Photo Credit: Adam Bundy

The Shelter Island Bucks swept a doubleheader against the Westhampton Aviators on Sunday at the Bridgehampton School, riding strong pitching and timely hitting to two victories. With the wins, the Bucks improved to 11-11 on the season, while Westhampton dropped to 8-15.

Game 1: Shelter Island 9, Westhampton 0
 

In the opener, Shelter Island’s Danny Onorato (Iona) dominated on the mound, tossing a complete-game one-hit shutout with seven strikeouts and two walks. The right-hander allowed just a single to Brody Sprinkle (Azusa Pacific) in the bottom of the fourth and faced minimal trouble throughout the contest.

The Bucks broke through with three runs in the second inning, highlighted by a two-run double from Alex Barrist (Lafayette) in the fourth inning. Shelter Island blew the game open in the fourth with a three-run double from Tommy Munch (Occidental) that gave the Bucks an 8-0 lead.

Munch would later get his fourth RBI of the game with an RBI single in the sixth that made the score 9-0.

For Westhampton, Payne Lochridge (Southwestern) took the loss, allowing eight runs over four innings. The Aviators struggled at the plate, striking out seven times and managing only three baserunners in the game.

Game 2: Shelter Island 6, Westhampton 3
 

The nightcap was more competitive, but Shelter Island again controlled the action early and held off a late Aviators rally.

Tyler Metcalf (Emerson), despite getting a no-decision in his start, struck out six over 4.1 innings despite allowing three runs in the fifth. JJ Humenay (St. Lawrence) earned the win in relief, and Andrew Rucci (Wagner) combined for 2.2 scoreless innings of relief, with Rucci picking up the save.

The Bucks took a 1-0 lead in the second inning on an RBI single from Willie Landman (St. Lawrence), then added two more in the third on RBI singles from Jack Vallario (Fordham) and John Federico (Bates). After Westhampton closed the gap with three runs in the fifth — including an RBI double from Mikey Brunetti (Bradley), an RBI single by Sprinkle, and a sacrifice fly by Grant Dalton (Lackawanna) — Shelter Island responded with three runs in the sixth.

Billy Fluharty (Bucknell) sparked the Bucks’ offense from the leadoff spot, reaching base twice and stealing two bases to bring his season total to 19.

Andrew Yanez (Queens) took the loss for Westhampton, allowing three runs (two earned) over five innings. The Aviators had eight hits in the game but stranded nine runners and couldn't solve the Shelter Island bullpen.

The Bucks travel to Peconic in their next game on Tuesday night against North Fork, while Westhampton is back at home at the Bridgehampton School against the Sag Harbor Whalers at 3:30 PM on Tuesday.