Delaney: RFA wins on Fayetteville-Manlius errors

The Rome Free Academy varsity softball team nearly blew it. The young Black Knights had a 2-0 lead after the fifth inning against Fayetteville-Manlius Thursday, and pitcher Amelia Casalenuovo was in control despite a cold. The senior lefty had a perfect game and a no-hitter before finishing with a one-hitter.

RFA pulled out a 4-2 victory but the sunny day at Kost Field nearly turned very, very gloomy for the Black Knights.

Fayetteville-Manlius tied the game in the sixth on three RFA errors. After a direct and loud between inning pep talk from RFA coach Jerry Tabolt, the Black Knights took advantage of two Hornets errors in the bottom of the sixth inning.

"It's a sign of character right there," Tabolt said. "We put the errors behind us, we needed to get a run and put the ball in play."

Home plate umpire Joe Zogby warned a handful of players on both teams Thursday for stepping out of the batter's box during a plate appearance. Enforcing a state rule, Zogby reminded the players to keep one foot in the box and one foot out between pitches. Zogby said players can step out with both feet on a dead ball situation, such as foul but otherwise hitters can't stray from the box.