Spartans. A double by Zach Buck pushed two more runs across the plate, making it 5-4 Spartans.
Three straight Spartans got on base to start the top of the ninth, with Gaeta drawing a walk, Platt collecting a base hit, and Alexander drawing a walk, as well. Grant Shepherd collected yet another RBI, scoring Gaeta and allowing Platt to score on the overthrow, pushing the lead to 7-4. Jake Sisto plunked a 1-2 fastball into centerfield for a two-run double, extending the inning and lead to 9-4 Spartans.
CJ Roulo came in to close things down, collecting his first save of the season. Roulo tossed two innings of scoreless baseball with three strikeouts, giving the Spartans their ninth victory of the season.
Matthew Bergan had a season-high five innings and five strikeouts in his winning decision, and he credited his off-speed for his success.
“I was really able to get my slider going where I could get first-pitch strikes,” Bergan said. “That really helped me get in the rhythm and get me through my last three innings as quick as I did.”
Bergan also credited his supporting cast of pitchers, catchers and coaches for his development.
“It’s huge because it makes me feel better when I have a close relationship with everyone,” he said. “They allow me to be myself on the mound when I’m doing my thing.”
Coach Matt Michalski said his main point of discussion was putting the ball in play. Safe to say, he was happy about the results.
“That’s what we’ve been preaching all year: put the ball in play,” said Michalski. “We play the Salt Cats a lot and we know what it takes. I’m real happy with the guys; they competed hard all game. I’m happy with the results.”
The next Spartans home game is on Saturday, June 26 as the Mansfield Destroyers come to town for a doubleheader. First pitch for game one is set for 5:05 pm. For tickets, email [email protected].