By Justin Lada
SHERRILL, N.Y. — The Syracuse Salt Cats came into Saturday a game behind the Sherrill Silversmiths and found themselves tied for last place in the New York Collegiate Baseball League’s Eastern Division. The cliché backs were against the wall and the Salt Cats saved two horses, Corey Mingin (Oklahoma State-Panhandle) and Sean Williams (Oklahoma State-Panhandle), who both dominated against the Silversmiths, sweeping the double header 4-2 and 8-2.
Mingin, who made his last start of the year for the team as he heads back to Oklahoma to take care of his academic schedule, went out with a huge bang. Since becoming a starter a few weeks back he has been extremely reliable and put the team on his back game one.
It was the first nine inning complete the Salt Cats have gotten this year, and it came at a great time. Mingin’s mix of off-speed pitches frustrated the Sherrill hitters, allowing just two runs on seven hits, walking just one and striking out two.
The Salt Cats came into the game needing to win both, in the event of a tied record for the fourth and final playoff spot the tie breaker goes to season series, with the Smitties holding a 4-2 edge coming into the day.
The New Jersey left hander said of his final start as a Salt Cat: “I’m in shock, it’s the first time I got to extend my outing and wanted to leave on a good note, keep us in the playoff hunt. We got Sean on the mound now, and he’s going to go out and follow in the footsteps of what I did and we’re gonna make the playoffs.”
After Mingin departed the Salt Cats on a high note, his college teammate, Sean Williams felt the need to one up his fellow OPSU Aggie.
Despite only throwing seven innings, Williams was able to fan 14 Silversmiths, allowing three hits, two runs and walked two as well.
The only blip on Williams line was an RBI single by NYCBL All-Star, Byron Campbell in the third and a solo shot to right field over the short porch to Brad Kaczcka in the fifth.
The Salt Cats took advantage of the favorable fence in right field as well, with Connor Thompson (Mansfield University) breaking out of a three game hitless slide with a two run shot to right field, giving the Salt Cats an early 2-0 lead.
Mike Mascari (Oswego State) delivered a huge two out RBI single in the fifth inning, after Campbell tied things up with a two run home run in the third inning.
Nick Carlson (University of Rochester) put up a huge insurance run in the eighth inning with a bases loaded sacrifice fly.
Oliver Pratt took a bit of a hard luck loss, pitching a solid eight innings, allowing all four runs.
The Salt Cats laid lumber late in game two. After Mike Martinez Jr. (Keuka College) delivered a two run single in the first, backing Williams.
Andrew Medeiros (Westfield State) delivered all the Salt Cats needed with an RBI single in the fourth and then a monster two run home run in the sixth.
Corbin Gapski (Farleigh Dickinson) and Tyler Kirwan (UMass-Boston) both added an RBI single each in the eighth for good measure.
Mike Rynerson (St. John Fischer) threw two scoreless innings to close out the second win.
The Salt Cats now hold a one game lead over the Silversmiths for the final playoff spot, with five games to play.
Maso Cotton (Virginia State University) will take the mound Sunday at noon at Le Moyne College’s Rockwell Field against the Utica Brewers.
On a little bit of a negative note; the Salt Cats will have to finish the playoff push without INF Jake Cintolo (Suffolk University) who will miss the rest of the season with a fractured left wrist.
Williams may have now thrown his hat in the ring and has a great shot at NYCBL pitcher of the year. Over his last four starts (2-1 0.32 ERA) has allowed six runs (four earned) spanning 31 innings and striking out 43.
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Way to Go Dubbz!
Awesome job, let’s get this Pitcher of the year done!
One proud Uncle here.