Hot Shots open playoffs this week

HAMMONTON—The Hammonton Hot Shots began a best-of-three South Jersey South Shore Baseball League (SJSSBL) playoff series on July 22, taking on the Northfield Cardinals.

Hammonton won its final two games of the regular season to finish with a 17-5 record and earn the third seed in the league’s playoffs.

Hosting the Absecon Outlaws on July 15, Hammonton cruised to a 9-3 victory. A five-run rally in the bottom of the sixth inning fueled the win for the Hot Shots, who had take a 4-3 lead in the fifth after trailing 3-1.

Bobby Falese hit a solo home run in the win, and Dan Gavlick continued his strong season with three RBI.

Gino Serechia’s double in the fifth helped Hammonton take the lead for good.

Josh Wagner earned the win, allowing four hits and three unearned runs while walking two and striking out seven. Pete Berenato came on to finish the game for the Hot Shots.

On July 17, Hammonton ended the regular season with an 8-6 win against Egg Harbor Twp.

Gavlick homered to right field, his team-leading fifth, driving in three runs with the blast. John Newman earned the win, tossing 3.1 innings of relief with five strikeouts.

The playoff series against Northfield ended too late for this edition. The winner advances to next week’s semifinals.