By James Hadnot
Syracuse, NY — Sean Pisik (Le Moyne College) was practically untouchable through five innings of work. His play helped the Syracuse Salt Cats defeat the Sherrill Silversmiths, 3-1 to start the team’s 2016 New York Collegiate Baseball League campaign. Pisik allowed one hit and fanned eight batters while on the bump for Syracuse.
“I was a little rusty at first, but after a little bit it felt really good,” said Pisik. “My defense had my back, so it made it a lot easier.”
On offense, the Salt Cats scored all three of their runs in the bottom of the second inning. Adam Thoryk (Alma College) tallied an RBI on a fielder’s choice to make the score, 1-0. Following a walk, an error by Silversmith third-basemen, Billy Keegan (Patrick Henry Junior College), cost the away team two more runs.
“It’s frustrating, but it’s early in the game, so you can kind of live with that,” said Sherrill Manager, Jim Hegmann. “You kind of hope that they can clean it up and the hitters can come through later in the game.”
One Sherrill hitter broke through in the top of the sixth. Danny Crews (Ft. Scott Community College) hit a triple to left center, then scored on a passed ball. That was the only run the visitors would put up against the Salt Cats.
“All they do is battle and that’s all you can ask for as a coach,” said Hegmann.
The Silversmiths had their best chance to rewrite the early inning woes in the top of the eighth. The visitors had the bases loaded with two outs, but Salt Cats reliever, Kyle Borman (Franklin Pierce University), made sure the score would stay stationary striking out the final batter of the inning.
“He came up, he maned-up, got a couple strike outs and that’s the way it goes,” said Syracuse Salt Cats Manager, Mike Martinez.
Matthew Colon (James Madison University), finished the game off with a save for the Salt Cats. Last season, Colon tallied five saves for Syracuse which was second on the team.
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