For the second straight week the Hornell Steamers split an interdivisional doubleheader. The Syracuse Salt Cats took the opener 4-1 while the Steamers rebounded for a 5-3 win in game two.

 

Hornell got on the board first in the nightcap when Ty Kenney (Houghton) collected a RBI fielder's choice to plate Qingyang Feng. Will Dixon (LSU Eunice) made it 2-0 when he singled to right field.

 

The Salt Cats answered back in the bottom of the inning with a run on their own on a RBI single to left by Jaxon Grant.

 

Hornell added to their lead with three runs in the 4th. Austin Ellis (Northwestern State) and Caleb Cassidy (Pomona Pitzer) scored on wild pitches and Jacob Charlson (Webster) hit a sac fly to right to make it 5-1.

 

Tyler Campbell hit a solo homer to left in the 4th and the Salt Cats scored an unearned run in the 7th but could not rally all the way back. 

 

Mike Protz (Fredonia) pitched a complete game five hitter. He allowed two earned runs while walking two and striking out eight.

 

Hornell collected eleven hits in the game led by Feng who was 3 for 4. Marcus Brehm (Finger Lakes CC) and Hayden Hernandez (LSU Eunice) were each 2 for 4. 

 

In the opener, the Steamers broke a scoreless tie in the 4th when Dalton Groves (Webster) doubled home Brehm.

 

Syracuse bounced right back with two runs in the bottom of the inning and then added single runs in the 5th and 6th.

 

Max Vosters threw a complete game five hitter. He walked one and struck out nine. Matt Stokes led the Salt Cats with a 3 for 3 day with a RBI and a run scored.

 

Groves was one of five Steamers with a hit but his impact on the game was defensively. He threw out four Salt Cat baserunners. Mike Pasquesi (Webster) tossed a complete game allowing seven hits while walking one and striking out eight.

 

The Steamers (6-6-1) have a much deserved day off on Thursday before they head to Olean for a 7 p.m. contest vs. the Oilers. Hornell just ended a stretch of eleven games in nine days.