By ANTHONY SCOTT
SYRACUSE, N.Y. — With the Syracuse Junior Chiefs already taking game one by a score of 8-3, Alex Meyers (Concordia) was on the mound looking to sweep the Sherrill Silversmiths. Meyers was dealing for his home squad from the start. He was two innings away from a no-hitter with the game being shortened due to the double header.
In the sixth inning Meyers let up a rocket down the third base line. Webb Little (Ithaca College) almost made an unbelievable play, but the ball skipped off what appeared to be his wrist and into left field. Meyers glanced to right field, and once he saw the zero change to a one under the hits column instead of the error column he knew he lost something special.
The Edwardsville, Illinois native surrendered one run in the sixth, but regrouped and went on to pitch a complete game. The Syracuse Junior Chiefs defeated the Sherrill Silversmiths 9-1 in game two of a doubleheader in New York Collegiate Baseball League action.
Meyers finished his seven innings only allowing one run on two hits. He struck out six and walked three to earn his second win of the season.
“I was staying inside and pitching them in.” Meyers said, “I missed my spot a little bit, and that just goes to show you that you have to be absolutely perfect to throw something like that (the no-hitter).”
In the first game of the evening another Junior Chief starter was on his “A” game. Patrick Merryweather (Col. of Charleston) was impressive to say the least. Before the Junior Chief starter even took the mound the Syracuse bats struck first. They sent 12 batters to the plate as part of a six-run inning. The big blow came with two outs, the bases loaded, and Anthony Seminaris (Mt. San Antonio) at the plate. He knocked in two runs to score the fourth and fifth runs of the frame.
“It was important (to score early) because our offense has been a little sluggish lately.” Junior Chief coach Joe Antonio said, “If we can just keep that momentum going we are in it to win it.”
Merryweather was stunning from the get go on the hill. However in the sixth inning Ryan Coulon (St. Thomas Aquinas) laced what looked to be an RBI double. The ball seemed to be trapped under the outfield fence for a ground-rule double. The Junior Chief oufielder put his hands up to signal a dead ball, but then reached to grab it and Ryan Coulon (St. Thomas Aquinas) came all the way around to score for the rare inside the park home run.
Merry weather did not let that distract him as he retired five of the last six Silversmiths to finish off his complete game. Merryweather struck out four in seven innings and collected his third win as the J.Chiefs won 8-3 over the Silversmiths.
“I was more amped up for this one, I wanted to get my stuff good with playoffs coming up.” Merryweather said, “I just battled today, just try and keep the balls low and let my defense do the work.”
The second game of the evening Meyers was fantastic, but he was not the only Syracuse player who dominated in game two. Alexander Ferlenda (St.Bonaventure) was just as good for the J.Chief offense. Ferlenda exploded for four RBI on two doubles and a triple. The triple came with the bases loaded and two outs. This gave Syracuse a huge 9-1 cushion and the eventual win.
“The ball looked a little bigger than it has in the last couple of games.” Ferlenda said, “We’re only two and a half behind Cortland, so anything I can do to contribute, definitely helps out.”
“It’s not over, we’re still in it to win we have a shot at first we just have to win out.” said Antonio who was pleased the J-Chiefs only used two pitchers today, “We’re going to be fresh for four games, we should be ready to go.”
“We didn’t throw strikes, it’s hard to beat a team when you are always behind in the count.” Sherrill Silversmith coach Jim Hegmann said, “We have to compete every pitch to win in this league.
The Junior Chiefs have a couple days off until they take on the Rome Generals on Thursday. First pitch is set for 7:00 P.M from Onondaga Community College.
The Silvesmiths will need to bounce back on Tuesday when they are home to play the Rome Generals. First pitch from Noyes Park is slated for 5:00 P.M.
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