Hiller Throws Complete-Game Shutout as Aviators Blank Whalers 5-0

The Westhampton Aviators strengthened their playoff position Thursday night behind a dominant pitching performance from Joseph Hiller (Quinnipiac), who tossed a complete-game shutout in a 5-0 victory over the Sag Harbor Whalers.

Hiller was in control from the opening pitch, scattering five hits over seven innings while striking out seven and walking three. The right-hander improved to 1-1 on the season and now leads the HCBL with 37 strikeouts.

Westhampton broke through in the third inning when Danny Nawrocki (Bucknell) doubled and later scored on a sacrifice fly by Antonio Belgrove (Saleh State), giving the Aviators a 1-0 lead.

The Aviators added to their advantage in the fourth. Riley Reimund (St. Lawrence) doubled and came home when Brayden Hromada (Quinnipiac) lined an RBI single into left-center, extending the lead to 2-0.

Westhampton continued to apply pressure in the fifth. Belgrove doubled before Nick Koch (Merrimack) followed with an RBI single to right field, pushing the margin to 3-0.

The Aviators put the game away with two more runs in the sixth. After Reimund reached and eventually scored, Nawrocki worked a bases-loaded walk to force home a run. Belgrove followed by drawing another bases-loaded walk, plating Hromada for Westhampton’s fifth run of the night.

Westhampton finished with eight hits, led by Koch, who went 2-for-3 with an RBI. Belgrove reached base twice, doubled, drove in two runs and scored once, while Reimund crossed the plate twice after reaching base three times. Hromada added an RBI single, and Nawrocki contributed a double, an RBI, a run scored and a stolen base.

Sag Harbor managed five hits but could never generate sustained offense against Hiller. Aaron Vetter (Palm Beach Atlantic) had two doubles to lead the Whalers offense.