The South Shore Clippers came out swinging in the opening game of the Hamptons Collegiate Baseball League Semifinals, using a relentless offensive attack and strong pitching to overwhelm the Southampton Breakers 11-4 on Thursday afternoon at Southampton High School.

The Clippers, seeded third, erupted for 11 runs on 12 hits and capitalized on two Breakers errors to seize a 1-0 lead in the best-of-three series. South Shore scored in each of the first three innings and put the game out of reach with a five-run fifth.

Clippers third baseman Ryan Hillery (St. Thomas Aquinas) led the charge, going 3-for-5 with three runs scored and an RBI, while also swiping a base. Right fielder Michael Prisco (Queens) added two hits, two runs, and two RBI, and shortstop Larry Hotaling (Villanova) was the standout in the boxscore for the Clippers as he drove in a game-high four runs, including a key two-run single in the fifth inning.

South Shore wasted little time jumping ahead, scoring one run in the first, three in the second, and two more in the third for a quick 6–2 lead. Starter Kevin Brown (Wesleyan) pitched five gritty innings, allowing four hits and three earned runs while walking seven but limiting the damage with timely outs. Dominic Carleo (Pace) earned the save with four solid innings of relief, striking out four while giving up just one run.

The Breakers, who entered the series as the second seed, struggled to keep pace. Southampton’s best offensive effort came in the first inning when they briefly led 2–1. Sean Sweeney (Binghamton) reached base three times and scored twice. At the same time, infielder Patrick Gozdan (West Chester), outfielder Michael Vilardi (Queens), catcher Brett Walmsley (Delaware), and third baseman Alex Apicella (Rowan College at Gloucester) each drove in a run. However, the Breakers stranded 13 runners on base and could never find the big hit to close the gap.

Southampton starter Andrew Houghton (Cornell) labored through 3.1 innings, surrendering six runs on seven hits and four walks while striking out eight. Reliever Giacomo Travaglia (Fordham) fared no better, allowing five runs (four earned) in just 1.2 innings. Though the Breakers' bullpen stabilized the game over the final four innings, the damage had already been done.

South Shore also showcased their aggression on the basepaths, stealing six bases—two each from Hotaling and Hillery—as they kept the Breakers defense on its heels throughout the contest.

With the victory, the Clippers will look to complete the sweep and punch their ticket to the HCBL Championship Series tomorrow, July 25, at 4:00 PM back at William Floyd High School. Meanwhile, Southampton will aim to bounce back and force a decisive Game 3 on Sunday in their home park.

Live stats and audio from Meridix.com will be provided on the hamptonsbaseball.org front page