Spartans Sweep Red Barons

Solid pitching and timely hitting pushed the Cayuga Community College Baseball Team to a doubleheader sweep of the Corning Community College Red Barons at Falcon Park on Wednesday.

The Spartans stopped the Red Barons 7-3 and 9-0, allowing just six hits over the two games. The wins pushed the Spartans to 3-1 on the young season.

"Our focus mentally was much better than in our last doubleheader (against Columbia Greene)," said Cayuga Coach TJ Gamba. "Brendan Williams showed what he can do on the mound, and we had some really good relief pitching today, which is a good sign for us. That was one of our question marks, about our pitching depth, but it's shaping up well so far."

In the first game, the Spartans staked themselves to a 2-0 lead through three innings, but the game was tied at three in the bottom of the fifth when Matt Spicer tripled home James Roeschlaub to put Cayuga back in front. Ethan Blaisdell singled home Spicer to push the lead to 5-3, and the Spartans added two more in the sixth inning for the 7-3 win. 

Leadoff hitter Zac Legarretta, Nick Valentino, Eric Gatewood and Blaisdell each had two hits for the Spartans, with Legarretta and Valentino scoring twice and Blaisdell finishing with three runs batted-in. 

Williams started and threw four innings for the Spartans, allowing three hits, three runs and striking out five. Zach Nickerson got the win for Cayuga, pitching three innings of hitless relief.

Cayuga took control early in the second contest, scoring eight runs over the first three innings and coasting to a 9-0 win. 

Jake Coleman had three hits for the Spartans, with Legarretta and Valentino again having two hits apiece. Valentino added three runs batted-in. Wyatt Palmer started and got the win for Cayuga, allowing just two hits over four innings.

The Spartans are back on the field Sunday, March 15, with a home doubleheader against Jefferson Community College. Game times are noon and 2:30 p.m.