By Justin Lada
SYRACUSE, N.Y. — The third time was the charm for the Syracuse Salt Cats, as they solved the Sherrill Silversmiths for the first time all year, beating the Smitties 11-10 at Rockwell Park in NYCBL action on Friday.
Sean Williams (Oklahoma State-Panhandle) came into the game with just three walks on the year, but walked three in 4.2 innings of work. He was just one out away from being eligible for his second win of the year, but couldn’t find the good part of the strike zone.
Roberto Morales (Walsh University) came on to get the final out of the fifth inning after walking a batter. Morales (1-0) got his first win of the season, pitching 2.1 innings of scoreless relief despite walking three and not striking out a batter.
Meanwhile the Salt Cats also figured out Jordan Doroshenk, who got a win earlier in the year against them in relief.
Syracuse tagged the lefty with seven runs on eight hits in 4+ innings of work. He walked two and struck out two.
Williams struggled early, going to a full count on two batters in the first inning. A single by Anthony Ragos and a walk to Brad Kazca had the Silversmiths in business early on. A wild pitch sent both runners into scoring position and Ragos eventually scored on a groundball double play by Wes Van Boom.
Mitch Iseneker tripled in a run in the second and sac fly by Hayden Hibberd had the Salt Cats trailed 3-0 before they could even get a hit.
The Salt Cats would send nine batters to the plate in the second inning, plating five runs.
Jake Cintolo (Suffolk University) and Dan Fiorito (Manhattanville) both led off with singles and Nick Carlson (University at Rochester) was hit by a pitch to load the bases.
Connor Thompson (Mansfield University) grounded out with Cintolo being thrown out at home but keeping the bases loaded for Mike Mascari (Oneonta State/Owsego).
Mascari would find a hole between first and second base, plating Fiorito and Jimmy Napolitano (Rutgers-Newark University) ripped a two run single to left, quickly tying the game at 3-3 in the second with just one out.
Ethan Braddock (St. Lawrence University) and Kevin Bailey (Alvernia University) both singled in runs, giving the Salt Cats a 5-3 lead.
Matt Larangera (Rutgers-Newark University) came on to pitch after Morales but left after just getting one out and the Silversmiths grabbing a 6-5 lead. Before leaving with an undisclosed injury Larangera was charged with four runs (two earned) on two hits and a walk. He wasn’t helped by a bunt by Hibberd that bounced off the shin of catcher Thompson to put the first two runners on.
Kyle Cushman had his second good outing of the week, getting two quick outs to put out the fire, giving the Salt Cats a chance to get back into the game.
The Syracuse bats continued to stay hot in the fifth., where the play of the day happened: Cintolo and Fiorito reached on singles with Thompson at the plate. A nifty double steal on a fake bunt was put on by Manager Mike Martinez. After the play Thompson would drive in Cintolo.
Fiorito scored on a heads up play to give the Salt Cats the lead permanently. A pop up to the third base dugout by Nick Carlson left the plate uncovered when Nick Flemister and Hibberd went after the ball. Fiorito made the mad dash for the plate and slid hard into home just in front of a tag to give the Salt Cats a 7-6 lead.
Napolitano would give the Salt Cats a little cushion with an RBI triple, giving him three for the evening.
The Salt Cats improved to 3-11 on the season heading into a double header tomorrow with the first place Adirondack Trail Blazers.
Corey Mingin (Oklahoma State-Panhandle) will make his first start of the year in game one. and Joe Riley (St. Lawrence University) will be on the mound at Falcon Park in Auburn at 4pm in game two.
Both games will be broadcasted on teamline.cc from Falcon Park tomorrow.
You can follow the Salt Cats on twitter for all team updates and in-game updates @SyrSaltCats or be friends of the ‘Cats on Facebook.
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