The North Fork Ospreys and Westhampton Aviators traded victories on Sunday afternoon at Aviator Field, with the Aviators claiming a 7-4 win in Game 1, while the Ospreys responded emphatically in Game 2 with a 10-3 triumph. With the split, North Fork moves to 10-5-1 on the season, while Westhampton sits at 7-9.

Game 1: Aviators Ride Long Ball to 7-4 Victory

The Aviators used timely power and efficient pitching to take the opener. Mikey Brunetti (Bradley) and Tim Ford (Fordham) each went deep, providing the spark for Westhampton’s offense. Brunetti finished 1-for-2 with a home run and two RBI, while Ford added a solo shot and a walk.

DH Luke Rizzo (College of Wooster) added a clutch two-run single in the fourth inning to extend the Aviators’ lead to 6-3. That proved to be the difference-maker in a game where the Aviators were outhit 5-7 but made their contact count.

Anthony Butkevicius (Salem St., 2-1) earned the win, pitching five strong innings with eight strikeouts and allowing just two earned runs. Dylan Johnson (St. John’s) closed it out with two innings of relief, allowing one run and striking out three.

For the Ospreys, Aaron Graves (Lincoln) drove in two runs, and Vincent Mariniello (Franklin & Marshall) chipped in an RBI single, but starter Cristian Rodriguez (Pace, 0-2) took the loss after walking four and giving up four runs in three innings.

Game 2: Ospreys' Offense Erupts for 13 Hits in 10-3 Rout

The nightcap saw a complete reversal, as North Fork broke out the bats with 13 hits and 10 runs, overwhelming the Aviators’ pitching staff.

Shortstop Rocco Cimino (Pace) was the table-setter, going 3-for-4 with a double and three runs scored. Mariniello followed up his Game 1 RBI with a 3-for-5 performance and another RBI, while Nick Pratt (UMBC) and James Fagnant (Richmond) added two hits apiece. Fagnant launched his first home run of the season and drove in two runs.

A six-run fifth inning broke the game wide open, with run-scoring hits from Fagnant, Mariniello, and Graves.

AJ Mitchell (Dominican, 2–0) picked up the win, striking out five in four innings and allowing two earned runs, including back-to-back home runs in the first inning by Brunetti (his second of the day) and Jakob Chavez (Paradise Valley CC), who hit his first of the season.

Quick Hits:

Brunetti homered in both games and now has 2 HR and 12 RBI on the season.

Chavez’s Game 2 blast was his first home run and second RBI of the season.

Mariniello and Brunetti are currently tied in the HCBL in batting average at .400 for the season. Nick Pratt is right behind them, ranked third with a .391 batting average.
 

Both teams return to action this week on Tuesday, with the Ospreys riding momentum from Game 2 against the Southampton Breakers. Westhampton will travel to Mastic Beach on Tuesday to face the South Shore Clippers at William Floyd High School.