(Scott Thomas/Cortland Crush).
The Cortland Crush entered Tuesday's game with the Syracuse Spartans, after having won nine of their last 12 games.
The Crush picked up right where they left against the Spartans, dominating at the plate and on the mound to win 8-1.
"Out of the three summer ball teams that I've been on in the past three years, this team especially, we come together as a team, we're just a well bonding team and I think that's what contributes to a lot of our success," said starting pitcher Brandon Shirley.
Shirley, making his third start of the season, had another solid performance on the mound. He went six full innings, allowing only one run on four hits while striking out five and walking only two.
"Today I was feeling lose and ready to go, I was anxious for this start with all-star nominations coming up," Shirley said.
The Crush (13-9-1) offense provided plenty of run support.
Drew Boli gave Cortland a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the second, hitting a single to center field that scored Garrett Callaghan. It was Boli's fourth RBI in two games.
Nick Pastore made it 2-0 an inning later, driving in Andrew Gough with a single. Callaghan then hit a sacrifice fly to left field that allowed Stephen Bennett to score and make it 3-0.
"Hitting is contagious," Gough said. "When you see a guy rip one, you just want to keep it going."
Gough made his first start of the season for the Crush at shortstop, going 1-2 with a walk and two runs scored.
Alex Flock further extended the Crush lead in the fifth, crushing his third home run of the season over the right field wall to make it 4-0.
"The dude was changeup dominant, and I knew I was going to see it at some point in the at bat," Flock said. "I finally got to two strikes, which is a good changeup count, and he threw it right where it needed to be."
Flock had the best day at the plate for the Crush, going 2-4 with his homerun, a two-run double and three RBI's.
"This group is really talented, all it takes is one guy to get us going," Flock said.
The Salt Cats (12-12) scratched a run in the top of the sixth, but the Crush answered quickly.
After Bennett was hit by a pitch in the bottom of the seventh with the bases loaded and Alex Babcock scored on a wild pick off attempt to make it 6-1, Flock belted hisdouble to right field to score Gough and Bennett, making it 8-1.
The combination of Ben Mack and Ridge Walker pitched a scoreless seventh, eighth and ninth inning to clinch the win for the Crush.
The win brought the Crush within four points of the Salt Cats for first place in the East division, as the Salt Cats lost to Rome on Tuesday night.
Cortland has a meeting the Salt Cats on Wednesday at Syracuse. The Crush expect the game to have a lot of intensity.
"Were hungry against the Salt Cats, from the past game, it got a little bit out of hand, a little unprofessional, but we're ready for it," Shirley said.
First pitch is at 7 pm.
Cortland returns home on Thursday for an Independence day clash with the Sherrill Silversmiths.
