Sports

SWR baseball, softball teams look to advance today

ROBERT O'ROURK PHOTO | Shoreham-Wading River senior Mike DiSanti earned the win in relief against Rocky Point.

It took a four-run comeback, extra innings and a walk-off home run for the Shoreham-Wading River baseball team to knock off Rocky Point Friday in the Class A playoffs.

Today, the top-seeded Wildcats take on No. 2 Bayport-Blue Point at 4 p.m. for a chance to advance to the county finals. The winner of today’s game will have two chances to bring home the title in the double elimination tournament.

Shoreham-Wading River ace Mike O’Reilly had an uncharacteristically tough outing against the Eagles as he dealt with a recent ankle injury. O’Reilly will be on full rest for Wednesday, but Shoreham coach Sal Mignano said Tuesday night they’re waiting to see how he feels today before determining whether he pitches. If he doesn’t, the Wildcats will go to senior Dan DeVito, who’s 5-0 this season.

The Wildcats went 2-2 against Bayport this season. Shoreham’s last loss to Bayport was a 1-0 victory for the Phantoms. It was the only loss for O’Reilly in his varsity career.

Junior Mike Farley earned the win that game for Bayport in a complete game two-hitter. Farley, who has a fastball in the 85-88 range along with a curve ball, is 8-0 this season. The right-hander pitched a shutout in the Phantoms’ playoff opener, a 13-0 victory over Miller Place.

Shoreham won the last two games against Bayport. DeVito earned a win in a 13-6 victory April 19.

The loser of today’s game plays Friday in the loser’s bracket against Mount Sinai or Sayville.

On the softball field at Shoreham beginning at the same time, the Wildcats open their playoff run against No. 5 Miller Place. The Wildcats, who ended the season winning six of seven, will face the one team to beat them down the stretch.

The Panthers won 1-0 behind a complete game three-hitter by Jaqueline Gallagher. The Panthers were in the midst of a five-game winning streak at that point, but they closed out the regular season with a pair of losses.

Gallagher has pitched the majority of games for Miller Place this year, although Sabrina Stranksy has been in the mix as well.

The Wildcats will turn to junior Chelsea Hawks, who has pitched nearly every inning for the Wildcats this season.

Be sure to check back tonight for full coverage of both games.