Sharks Pull Away Late, Top Bristol 7-4 on the Road
BRISTOL, Conn. — Nick Rubino drove in three runs and the Martha's Vineyard Sharks turned a tie game into a comfortable win, pulling away with late rallies to beat the Bristol Blues 7-4 at Muzzy Field on Sunday. The win improved the Sharks to 2-1 and dropped Bristol to 3-1.
| Final | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | R | H | E |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 7 | 10 | 2 |
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1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 5 | 2 |
Martha's Vineyard jumped in front in the first inning, when Ryan Thompson laced a two-run double to right field to score Kevin Hall and Ty Fredo for a quick 2-0 lead. Bristol answered with a run in the bottom of the first and another in the third, the second unearned, to even the game at 2-2.
From there, the Sharks gradually took control. Rubino put them back ahead in the fifth with an RBI single that scored James McGee, then helped break the game open in the seventh: he drove in another run, McGee came around to score on a passed ball, and a 2-2 game became a 5-2 cushion.
The Sharks tacked on two more in the ninth, McGee's RBI fielder's choice plated Hall, and Rubino capped his day with a run-scoring groundout, to stretch the lead to 7-2. Bristol made things interesting in the home half, as Colin Crowley delivered a two-run single, but the rally stalled there.
Rubino led the offense, going 2-for-4 with three RBI, while Thompson added two hits and two RBI. McGee reached base three times, scored twice and doubled, and Fredo chipped in two hits and a pair of runs. Kevin Hall set the table atop the order, drawing two walks and scoring twice. In all, Martha's Vineyard racked up 10 hits and made Bristol pay for its defense, pushing across four unearned runs.
On the mound, starter Walker Brodt earned the win, holding Bristol to one earned run over four innings while striking out four. Ethan Santerre and James Beasley followed with four scoreless innings of relief, and after the Blues scratched across two in the ninth, Warner Gearhart entered to record the final out for his first save. The Sharks' defense backed the staff with two double plays.
About the Martha's Vineyard Sharks
The Martha's Vineyard Sharks are a member of the New England Collegiate Baseball League (NECBL), providing top collegiate talent with a platform to develop and entertain fans across the region. The MV Sharks Baseball Foundation, Inc., a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, is dedicated to promoting baseball on Martha's Vineyard. We are currently seeking support to improve our baseball field at The Shark Tank, enhancing facilities for players, fans, and the community. The total estimated cost for these upgrades is $520,000, and as of today, we have secured commitments totaling $200,000. If interested, your donation will help bridge this gap, directly contributing to better playing conditions, safety features, and accessibility, ensuring the Martha's Vineyard Sharks continue to thrive as a beacon of youth development and local pride. Donate here today via our secure online form at mvsharks.com/donate (powered by MxMerchant for seamless, tax-receipted giving), or email/call Russ Curran at russ.curran@mvsharks.com / 508-813-0380. Every gift, no matter the size, makes a difference and qualifies for tax benefits.