The Syracuse Spartans set a new franchise record by scoring 25 runs in a single game in a 25-11 win at the Cortland Crush. The previous franchise record was 19 runs set in the 2019 NYCBL season.

The Spartans exploded for the early lead in the top of the second inning. The first six Spartans of the inning reached base safely and all scored, highlighted by RBI hits from Joe Wike and Cade Collins. However, Cortland quickly erased the 6-0 Syracuse advantage with three runs in the second, a run in the third and three runs in the fourth to take a 7-6 lead.

Syracuse regained control of the game in the 5th. Jaren Megan started the scoring with a two-run double. Spartans veterans Matt Alexander and Joe Wike followed suit with RBIs on a single and sacrifice fly to give Syracuse a 10-7 lead. Cortland responded with two runs in the fifth, but Syracuse answered right back after two Crush errors and another RBI from Megan to make it a 12-7 ball game.

Cortland wouldn’t go away quietly with another two runs in the sixth, but Syracuse stayed resilient. The Spartans grabbed another three runs in the seventh off a RBI single from Collins and a RBI groundout by Sammy Lee. Importantly, Max Dio came out of the bullpen in the seventh and pitched a scoreless frame to keep the Crush off the scoreboard for the first time in six innings.

That’s when the Spartans removed the training wheels. Syracuse demolished the baseball in the ninth inning, grabbing 10 runs on seven hits along with a Cortland error to extend the lead to 25-11. Dio stayed in the ball game and recorded the final nine outs to lock down the historic victory.

Seven Spartans had multi-hit games and five Spartans had multi-RBI days. Cade Collins finished the day with four hits and three RBIs. Sammy Lee added on three hits and four RBIs. Jaren Megan joined the action with three hits and four RBIs as well. Max Dio was impressive out of the bullpen, pitching three scoreless innings to end the game, allowing just one hit and striking out two batters.

The next Syracuse Spartans game is a home contest against the Sherrill Silversmiths at the Onondaga Community College Baseball Complex on Monday, June 17. First pitch is scheduled for 7:00 pm.