Another pivotal Eastern division matchup occurred Thursday, July 21st as the Syracuse Spartans held their final home game against the Sherrill Silversmiths. With only four games left for Syracuse, five for Sherrill, and Sherrill and Syracuse in second and third place respectively within the division, a lot was on the line, with the Syracuse Saltcats only one point behind in fourth place as well. It was a massive win for the Spartans, who ended up taking the win in a shootout, with a final score of 13-9.

Andre Cuello Batista was the starter for Sherrill, Ethan Collins for the Spartans. And Etahn Collins was shut-down once again, holding Sherrill scoreless through three innings. It wasn’t until the fourth where a pair of singles plated Sherrill’s first runs of the ballgame. As for Syracuse, well, they took the game and ran away with it early, scoring one in the second, five in the third, and six in the fourth. 

Andre Cuello Batista only made it to the third inning before Colton Davis took over. Davis was escorted out of the game quickly in the fourth, pushing Joseph Hartnett into the tough spot for Sherrill. 

As for Syracuse, starter Ethan Collins didn’t exit until Tyler Canpbell’s relief efforts in the 6th inning. Campbell ended up allowing 4 runs in 2.0 IP, inching the lead smaller.

After a couple of scoreless frames, Noah Klasen came into the ballgame in the 7th to close things out. He also allowed two runs in his first frame. After that, he worked his way to a 13-6 start to the ninth inning.

In typical Spartans fashion, a two out rally sparked off the bats of Sherrill, who scored three more runs after a 2-out RBI double from Dylan O’Sullivan. 

Nonetheless, Klasen fought back to get the strike out on Ryan Friesen and end the game.

Charlie Burton was your player of the game, driving in three runs on a 2-5 day, with a triple and a double.