By Brianna Case
SYRACUSE, N.Y. — “The pitching was spectacular on both sides. Both teams pitched very good,” said Coach Mike Martinez of the Syracuse Salt Cats.
Brad Banker (St Martin’s) and Aveeno Nasiloski (Chicago St U) combined on a shutout as Syracuse defeated the Geneva Red Wings, 1-0 in New York Collegiate Baseball League action at Onondaga Community College.
Banker struck out four and allowed five hits over eight innings. After giving up a leadoff walk, the right-hander retired the next seven Geneva batters before allowing a hit.
“Everything was working, I felt really good. I had my bullpen behind me, defense behind me, and the coaches behind me. Everything just felt good,” Banker said. “I just wanted to throw strikes today, let our defense do the job.”
For the first two innings it was immediate outs for the Red Wings. From there on, no Red Wing was able to make it home due to the defense out on the field.
Banker set down seven in a row from the sixth to the eighth.
Syracuse got all the runs it needed in the third.
Anthony Morino (MT Union) led with a base on balls and advanced to second on a wild pitch. Anthony Massicci (Canisius) followed with a single, and Morino came home when the ball was mishandled in the infield.
Nasiloski came out of the bullpen with two on and no outs in the ninth.
Andrew Utterback (Alabama A&M U) reached on an error to start the Geneva ninth. Ricky Gorrell (Kutztown) came on to pinch run, and Julio Nunez (Alabama A&M U), walked.
Nasiloski got the first batter he faced, but pinch-hitter Matt Kozemchak (Lehigh U) moved the runners to second and third.
With the tying run 90 feet away, and the leading run in scoring position, Nasiloski walked Clint Roche (Marietta) to set up the force.
It wasn’t needed. Nasiloski fanned the next two batters for his third save of the season.
“Its always important to get on a roll,” Banker said. “Aveeno saved that one. It was a great job and from here on out we are going to keep winning and having a great summer.”
“I was trying to get ahead of hitters. My fastball and slider were working for me. Just have to mix it up trying to get them in front a little bit,” Nasiloski said. “It all fired me up man. They were chanting a little bit, the coaches were going crazy. It just gets my adrenalin going. Trying to just live in the moment.”
Nunez finished with two hits for Geneva.
Mike Osinski (Longwood U via Vestal HS) added a pair of base hits for the Red Wings.
Jalen Burks (Neumann College) pitched a scoreless eighth for the visitors.
Massicci walked twice along with his single.
The Salt Cats and Red Wings will meet Thursday at McDonough Stadium. A 7pm first pitch is scheduled.
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