By Brianna Case
SYRACUSE, N.Y. — Matt Hardy (Nova Southesastern) notched his third victory of the season as the Syracuse Salt Cats defeated the Genesee Rapids, 6-4 in New York Collegiate Baseball League action at Onondaga Community College, Sunday.
Hardy allowed two unearned runs on seven hits over six innings. The right-hander struck out seven and walked none, and the Salt Cats snapped a two-game skid.
Cody LaBadia (Southern Vermont) scored in back-to-back innings as Syracuse grabbed the lead and never looked back. Trailing 2-1 in the second, the Syracuse first baseman led the frame with a single. He crossed the plate on a Zach Raczok (St. Martin’s) bases loaded.
One inning later, LaBadia tripled home Anthony Massicci (Canisius) and scored on a Nick DeRegis (Rhode Island) ground out.
“Seeing a fastball and go the opposite way, left field,” LaBadia said. “Drive the ball. That’s what I wanted.”
“Going into the game, coach wanted us to come out today, win, and not put too much pressure on ourselves,” LaBadia added.
Syracuse added an insurance run in the fifth.
Massicci singled and stole second. DeRegis delivered with a two-out RBI base hit for a 6-2 Salt Cats lead.
“They need to be aggressive,” Syracuse coach Mike Martinez said. “Play fundamental baseball and execute.”
Massicci finished with two hits in three trips. He scored twice, drove in one and drew his league-leading 28th base on balls.
Genesee scored a pair of unearned runs in the eighth. Pinch-hitter Michael Kerr (Houghton) and Jack LaMarca (Ohio Northern U) worked back-to-back one-out walks before a Tommy Lentine (Ave Maria) fly ball was mishandled in right field.
The Rapids took a brief lead in the second. LaMarca led with a single and scored on a Lentine base hit. Riley Roberts (Fullerton College) singled and came home on a two-out base hit by Nathan Stanley (Clearwater Christian).
Mike Gentile (American International) worked a scoreless ninth to earn his first save of the season.
Jared Knowlton (Houghton) took the loss. The right-hander gave up five runs in two and two-thirds innings.
Matt Mastroianni (SUNY Oneonta) went 2-2 with two walks and a run scored for Syracuse.
LaMarca collected two hits in three trips and scored twice.
Stanley went 2-3 with a walk and an RBI.
Adam Journic (Capital) worked two scoreless innings out of the bullpen for Genesee.
Lane Hanzel (Anderson) tossed a scoreless eighth for the Rapids.
Syracuse (17-14) goes into the All-Star break two games off the pace in the NYCBL’s Eastern Division. The Salt Cats do battle with their cross-town rival Jr. Chiefs, Wednesday. A 7 p.m. first pitch is scheduled at Onondaga CC.
Genesee (13-18) trails the Niagara Power (16-14) by three and a half for the fourth and final playoff spot in the west. Genesee travels to Wellsville to take on the Nitros (7-21), Wednesday.
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