Aviators Rally Past Tomcats 6-4, Move Into Three-Way Tie for First Place

The Westhampton Aviators erased an early four-run deficit Friday evening, scoring six unanswered runs to defeat the Riverhead Tomcats 6-4 in Hamptons Collegiate Baseball League action at Cochran Park in Peconic. With the victory, the Aviators improved to 11-8 and moved into a three-way tie for first place with the Southampton Breakers and Sag Harbor Whalers.

Riverhead wasted little time taking control of the game. In the top of the first inning, Richie Heyder (Farmingdale State) launched a two-run home run to score Jack Byrne and give the Tomcats a 2-0 lead.

The Tomcats added to their advantage in the second. Matthew Ryan (Adelphi) scored on a bases-loaded walk drawn by Heyder before Evan Schickler (Rider) followed with another bases-loaded walk, plating Matt Gileno (Riverside CC) to extend the Riverhead lead to 4-0.

Westhampton finally broke through in the fourth inning when Brett Connolly (Washington (MD) belted a solo home run, cutting the deficit to 4-1.

The Aviators completed their comeback with a four-run fifth inning. Connolly delivered the big hit of the frame, ripping a two-run double that scored Oliver Kwan (Wesleyan) and Nick Koch (Merrimack) while Ryan Adams (Brookdale CC) also crossed the plate on an error, pulling Westhampton within one. Garrett Mathias (Bucknell) then gave the Aviators their first lead of the night with a two-run groundout that brought home Connolly and Koch, making it 5-4.

Westhampton added an insurance run in the seventh when Connolly came through again, lining an RBI single to score Koch and extend the advantage to 6-4.

After a rocky start from Jesse Kostulias (New Haven), Westhampton’s bullpen dominated. CJ Forman (Adelphi) earned the victory with 3.2 scoreless innings of relief, allowing just two hits while striking out eight. Gabriel Pena (American International) closed out the final two innings, striking out four and earning his third save of the season.

Riverhead starter Eric Ressegger (Adelphi) took the loss despite pitching a complete game. Ressegger allowed six runs, four earned, on seven hits while striking out seven over seven innings.

Connolly paced the Westhampton offense, finishing 3-for-4 with a home run, a double, four RBIs, and two runs scored. Mathias added two RBIs as the Aviators capitalized on Riverhead miscues during their comeback.