The Trusted Home of Amateur Baseball on Long Island – From Travel through College

search icon
advertise with us

News

Shelter Island Captures First HCBL Title Since 2015

by Chris Sacchi

As the great Yogi Berra once said (among many other things,) “it’s like Deja Vu all over again.” 

With the Hamptons Collegiate League championship coming between the number one Southampton Breakers and the number two Shelter Island Bucks, Yogi’s saying seems to ring true after the two clashed in 2024. And while Southampton came up victorious last time, it was Shelter Island who won it 6-5 on Sunday night, and delivered a title in round two. 

“We lost here in Southampton last time,” championship game MVP JD Stemhagen (Dickinson) said. “So it feels great. I can’t wait to text the kids from that 2024 team and get in contact with them.” 

Despite a brand-new playoff format that included all six teams and single-elimination, Sunday’s championship matchup featured the two best teams in the league throughout all of 2026. Yet their paths to the finals couldn’t be more different. 

Southampton lead the league in batting average (.302,) runs (211) home runs (22) and a host of other offensive categories. Meanwhile, Shelter Island endured an eight game losing streak, but never gave up. 

“They all had one common goal,” head coach Andy Concepcion said. “Day one we met and said we’re going to win the summer championship. For Mr. Cass (GM Brian Cass) and Shelter Island, and we did it, so it was pretty awesome.” 

Entering the final game today, a matchup of Evan Kay (Cortland) and Danny Kerr (transfer portal) looked to start out as a pitchers duel. Both righties cruised through the first two innings to keep things scoreless. Sam Ametrano (Quinnipac) highlighted the early defense with a phenomenal catch in deep center field to prevent extra bases, setting the tone for a whatever-it-takes approach to this championship match. 

“He’s an elite competitor. He’s a great kid,” coach Concepcion said of his center fielder Ametrano. “Quinnipiac hopefully knows what they’re getting with him.” 

Then, in the bottom of the third, MVP candidate Chase Jones (West Chester University) put his stamp on a spectacular season, opening up the scoring with a three run shot that sailed over the left field wall. Southampton’s powerful offense got just what it needed to put themselves ahead 3-0 after three innings. 

However, Shelter Island showed more grit and intensity by storming back to take a 4-3 lead in the ensuing top of the 4th. Sam Bradford (U Mass Dartmouth) hustled out an infield single for an RBI, and then stole second, allowing David Swift (Bates) to score on the throw down. Then, Stemhagen scored Bradford with an RBI single, and Ben Prince (U Maine) scored Jack Pitman (Bently) to finish the 4th inning barrage and give Shelter Island a 4-3 lead. 

The Bucks were able to extend that lead to 6-3 in the sixth inning. Ametrano plated Stemhagen on a single, and Noah Heath (Rider) joined the RBI party by scoring George Proffitt (St. Lawrence.) 

In between the two scoring outbursts, Danny Kerr dominated. He racked up 5 strikeouts, and went scoreless for the final 4 innings after the Jones home run. The righty hurler finished with 7 innings thrown and 104 pitches. 

“Fun day,” Kerr said. “Very excited, came out on top, and I’m very happy. Didn’t have my best stuff, but battled and did enough.” 

Once Kerr was pulled, Southampton’s juiceful offense had one more rally to try and re-take the lead. With two outs, Aidan Colasante (Harvard) delivered one of the most clutch hits of the year, scoring Nick Slogik (Rowan) with a hit into left field. The two-out magic continued with Hector Francia (St. John’s) scoring both Colasante and Luke Ciminiello (Stony Brook) on his own single into left. 

Despite the shaky 8th inning, Concepcion stuck with Sam Lowenstein (Colby) with the championship on the line. Shelter Island was rewarded with a 1-2-3 ninth, and the final 1-3 groundout coming to Lowenstien before the picturesque celebration and dog pile. 

“From day one, we never changed,” said Concepcion. “We lost eight in a row, we never stopped believing. Our ultimate goal was to win this championship.” 

League President Sandi Kruel helped reflect on this standout year for the HCBL.

“It’s great to see Shelter Island come in and win it. They do a lot for us at the HCBL, and I’m so happy they won after a championship layoff,” said Kruel. “Thank you fans, thank you host families, thank you bat boys, our sponsors, and many others, you are what make the HCBL.” 

More information on how to support the HCBL can be found online at 

https://hamptonsleague.com.