SYRACUSE, N.Y. – The Syracuse Spartans and the Cortland Crush clashed in a thrilling matchup that kept fans on the edge of their seats. With the early afternoon showers clearing up just before game time, the stage became quickly set for an entertaining game.

The Crush struck first with a run in the top of the 1st, aided by two wild pitches in the inning. However, the Spartans wasted no time in responding, reclaiming the lead with two runs in the bottom of the first inning. Will Kinney’s walk and Jake Bowman’s single set the stage for Adam Sullivan’s sacrifice fly and Tanner De Grazia’s RBI double, propelling the Spartans ahead to a 2-1 lead.

The Spartans maintained their momentum and added another run in the bottom of the second inning. Zach Garcia’s single, combined with an error and a failed pick-off attempt by Cortland, allowed him to score, extending the Spartans’ lead to 3-1. The home team continued to apply pressure, with Joe Wike’s single contributing to Robert Johnston’s RBI single that increased their advantage to 4-2.

Heading into the top of the 7th, the Spartans held a 4-2 lead, but the Crush mounted a comeback. With four hits, Cortland managed to score three runs in the inning, taking a 5-4 lead. The Crush added another run in the 8th and 9th innings, extending their total to 7 runs in the game.

The Spartans refused to back down, attempting a late rally in the bottom of the 8th inning. Zach Garcia came through with a clutch RBI triple, scoring Perry Chetney and narrowing the deficit to one run. Despite their efforts, the Spartans fell just short in completing the comeback, ultimately losing 7-5.

Zach Garcia was the standout player of the game for the Spartans, compiling an impressive 2-4 stat line with a single, a run, an RBI triple, and displaying his expertise in the field. His exceptional performance highlighted his versatility and impact on both the offense and defense.

Looking ahead, the Syracuse Spartans will continue their pursuit of victory in their next home game on July 19th, with first pitch set for 7 PM at Onondaga Community College. The team remains focused and determined, eager to bounce back and provide their loyal fans with an electrifying performance as they continue their push for the playoffs in this last week. Fans can show their support by catching the live broadcast on the Syracuse Spartans’ website, https://syracusespartans.com/live/.