Port Jefferson baseball's Derek Wonderland helps force deciding Game 3 in Suffolk Class C final
Derek Wonderland of Port Jefferson scores in a five-run first inning during Game 2 of the Suffolk Class C baseball final against Pierson on Wednesday, May 27, 2026, in Selden. Credit: Peter Frutkoff
Port Jefferson’s Derek Wonderland stepped up to the plate for the first at-bat of the game. He delivered a clean bunt, reaching first.
He didn’t realize that when he’d step on the mound to pitch the bottom of the inning, he’d already have a five-run lead. And with Wonderland pitching Wednesday, that proved to be more than enough.
No. 1 Port Jefferson stormed to an 8-0 win over No. 2 Pierson in Game 2 of Suffolk’s Class C championship series Wednesday at Middle Country Athletic Complex. Justin Hildreth’s two-run single was one of seven hits in a five-run first inning.
“I figured we’d score one or two, but it was nice to get the lead,” Wonderland said. “Pitching with a lead is just so much different and so much better.”
Game 3 will begin at 4 p.m. Friday back at Middle Country Athletic Complex. Pierson won Game 1, 4-1, on Tuesday.
Wonderland pitched a complete game, allowing five hits and issuing three walks on 106 pitches. He struck out four and also went 2-for-5 at the plate, scoring two runs.
“Wonderland’s performance is something he’ll end up telling his kids about,” Port Jefferson coach Jesse Rosen said.
Wonderland and shortstop Sam Matvya pointed out how Port Jefferson (14-6) had allowed three runs in the first inning of Game 1, putting them behind early.
“We came out really slow in Game 1,” Matvya said. “We were looking to come out hot, come out ready. I wanted to support the team and get on base any way I can.”
Matvya went 3-for-4 with two runs and two stolen bases. He also made several impressive defensive plays. Chris Diot went 2-for-4 with a double and a run.
Pierson (15-6) nearly scored in the fourth inning, but a group of savvy Port Jefferson parents noticed the runner didn’t step on the plate and began signaling for the throw home.
“We have a group of dads that watch every game and watch every game closely,” Rosen said with a smile.
But it’s onto the next as Port Jefferson seeks its first county title since 2023.
“At the beginning of the year, we expected to be playing Pierson in a three-game series for the county championship,” Rosen said. “Here we are.
“Game 1 didn’t turn out the way we thought Game 1 would turn out, but I can tell you nobody in that dugout or who was on the bus today thought there wasn’t going to be a Game 3.”
Michael Sicoli covers high school sports for Newsday. He graduated from Quinnipiac in 2022 and left with a master’s degree in sports journalism in 2023.
