By Brianna Case
SYRACUSE, N.Y. — Jack McClure (St. Bonaventure) hurled five solid innings as Sherrill’s Silversmiths defeated the Syracuse Salt Cats 3-1 in New York Collegiate Baseball League action at Onondaga Community College, Wednesday night.
McClure allowed one run on one hit over five innings. The southpaw struck out eight and walked three.
“Our pitchers matched up going right, left, and really tagged the strike zone,” said Head Coach Greg Dambrowski of the Silversmiths. “They did a really good job.”
Sherrill got all the runs it needed in the sixth. Christian Triplett (North Carolina Central) plated Bryan Baquer (Washington College) with a ground out. Justin Dattilo’s (Maryland Eastern Shore) base hit plated Ellington (Monroe CC) with the eventual game-winner.
Sherrill added an insurance run in the ninth. Kevin Brice (Pomona-Pitzer) started the frame with a single. Alex Saville (Monroe CC) moved the runner with a sacrifice bunt. Kellen Brown (Florida Atlantic) put ducks on the corners with a base hit, and Baquer followed with an RBI sacrifice fly.
The Salt Cats were able to slip one in at the bottom of the second as Cody LaBadia (Southern Vermont) led with a single only to move to second on a ground ball and score on a Jose Manny Colon (University Maryland Baltimore) base hit. After that, McClure took control with at least one strikeout in every inning he pitched not letting any Salt Cat score.
“Our keys to success were hitting our spots frequently, getting ahead of these hitters, and trying to mix up our pitches,” McClure said. “We tried to get ourselves in the best possible positions and hopefully get the other guys out.”
The Salt Cats fought hard so that no Silversmith could make a run. They were ready to strike at any second, not allowing the Silversmiths to score till the sixth inning.
Although the Silversmiths made no runs till the sixth inning, it was great fielding that gave them the advantage over the Salt Cats. They needed to keep their eyes on the ball and that’s exactly what happened.
“It was a totally different game offensively. The bats weren’t working today like they did yesterday. Although, defensively we did really well,” Dambrowski said. “I like our team and how the guys did today.”
Compared to yesterday’s game, the Silversmiths scored 11 runs less, but today, they were still able to score enough to win the game.
Bryan Baquer (Washington College) added some insurance in the nigh with a sacrifice fly for a Sherrill 3-1 lead.
Finally it’s the last ups for the Salt Cats as they headed into the bottom of the ninth and no Cat made it home ending another game against the Silversmiths as a loss.
As the game disappointed the Salt Cats, they took the positives and negatives from how it went only to apply everything for the next time they play.
“We played better today than yesterday. We were better on the mound today, we didn’t allow free baseball, we didn’t make mental mistakes on the mound, and we attacked the strike zone, ” said Pitching Coach Shaun Caveny of the Salt Cats. “We made them put the ball in play which is all things we need to do as pitching staff if we are going to be successful. It will happen.”
Tomorrow will be new start to redeem themselves. The Salt Cats (2-2) will be playing Niagara Power (1-2) tomorrow at 7 PM for their first road game in Niagara Falls.
Sherrill (2-1) hosts Oneonta (0-0). First pitch at Noyes Park is 5 pm.
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