Tomcats Thrash Bucks as Matthew Ryan Grand Slam Closes Out 13-4 Victory
by Nolan Locke/Axcess Baseball
The Riverhead Tomcats’ offense was firing on all cylinders in their blowout 13-4 victory against the Shelter Island Bucks.
Immediately in the bottom of the first, the home team set the tone, scoring two runs on a sacrifice fly for Evan Schickler (Rider) and an RBI single by Thomas Iaquinto (Felician), putting up two runs for the Tomcats.
In the top of the second, Shelter Island responded with a run of their own after a lead-off single from third baseman Cayden Van Dolah (Holy Cross), and back-to-back groundouts would allow the infielder to score on a passed ball and a defensive miscommunication between Tomcats starter Eric Ressegger (Adelphi) and catcher Matthew Ryan (Adelphi).
The top of the third would see both offenses briefly cool off a bit as both starters would toss scoreless frames.
After a scoreless third inning, the Bucks’ offense would step back up to the plate, loading the bases on a David Swift (Bates) walk, an Ethan Harris (St. Lawrence) single, and a Van Dolah walk. Noah Heath (Rider) would then tie the game for the Bucks before a two-run single from Evan Clark (New Haven) gave Shelter Island their first and only lead of the game.
In the fifth, the Tomcats would storm back, starting the inning with an Adrian Tavarez (St. John’s) single, a Matt Gileno (Riverside City College) hit by pitch put runners in scoring position before centerfielder Joey Cohen (Post) would lace a double to deep right field, ringing the towering right field fence, clearing the bases and tying the game for Riverhead. Richie Heyder (Farmingdale State) then found some green grass of his own, picking up Cohen off of second to give the Tomcats the 5-4 lead. Riverhead’s offense would keep its foot on the pedal, adding two more runs in a seven-hit, five-run inning.
The sixth would spell more trouble for the Bucks as reliever Adam Gross (U of Charleston) would issue three walks, loading the bases before walking in two more runners, extending the Tomcats’ lead to 9-4. With the bases juiced and just one out in the inning, catcher Matthew Ryan would send a towering moonshot, clearing the massive wall in right field, topping off yet another big inning for Riverhead.
“Every day, me and the other coaches come out here, we expect our offense to put up numbers,” said Tomcats Head Coach Kyle McLaughlin. “We are really confident in what they can do day in and day out.
The Tomcats’ offense will look to continue its dominance in their next matchup tomorrow against the North Fork Ospreys, while the Bucks will look to bounce back against the Sag Harbor Whalers.