Waves eliminated from playoff contention with 7-3 loss to Colts

Following every loss, each member of the Riverhead Blue Waves baseball team is mandated a home run lap for every point the team lost by. The four laps following Friday afternoon’s 7-3 loss to Half Hollow Hills West were just a little tougher as each player rounded the bases completely deflated, unable to keep their chin up.

The loss eliminated the Blue Waves from playoff contention as they lost their ninth game of the season.

“I’m not disappointed in the effort,” said Riverhead head coach Rob Maccone, “just disappointed in the result.”

“We played hard and just missed out on a couple chances,” said Maccone.

Riverhead (8-9 League IV, 9-10 overall) was held scoreless until the bottom of the fourth inning when Ryan Gaffney connected on a long two-run home run that reached the dirt track surrounding the Pulaski Complex.

Though opportunities would come for the innings to follow, the Blue Waves were unable to capitalize as they grounded into double plays two different times with runners on first and second and no outs.

Josh Brewster got the start for the Blue Waves and pitched four and two-thirds innings giving up five runs.

Jesse Patriss batted 1-for-3 with a walk. Cody Smith hit 2-for-4 with two singles.

Reflecting on the year, Maccone can’t help but think that the season should not have come down to the final series anyway.

“If you take back that game in Centereach that we should have won, that game in North Babylon, the one in Newfield, all those games we should have won,” said Maccone. “If we pull those games out like we’re capable of, we wouldn’t have to be in this position.”

“You have to seize the moment,” Maccone said. “It doesn’t apply in just baseball. Seizing the moment is a life lesson.”

The final game of the season will be played tomorrow in Dix Hills at 3 p.m. Even though the Blue Waves have been eliminated there is still something to play for Maccone says.

“Pride,” he said. “We can still finish the season at 9-9 which is still very respectable.”

Starting in Friday’s lineup were all underclassmen, which leaves some optimism for next year.

“They’ve been really hitting and fielding the ball the best,” said Maccone. “They have actually been starting for the past two to three weeks.”

Playoffs or not, Maccone is still proud of his team.

“There were days that we looked like the best team in the conference,” he said. “We just didn’t come together every day like we needed to. You have to give it your all everyday and gain a sense of consistency.”

RiverheadLOCAL photos by Kyle Breitenbach
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RiverheadLOCAL photos by Emil Breitenbach Jr.
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