For Cicero North Syracuse baseball, this season has come with plenty of bus rides and little room for excuses.
The Northstars' field is under construction, meaning they have had to play in a variety of unfamiliar locations.
The steady stream of road environments has actually emulated a postseason run, with CNS constantly on the grind away from home.
In Utica Proctor's new multi-million-dollar stadium on Tuesday, the Northstars got their closest look yet at what a road setting would look like — and proceeded to come away with a 7-6 win.
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"We wanted a little taste of that sectional-type atmosphere," CNS coach Stephan Bailey said. "Going to Utica, it's a tough place to play. (They have) a beautiful new ballpark there at Murnane (Field)."
It certainly wasn't easy for CNS. The Northstars were forced to go through four pitchers, and the Raiders appeared to have the game won after taking the lead in the bottom of the sixth with a three-run spurt.
CNS showed no fear. As they had all month, the Northstars came back from the brink in the seventh. With two on, senior Jeremy Palmer sent a rocket into left field that drove in both runners. Pitcher Kevin Gunnip held Utica Proctor scoreless in the bottom of the inning to seal the win.
"(Utica Proctor) plays a gritty style of baseball," Bailey said. "It's a good test leading into sectionals. We're awfully happy to come away with a win."
The Raiders were the Northstars' final regular-season opponent from Class AAA. CNS eliminated Utica Proctor in two of the last three seasons.
Utica Proctor finished its regular season with a 13-7 record. The Raiders turn their attention to the Class AAA seeding meeting on Friday.
CNS (15-4) has now won 11 consecutive games after dropping back-to-back contests to end April. The Northstars are riding their hottest winning streak since 2022, when they won 12 straight.
CNS has the chance to tie that mark in its regular-season finale against Auburn on Thursday.
"We've been on quite a nice stretch here, where we're continuing to get better each and every day," Bailey said. "That's always the goal come sectionals, to be the best version of us and understand, like today, it's not always going to be a perfect game."
