By Joe Manganiello
SYRACUSE, NY – In the final two games of the season played from Alliance Bank Stadium, the Syracuse Junior Chiefs split a double-header with the playoff hungry, Sherrill Silversmiths.
The Junior Chiefs (27-12) are locked into the number one seed of the playoffs, despite losing four of their last six games. The Junior Chiefs will have home field advantage in every round of the playoffs, including a potential championship series with the West Division champions.
The Sherrill Silversmiths (16-23) are vying for the final playoff spot in the East Division, still a half game out of fourth place with one day remaining in the regular season. The Silversmiths and Syracuse Salt Cats were left battling for the final spot in the playoffs. Wednesday’s split double-header keeps the Silversmith’s playoff hopes alive.
In game one, the Junior Chief offense was stalled, as Mike Meleski threw six complete innings and only allowed five hits. He struck out four Junior Chiefs while allowing just two earned runs. The Silversmith bullpen combined for three innings and one unearned run to complete the victory. Meleski moves to 4-1 on the season with a 2.68 ERA.
In game two, the Junior Chiefs struck early, taking a 1-0 lead through three innings. Junior Chief’s starting pitcher Matt Kenahan had his best outing of the season, throwing 7.2 innings and allowing just three earned runs, while striking out seven Silversmith batters and throwing 119 pitches. Kenahan battled through tough innings in the fourth and eighth but got a much deserved first win of the season (1-0) after Pete Doggett shut the door with a four-out save, his first save of the season.
The Silversmith’s pitching staff only allowed four earned runs in game two, as a pair of costly errors in the seventh inning allowed four unearned runs to cross the plate. Sherrill’s starter Nate Eastman finished with a respectable no decision over five innings, allowing just three earned runs and six hits to the league’s best offense.
Junior Chief’s leading home-run hitter Zach Lauricella was 3 for 7 at the plate with two runs and two RBI on the day. Dave Wolak went 3 for 4 with three RBIs in the game two victory, while Corey Caswell added three runs and two hits.
Silversmith’s third baseman Tyler Hackett went 2 for 9 from the plate with four RBI in both games. Outfielder Mike Mazzara went 3 for 7 with three runs and two RBI combined. Mazzara and Byron Campbell both had home runs in game one.
The season series between the two teams is 6-1 in favor of the Junior Chiefs, as the two teams finish up regular season play at Hopkins Road field at noon. If Sherrill wins, they will have to play a one-game playoff against the Salt Cats for the final playoff spot in the East Division, either later today or early Friday.
The Junior Chiefs will play the number four seed when the East Division opens the playoffs Friday evening, with Adirondack and Geneva set to match-up as the second and third seeds, respectively.
The Junior Chiefs final record at Alliance Bank Stadium this season was 8-4, and they take an impressive 14-6 home record into today’s final home game. They are 2-0 at Hopkins Road field on the season.
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