By Christian De Guzman
SYRACUSE, N.Y. — The Syracuse Spartans (8-5-1) used a nine-run fourth inning to propel themselves to a mercy rule victory over the Sherrill Silversmiths (3-11-0). The Spartans took the 10-run lead in the seventh inning to end the ballgame early. The nine-run fourth inning was the most runs that a Syracuse Spartans team has scored in a single inning in franchise history.
The majority of the scoring came in the fourth inning for the Spartans. Trailing 2-0 heading into the frame, the Syracuse scoring started on a fielder’s choice by Anthony May, bringing in Caleb Millikan for the first run. The inning quickly spiraled out of control for Sherrill as Jordan Dickson singled to bring in May and tie the game at 2-2.
Patrick May would follow that up with a double that scored a run with another coming home on a throwing error to give the Spartans a 4-2 lead. Grant Shepherd later drove home May on a single to increase the Syracuse lead to 5-2. David Bedrosian, making his Spartans debut, followed that up with a single, and a throw into the infield hit Shepherd and rolled away, allowing him to score to make it 6-2. Bedrosian would score on a wild pitch to make the score 7-2.
Still in the fourth inning, two runners reached base to bring Anthony May back up for the second time in the frame. He hit a long triple into the right-center field gap to bring two more runs home and conclude the scoring in the fourth, with Syracuse taking a 9-2 lead.
All of that was happening while Zach Kemp was shutting down Sherrill bats. After a rough first inning in which he gave up two runs on three hits, Kemp settled down and dominated the Silversmiths bats. The Wells College right-hander showed excellent control of the strike zone as he only allowed one more hit in five more innings of work while striking out three batters. Kemp threw 65 strikes and only 14 balls in his excellent outing for the win.
The Spartans ended the game in the seventh by getting to a ten-run lead in the frame. With the bases loaded, Bedrosian hit a ball high in the air to center field. The Sherrill center fielder lost the ball in the Syracuse night sky and the ball fell, clearing the bases and ending the game. Per NYCBL rules, if a team is leading by 10 runs or more after the seventh inning, the game is over.
The Spartans improve to 8-5-1 this season after invoking the mercy rule for the first time this year. Syracuse still sits in second place in the NYCBL East Division, four points behind division leaders Cortland.
The Spartans hit the “road” for their next game as they stay at OCC to play the Syracuse Salt Cats. The next Spartans home game is on Saturday, June 26 as the Mansfield Destroyers come to town for a doubleheader. First pitch for game one is set for 5:05 pm. For tickets, email [email protected].