Five-Run Fifth Leads Westhampton to Victory over North Fork at Eastport

The Westhampton Aviators used a five-run fifth inning and strong pitching to defeat the North Fork Ospreys 5-2 on Saturday at the Eastport Athletic Complex in Hamptons Collegiate Baseball League action.

For the first four innings, the game was dominated by pitching. Westhampton starter Jesse Kostulias (New Haven) kept the Ospreys off the scoreboard despite issuing four walks, allowing just one hit while striking out four over four scoreless innings. North Fork starter Carter Heagle (Merrimack) matched him, holding the Aviators scoreless through four innings while allowing only one hit.

The Ospreys finally broke through in the top of the fifth inning. After a Westhampton passed ball put Nick Porrello (Manhattanville) in scoring position, Max Doninger (St. Peter’s) grounded out to second base to bring home the game’s first run. Later in the inning, Bradyn Thompson (Bates) rossed the plate on a Westhampton miscue, giving North Fork a 2-0 advantage despite recording one hit in the inning.

The lead would be short-lived.

Westhampton exploded for five runs in the bottom of the fifth to take control of the game. With two runners aboard, Nick Koch (Merrimack) delivered the biggest hit of the afternoon, crushing a three-run home run to center field that scored Ryan Kiendle (Wilmington) and Garrett Mathias (Bucknell) and put the Aviators ahead 3-2.

The Aviators added to their lead moments later when Ryan Adams (Brookdale CC) scored on a wild pitch, allowing Antonio Belgrove (Salem State) to advance to second. Belgrove would then come home on a Brett Connolly (Wilmington) RBI single to left field, capping the five-run inning and extending Westhampton’s lead to 5-2.

That would prove to be all the offense the Aviators needed.

Gabriel Pena (American International) took over on the mound in the fifth inning and worked the final three frames to earn the victory, improving his record to 2-0 on the season. Although he issued five walks, Pena allowed just one hit and one earned run while striking out two to preserve the win.