Crosstown rivalries are always entertaining.  When the Yankees play the Mets, New York fans of both teams are riveted.

Rockland County has its own crosstown rivalry between STAC and Dominican University. The latest showdown came last week when the Spartans dropped their home opener to the Chargers 8-7.

Dominican’s John Stoliker got the win while STAC’s Will Kindl picked up the loss, his first of the season.

Spartan starter John Dezago pitched 4.1 innings, striking out one while allowing one run, seven hits and no walks. Kindl came in the 5th inning to relieve Dezago.

Kindl allowed two runs, three hits and no walks while striking out zero batters.

The Spartans scored their seven runs on nine hits, four RBI’s, while striking out eight times.

The first of the Spartan runs came in the bottom of the second on a two-run homer by first baseman Greg DiGaro. After DiGaro’s home run, the Chargers answered in the top of the 5th inning, gaining a 3-2 lead.

In the top of the 7th inning, with Jeremiah Vega on the mound, the Chargers jumped to a 7-run lead.

The Spartans rallied late in the bottom of the 7th as Sean Lynch scored on a double play grounder by Justin Klayman. The bottom of the 8th saw the Spartans score more runs.  

Spartan David Potenza scored after Nick O’Connor struck out and reached first on a passed ball.  Then, Andrew Jemison, the shortstop, scored on an Andrew Guerra fielder’s choice that saw O’Connor advance to 2nd base.

With the score 7-5, Sean Lynch hit an RBI groundout bringing home left fielder Nick O’Connor making the score 7-6.  

After the Chargers scored a run in the top of the ninth, giving them an 8-6 lead, the Spartans answered back in the bottom of the 9th when DiGaro scored on a wild pitch.

The Spartans currently sit at 6-10 on the season following with a three-game losing streak.  

This weekend, the Spartans went to D’Youville College for a four game set of doubleheaders.  

The Spartans won three of the four games including a 20-8 rout in Game 1.  

As they close in on the middle of the season, the Spartans sit at 9 wins and 11 losses.