With two strong wins, the Cicero-North Syracuse baseball team improved its record to 6-3 and gave itself lots of momentum going into this week’s action, which includes a Friday showdown with archrival Liverpool.
After weather derailed last Tuesday’s trip to Auburn, the Northstars returned to action Thursday at Gillette Field, gaining some payback as it came from behind for a 9-5 victory over Baldwinsville.
Against a B’ville team it lost to back on April 15, tt didn’t look good early. The Bees scored four times in the top of the first inning, the key blow being Gabe Levanti’s double.
But CNS caught up with three runs in the third inning and another in the fourth. After B’ville poked ahead 5-4, the Northstars went in front for good with a three-run outburst in the bottom of the fifth as Kyano Cummings got the win, with James Coleman working in relief.
Cory Burrows led the Northstars with a home run and three RBIs. Jack Hotaling, Blake Monday and Brian Hamilton also drove in runs as CNS overcame a Dan Dubiel home run on B’ville’s behalf.
Then the Northstars went to Falcon Park Friday to make up the Auburn game and, for the second time in April, beat the Maroons, claiming an 8-4 decision.
Much like the first meeting April 13, where Monday’s grand slam turned things around, CNS had to come from behind, this in the wake of Auburn getting three runs in the bottom of the third inning to inch in front 4-3.
In the fifth, the Northstars chased Maroons ace Steve Komanecky and tied up the game, then inched ahead in the sixth with a run off reliever Timmy Smith. A three-run outburst in the top of the seventh put things away
Coleman again did a strong job in relief, earning the win after Joe Pokrentowski started. Brian Dykeman struck a solo home run as part of a 10-hit attack where Hotaling doubled. Monday and Riley Moonan each had one RBI. Defense made a difference, too, as CNS went error-free and Auburn finished with four errors.
