State baseball semifinals matchups

Five Long Island baseball teams are vying for titles. Two hope to maintain their dominance, while the other three are looking to keep their hot streaks going.

Class AA

WARD MELVILLE (20-5) vs. BALDWINSVILLE (20-4)

at Binghamton Univ., 10 a.m.

The Patriots bring an 11- game winning streak into the state semifinals. Ward Melville won its first Suffolk title with hitting -- including two home runs and seven RBIs by sophomore third baseman Joe Flynn -- and used pitching and small ball to beat Massapequa, 1-0, in the Long Island championship game. The Patriots will have ace Anthony Kay starting in the state semifinal and can back him up with Chris Cepeda and Greg Coman.

"Anthony Kay has won 20 games at Ward Melville and is probably the most accomplished pitcher in Ward Melville history,'' coach Lou Petrucci said.

Class A

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BAYPORT-BLUE PT. (25-0) vs. QUEENSBURY (19-5)

at NYSEG Field, 10 a.m.

The Phantoms are the first Suffolk team to go unbeaten and win the county and Long Island crowns since Whitman in 1979. This will be BBP's first trip to the state semifinals since 2004. BBP has hit only one home run this season but has gotten stellar pitching from Jack Piekos (10-0) and Chris Brewer (8-0). They won each of BBP's five playoff games, and Piekos should be available on three days' rest.

"Our stats won't dazzle anyone,'' coach Jim Moccio said after the Long Island championship game, "but we pitch well and man, do we put pressure on a defense.''

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Class B

WHEATLEY (18-8) vs. CLINTON (19-5)

at Sylvester Field, 10 a.m.

Wheatley won its first Long Island title since 1985, according to coach Paul Paino. The bats of Billy McLean, Andrew Hastings and Lambert Chu and the arm of Matt Rothstein have led the Wildcats all year. "The top and bottom of the lineup have been doing little things that have kept innings going and then the big guys drive in the winning runs,'' Paino said.

Wheatley will have Rothstein, its ace, on the mound Saturday. "He's dominated every game he's pitched in,'' Paino said. "He usually takes care of business.''

Class C

PIERSON/BRIDGEHAMPTON (23-1) vs. SETON CATH. (17-4)

at Hornet Field at Broome Community College, 10 a.m.

The Whalers have won six county championships but have never reached the state final. Colman Vila (9-0) threw a no-hitter in the Long Island championship game and Jake Bennett (7-0) led the team in the Southeast Regional final. Pierson/BH heads into Saturday's state semifinal on a 14-game winning streak.

"We have five pitchers that we use regularly and Jake and Colman lead the way,'' coach Jon Tortorella said. No starting pitcher has been named, but Tortorella said everyone will be available in some capacity.

Class D

SMITHTOWN CH. (16-5) vs. HANCOCK (19-3)

at Colon Field, 10 a.m.

This is the first time Smithtown Christian has reached the state semifinals. Ace Jake DiNozzi won't start the semifinal but will be available in a relief role after throwing 105 pitches in the Southeast Regional final.

"Jake is our captain and leader,'' coach Craig Gorton said. "We look to him to win the big games.''