By Alicia Daddario
GENEVA, NY — The Syracuse Salt Cats defeated the Syracuse Jr. Chiefs 1-0 in a classic pitcher’s duel Sunday afternoon at McDonough Park in Geneva. They are 3-0 for the first time in franchise history. And what a better way to continue their undefeated season than a hard fought, walk off win against their rival the Jr. Chiefs?
After mother nature postponed the Salt Cats’ previous three games, the sun was shining and a perfect day for baseball. Zach Carlino (Mt. Union)pitched a gem as he took the mound for the Salt Cats. His season debut was nothing short of spectacular as he shutout the Chiefs in 6 and 2/3 innings in the Salt Cats “official home opener.” He gave up five hits, walked two and struck out four. Carlino met his match in Jr Chiefs pitcher Ryan Clark (North Carolina-Greensboro), who pitched a scoreless seven innings, only giving up three hits and striking out eight.
The base paths were clear for the majority of the game for the Salt Cats. Carlos Guzman(Molloy) reached safely on an error by the shortstop in the bottom of the first, only to have the next three batters strikeout. Then, in the bottom of the third Colton Montgomery (Georgia Coll & St. U) blasted a double off the left field wall but once again, the Cats could not get anything going. The Salt Cats threatened to score in the bottom of the seventh as third baseman Mike DeCarr (SUNY Cortland) led off the inning with a single to left field. Looking to play small ball, Cristian Fiorito (Concordia) laid down a bunt to advance the runner but beat out the throw for an infield single. The next three Salt Cats were retired.
This game was a nail biter as it entered the bottom of the ninth, with neither team able to score. Once again, DeCarr leads off for the Salt Cats and comes through in the clutch with a line drive to center field. Fiorito gets the job done with a sac bunt, moving the runner into scoring position. Jr. Chiefs’ pitcher Jackson Miles attempts to intentionally walk Salt Cat catcher Kyle Feazel (Louisiana Coll) but overthrows the ball, as DeCarr advances to third. Mike Mascari (Oswego St.) steps to the plate with runners on first and third. He hits a ground ball to short, DeCarr running on contact and crosses the plate for the game-winning run, giving them their best start ever.
The Salt Cats look to continue the hot start and make their home debut on Monday, June 10 at LeMoyne College as Zach Tucker (LeMoyne) gets the start against the Oneonta Outlaws at 5pm.
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