Cicero FB fell to North Syracuse in heartbreaking fashion on Sunday morning at SRS field in Clay.
Cicero took the lead early and held it, thanks to solid pitching by Conor Downer, multiple hits and aggressive base-running.
Cicero was winning with the score at 12-8 heading into the final inning – and feeling confident they were going to secure the win.
Unfortunately, hits and errors combined to load the bases for North Syracuse and bring the score to 12-11. With bases loaded, the last batter – facing a 2-2 count – put the ball into play. A slow ground ball brought in the tying run, while a missed play to first base helped bring in the go-ahead run.
A stunning come-from-behind victory for North Syracuse – and one of the most disappointing losses of the year for Cicero.
Conor Downer pitching, Capece at SS, Sanes-Carmona at 3rd, Hebblethwaite at 2nd…
Conor Downer gave up 13 runs on 8 hits, 4 walks and 3 strike outs. Many of the hits and runs given up were due to fielding errors.
Hits for Cicero in game one came off the bats of Michael Mooney, Nicholas Capece, Conor Downer, Ryan Keil, Johnny Wozniczka and Jack Clary.
RBI’s came from Mooney, Capece, Wozniczka, Keil, Clary, Sean Bombard and Downer.
Runs were scored by Mooney, Capece, Wozniczka, Alex Sanes-Carmona, Keil, Bombard, Clary, Jacob Hebblethwaite and Downer.
Game two for Cicero started out well enough, as Michael Mooney started the game off with a base hit. Nicholas Capece brought him in for the first run of the game.
Alex Sanes-Carmona at bat for Cicero FB.
Sadly, it would end up being the only run scored for Cicero, as innings ended with runners LOB and more fielding errors allowed North Syracuse to maintain a big lead.
Johnny Wozniczka started on the mound in game two. He gave up 11 runs in 3 innings, with 8 hits, 3 walks and 4 strikeouts. There were a number of costly errors during his time on the mound that would have ended innings.
Ryan Keil came in relief and pitched 2 solid innings, giving up 1 run on zero hits, with 1 strike out.
The final score in game 2 was 12-1, North Syracuse.
High points on the day:
- Solid pitching by Conor Downer
- Double play by Jacob Hebblethwaite, who fielded a ground ball, tagged a base runner and then got the put-out at first base.
- Diving tag play by Conor Downer at 2nd base.
- Tag at home plate by Michael Mooney, who caught 2 complete games.
- Deep hits by Michael Mooney, Nicholas Capece, and Johnny Woznizcka to earn RBI’s.
- Impressive pitching performance by Ryan Keil, who gave up 1 run in 2 innings.
MVP’s for Cicero on the day were Conor Downer for his game one performance and Michael Mooney for his performance on the day (catching 2 complete games).