The Spartans and Saltcats entered Wednesday night tied 2-2 on the season series, poised for another solid rivalry match-up, looking to break the tie. Ethan Collins was the starter for the Spartans, and Josh Gorham for the Saltcats. On the back of 4 stolen bases, the Saltcats’ work on the basepaths tore through the Spartans, as the Saltcats won with a score of –

Collins struggled early, allowing 2 hits, 3 walks, and a stolen base to curate a 3-run start for the Saltcats’ offense. Despite singles from Michael Perales and Bryce Moore to lead off the first and second innings, the Spartans remained runless early on. 

Amani Jones looked to re-open scoring in the 4th, leading off with an infield single, breaking a 7 game hitless streak. After advancing to 2nd on a wild pitch, he found his way home on an error from Ethan Collins, on an attempted bunt from Robert Chesney. Schlegel awaited on 3rd, and ended up scoring as well on their 2nd successful double steal of the game. The Saltcats ultimately left the inning with just those 2 runs, as Collins’ offered a comeback 1-2-3 sequence. That left the Spartans down 5-0 going into the home half of the fourth inning. 

Camden New wanted to open things up for the Spartans, finding himself at 2nd with a lead-off error from the Saltcats’ third basemen. Bryce Moore subsequently walked himself aboard. After both runners moved into scoring position from Jordan Goldmann’s flyout, Kyle Hoog then stepped up to the plate. Hoog plated the first run for the Spartans with a 4-3 putout, and that lone run was all the Spartans could afford. 

Noah Klasen took over on the mound for the Spartans in the 6th. That concluded a 5.0 IP, 5 R, and 4H day on the mound for Ethan Collins. Matthew Rinaldi subsequently drove in an RBI single, with Lucas Zezima scoring. 6-1 Saltcats going into the bottom of the 6th. In the 7th, a double steal once again plated another run. Jordan Stevens singled to plate the second run of the inning. Robert Chesney then entered mercy-rule territory, scoring 2 on an RBI double with two outs. 10-1 was the score going into the bottom of the 7th. 

After a two out double allowed from Jack Clifford in the 7th, Josh Gorham was beginning to look at the end of his outing for the Saltcats. Gorham ultimately avoided injury, leaving the game with 7.0 IP, 1 ER, and only 4 H allowed. 

Down 10-1 going into the 8th, the short-handed pitching staff turned to position player Cole Rockwell on the mound for the Spartans in the 8th. Aaron Sisto then stepped up to the dish with a chance to secure a run rule, with runners on third and second. Sisto walked, then giving the chance to Jacob Caruso with the bases loaded, and no outs. He singled to make it an 11-1 score. A hit by pitch, and then Connor Lavigne was the next position-player-turned-pitcher to step up for the Spartans, as Rockwell replaced Lavigne over at second. Lucas Zezima then scored three more with another double. 

And then at the end of the merry-go-round, the Spartans had 6 runs to score in the bottom of the 8th to prevent the mercy rule from occurring, the score being 16-1 Saltcats. 

Carter Kowalczyk came in to shut the door for the Saltcats. He struck out the side, and secured the whopping 16-1 for Syracuse, claiming their first win in 5 days.