By Justin Lada
WATERTOWN, NY — Zach Tucker (Le Moyne) took a shutout into the sixth inning in his first start of the season for the Salt Cats but was unable to hold the lead as they fell in an exhibition, 3-2, to the Watertown Rams.
For the second straight season the Salt Cats played at Alex T. Duffy Fairgrounds on Flag Day in a near capacity crowd and had Watertown on the ropes heading into the latter innings.
A pair of leadoff singles started off the sixth for the Rams and Tucker fielded a sacrifice bunt but the throw pulled first basement Zach Carlino off the bag to load the bases. That ended Tucker’s day as he went 5+, striking out five and allowed three runs (one earned) while fanning five.
At one point, Tucker retired 11 in a row before things unraveled after the first three reached in the sixth. Lou Libertore (Molloy) allowed a sac fly and a single by Brad Rush that put the Rams ahead 2-1. A fielder’s choice by Trevor Marino scored the third run as the Salt Cats were inches away from turning an inning ending double play.
Colton Montgomery (Georgia College) came through with a two out RBI double that drove in Carlino to bring it to 3-2 before the Salt Cats ultimately fell.
Jake Welch threw seven innings of three hit, one run ball for the Rams. The Salt Cats bullpen of Liberatore, Landon Holifield (Fort Scott CC) and Ray Messner (Ave Maria) combined for three innings of scoreless relief.
Carlino (Mount Union) came through with two hits and a walk with a run scored.
The Salt Cats head to silver city on Saturday for a pair of seven inning contests with Sherrill. Game one is set for 2pm with Mike Rynerson (1-0 6.35, St. John Fisher) makes his second start of the season. Game two, set for a half hour after game one, as Patrick Boyle (1st start, Wooster) goes in the finale.
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