Sharks Drop 10-Inning Thriller to Mystic, 8-7, at the Shark Tank
Martha's Vineyard rallies from behind three times before Schooners push across the winner in the 10th
| Final (10) | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | R | H | E |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 8 | 8 | 0 |
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2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 9 | 0 |
OAK BLUFFS, Mass. — In front of 2,869 fans at the Shark Tank, the Martha's Vineyard Sharks went toe-to-toe with the Mystic Schooners for 10 innings on Saturday night before falling 8-7. The Sharks, who erased deficits three separate times, slip to 10-4; Mystic improves to the same 10-4 mark.
Martha's Vineyard came out swinging. After Mystic manufactured a run in the top of the first on a Jack Harley steal of home, the Sharks answered immediately as Carter Bentley laced a two-run double to right field, scoring Jackson Roper and Wesley Scott for a 2-1 lead. Jailen Watkins added an RBI single in the second to push it to 3-1.
The Schooners surged ahead with a three-run fourth, but the Sharks kept clawing back. Bentley's RBI groundout knotted it at 4-4, and after Mystic edged back in front in the sixth, Nick Barron singled home Roper to tie it 5-5.
When Mystic struck for back-to-back home runs from Thomas O'Connell and Anthony Belisario in the seventh to lead 7-5, the Sharks once again refused to fold. Will Hampton delivered a two-run single in the bottom of the inning to even the score at 7-7 and force extra innings.
Mystic finally broke through in the top of the 10th on a Harley RBI single, and the Sharks could not answer in the home half. Reliever Ryan Renfroe absorbed the loss, falling to 0-1.
There was plenty to build on for Martha's Vineyard. Starter Jordan Paradis was sharp, spinning three innings of one-run ball with four strikeouts, and Alex Grant fired two scoreless frames with four strikeouts out of the bullpen. At the plate, Watkins finished 2-for-4 with an RBI, Roper reached twice and swiped two bags, and the Sharks pieced together nine hits and nine walks on the night.
The Sharks return to the Shark Tank on Sunday to host the Bristol Blues.
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.