The Cortland Crush drove into Syracuse to take on the Spartans for Game 2 of the Eastern Division Championship, Wednesday July 27th, for a 7pm first pitch. After last night’s walk-off win, the Crush led the series 1-0, and had the opportunity to sweep Syracuse, to move onto the NYCBL championship. As for Syracuse, they were on their heels, as they had to win tonight to hold on. The Spartans ended up stealing game 2, with a score of 5-1.  

In a big game, the Spartans went to their ace, Seth Zurbruegg. As for Cortland, they went to armslot switcher, RHP Kevin Worek. It was pitcher’s duel early, the first sign of trouble not coming until the second inning, where Zurbruegg worked out of a two baserunner, 1 out jam, with the help of Charlie Burton nabbing a stolen base attempt at third. 

As for Kevin Worek, the Spartans gave him trouble in the second inning as well. He found himself with the bases loaded with no outs, after walking Noah Roots, followed by a pair of Kyle Hoog and Jimmy Legg singles. A pair of RBI groundouts from Bryce Moore and Robert Johnston then followed. Pat May then capped off the scoring with an RBI single. 3-0 Spartans going into the third inning. The Spartans continued their offensive ways, as Kyle Hoog plated two with a double in the third. 5-0 Spartans. 

After Worek’s trouble, the Crush quickly went to their bullpen, bringing out LHP Cylus Jones in the bottom of the fourth. He started with a scoreless couple of frames. It was still 5-0 going into the sixth. Zurbruegg continued his winning ways, getting out of another two baserunner, two out jam in the sixth. 

The seventh inning marked the Crush’s first spark of hope, scoring – run. Elias Campbell cracked the scoring open with an RBI triple. 5-1 Spartans. RHP Alex Windey then came in for the bottom of the seventh for Cortland. He sat down the Spartans in order. 

It remained 5-1 going into the Crush’s last chance in the top of the ninth. That called for the Spartans’ first and only bullpen visit of the day, bringing young RHP Tyler Campbell out. Campbell worked out of a two out jam to take game 2, and tie the series 1-1. 

Game 3 is tomorrow at 6pm, in Cortland.