The vibes were immaculate Thursday evening following a 4-0 win for the Spartans at OCC as the Rochester Ridgemen rolled into town. With plenty of banter, dancing, well-hit baseballs, and of course a 3-0 Syracuse Spartans baseball squad, the energy seemed poised to carry over for the next evening. 

And it did. As predicted, immediately following a pitcher’s duel in Syracuse last night, the Spartans brought the fireworks as they went out to Gutchess field to take on the 2021 NYCBL champs in the Cortland Crush. In a 13-11 shootout, the Spartans, simply put, outlasted a stacked lineup for the Crush – including 5 division 1 players – Cortland being held scoreless for the last three innings of the ballgame after a combined 22 runs crossing home plate. 

A lot to take in, I know, but a good point to start is the appetizer dish of the Spartans’ 9-spot in the 4th inning, after a 2-2 start to the ballgame. 7 hits and 3 errors later, the 9 runs crossed the plate, sparked by one of many Charlie Burton walks, followed by an ensemble of Spartans singles. A great start to the ballgame with a 11-2 lead, right? 

Well, Cortland responding with an 8 spot the next inning didn’t necessarily help Syracuse’s case. Are you getting the theme here? High. Scoring. A pitch to contact approach was on display for the Spartans as Austin Dunn opened the frame with a putout. Dunn’s evening quickly finished, though, as a 1 out rally began, with Cortland themselves spraying a 6 hit entree of extra base hits, no errors necessary. 

Even better, one of the two usual Andrew Mennelly hits on the day put in the last of his 3 RBIs, bringing the game back to two runs. But that would be the last to score for the ballgame, as the Spartans’ Aaron Cole came into relief, managing the runs after allowing 6 through his first 2 innings, and – as mentioned earlier – held the Crush scoreless through the last 3 frames, holding onto the whopping 13-11 Spartans lead. 

After the Spartans first “low scoring” game of the season Thursday, some would say they were what we call in baseball, due. Quite obviously, us baseball fans must know what we’re talking about. And for you baseball fans reading, expect more pyrotechnics at Onondaga Community College, as Cortland pays their own visit to central New York Tuesday evening. Until then, enjoy a doubleheader in Mansfield, followed by a road trip to the lefty-friendly confines of the Sherrill Silversmith, over a jam-packed weekend for your Syracuse Spartans.