The Syracuse Spartans entered game 1 of another 7 inning doubleheader against the Saltcats, on a 6 game skid, standing in the final spot of playoff position in the Eastern division of the NYCBL. Needless to say the Spartans were badly in need of a win.

Seth Zurbruegg was the starter in game 1 for the Spartans – acting as the away team at OCC Wednesday evening for a 5pm first pitch. Jake Baldini was the starting righty for the Saltcats. 

After a lead-off walk, the Spartans started quickly with a Colin Williams RBI single in the first inning. Baldini quickly got back into shape, keeping it a 1-0 game after sitting the Spartans down in order in the second frame. As for Zurbruegg, he didn’t allow a baserunner until a hit by pitch to Aaron Sisto 1.2 innings in. After that, a pair of singles from Amani Jones and William Zampella tied the game at 1-1. 

Middle third inning, a rain delay struck the area, with the game tied at a 1-1 stalemate. After an hour fifteen minutes, Nick Jessen then took over on the mound for the Spartans in the bottom of the third. Jessen shut down the Saltcats in order in his first two innings of relief.

Colby Mordecki then came in for the Saltcats. Aaron Cole scored the second run for the Spartans, plating Pat May with a sacrifice fly. Following that, JC Ng scored Jimmy Legg the following inning with an RBI double. 3-1 was the lead for the Spartans going into the bottom of the fifth inning. 

After three scoreless innings from Nick Jessen, right-hander Noah Klasen then took over for the Spartans in the sixth. 

Josiah Ortiz then took over in the Saltcats’ final inning on the field. After walking Legg and Moore, Legg found his way home on a wild pitch to make it a 4-1 lead. Then a two out error from Robert Chesney at third base, that put Bryce Moore on third, and Pat may on second, as Robert Johnston stepped up to the plate with a chance to extend the lead. He singled to right-center, curating another RBI. 

That gave Noah Klasen a 5-1 padded lead to earn himself a save, stepping in for the bottom of the seventh. Klasen closed it out, earning the Spaetans their first win in over a week with a final score of 5-1!

After a thirty minute break, that called for game 2 of the doubleheader. Jordan Goldmann took the mound for the Spartans, Josh Gorham for the Saltcats. Quickly, on a pair of walks allowed for both, both teams put three runs on the board in the first inning. 

The Saltcats jumped ahead 4-3 with a Bryce Richey RBI single the following inning. After Chris Martin came in for relief, the Spartans responded two innings, loading the bases and scoring Connor Lavigne on a wild pitch. 

Noah Klasen soon followed, entering the game in the fifth inning. He held the Saltcats scoreless throughout the finish, as the Spartans tacked on two more runs for the finish in game two. Charlie Burton scored the go-ahead RBI with a triple in the sixth, and Bryce Moore followed with an RBI single.

That solidified a 6-4 win for the doubleheader sweep for the Spartans, moving them into sole possession of second place in the Eastern division.