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Baseball: Riverhead rally falls short against Hills East

Riverhead staged a four-run rally in the sixth inning, but the Blue Waves fell short en route to an 8-4 loss to Half Hollow Hills East in Suffolk County League VII baseball action in Dix Hills Thursday afternoon.

Right fielder Zach Giannozzi smacked a two-out, bases-loaded triple and center fielder Tommy Powers added a run-scoring single for the Blue Waves (1-6, 1-6).

It was only the second time this season that Hills East allowed four runs in a game.

The Thunderbirds (7-1, 7-1) scored one run in the first inning and two in the second, both times without the benefit of a hit as left-hander D.J. Chandler had trouble finding home plate. He allowed only two hits during his three-and-one-third-inning stint, but walked 11 batters.

Hills East added one run in the third and four runs in the fourth to grab an 8-0 lead.

Riverhead junior righthander David Garcia enjoyed an impressive two-and-two-third-inning relief stint as he worked out of a no-out, bases-loaded jam in the sixth.

Winning pitcher Zack DeCicco struck out five and walked one while allowing three hits and no runs over five innings.

Center fielder Matt Hogan went 1 for 2 with two runs batted in and right fielder Eric Tow was 2 for 2 and two walks with three stolen bases for the Thunderbirds.

On Wednesday, Hills East junior Patch Dooley bedeviled Riverhead with a magnificent performance as he struck out 20 batters while hurling a one-hitter.

The Blue Waves will host Smithtown East on Saturday.