The Spartans scored first in the two of the second, with the production coming from an unlikely source. James Musso collected his first hit of the NYCBL season with a two-run single to give Syracuse the initial lead. However, Cortland fired back with a run in the second and three runs in the third to take a 4-2 lead.

After the teams traded runs in the fourth inning, the Spartans exploded for five runs in the fifth to retake the lead. The Le Moyne College duo of Chaz Anthony and Musso delivered the big blows in the frame. A two-run double from Anthony and a RBI single from Musso gave the Spartans an 8-5 lead halfway through the game.

Cortland wouldn’t go away quietly as the Crush grabbed a run in the fifth as well. Cortland then trimmed the lead to one after a solo home run in the seventh. However, that’s when the Spartans turned to Syracuse native John Francesconi out of the bullpen. The Gettysburg College right-hander inherited a bases-loaded, nobody out jam in the seventh and escaped with no damage done. 

Syracuse grabbed another run in the eighth and four more runs in the ninth. The big hits came from a Cade Collins RBI triple and an Oliver Merced two-run single. While Cortland scored two in the ninth, it was not enough to complete the comeback. 

Francesconi locked down his first save of the season with seven strikeouts. The bottom third of the order in Anthony, Merced and Musso combined for eight RBIs.

The next Spartans game is a road game at the Syracuse Salt Cats at the Onondaga Community College Baseball Complex on Thursday, June 20. First pitch is scheduled for 7:00 pm. The next Spartans home game is on Thursday, June 27 against the Rochester Ridgemen. First pitch is set for 7:00 pm.