Spartans Open Playoffs Saturday at Erie

After a regular season that saw them tie a program record with 31 wins, Cayuga Community College Baseball will open the postseason on the road this weekend against Erie Community College.

The Spartans' third-place finish in Region III's East Division earned them a best-of-three series at Erie (29-23, 18-10), the second-place finisher in Region III's West Division. The teams play a doubleheader Saturday, May 9, with a deciding third game played, if necessary, on May 10.

The series winner advances to the Region III Final Four, which starts Thursday, May 14, at Falcon Park.

The teams met earlier this season at Falcon Park, with Cayuga coming back for a 15-12 win and the Kats taking the second game 9-2. Both teams have featured two of the top lineups this season in Region III, with the Spartans' 447 runs and the Kats' 407 runs trailing only #2 SUNY Niagara for best in the region. On the mound both teams are also among the region leaders in ERA and strikeouts.

Cayuga (31-19, 20-8) averaged close to nine runs per game this season and set program bests in runs scored, on-base percentage and home runs. Nine batters with at least 100 at-bats have averages of .300 or better, led by freshman Tyler Black's .423 average. Black also has a team-best 63 RBI, with Jeremy Recio leading the team in homers (6) and leadoff hitter Jakson Ross pacing the team in runs (63) and on-base percentage (.516).

On the mound, seven Spartans have thrown at least 30 innings this season, with Dylan Gordon leading the team with 40 2/3 innings pitched and 10 games started. Four members of the rotation — Jancarlos Rodriguez, Jack Walters, Ashtyn Traugott-Knoll and Gordon — have at least 4 wins. Traugott-Knoll led the team in strikeouts (34) and tied with Gordon for complete games (2), and reliever James MacLean led the team in saves (3) and appearances (19).

First pitch of Saturday's doubleheader in Erie is scheduled for 12pm.