The South Shore Clippers brought the bats to Shelter Island on Sunday, sweeping a doubleheader against the Shelter Island Bucks at Fiske Field with wins of 16-6 and 9-8. The twin victories snap a losing skid for South Shore, who now improve to 5-9 on the season, while the Bucks drop to 7-8.

Game 1: Wilkinson Leads 16-Run Barrage

The opener was a five-inning offensive onslaught, as the Clippers erupted for 12 runs in the first inning and never looked back, cruising to a 16–6 win.

Designated Hitter Justin Wilkinson (Adelphi) had a career day at the plate, going 2-for-3 with two doubles and six RBI, leading a 12-hit attack. He was one of five Clippers with multiple hits, alongside Larry Hotaling (Villanova), who was 2-for-4 with three runs scored and an RBI. Anthony Scarabino (Albany) had a pair of RBI, while Matt Gileno (Riverside CC) was 2-for-4 with a pair of RBI.

South Shore capitalized on a 12-run first inning on five hits and four walks and never looked back from there.

The Bucks mounted a late rally in the fifth, scoring five runs with RBIs from Mikey Rodriguez (Mount St. Mary’s), Gibby Sullivan (Bates), and Tommy Munch (Occidental), but it was far too late.

Clippers starter Conor Burns (St. John’s, 1–2) tossed four solid innings, allowing just one run on six hits while striking out five.

Game 2: Clippers Hold On in Thriller, 9-8

Game two of the doubleheader was a back-and-forth slugfest, with South Shore hanging on for a narrow 9-8 win despite a late push from the Bucks.

The Clippers struck early with a two-run first, followed by three-run rallies in both the fourth and fifth innings. Louis Kaleb (Albany) went 2-for-4 with two RBI, while Ryan Adams (St. John’s) crushed a third-inning triple, driving in two. Hotaling continued his big day with two more RBI,  including a sacrifice fly.

Despite leading 9-6 in the fifth, South Shore had to weather a rally from the Bucks. Shelter Island’s Sullivan homered and drove in two, while Jack Vallario (Fordham) added two hits, three stolen bases, and an RBI.

Clippers reliever Jack Castillo (SUNY Plattsburgh) earned the save with three strong innings of relief, striking out five and working around two hit-by-pitches and two walks.

Team Notes:
 

Shelter Island drops to 7–8, falling under .500 for the first time this season.
 

Clippers hitters combined for 21 hits and 25 runs across both games.
 

The Bucks were hit by four pitches in Game 2. In total, they were hit by five pitches in the doubleheader.
 

South Shore looks to ride its offensive momentum on Tuesday against the Westhampton Aviators, while the Bucks will aim to regroup after a rough day at home when they host the Sag Harbor Whalers on Tuesday.