Both Cicero-North Syracuse and West Genesee were struggling to produce on offense prior to the seventh inning.
C-NS took advantage of some late momentum and scored a run in the final inning to overcome the Wildcats in a 1-0 bout on Monday.
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"We've talked all season long about being comfortable in the uncomfortable situations when the pressure is at its highest and plays need to be made," C-NS coach Stephan Bailey said. "You have to figure out how to succeed."
After two quick outs for the Northstars to start the seventh inning, Kenton Cochran managed to get to first base off of an error. Mason Mingle was hit by a pitch and Andrew Davis walked to load the bases. Carter King knocked a single into left field that allowed Cochran to score. West Genesee's comeback bid in the bottom of the seventh fell short.
"It was one of those games where both pitchers threw extremely well," Bailey said. "Both pitchers had command of the zone."
C-NS starting pitcher Kaden Kalfass put together a masterclass in his six innings of action. Kalfass held West Genesee to just one hit while striking out thirteen batters. Reliever Battista Wood shut down the Wildcats in the seventh inning.
King led the Northstars with a triple in addition to the game-winning single. Cochran recorded a hit, a stolen base and a run scored.
West Genesee's Talon Elkins impressed from both the mound and the plate. Elkins pitched six scoreless innings for the Wildcats. The senior only gave up three hits and tallied five strikeouts. Elkins was also responsible for West Genesee's sole hit.
"It was another good game between two really good teams," Bailey said. "Both teams are going to have really good seasons going forward."
C-NS (3-2) has a quick turnaround with a matchup against Christian Brothers Academy on Tuesday.
