Cayuga Community College (31-19) tied a program record for wins Monday after erupting for 13 hits in a 14-7 victory over Finger Lakes Community College in the second game of a road doubleheader after falling 6-5 in the opener to close the regular season.
Ithaca soccer standout picks Marist The Spartans wrapped up the regular season with a 20-8 East Division record and finished 14-4 in the Mid-State Athletic Conference heading into the Region III playoffs.
Cayuga battled throughout Game 1 before Finger Lakes walked it off with a home run in the bottom of the seventh inning. Jeremy Recio powered the offense with two hits, including a two-run homer in the third that briefly put the Spartans ahead 4-3. Jakson Ross scored twice, including the tying run in the fifth on a passed ball, while Tyler Black added an RBI double.
The Spartans answered emphatically in Game 2. After the teams were tied 1-1, Cayuga exploded for six runs in the third inning. Eathen Yoon delivered a two-run double during the rally, while Tristan Sierra, Ben Hatfield, Lewis Huang and Ross each drove in runs.
Cayuga broke the game open with five more runs in the sixth inning, highlighted by Black’s fourth home run of the season. Black finished with three RBI and three runs scored, while Sierra collected three hits and two RBI. Recio, Yoon and Hatfield each added multi-hit performances.
Groton runner heading to Geneseo Kyle Peryer earned the win after allowing just two strikeouts across five innings.
“The players deserve the credit for our record and their performance this season,” Cayuga coach John Rizzo said. “They took ownership in the off-season, put in the work with our great coaching staff, and it’s paid off so far.”
The opening round of the Region III playoffs begins Saturday, May 9. The regional final four is scheduled for Thursday, May 14, at Falcon Park.
Kyle leads sports coverage and hosts the Concrete Jungle podcast. Have a lead or question? Send it to kyle@fingerlakes1.com.