Senior Righty Joe Liddy Gets First Career Win
By Mike Ready
RED BANK – Red Bank Catholic senior centerfielder Brenden Madigan led off the bottom of the first with a booming triple over the head of Raritan centerfielder James Wines to set the tone of the game as the Caseys beat Raritan 16-2 in five innings Tuesday at Count Basie Field.
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The Caseys went on to score 10 runs on seven hits in the first inning as senior shortstop Al Molina had two singles and two RBI’s, while senior third baseman Matthew Kurdewan added an RBI single and a 2-run double in the frame.
Molina, a Coastal Carolina recruit and first team All-Shore selection last season, had a perfect day at the plate going 4-for-4 with four RBI’s and four runs scored as the Caseys banged out 13 hits in the game.
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“It was a good win; it gave us a chance to work out some kinks defensively after we had a little problem with our defense in the Saint John Vianney game. It’s early in the season and I expect our defense to be fine. Our offense is really good and we shouldn’t have any problems scoring runs this year; we could’ve scored a lot more today.”
Senior Joe Liddy earned his first career win in his first start for the Caseys, tossing four innings of three-hit ball while giving up two runs. The righty struck out three and walked only one batter in his debut and except for a somewhat shaky second inning when he gave up two runs, he was in complete control of the game.
“The hitters gave me a good cushion to work with today,” said Liddy. “I had three pitches working today. My slider was probably my best pitch, I had command of my fastball and my changeup was working too. We played really well today; it was a great game by everybody and a nice way to pick up my first win.”
The win pushes the Caseys early-season record to 3-1 as they attempt to win the Shore Conference Class A Central for the second-straight year.
RBC tacked on another six runs in the bottom of the fourth inning against two Rocket relievers, their third and fourth pitchers of the day.
After loading the bases with no outs, sophomore second baseman Evan Madigan drew a RBI walk and Molina then drilled a two-run single to centerfield, advancing to second on the throw with Madigan taking third. Senior catcher Michael Alescio, a Seton Hall recruit, continued the assault with a triple over the head of right fielder Mason Sheehan for two more runs and pinch hitter Chris Bender finished the scoring with an RBI sacrifice fly.
Brenden Madigan went 2-for-3 with a triple and three runs scored while Kurdewan, a Class A Central first team pick last season, finished 2-for-4 with a double and three RBI’s. Junior Michael Spinelli had two hits, scored two runs and had an RBI, while sophomore Evan Madigan went 1-for-2 with two walks, two runs scored and a RBI. Alescio ended with a 2-run triple in two at bats with two walks and two runs scored.
Wines drove in both Raritan runs with a two out double in the top of the second inning.
Sophomore righty Jack Ipsen pitched a perfect 1-2-3 fifth inning for the Caseys striking out two batters.
