by Chris Sacchi
In a 2-0 walkoff @RHTomcats victory over the Shelter Island Bucks in the @HamptonsLeague, Bobby Vath earns the postgame interview by firing a no hitter in the W. He talks to @SachChristopher about the no-no and the game plan that went into it, presented by @hamptoncoffee pic.twitter.com/fYpfaOIVdb
— Axcess Baseball LI (@axcessbaseball) July 8, 2019
In the words of the late Great Hall of Fame player Ernie Banks, “let’s play two!” The Riverhead Tomcats and Shelter Island Bucks did just that, and one player put himself in the history books.
Game one featured a pair of right hand starters that absolutely controlled the game. Bobby Vath took the mound for Riverhead, and Quinten Cooleen started opposite him for Shelter Island.
Vath, who is set to transfer from University of Rhode Island to New York Tech, came into the game as one of the most effective pitchers in the league.
In 25.2 innings, Vath had only allowed two earned runs in seven appearances and five starts. He continued his fine season by setting down the Bucks in order in the top of the first, with the ball never leaving the infield (P4, 5-3, 6-3.)
Cooleen, entering his sophomore season at the University of Albany, was coming off a rough start against Southampton his last time out: 2.1 innings pitched and five earned runs in a loss.
The 6-4 righty has an exceptionally smooth delivery, looking a lot like Zack Grienke’s motion. He set down the Tomcats in order in the bottom of the first.
Jackson Kaplowitz was the game’s first base runner when he was hit by an 0-2 Vath curveball that was trying to find the inside corner. Vath complained to the home plate umpire that Kaplowitz did not make any effort to avoid the pitch, which was the case, but after some discussion between umpires and the Riverhead manager, Kaplowitz was given first base.
Kaplowitz would go on to steal second but was stranded there, as the following three hitters were retired.
Riverhead also got their first base runner without a hit, as Bryce Wallace worked the count from 0-2 to then draw the free pass. He was also left on the bases with no further trouble.
Larson Fontenot was also hit by a pitch in the top of the third, but was quickly erased trying to steal second on a laser throw by Tomcats catcher Andrew Hernandez to end the inning.
Riverhead got three runners aboard in the bottom of the third, but Brian Morrell was caught stealing after a leadoff single to left, the first hit of the game for either team. Isiah Payton then walked, Robert Gallagher popped up to second, and Jason Coules was hit by pitch. With two on and two out, Bryce Willits gave one a ride to left, but it was caught just short of the fence for the third out. After three, still no score.
Logan Steenstra led off the fourth for Shelter Island with what looked like a routine 6-3. Instead, Payton allowed the ball to through his legs for an E6. While most players would stop T
first, Steenstrs hustled into second with the a headfirst slide after the ball was not picked up quickly in the outfield.
With a runner in scoring position and no outs, Vath needed to bear down to prevent the game’s first run. He ended up receiving great help from his defensive.
Bucks catcher Dylan Judd hit a shot towards short right field, and Steenstra was looking to score on what looked like a sure base hit between the second baseman Willits and right fielder Jared Greene.
Willits played the ball like a wide receiver in football though, making a fabulous over the shoulder catch running into right field, and firing the ball to second to double off Steenstra.
Now with bases empty and two outs, Vath had a new sense of confidence and struck out Kaplowitz to end the inning. Shelter Island was still held without their first hit.
In the top of the fifth, the Bucks’ Bryce Daniel reached on an E1 from Bobby Vath, but Matt Jenkins followed with a strikeout to end the frame.
Isiah Payton and Robert Gallagher drew back to back two-out walks in the bottom of the fifth, but the game remained scoreless after Cooleen struck out Jason Coules. While Bobby Vath has a new hitter going, the smooth throwing Quinten Cooleen was also scoreless through five.
Let’s get to the bottom of the seventh, where the action truly kicked off. Since double headers are seven inning games, this only one run was needed to win. Andrew Hernandez started things off with a leadoff double on the first pitch.
The next hitter was Brian Morrell, playing in his third game since entering the league from the prestigious Northwoods Collegiate League Morrell was also first pitch swinging, and sent a long shot out to left field that easily cleared the fence to deliver Riverhead a game one victory.
Oh, and Bobby Vath did complete the no-hitter, the first ever in Riverhead Tomcats history, and the first in the Hamptons League since Chase Phelps for the North Fork Ospreys in 2017.
Together with the walk off, game one was celebratory 2-0 win for the Tomcats.
Game Two was a more modest 6-1 victory for Riverhead as they swept the double header.
Bryce Willits was the offensive key, with two doubles, two RBI, and two runs scored. Jason Coules had two runs and two hits, Robert Gallagher had two walks, included one with the bases loaded for an RBI. Jared Greene and Brian Morrell both drove in a run apiece. Bryce Wallace and Markell Graham both scored, and Noah Centeno went 2 for 3.
Coleton Reitan got the win for Riverhead, while lefty Tom Ippolito took the loss. Eddie Satisky scores the only run for Shelter Island after a leadoff double, driven in by Brandon Smith.
Closer Joshua Becker continued his strong season, nailing down his sixth save, still scoreless in 18 innings and 11 games with 22 strikeouts.
