By Nick Ristoff
SYRACUSE, N.Y. — The Syracuse Salt Cats defeated the Syracuse Jr. Chiefs, 6-2 in New York Collegiate Baseball League action at Onondaga Community College, Wednesday night.
Julian Bilodeau (Franklin Pierce) highlighted a four-run first with a bases-clearing triple as the Salt Cats took the lead and never looked back.
Erik Poldroo (Concordia Col) led the inning with a base on balls off Tanner Whiteman (Onondaga CC). One out later, Anthony Massicci (Canisius) worked a full-count walk. The next batter, Tom Nagy (Bentley) adjusted his footing in the box and got plunked in the shoulder on the first pitch.
Cody LaBadia (Southern Vermont) singled through the left side of the infield to load the bases. Bilodeau took advantage and drove a first pitch fastball to deep, left-center field.
“We were six and zero against this team,” Bilodeau said. “We just wanted to set the tone and start out early.”
Shane Cochran (Saginaw Valley St.) picked up the win. The right-hander allowed one run on five hits and a walk over five and a third. He struck out three, improved to 4-3 on the season and lowered his ERA to 2.39.
Patrick Fahey (Franklin Pierce) retired the side in order in the seventh for the Salt Cats. He struck out one batter.
Cory Craig (California U of Penn) set the side down in order in the ninth for his first save of the season. Craig fanned one.
Whiteman allowed five runs (four earned) on six hits and three walks over six full for the loss.
Riley Moonan (Fairleigh Dickinson) went 2-4 with a stolen base and two runs scored in his second game of the season. Moonan hit .340 in 31 games for the 2012 NYCBL champion Jr. Chiefs. Moonan collected 10 extra-base hits including one home run and 18 RBI for Casey Scott’s squad.
With Wednesday’s win the Salt Cats continue their regular season dominance of the Jr. Chiefs improving to 7-0 over the Salt City rivals.
Currently the Geneva Red Wings stand atop the Eastern Division with a 19-11 record. The Oneonta Outlaws (17-12) sit in second, and with Wednesday’s win the Salt Cats hold third with a record of 18- 14. The Sherrill Silversmiths (15-15) hold the fourth and final playoff spot in the east. Sherrill has won just three of its last ten games.
Salt Cats coach Mike Martinez knows the value of first place when it comes to home-field advantage in the playoffs.
“First place is big,” Martinez said. “That’s our goal and that’s where we wanted to be from day one and it’s important not only from a team standpoint to stay solid but to also get a nice seed in the playoffs.”
One reason the Salt Cats are in the position to make a run for the top is because of their solid defensive play.
“We don’t do a lot of flashy stuff in the infield,” Martinez said. “The guys just get in there and play fundamental baseball…We make plays, we try to make plays every day.”
The Salt Cats fell in a one-game playoff at Wellsville in the first round of the 2013 post-season.
The Salt Cats get a day off before hosting the Outlaws, Friday. Oneonta boasts a five-game winning streak. A 3 p.m. first pitch is scheduled.
The Jr. Chiefs (10-22) travel to Cortland (11-20), Thursday to take on the Crush at 7 p.m.
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