The Syracuse Spartans offense scored 18 runs on 24 hits over two games against the Rochester Ridgemen but the effort was only enough to secure a split of a doubleheader. The Spartans won game one 11-2 while the Ridgemen claimed game two 13-7.

Game one started off with a pitching duel between Syracuse starter John Tully and Rochester starter Caleb Causey. Both starters kept the opposing team off the scoreboard for the first three innings. The Spartans finally found a breakthrough in the bottom of the fourth when Cade Collins ripped a two-run single into right field to give Syracuse a 2-0 lead.

From there, it was off to the races for the Spartans offense. Syracuse added three more runs in the fifth via a two-run triple from Ben Timblin and a RBI single from Sammy Lee. Six more runs, highlighted by a two-run double from Joe Wike, capped off the Spartans offensive explosion in the first game.

Tully finished game one with 5.1 innings pitched, allowing two runs on five hits with no walks and two strikeouts. Yoon Chae finished the game with no hits allowed on one walk and one strikeout.

Game two saw Rochester strike first with good hitting in the second inning to score four runs. The Spartans responded immediately in the third with RBI singles from Ben Timblin and Ethan Snyder. Syracuse tied the game at 4-4 after three innings of play in game two.

Unfortunately, the Spartans pitching couldn’t hold back the Ridgemen afterwards. Nine walks allowed Rochester to score nine runs on four hits from the fourth inning onward to take control of the game. The Spartans scored three more runs in the fourth as well but it was not enough to stop the Ridgemen attack.

Cade Collins had four hits and three RBIs across the doubleheader. Ben Timblin also had four hits, adding two RBIs across both games.

The next Spartans game is on the road against the Cortland Crush on Sunday, June 16 at Tompkins Cortland Community College. First pitch for game one is set for 1:00 pm. The next Spartans home game is against the Sherrill Silversmiths on Monday, June 17. First pitch for that game is set for 7:00 pm.