By Justin Lada
SYRACUSE, NY — The Syracuse Salt Cats got 5.2 innings of shutout ball from their relief against the Sherrill Silversmiths on Tuesday, but the offense fell one run short of sending the game to extra frames, in a 5-4 loss to the Silversmiths at Rockford Park on Tuesday.
Mike Meleski (Broome CC) pitched a solid six innings for Sherrill allowing four runs on seven hits. He walked one and struck out five.
The Salt Cats reached Meleski (1-0) for two runs in the bottom of the first inning thanks to an RBI single by Jake Cintolo. Syracuse jumpstarted their offense in the first inning thanks to a pair of stolen bases from Andrew Mederios and Ed Charles (Auburn, NY) who both singles to open the inning. Cintolo stole second in the first inning as well, giving the Salt Cats three stolen bases in the first frame of action.
The 5’10″ lefty settled in for the next few innings, allowing just two base runners over the next four innings.
Syracuse finally touched Meleski for a pair of runs in the sixth inning.
The Salt Cats loaded the bases thanks to a leadoff single by Dan Fiorito (Yonkers, Manhattanville College), Cintolo reaching on a hit batsmen and a line drive single from Connor Thompson. Catcher Kevin Bailey delivered a single, plating both Fiorito and Cintolo, bringing the score to 5-4 Sherrill.
While Meleski limited the damage in that inning and was helped out by his defense, after a shaky first inning, Salt Cats starter Zach Sutherland (0-1) (Syracuse, NY) couldn’t find his footing.
In 4.2 innings, the first Salt Cat starting pitcher of the season not to throw a full five innings, allowing five runs (three earned) on six hits. The 6’2 left hander walked two and struck out four while taking the loss.
Wes Van Boom singled in Brad Kazcka to give the Silversmiths a 1-0 lead after one inning of play.
What started out as a sacrifice bunt from Sherrill centerfielder, Anthony Ragos wound up being a two run error. Sutherland attempted to look catcher Ernest Rauch back to third after he doubled and advanced on a Matt Sherlock single. Sutherland felt that Rauch was far enough off of third to throw him out. His throw wound up along the left field wall in foul territory, allowing both Rauch and Sherlock to score, making it 4-2 at that time.
Louis Libertore, Kelly Wright, Roberto Morales, Corey Mingin and Bo Watson (Onondaga CC) combined for the 5.1 shutout relief innings.
The Silversmiths bullpen was just as good as the Salt Cats. Mitchell DuBois (Onieda) Matt Okipney (Liverpool) and Thomas Moriarty (Hamilton CC) threw three scoreless innings in relief of Meleski.
Moriarty got pinch hitter Jimmy Napoliatano to ground into a game ending double play to earn the save.
The Salt Cats fall to 1-3 on the year and the Silversmiths are now 2-1. Syracuse heads to Geneva to take on the Red Wings at McDonough Stadium at 7pm. They return home Sunday to host the Utica Brewers at Rockwell Park at Le Moyne college at 5pm.
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