Lefty flamethrower Palmer O’Beirne was magnificent on Tuesday afternoon, striking out 13 batters and surrendering only three hits over six and two-thirds innings and Chris Segreti blasted a fifth inning home run to help lead the Huntington baseball team past visiting Half Hollow Hills East, 7-1.
O’Beirne brought some serious heat to the mound, which helped keep the Blue Devils even through the scoreless early innings. Huntington went ahead with two runs in the fourth inning and then added another two in the fifth inning. The Blue Devils blew the game wide open with three sixth inning runs, including a long homerun by Kyle Colleluori, who went three-for-four in the game with three runs batted in and two runs scored.
Alex Gonzalez banged out a hit and scored a run. Jaden Italiano and Robby Harrington also collected hits in the game. Dylan Schnitzer and Alex Bellissimo also scored runs.
O’Beirne was masterful, throwing 17 first pitch strikes. He also singled, walked and scored a run.
Aidan Bender came on in relief to get the final out of the game. Huntington improved to 2-1 on the season with the victory, which brought smiles to the faces of the players as well as coaches Billy Harris and Rob Cappas.
The game drew about 75 fans to the Huntington diamond. The crowd saw Colleluori, Gonzalez and Italiano all notch doubles. Bellissimo and Schnitzer were both hit by pitches. Gonzalez and Segreti each stole a base.
The game marked Huntington’s second straight victory. The Blue Devils rallied for a 6-4 win over Northport last Saturday afternoon. Trailing 4-2 in the top of the seventh inning, Huntington staged a spectacular rally, scoring four runs to take the lead on a two run single by Schnitzer, who had two hits in the game. Segreti had four hits on the day, including singles in the first, fifth and seventh innings and a third inning double. He also scored three runs and drove in another.
Colleluori tossed a complete game victory, surrendering seven hits and no earned runs. He walked one batter and struck out six. He also drove in a run at the plate. O’Beirne went two-for-three and Zach Gordon had two hits and two runs batted in. Huntington had 11 hits in the game.
Huntington has one of its best baseball teams in years. The Blue Devils go into every game thinking they are going to win. “We are taking it one game at a time,” Harris said.
