By Donny Chiarel

SYRACUSE, NY – The sun came out from behind the clouds to give a gorgeous setting for tonight’s Salt City rivalry. The Syracuse Spartans defeated the Syracuse Salt Cats by a score of 3-1. 

The top of the first inning had back-to-back hits by the Salt Cats, but Eddie Rosemont was able to stay composed and collect two quick outs. A stolen base attempt by D’Amato ended with a laser putout by Jake Sisto to end the top of the first. 

A pitcher’s duel ensued from Jarrod Williams and Eddie Rosemont. Rosemont had a few one-two-three innings, as Williams collected three straight strikeouts in the bottom of the second. 

Nolan Giblin led off the top of the third with a deep triple into right center field. Mike DeStefano drew first blood with his fielder’s choice that scored Giblin to make it 1-0 Salt Cats. 

Kyle Platt was able to break the perfect start by Willliams in the bottom of the third with the first hit for the Spartans. Dickson drew a walk, but the Spartans left two runners on without having one cross home.

Noah Millikan took over on the mound in the top of the sixth. Eddie Rosemont ended his day with five innings of work, with four hits allowed, one earned run and two strikeouts. Millikan allowed a base runner off a walk before collecting his first strikeout to end the frame. 

At one point in the ballgame, Jarrod Williams retired 10 straight batters, making it tough for the Spartans to generate offense. That stretch was snapped by Grant Shepherd, singling to left. Kyle Hoog matched that with a single of his own to give Danny Cantor a chance to add to his team-leading RBI total. Cantor connected on a full-count fastball into left field, scoring both runners to give the Spartans their first lead of the game at 2-1.

Carter Huffman reached on an error, followed by a hit-by-pitch to Kent Wilson, was how things began in the top of the seventh. Millikan was able to navigate through the jam, striking out Giblin and forcing DeStefano to fly out to end the inning.

Caleb Millikan led off the home half of the seventh with a single before Patrick May hit a double down the right field line. Teague Conder hit a sacrifice fly to center field to score Millikan to extend the lead to 3-1. 

Andrew Case came on to close things down in the ninth, but the final line of Noah Millikan was eye-popping. Three innings of no-hit baseball, along with six strikeouts, gave the Spartans the relief they needed. Case went on to record three outs in nine pitches, securing the fourth win of the year for the Syracuse Spartans. 

Millikan, the Print Solutions Plus Player of the Game, had a different mentality going into the game while trailing. 

“I was just thinking to come in the game and keep this a game,” Millikan said. “I wanted to give the offense a chance, and you have (Danny) Cantor come up clutch to give us the lead. I didn’t want them to get anything or get any bases.”

Coach Matt Michalski had high praises for Danny Cantor, who collected his team-leading sixth RBI of the season.

“It was a great at bat, and he finally got the upper hand,” Michalski said. “He’s been huge for us and he’s been doing everything right. He’s learning from all of us, making adjustments, and that is all you can ask for.”

“(Noah) picked up where Eddie left off,” Michalski added in reference to his pitching staff. “Eddie had great command of his fastball, then Noah came in with the same game plan. He was challenging hitters and struck guys out with his curveball.”

“We see him as a very valuable part of this team.”

Syracuse plays Sherrill next at home tomorrow evening at Onondaga Community College. First pitch is set for 7:05 p.m. For tickets, email [email protected].