Nick Cipolla
Postgame interview with Luke Ciminiello (Smithtown East) after an impressive day at the plate for Body Armor Titans pic.twitter.com/hTKDkpwetA
Axcess Baseball LI (@axcessbaseball) July 6, 2022
Before this championship game even began, I overheard one of the coaches say to his team This is a game between two of the best teams on Long Island (in our age group), and after today’s contest, it’s tough to argue.
This game was an exciting one from start to finish with some clutch hitting and pitching moments throughout the game.
Early on, it seemed like this game would turn into a pitcher’s duel between Body Armor Titans Riley Weatherwax (Roy C Ketcham, Wappingers Falls) and Next Levels Dominic Carleo (Oyster Bay) as both pitchers cruised throughout their first innings of work.
However, the pitcher’s duel didnt last too long as Next Level drew first blood in the top of the second inning. With a man on second and two outs, Matteo Tufano (Carey) hit an RBI Triple to deep centerfield to make it a 1-0 game. During the very next at bat, Tufano was able to score on a passed ball to make it a 2-0 game.
The Body Armor Titans didnt go away quietly, as they scored two runs in the bottom of the inning. After a Kevin Schnupp (Comsewogue) triple, Luke Ciminello (Smithtown East) knocks him in with an RBI double that just barely stays fair to bring the Titans within a run. The Blue Chip Invitational MVP Nick Zamperion (Comsewogue) would tie the game in the same inning with a bloop single between the second baseman and left fielder to score Ciminello.
Body Armor Titans take the lead in the 4th! Luke Ciminiello (Smithtown East) hit a triple to right to lead off the inning and he scores on this passed ball to make it a 4-3 game in favor of the Body Armor Titans pic.twitter.com/S7TCZ0buXu
Axcess Baseball LI (@axcessbaseball) July 6, 2022
Next Level would reclaim the lead in the top of the third on an RBI fielder’s choice by Tommy Pasqua (Kellenberg). Scoring on the play was Pasquas high school teammate Jimmy Ernst (Kellenberg) who tripled in the previous at bat. Next Level led 3-2 heading to the bottom of the third.
However the Titans wouldnt go away, Noel Rivera (Suffield Academy, CT) led off the inning with a single to center, stole second and third, and he would score the game tying run in on a passed ball to make it a 3-3 game.
In the top of the 4th, Next Level threatened again with bases loaded and 2 outs. However, Riley Weathermax (Roy C Ketcham, Wappingers Falls) would not let Next Level score as he struck out the next batter he faced to end the threat and keep the game tied up at 3.
In the bottom of the 4th, Luke Ciminiello (Smithtown East) led off with a triple to right center. Ciminiello scored the go ahead run on a passed ball during the next at bat to give the Body Armor Titans the lead. This would be a lead that they would not surrender for the rest of the game.
The Titans got an insurance run after Noel Rivera got on base with his third hit of the game and later scored on a John Margolies (Hauppauge) RBI triple to right center field to make it 5-3 Titans.
Carson McCaffrey came on in relief of Weathermax and threw two perfect innings for the Titans to seal the deal and deliver a tournament championship for the Body Armor Titans