By Justin Lada
SYRACUSE, NY — Trying to bounce back from a tough loss on Sunday, the rain fell hard and ended any chance of a comeback. The Syracuse Salt Cats lost to the Utica Brewers, 6-5 in a rain-shortened seven-inning contest in New York Collegiate Baseball League action at LeMoyne College, Monday.
Utica took the lead in the first inning but the two clubs would trade the lead five times, despite not playing two innings of the game. The rain started to fall heavy in the sixth inning and continued through the seventh. Finally, after sputtering off and picking back up, the umpires called the game it a night in the top of the eighth inning after another downpour came on.
An RBI single by Jake Cintolo in the bottom of the 1st inning tied the game, but a two run home run by Stephen Dezzi in the top of the second inning put Utica back in control, 3-1.
The Brewers tacked on two more runs in the third. Matt Bahnick had two hits and three RBIs for Utica to lead the way, allowing Tyler Murdick to settle in a little bit.
Murdick wound up getting the victory, pitching four innings, allowing two runs on five hits, walking two and striking out three.
Syracuse’s Maso Cotton took the loss, allowing six runs on nine hits, walking two and striking out two Brewers.
After having a rough night on Sunday, the bullpen was solid on Monday for the Salt Cats. Matt Larangera pitched two scoreless innings of relief, walking one and striking out another.
Kyle Cushman (Mohawk Valley CC, Jamesville, NY) made his first appearance of the season for Syracuse, pitching to two batters in the eighth inning before the game was called.
The Salt Cats reached Brewers reliever Dylan Reid for two runs, both coming in the fifth inning, via Brewers errors.
Jordan Sechler came on in the seventh inning, thwarting the Salt Cats rally before the rain hit, allowing one hit and a walk but struck out three batters in his only inning pitched.
Dan Fiorito (Manhattanville) hit his first home run of the season in the third inning, a solo blast to left field off Murdick.
The Salt Cats will be back in action again Tuesday at Le Moyne college at 5 p.m. as they host the Sherrill Silversmiths. All games can be heard live at https://www.teamline.cc/sport_schedule?teamcode=7763&eventcode=5 and live stats can be followed via pointstreak.com through NYCBL.com.
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