The Syracuse Spartans picked up their first win of the NYCBL season with a 3-0 victory in game one of a doubleheader with the Cortland Crush. Cortland responded in game two, taking a 4-1 win to split the games with Syracuse.

The Spartans used baserunning and good situational hitting to obtain their early lead in game one. A double steal with runners on the corners brought home one run while a fielder’s choice with runners on the corners brought home another run. Gibby Sullivan plated a third run for the Spartans in the sixth with a triple.

That’s all the support Spartans starting pitcher Luke Boule needed as he tossed a complete game shutout for the first game of the seven-inning doubleheader. The second-year Spartan only allowed four hits and no walks while striking out eight to dominate the Crush in game one.

The Spartans took the initial lead in game two but couldn’t hold on. Ben Timblin hit his second double of the afternoon in the third inning of game two to score the only Spartans run. Some clinical baserunning and timely hits for the Crush plated a run in the third, two runs in the fourth, and a run in the fifth. Cortland pitching shut down Syracuse in game two to take a 4-1 win.

Timblin recorded four hits across the doubleheader with two doubles and an RBI. Cade Collins, Sammy Lee, Yoon Chae, Jaren Megan and Chaz Anthony had multi-hit days.

The next Spartans game is a home contest against the Sherrill Silversmiths on Thursday, June 13. First pitch is set for 7:00 pm.