The Syracuse Spartans continued a tight Eastern division playoff race Sunday July 17th, as they went into Sherrill for a 2pm first pitch. The Silversmiths entered the game at 17-18, and the Spartans at 17-19, standing at second and third place respectively. Seth Zurbruegg was the starter for Syracuse, and Connor Jensen the starter for Sherill. There was no lack of offense in a game with a final score of 15-10, a win for the Syracuse Spartans. 

After a 1-run first inning for Syracuse, Sherill responded in the second frame, with a 7-spot on a long inning for Seth Zurbruegg. With four singles (Benedetto, Plante, Poole, Benedetto again), four walks (Haker, Bequeath, Lynch, Vandreason), and a sacrifice fly (Dillehay), all 7 runs came in earned. That would end up being the only bad inning to Zurbruegg’s credit in the evening. 

Down 7-1, the Spartans replicated offensive efforts in the next half inning, putting up 5 runs of their own, to make it a 7-6 ballgame. This time, Jensen struggled as he allowed three walks (Rockwell, Alexander, Johnston), and three singles (Burton, Roots, Legg), plus a Bryce Moore double, where all 5 runs were earned as well. 

Both starters held each other scoreless until an outpour of offense in the fifth inning once again. The Spartans jumped out to a lead with four runs. After a couple of baserunners allowed, Connor Jensen left the game with 4.1 IP, as Colton Davis came in to relieve his efforts. In total, a Noah Roots single, Kyle Hoog double, and Cole Rockwell double powered a lead-taking inning, alongside a few walks as well. 

Not contrary to the trend, the Silversmiths shrunk the lead back down 10-9, putting on two runs in response. Josh Martin came in for relief to open said two-run inning. In full, Jackson Haker and DJ Dillehay’s back-to-back doubles powered the offense in the bottom of the fifth. 

After trading runs tit for tat in the seventh, the game came down to another 4 spot in the top of the ninth from the Spartans, with no response from the Silversmiths, to Josh Martin’s credit as the closer. In all, Kyle Hoog’s three hit day was the main contribution from a high scoring shootout in Sherrill, curating a big win for the Spartans, who now stand at 18-19 in the East, at second place.