Syracuse Spartans starting pitcher Luke Boule struck out a season-high 12 batters as the Spartans won 2-1 over the Rochester Ridgemen at home.

Neither Syracuse or Rochester could figure out the opposing starting pitcher through the first six innings of the ball game. Boule struck out at least one batter in every inning he appeared in. However, Syracuse only managed five hits off Rochester’s starting pitcher through 6.1 innings.

Rochester found its breakthrough against Boule in the seventh. After a ground-rule double, a Ridgemen batter moved over to third on a fly out and scored on a wild pitch for the first run of the ball game.

However, the Spartans battled back in the bottom half of the inning. A one-out single and walk knocked Rochester’s starter out of the game. Another single off the Ridgemen reliever loaded the bases. Two-time NYCBL All-Star Joe Wike then came through with a two-run single into right field.

That’s all the Spartans needed as Boule turned the ball over to Harry Meehan. The lefty pitched two scoreless innings with two strikeouts to secure the 2-1 win for Syracuse.

The Spartans jumped over the Ridgemen in the standings with the win and moved into fourth place in the NYCBL Eastern Division.

The next Spartans game is an away contest at OCC against the Syracuse Salt Cats on Saturday, July 13. First pitch is set for 7:00 pm. The next Spartans home game is also against the Salt Cats on Monday, July 15 for a doubleheader. First pitch for game one is set for 5:00 pm.