Poor Weather Forces A Few HCBL Opening Day Games To Start Later Than Expected

Jun 5, 2018 8:53 AM

After multiple postponements due to the rainy weather that came through the region over the weekend, the Hamptons Collegiate Baseball League finally got most of its teams through their first games of the season by Sunday afternoon after they were initially slated to get started on Friday.

The Westhampton Aviators, who were scheduled to play the Long Island Road Warriors on Opening Day on Friday, eventually played their first game on Sunday, when they hosted the Southampton Breakers at Aviator Field in Westhampton Beach. The Aviators came out on top, 5-2, over the Breakers, who won their Opening Day game, 5-4, over the Shelter Island Bucks on Friday.

Westhampton Beach grad Brett Pisaneschi (Post University) was named the Hampton Coffee Player of the Game in the Aviators opener after striking out seven batters over five innings. Dean McCarthy (Elon University) also struck out four batters in two innings for Westhampton.

After a scoreless first inning, the Breakers got on the board first after a solo home run off the bat of Ryan Hatten (Virginia Military Institute). Southampton couldn’t hold on to that lead though. Rob Giovanelli (New Haven) and Westhampton Beach grad Ben Osborne (Herkimer County Community College) both hit RBI singles in the bottom of the third to give the Aviators a 2-1 lead, one they wouldn’t give up. They tacked on insurance runs in the sixth when Michael DeSanti (Iona) walked forcing Jordan Folgers (El Camino College) in with the bases loaded. Osborne then followed suit, scoring on a fielder’s choice to secure a 4-1 lead.

Hatten, who went 3 for 4 with two runs scored, delivered once more, with another home run in the top of the seventh for the Breakers. The Aviators managed one final run from an RBI single from another Westhampton Beach grad, Ernie Geraci (Farmingdale St. College), scoring Ethan Hajdukovic (Western Michigan University) to set the final score.

For a full slate of games, rosters and more information about the league, go to hamptonsbaseball.org.