Taylor Goes Deep, Sharks Bite Blue Sox 8-2 for Third Straight Win
Jackson Taylor drove in three runs, including a two-run homer in the eighth, while five Sharks pitchers combined to hold Valley to just five hits as Martha's Vineyard extended its 2026 winning streak to three games.
| Final | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | R | H | E |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 8 | 12 | 0 |
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0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 5 | 4 |
Holyoke, MA — Under clear skies on a warm Tuesday that reached 85 degrees in the Pioneer Valley, the Martha's Vineyard Sharks rolled to an 8-2 road victory over the Valley Blue Sox, capturing their third consecutive win of the 2026 season.
Designated hitter Jackson Taylor was the offensive star, going 2-for-4 with a team-high three RBI. His biggest blow came in the eighth inning — a two-run homer to right field that broke the game open and stretched the Sharks' lead to 5-1. Taylor added an RBI single to left center in the ninth as Martha's Vineyard tacked on two more insurance runs.
Leadoff man Griffin Crain set the table all night, going 3-for-4 with a double, a stolen base, and three runs scored. The Sharks' attack was relentlessly balanced: nine different players recorded a hit, six different players drove in a run, and the team finished with 12 hits while playing errorless defense. Ty Fredo and Nick Rubino each contributed sacrifice flies, and Will Shaheen and Carter Bentley delivered back-to-back RBI singles in a two-run fifth that gave the Sharks a lead they never relinquished.
On the mound, it was a true staff effort. Starter Thomas Achey set the tone with two hitless innings and three strikeouts, and the bullpen — Kian Vorster, Jake Lodgek, Timmy Virtudes, and Ryan Gold — carried it home. The five-man combination limited Valley to five hits and two runs while striking out eight. Lodgek and Virtudes were especially sharp, combining for four hitless innings in the middle frames.
Valley's lone bright spots came courtesy of Chris Carson, who drove in both Blue Sox runs on a third-inning fielder's choice and an eighth-inning sacrifice fly. The home side didn't help its own cause, committing four errors that led to two unearned Sharks runs.
The Sharks improved their season-opening surge to three straight wins and head into the next stretch of the NECBL schedule with the bats hot, the bullpen deep, and the gloves spotless.
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.