By Joe Manganiello
SYRACUSE, NY – Just hours after a heart-wrenching, one-run loss at McDonough Park in Geneva on Friday, the Syracuse Junior Chiefs came back in a big way on Saturday.
From the first pitch on Saturday, the Junior Chiefs were in complete control against the Sherrill Silversmiths, as they scored six runs in the bottom of the first and never looked back. In total, the Junior Chiefs scored 12 runs on 16 hits, while shutting out Sherrill on three hits.
Syracuse manager Casey Scott used a unique startling lineup following the team’s stunning loss. For the first time this season, Tim Locastro batted first and center fielder Riley Moonan batted second, which worked tremendously for the Junior Chiefs.
Locastro and Moonan combined for five hits and four runs in nine at bats, as both players raised their average well over the much coveted .300 mark. Playing shortstop, Locastro also led the team in the field with four assists, while Moonan made several deep ranging put outs in center field.
The Junior Chiefs also were supported by a phenomenal start by Robert Frank, making his first start of the season. Frank threw six shutout innings and struck out eight batters, while giving up just two hits and two walks. Frank needed just 84 pitches to get through six innings, throwing 61 strikes.
Frank’s ERA is now just 1.86, the second best mark on the team. Frank was relieved by Matt Kenahan in the seventh inning, who threw three additional shutout innings and giving up just one hit.
The Junior Chiefs had seven of its nine starters finish with multiple hits, while six starters drove in at least one RBI and six starters scored at least one run. Catcher Corey Caswell led the Chiefs with 6 RBIs on two doubles and a sac fly.
Syracuse (14-3) remains in first place in the East Division with the victory, as the team has won 12 of their last 13 games. The Junior Chiefs will start arguably the NYCBL’s best starter, Alex Basso (3-0, 0.00 ERA), against the Utica Brewers on Monday night in Donovan Stadium. The Junior Chiefs are 5-0 against Utica this season.
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