Two of the hottest baseball teams in Suffolk County are right here on the North Fork. Both team are well-equipped to make a deep run in the playoffs, finishing first in their respective divisions and losing just three games between them.
Mattituck (19-1 League VIII) will open the playoffs in a three-game series in the B bracket against No. 4 Port Jefferson. The Tuckers have been dominant all season and should breeze by the Royals in two games.
Port Jefferson (11-9 League IX) actually played in Southold’s division but doesn’t qualify as a C bracket team. The Tuckers didn’t face them during the season but that shouldn’t make a difference.
The first game of the series will be playing at Mattituck High School on Wednesday with the first pitch slated for 4 p.m. The Tuckers’ one loss came at the hands of Babylon, 3-2, towards the end of the season. Should both teams advance, they’ll face off in the Class B championship.
Southold (17-2 League IX) should be considered for the most improved team in Suffolk County. The First Settlers, after going 4-11 last year, put together one of the best seasons in Southold history under the guidance of long-time head coach Mike Carver and earned the No. 1 seed in the C bracket.
Carver called the First Settlers the “most complete team” he’s ever coached. One three-game series against No. 2 Pierson/Bridgehampton (14-6 League IX) between them getting back to the Southeast Regional for the first time in 12 seasons.
The first game isn’t scheduled until May 26 so Southold will have some time to rest up before trying to make a run for a championship.
