By Justin Lada
SYRACUSE, N.Y. — The Syracuse Salt Cats came into their final two games of the NYCBL regular season needing at least one win to keep their playoff hopes alive. They had to do it against the division’s best team. They wound up splitting the final Salt City matchups of the season, dropping game one big in game one, 11-3 and winning in dramatic fashion in game two, 10-9.
The Jr. Chiefs plated four runs in the second inning, off of Joe Riley (St. Lawrence University). Riley Moonan delivered two hits and scored two runs the third and fourth. Alex Sanchez knocked three hits in game one and had two RBIs, plating runs in the second and the ninth.
Daniel Carroll had three hits and an RBI in game one, plating a run in that four run fourth.
The 15 hits the Jr. Chiefs knocked off the Salt Cats pitching staff, sending Riley to a loss in three innings, allowing seven runs (four earned). Ethan Striz, the Jr. Chiefs starter went just four and couldn’t get the win, but only allowed two runs (one earned)
Kevin Bailey (Alvernia University) hit a solo home run in the ninth inning, his second home run made it an 11-3 Salt Cats loss.
In game two the Salt Cats could feel the desperation. Bud Morton (Southern University) and Eddie Charles (Oswego State) singled in runs in the second inning. A pair of wild pitches plated two more Salt Cat runs, giving them an early 4-0 lead for Mike La Londe (Hiram College)
Andrew Medeiros (Westfield State) singled in a run and Dan Fiorito (Manhantanville College) worked a walk to force in run number six.
The Jr. Chiefs got a pair of extra base hits in the third, a leadoff triple by Zach Blanden and a two run double by Patrick McClure made it a a 4-4 game.
McClure finished the game a home run shy of the cycle and finished the game with three RBIs.
Sean Williams (Oklahoma State-Panhandle) came back on three days rest to throw a solid 1.2 innings, striking out four and allowing two runs (one earned).
Mike Rynerson (St. John Fischer) struck out David Wolak with two on and two out in the sixth inning and the Salt Cats trailing 7-6.
The Salt Cats may have saved their season by plating four runs in the eighth inning. Ethan Braddock (St. Lawrence) came up with a bases loaded double, plating two and then Tyler Kirwan (UMass-Boston) followed with an RBI single, bringing in run number four, giving the Salt Cats a 10-8 lead.
Charles may have also saved the Salt Cats season by himself in the ninth, making an extended diving catch in left center field with two on and one out with the Salt Cats ahead 10-8.
Bo Watson (St. Bonaventure) threw three innings walked in a run in the eighth, getting the win thanks to three strong relief innings, striking out three. He got Tim Locastro to pop out with the bases loaded to clinch the win.
The Salt Cats will have to wait and see if they make the playoffs. After setting their franchise record in wins with 17, they need the Sherrill Silversmiths to lose two games against the Jr. Chiefs in the final three games of the season over the next two days. If Sherrill wins two, there would be a one game playoff. If Sherrill wins three in a row over the Jr. Chiefs, the Salt Cats will be going home.
Stay tuned to the Salt Cats Twitter and Facebook to find out their playoff fate.
You can reach Justin Lada at Justin.Lada89@gmail.com
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