by Chris Sacchi<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

Despite a weekend with some of the hottest temperatures since 2003, every team in the Hamptons League can\u2019t afford to lose intensity with the playoffs starting on Wednesday and seeding still to be determined.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

In a chase for the number one seed, the Westhampton Aviators took down the Southampton Breakers 6-2 in a heat shortened game through 5 and a half innings.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Aviators southpaw starter <\/span>Ryan Smith <\/b>was taken out in the first inning, but not due to ineffectiveness. After getting the first two outs, Breakers first baseman <\/span>Gerard Sweeney <\/b>hit a bullet up the middle that ricocheted off Smith\u2019s right leg. Smith looked fine initially, breaking towards the ball that was rolling towards third base, and making a throw to first that Sweeny beat out.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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Smith then paced around the mound and flexed his leg multiple times. After one warmup toss, he shook his head and told his coaching staff he couldn\u2019t continue.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Right hand pitcher <\/span>Ryan Toran <\/b>replaced Smith, and allowed a single into right field to Southampton\u2019s <\/span>Justice Thompson <\/b>that allowed Sweeny to race over to third.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

With first and third and two out, catcher <\/span>Kyle Lagrutta <\/b>hit a dribbled foul down the first base line. However, the ball had so much topspin that it rolled back into fair territory near first, and Aviators first baseman <\/span>Sean O\u2019Keefe <\/b>picked it up for an unorthodox third out and a 3-unassisted in the scorebook.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

In the home first, Westhampton seemed determined to get off to a good start, having to win out for the rest of the regular season for a chance at the top seed.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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Dan Franchi<\/strong>, with two hits shy of the Aviators record 54 in a season, hit the first pitch he saw from Breakers right-hand starter <\/span>Peyton Maple <\/b>into left field for a single.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

On Maple\u2019s second pitch, All-Star <\/span>Eric Callahan <\/b>roped a single into right. Fellow All-Star <\/span>Chaney Dodge <\/b>then walked, and All-Star <\/span>Bailey Peterson, <\/b>the last of four All-Stars atop the Westhampton order, was hit by a pitch to score the first run.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Catcher <\/span>Johnny Puchullio <\/b>then singled to score a run, and outfield <\/span>Frankie Gomez <\/b>singled two batters later to make it a 4-0 game with only one out. After <\/span>Franchi <\/b>struck out looking, his brother Dan added his second hit of the day and his first two RBI to give his team a 6-0 lead after one inning.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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Some records today for the @WHAviators<\/a> in a 6-2 win over the @SH_Breakers<\/a>; the all time Aviators mark for wins in a season, and @hamptoncoffee<\/a> player of the game Dan Franchi tying the Aviators record for hits in a season with 54. Franchi speaks with @SachChristopher<\/a> postgame. pic.twitter.com\/b3p3Aus7eL<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Axcess Baseball LI (@axcessbaseball) July 21, 2019<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n