Spartans’ Postseason Ends Against Erie

Cayuga Community College Baseball's season came to an end Saturday in a pair of postseason road losses to Erie Community College.

Playing in the Region III Subregional, the Spartans lost an early lead in the opener to the Kats, falling 8-5. Cayuga rallied from an early deficit before losing late in the nightcap by a score of 10-5.

"I'm proud of our guys, especially our sophomores, and what they gave to the program," Cayuga Coach John Rizzo said after the game. "It's time for us to get back to work to take the next step."

In the opener Cayuga built a three-run lead in the top of the second, with Juan Perez scoring on an Erie error, Brandon Hoftijzer driving in Perry Chetney on a force-out and Caleb Delly scoring on a passed ball. The lead didn't last, though, as the Kats rallied for six runs in the bottom half of the inning. Cayuga cut the lead to two in the sixth when Alex Gaudet drove-in Chetney on a force-out, but the Spartans couldn't pull closer.

Fernando Espinal and Chetney both finished two-for-four, with Espinal scoring once and Chetney twice. Will Coleman threw six innings, allowing three earned runs, and Keegan Ferris threw two innings, allowing one hit and striking out two.

In the second game, Cayuga trailed 3-1 in the sixth when they scored three to take a one-run lead. A single by Tyler Korsky and double by Mike Norton put two runners in scoring position before Korsky scored on a wild pitch. Norton scored on a force-out by Chetney and Gaudet singled home Juan Perez later in the inning to make it 4-3 Cayuga. The Kats again responded quickly, though, scoring five in the sixth to reclaim the lead for good.

Gaudet went three-for-four in the second game with two RBI, Norton went two-for-four with two doubles, Korsky went two-for-five and Perez scored twice. On the mound Luke Ough allowed three earned runs in five innings.

Cayuga ends the season with a record of 31-13, finishing third in Region III's East Division and setting a program record for wins.