Sag Harbor’s Nine-Run Fifth Fuels 10-7 Comeback Win Against Westhampton

The Sag Harbor Whalers erased a six-run deficit with an incredible nine-run fifth inning to rally past the Westhampton Aviators 10-7 on Wednesday night at Mashashimuet Park in one of the most dramatic comebacks of the 2026 HCBL season.

The Whalers’ offense erupted for nine runs on nine hits in the fifth inning, turning a 7-1 deficit into a 10-7 lead before the bullpen slammed the door.

The Aviators wasted little time getting on the board in the first inning. Garrett Mathias (Bucknell) crushed a grand slam to center field, giving Westhampton a commanding 4-0 lead.

Sag Harbor got one run back in the third when Milo Suarez (Johns Hopkins) lined an RBI single to left, scoring Aaron Vetter (Palm Beach Atlantic) to trim the deficit to 4-1.

Westhampton answered immediately in the fourth as Nick Koch (Merrimack) launched a three-run homer to center field to stretch the lead back to six runs at 7-1.

Then came the decisive fifth inning.

Vetter opened the rally with a solo home run to left before Finley Holmes (Palm Beach Atlantic) ripped an RBI double to make it 7-3. Moments later, Collin Harty (Nichols) brought the Whalers within one with a towering three-run homer to right field.

Sag Harbor kept the pressure on. Matteo Cubello (Nichols) tied the game with an RBI double before Vetter gave the Whalers their first lead of the night with an RBI single. Eddie Morrissey (St. Lawrence) followed with an RBI double, and Holmes capped the remarkable inning with an RBI single to center, completing a stunning nine-run outburst and putting Sag Harbor ahead 10-7.

The Whalers bullpen took care of the rest.

After surrendering seven runs over the first four innings, Dominick Mancino (Keiser) settled things down with a scoreless fifth to earn his first win of the season. Ethan Righter (Hamilton) pitched a perfect sixth inning, striking out one to record his third save.

Westhampton’s offense was limited to five hits but made them count early. Mathias’ first-inning grand slam accounted for four RBI, while Koch added a three-run homer in the fourth. The Aviators also drew seven walks but were unable to capitalize after the fourth inning.

Sag Harbor finished with 11 hits, led by a huge night from Vetter, who went 2-for-3 with a home run, two RBI, and two runs scored. Holmes also had two hits, including a double, while driving in two runs.