Syracuse NY – The Crush offense kicked into high gear and excellent pitching all around powered the Crush to a 8-1 victory over the Spartans.
Cortland would threaten early in the ballgame when Jamison Howland and Nick Mahar drew back to walks to start things off and a walk to Jake Freed with 2 outs loaded the bases but Cortland was unable to score.
Cortland would crack the scoreboard in the top of the third inning when they sent 10 batters to the plate. Zach Young led off with a single and Jake Freed smacked one into right field that put runners on the corners with one out.
Matt Doherty then lined a single up the middle that plated Young and sent Freed to third. Carson Molinaroli was then hit by a pitch to load the bases and Zach Masnikoff lined a single to left field to score another run. Jamison Howland then hit an infield single that allowed another run to score and Nick Mahar walked with the bases loaded to cap off the 4 run inning for the Crush.
Cortland would find the scoreboard again in the seventh inning when Carson Molinaroli hit a leadoff double and Hayden Henry reached on an error to put two on to start the inning. Zach Masnikoff would walk to load the bases and Nick Mahar hit a ground ball to first base before an errant throw home allowed Molinaroli to score.
Cortland added on three more in a big eighth inning to extend their lead even more. Jake Freed got it started with a one out single and a pinch hitting Joe Manesiotis rocked a double to deep right center field that hit off the wall that scored Freed.
Carson Molinaroli then hit a weak grounder on the infield and a bad flip from the Spartan first baseman to the pitcher covering first allowed him to reach second and plated Manesiotis.
Zach Masnikoff then lined a ball down the right field line that stayed fair and rolled all the way to the wall. Masnikoff reached third with a triple and the Crush led things 8-1
Cortland was paced by their starting pitcher Carlos Rodriguez who pitched phenomenally going 6 innings and not allowing any runs on just four hits. Rodriguez also struck out an outstanding 13 batters in his dominant performance.
Angelo Agro pitched two scoreless innings out of the bullpen and Gabe Sokol closed the ballgame out in the ninth to lock down the win for the Crush.
Cortland returns home tomorrow for a 7:00 game against the visiting Sherrill Silversmiths at the Gutchess Lumber Sports Complex.
