by John Sullivan
Ralph Imperato closes the game for Arsenal with three Ks and they win it 6-3 over Long Island Crew pic.twitter.com/1LfsKH0i0g
— Axcess Baseball LI (@axcessbaseball) June 27, 2023
The 16u Boys of Summer match upbetween Tri-State Arsenal and Long Island Crew was a battle of two fundamentally sound teams who can get it done on both offense and defense.
In the bottom of the first inning, Tri-State proved that they can get it done on offense. Ralph Imperato started things off with a walk, which was followed by a single from Vincent Genovese, who also threw a scoreless inning in the top of the first. After Imperato stole third, he was brought home on an RBI groundout from Matt Lembo to give Arsenal a 1-0 lead. Tri-State was far from done though, as in the at bat after Lembo’s, Jake Parpan destroyed a 2-run homer over the left field fence to extend the lead to 3-0.
Down 3 heading into the second, the Crew were determined to cut into Arsenal’s lead and that’s exactly what they did. After the first two batters of the inning went down fairly easily, Ryan Rosado smoked a double into the right center field gap to get the two out rally started. Brady Leichtman was the next hitter and he was able to bloop in an RBI single after a long battle at the plate. Kyle Cahill then worked a walk to make it first and second and bring Justin Quillo to the plate. Quillo was able to take advantage of the runner in scoring position, as he jumped all over the first pitch to send it up the middle and make it a 3-2 ballgame.
In the bottom of the second, the Crew made a move to their bullpen, bringing Matt Collins out of relief after a rough three run first inning for the starter. This move proved to be a great one early as Collins retired Tri-State in order in his first inning of work. In the top of the third, Vincent Genovese responded with a scoreless inning of his own, working around a two out double from his counterpart, Matt Collins.
The good pitching continued in the following innings as Collins struck out the side in order in the bottom of the third and Genovese tossed another scoreless inning in the top of the fourth with two strikeouts in what would be his last inning of work. Genovese finished his day with a stat line of 2 earned runs on 4 hits, 2 walks, and 7 strikeouts in four innings. Predictably, Collins continued to roll on the mound for the Crew, firing a 1-2-3 innings with two strikeouts in the bottom of the fourth.
With Genovese out of the game to start the fifth inning, the Crew saw an opportunity to jump on the fresh arm out of the bullpen and either tie the game up or take the lead. After Imperato pitched a groundout and strikeout in his first two batters faced, the Crew were able to put together another two out rally. With two outs and two strikes, Liam Murphy unloaded on a ball into the left center field gap for a double. The next at bat, Jameson Riegel ripped a single over the second baseman’s head to tie the game up at 3. Unfortunately for the Crew, Riegel was thrown out attempting to steal second to put an end to the two out rally.
End of 5: Vincent Genovese hits a huge 2 out bases clearing double to give Arsenal a 6-3 lead pic.twitter.com/olllFLXY38
— Axcess Baseball LI (@axcessbaseball) June 27, 2023
In the bottom of the fifth, Arsenal gave the Crew a taste of their own medicine with a two out rally of their own. After three straight two out walks, Genovese stepped up to the plate with a chance to be the hero for Tri-State. Genovese was exactly that as he jumped all over a fastball to smoke it down the left field line and clear the bases. This clutch hit gave Tri-State a commanding 6-3 lead heading into the final inning.
Postgame interview with Vincent Genovese who went 4 strong innings on the mound and had two hits at the plate, including the game winning 3 RBI double pic.twitter.com/OYXc2ntkSR
— Axcess Baseball LI (@axcessbaseball) June 27, 2023
In the final inning, Ralph Imperato was completely locked down for Arsenal, as he struck out three to secure the 6-3 win. After the game, the Player of the Game, Vincent Genovese was asked about the team’s big win and his huge game winning double. Genovese said that it “felt good” to finally get in the win column and he hopes that this win will lead to many more for his team.
