KATELYN HIBBARD/Sun-Gazette Williamsport’s Drake Mankey talks to the Millionaires’ first base coach Joel Worthington after reaching during Saturday’s game at Logue FIeld against Liberty.

Kyle Caringi earned a Division I scholarship after pitching well a year ago and helping Williamsport capture a second straight district championship. Still, the left-hander feels like he has so much more to prove.

The St. Bonaventure-bound pitcher is making 2019 his proving ground. And he is proving a whole lot these days.

Caringi threw his best high school game Saturday against a fellow 6A title contender, throwing a three-hit complete-game as Williamsport defeated Liberty, 5-1, at Logue Field. The left-hander allowed no earned runs, threw an efficient 86 pitches, walked none and let just two runners reach third base as the Millionaires (3-0) handed Liberty its first loss and continued their strong start. They also scored five second-inning runs as Brayton Rowello delivered two hits and two RBIs.

“I had to wait for my chance and I was really excited for this season,” Caringi said. “I pitched against teams last year, but I wanted that tough competition. I wanted to face teams like this. I wanted people to hit the ball and not just be getting all strikeouts. I wanted to pitch my game like I have before and I felt locked in today. I had a good defense around me, we put the bats up in the second inning and this was a good win.”

Caringi went 2-1 with a 1.17 ERA last year, but current UMBC pitcher Tanner Esposito was the team’s ace and frequently excelled in big games. Caringi is excited about trying to play a similar role and owned his moment yesterday, shutting down a powerful team that had averaged 12 runs per game through its first six contests. He kept Liberty off-balance all afternoon, skillfully mixing his pitches, moving the ball around and working ahead. Caringi struck out five and threw 58 of his 86 pitches for strikes, including first-pitch strikes to 19 of 26 batters faced.

Just as important, Caringi was at his best when Liberty put runners on base. He surrendered just three singles, but Caringi still had to put out some fires and was an error from throwing a shutout. Liberty hit 0 for 7 with runners in scoring position against Caringi and he twice stranded two baserunners in an inning.

“It’s just me and what’s in front of me in those situations. I just focus on the batter and the count,” Caringi said. “Coach (Kyle) Schneider built it up like it was a playoff game and we were ready. These are the types of teams we’re going to play in states if we make it there so it was a good experience.”

“Kyle pitched an unbelievable game. When guys got on base he didn’t crumble. He was hard-nosed the entire game,” Schneider said. “When he got behind in counts he battled back and he let the defense work. When the defense made some errors Kyle battled after that. He did a great job.”

So did Rowello and he was in the middle of Williamsport’s run-scoring first and second inning rallies. The senior shortstop, who played excellent defense, was held hitless in Williamsport’s first two wins, but had been making good contact. He kept that in mind entering the game and did not press. Instead, he produced.

Dallas Griess opened Williamsport’s first inning by hitting a single and stealing second before moving to third on a passed ball. Rowello then hit a grounder to the right side that scored him. An inning later, Rowello slammed a scorching single down the left-field line, highlighting the four-run inning and making it 4-0. Rowello would have had a seventh-inning RBI as well when he ripped an infield single into the hole, but the shortstop made a fantastic play that prevented the ball from reaching the outfield.

“We hit well up and down the lineup. As long as we’re hitting up and down the lineup and winning games I’m happy,” Rowello said. “I’m here to learn. I’m here to help the team the best I can and try and help us come out with a good ending. For us to hit well up and down the lineup the way we have helps a lot.”

“Brayton is a great player all-around. He does everything you ask,” Schneider said. “He had been barreling balls up and I kept telling him something is going to fall. I knew it was going to happen. It was just a matter of time. I told him there’s no better time than now and he hit one down the line and got us rolling.”

Carter Sagan and Jon Zayas opened the second inning with walks before Collin Esposito singled. Brett Moyer (1 for 2) drew an RBI walk and Griess hit an RBI grounder that resulted in an error, making it, 3-0. Following Rowello’s RBI single, Joe Fagnano drew an RBI walk and it was 5-0. The way Caringi was throwing that lead started looking like it was 15 runs as the game progressed.

Williamsport has seven new starters, but is ahead of last year’s early-season pace and has allowed just four runs in three games.

“I still feel like we’re not playing our best baseball,” Rowello said. “If we can beat a team like that not playing our best baseball I think we’re going to be scary when we are playing at our best.”

Williamsport 5, Liberty 1

Liberty 000 001 0–1 3 2

Williamsport 140 000 x–5 4 2

Jack Rothenhauser, Lucas Zatti (5) and Jack Borneman. Kyle Caringi and Drake Mankey. W: Caringi, (2-0). L: Rothenhauser.

Top Liberty hitters: Marcus Nales 1-3, run. Top Williamsport hitters: Brayton Rowello 2-4, 2 RBIs; Brock Moyer 1-2, RBI, run; Colin Esposito 1-3, run; Mankey 1-3; Dallas Griess 1-4, SB, RBI, run; Joe Fagnano RBI.

Records: Williamsport (3-0), Liberty (6-1).