Sharks' Late Power Surge Falls Short in 11-6 Loss at Ocean State
Griffin Crain grand slam and Ty Fredo two-run homer not enough as Waves answer with a five-run fifth
| Final | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | R | H | E |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 6 | 1 |
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0 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 2 | X | 11 | 9 | 3 |
SOUTH KINGSTOWN, R.I. — The Martha's Vineyard Sharks traded haymakers with the Ocean State Waves on Friday night at Old Mountain Field but came up short, 11-6, suffering just their second loss of the season. The Sharks fall to 10-2 and remain atop their division; Ocean State improved to 5-8.
Ocean State set the tone with a four-run second inning, capped by Gavin Marchese's two-run single and an RBI groundout from Blaize Ward. Waves starter Benton Hickman kept the Sharks' bats quiet early, allowing just two hits with five strikeouts over four scoreless frames.
The Sharks answered in a hurry in the top of the fifth. After Nick Rubino reached and Austin Pierzynski and Kevin Hall drew walks, Griffin Crain (Louisville) launched a grand slam to right-center, a four-RBI blast that tied the game at 4-4 and brought Martha's Vineyard all the way back.
Ocean State reclaimed control in the bottom half with a five-run rally of its own, keyed by Charlie Saul's three-run homer to left-center and a pair of bases-loaded walks that pushed the lead to 9-4.
Martha's Vineyard kept fighting. Ty Fredo (Mount St. Mary's) crushed a two-run homer to center field in the seventh, cutting the deficit to 9-6 and giving the visitors a pulse. But the Waves added two insurance runs in the eighth on a Justin Hackett RBI double and a Gray Eubanks single to close out the win.
The bright spot on the mound for the Sharks was Angel Cruz (Northeastern), who was electric out of the bullpen — three scoreless innings without allowing a hit, walking two and striking out one. At the plate, Austin Pierzynski reached base all four times (2-for-2 with two walks) and Kevin Hall swiped two bags.
Hudson Barton earned the win for Ocean State. Madux Iovinelli took the loss for the Sharks, falling to 0-1.
The Sharks head back to the Vineyard to host the Mystic Schooners at the Shark Tank on Saturday night.
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.