The Liverpool Warriors have arguably the deepest pitching staff in Section III, Class AA this season. That staff is made up of four senior pitchers including Matt O'Kipney (Committed to Division I Siena), Pat Brown, Joe Riley and St. Lawrence University recruit Cory Folk. MHTS visited Rome today to catch the action as the Black Knights kicked off league play.


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Folk, a 6'2" lefthander got the ball for Liverpool (1-0) today at DeLutis Field in Rome for the Central NY Counties League game with the home standing RFA Black Knights. Matt Webster got the nod for the Romans (0-2), who dropped their first two games of the season 10-3 to Baldwinsville and 10-3 CNS.

Not only do the Warriors have a deep and reliable pitching staff, they are also blessed this season to have their entire infield returning from last season's CNYCL League Championship team.

All the pieces fell into place for Liverpool today as they knocked out 13 hits enroute to a 14-4 win over the Black Knights.

After a scoreless first inning, Liverpool exploded for 3 runs on 3 hits and an infield error in the top of the second inning as Shawn Peake, Matt O'Kipney and Jimmy Wright all crossed the plate for the visitors.

Folk kept the Black Knights scoreless in the home half of the second inning and the Warriors went right back to work in the top of third.

Shawn Peake drew a walk and Jimmy Wright bunted and reached first on a throwing error to start the inning.

Peake headed to third and then made it home safely when the throw from right field sailed past RFA catcher Nick Brement, which also allowed Wright to go to third.

Leading 4-0, Liverpool's Okivney laced a single to center, scoring Wright to make it 5-0, which is the way the top of the 3rd would come to a close.

The Black Knights chipped away at Folk in the bottom of the 3rd, loading the bases on a throwin error, a walk and a single by Tim Abone.

The veteran lefty bent but didn't break however, setting the next three RFA hitters down in order to end the home threat.


(Liverpool's Alex Caruso (4) slides head first into second base as RFA's Steve Eychner (9) tries to keep the throw from home in front of him. Caruso was safe on the play.)

Liverpool tacked on 3 more in the top half of the 4th Sean Peake capped off the inning with a two run home run over the left field wall, which gave Liverpool a commanding  8-0 lead after four innings.

Dante Mezza and Rob Waller made it home for the Black Knights in the home half of the 4th. Mezza reached on a throwing error, from which he made it to second standing up.

Waller knocked Mezza in with a sharp single and then scored himself on an RBI single by Abone. RFA loaded the bases but couldn't get another run home as Cory Folk forced TJ Reiley and Andrew DeBlasiis into consecutive ground balls to end the inning with RFA trailing 8-2 after 4.




















 

Liverpool went on to score three runs in the 5th and three more in the 6th as opposed to just two more runs for the home team to win this one going away, 14-4.

Folk looked strong on the mound today, scattering 5 hits, 2 walks and 1 earned run over 4 innings to get the win. Matt Webster took the loss for the Knights.

Liverpool (2-0) was led offensively by Alex Caruso, who went 2-3 with two doubles, 2 RBI and 2 runs scored.

Shawn Peake was 2 for 2 with a single and a home run in the Warriors winning effort. Rob Waller had two hits and 2 RBI for the Black Knights (0-3). 

RFA looks to get one in the win column when they travel to Fayetteville Manlius tomorrow. Liverpool heads south to Myrtle Beach for 5 games at the Ripken Baseball complex next week.

Liverpool 14 Rome Free Academy 4

BOX SCORE

                1     2      3      4      5     6      7        R   H    E

Liverpool     0     3      2      3      3     3      0       14   13   3

RFA           0     2      0      1      1     0      0        4    10   6