Sports Notebook: Mariners Earn First League Win

The Southampton varsity baseball team put together what can easily be described as a dynasty in the world of high school sports the past two seasons, winning the League VII, Suffolk County and Long Island Class B championships in both 2009 and 2010 under the guidance of head coach Ike Birdsall.

Unfortunately for the Mariners (1-8 in League VII, 3-8 overall), the loss of ace starting pitcher Chris Pike to graduation last spring along with the bulk of the crackerjack pitching staff has taken a toll on the defending champs.

Southampton entered this past Thursday’s game against East End rival Hampton Bays with an 0-8 record in league play, needing a win to keep its slim playoff hopes alive and this time, the pitching led the way. Colin Buoniello, one of Southampton’s multi-sport standouts, took the mound and didn’t leave the game until the final out was recorded, throwing a complete game in the Mariners 9-2 win over the Baymen at .

Buoniello, a senior, was dealing from the start, baffling Hampton Bays batters every inning on his way to a season-high 13 strikeouts as Southampton posted its first League VII victory. He allowed two walks and just three hits while helping his cause by going 2-for-4 at the plate, including scoring two runs.

Senior second baseman Connor Fitzgerald also had a big two RBI hit for the Mariners, who play at Hampton Bays on Friday before starting a quick two-game series with Mt. Sinai beginning on May 3. All games begin at 4:30 p.m.

Series Notes:

In the opening game of the Hampton Bays three-game series, a 10-2 loss, Southampton sophomore Wyatt Schmidt slugged his first home run of the season. If the Mariners can win game three, it would mark the first winning streak Southampton has had since back-to-back victories over Walt Whitman (non-league on March 25) and Greenport (non-league on April 2).

Softball Teams Staying In Playoff Hunt

Southampton’s varsity softball team picked up a key victory last week, defeating Southold/Greenport 12-3 on the road on April 15. The strong pitching of Ellie Curreri and the instant offense provided by Alina Gaias and Tara Watson was just what the Lady Mariners needed as they improved to 3-5 overall and took sole possession of fifth place in League VII.

Gaias was a perfect 4-for-4 at the plate, slugging a home run and a double while driving in four runs and Watson added three hits in four plate appearances with three runs scored.

Southampton has several important games ahead, including a home field contest against Mercy on Friday and a road game at Pierson/Bridgehampton on May 3.

Pierson/Bridgehampton has been having a stellar season in League VIII, going 5-1, with the team’s most recent league win occurring on April 15 when the Lady Whalers edged Hampton Bays 7-6 before losing three straight league crossover games.

Standout starting pitcher Melanie Stafford has been a strikeout specialist and the Pierson/Bridgehampton offense has been led by Kasey Gilbride, Sami James and Kaci Koehne. The Whalers travel to Mattituck on Friday and host Southampton on May 3.