by Trevor Dugan
That’s the game. Long Island Empire wins 8-0 behind Kilbride’s complete game shutout. pic.twitter.com/mJKVHtVpmo
— Axcess Baseball LI (@axcessbaseball) July 11, 2026
It was a dominant win for Long Island Empire Grande in the 14U Division of the LI Hot Stove Brian Moore Memorial Tournament. Behind dominant pitching from Joey Kilbride and a well-balanced offensive output across the lineup, Long Island Empire took down Dodgers Nation Stabinsky, 8-0, for their second victory of pool play.
Long Island Empire got on the board in the top of the second inning. After a one out walk, Henry Fuhrman and Jason Picciano both singled to load up the bases. The following batter, Danny Durnin hit a one-hopper on the left side of the infield. Dodger Nation got the force out at second, but a wild throw on the double play attempt resulted in two runs coming across to score on the play. Durnin would eventually score after a throwing error when stealing third during the next batter and Long Island Empire had an early 3-0 lead.
Three runs was more than enough thanks to Kilbride. Kilbride only allowed three hits, with only one of them leaving the infield. He also struck out four and had excellent command of his curveball throughout the contest.
Player of the game is Joey Kilbride. He fired a 6 inning complete game shutout with 5 strikeouts. pic.twitter.com/d7S2qBHEPr
— Axcess Baseball LI (@axcessbaseball) July 11, 2026
Kilbride was supported by excellent defense behind him. In the second inning, Carter Blumenstetter made a great ranging catch in deep center to rob Kevin Vivar of an extra base hit. Nate Ocampo played a strong first base, with a nice stretch for the third out of the first inning. At third base, Ryan Siederman had a clean slate, including a nice backhand snag for a putout on a hard groundball in the second inning.
Long Island Empire was able to consistently tack on insurance runs throughout the remainder of the contest with intentional approaches and timely hits. In the top of the third, Ocampo was able to lift a ball into the outfield for a sacrifice fly to score Blumenstetter from third. In the following inning, Picciano recorded his second base hit of the game. The lefty took a pitch on the outer half of the plate opposite field, scoring Robert Ciccone to make it a 5-0 game.
The dagger for Long Island Empire came two innings later in the top of the sixth. With the score now 6-0, and the bases loaded with two outs after a few walks, Blumenstetter hit a solid line drive to center field, driving in two more runners to give his squad an insurmountable 8-0 lead. Kilbride was able to work around a leadoff walk in the bottom of the inning and retire the side, securing the shutout and the victory.