The Spartans rallied from an early deficit to take a close 5-4 win in the opener against the Lazers, then dominated the second game 17-6 to complete the sweep. Coming on the heels of a sweep of Tompkins Cortland Community College on Tuesday, the Spartans are now 9-3 on the season and 7-1 in Mid-State Athletic Conference play.
“We’ve taken on the identity that we wanted for the season — a team that puts together good at-bats and looks for all opportunities we can to capitalize on,” said Cayuga Coach John Rizzo. “We have the mentality to succeed as we continue to clean up some parts of our game.”
The Spartans trailed 3-1 in the opener, with their only run coming on a two-out single by Kevin Dolan, before they tied the game in the fifth. A Lazers’ error and a sacrifice fly by Mike DeRosa evened the game, then Cayuga took their first lead in the sixth when Jeremy Recio scored on a force-out by Jakson Ross. The Spartans scored an insurance run in the seventh to go up 5-3, but the Lazers loaded the bases and scored once before Cayuga secured the last out.
Isaac Allison earned his third win of the season, throwing a complete game with four strikeouts and allowing two earned runs. Recio had two hits, Ross scored twice, Michael Blowers scored once and Alejandro Diaz had an RBI.
The Spartans’ bats picked up in the second game. Cayuga scored 11 runs in the first three innings, highlighted by Jacob Laird’s two-run single in the second and Diaz’s two-run homer in the third inning. They scored three more in the fourth and three more in the sixth, including two on Dylan Gordon’s first home run of the season.
Laird finished the game with three hits, including two doubles, and four RBI. Ross had three hits and three runs scored, Diaz had three hits, three RBI, and four runs, and Gordon had three RBI. Andrew Seward earned the win, allowing two earned runs in four innings.
The Spartans open Region III divisional play this weekend against Mohawk Valley Community College. They’re on the road against the Hawks at Accelerate Sports Complex in Whitesboro on Saturday, March 22, then host the Hawks at Falcon Park on Sunday. Saturday’s doubleheader starts at noon.
