Aviators Score Twice in the Ninth to Defeat Breakers 3-2 at Eastport
The Westhampton Aviators erased a one-run deficit with two runs in the bottom of the ninth inning to earn a dramatic 3-2 victory over the Southampton Breakers in HCBL action Sunday morning at the Eastport Athletic Complex.
Locked in a pitchers’ duel for most of the contest, the Aviators delivered when it mattered most, scoring the game’s final two runs to complete the comeback.
Westhampton wasted little time getting on the board in the opening inning. Nick Koch (Merrimack) reached base on a double and came around to score when Brett Connolly (High Point) lined a two-out RBI single into right field, giving the Aviators an early 1-0 advantage.
Southampton answered in the bottom of the third. HCBL All-Star Game MVP Michael Caron (Assumption) ignited the rally with a leadoff walk before Sean Sailer (Villanova) ripped an RBI double to left field to tie the game. Moments later, Nick Slogik (Rowan College at Gloucester) lifted a sacrifice fly to center, bringing Sailer home to put the Breakers in front 2-1.
That score held for the next five innings as both pitching staffs dominated.
Southampton starter Owen Callaghan (Holy Cross) was outstanding, allowing just one run on five hits over four innings while striking out six without issuing a walk. Will Mueller (St. Lawrence) followed with a scoreless fifth before Michael DiOrio (Williams) carried the lead into the ninth, keeping the Aviators off balance with five strikeouts over his first three innings of work.
Westhampton’s pitching matched the effort. Dylan Beirne (Adelphi) allowed two runs over three innings before Lincoln Waterman (Nichols) tossed a scoreless fourth. Justin Lin (MIT) then delivered his strongest outing of the season, shutting down the Breakers over the final five innings. The right-hander surrendered just one hit while walking four and striking out five to earn his first victory of the year.
Trailing by one entering the ninth, Westhampton mounted its decisive rally. Luke Rizzi (American International) reached base on a walk before Brayden Hromada (Quinnipiac) singled before Danny Nawrocki (Bucknell) walked to load the bases. Christian Cox (Framingham St.) worked a walk to force home the tying run, and one batter later Koch lifted a sacrifice fly to right field, allowing Antonio Belgrove (Salem St.) who pinch-ran for Hromada to score the winning run.
Both clubs received outstanding pitching performances, as each staff combined for 11 strikeouts. Westhampton pitchers held the Breakers hitless over the final six innings except for a ninth inning double by Chase Jones (West Chester), while Southampton’s staff kept the Aviators in check until the final frame.
Both teams return to play on Tuesday when the Aviators travel to Shelter Island to face the Bucks while the Breakers return home to Southampton High School to face the Sag Harbor Whalers in a battle that could determine the top HCBL playoff seed.