Sharks Top Schooners 9–6 in Groton for Fifth Straight Win
Jackson Roper rapped three hits, Bryan Sornas delivered a two-run single in a four-run ninth, and the Sharks' staff struck out 13 as Martha's Vineyard erased an early deficit for its fifth consecutive victory.
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Groton, Connecticut - On a warm, humid night along the Connecticut coast — temperatures hanging in the mid-80s at first pitch under partly cloudy skies before easing into the upper 70s — the Martha's Vineyard Sharks shook off a sloppy start, sank the Mystic Schooners 9–6 in front of 243 fans, and pushed their winning streak to five games while improving to 21–5 on the NECBL season.
The Sharks drew first blood in the opening frame when Kevin Hall came around on Jackson Roper's RBI single to left. Mystic answered with two unearned runs in the bottom half, one on a fielder's choice, another when a runner scampered home during a pickoff, and tacked on a third in the second on Camden Righi's RBI single to grab a 3–1 lead.
Martha's Vineyard bit back with three in the third. Bryan Sornas scored on Carter Bentley's single to right, Griffin Crain's sacrifice fly to right brought home Wesley Scott to tie it, and Roper — who finished 3-for-4 with two RBI and a stolen base — beat out an infield single to shortstop to plate Bentley and put the Sharks ahead 4–3, a lead they would never surrender.
From there, the bullpen took over the game. Matthew Heyl (W, 1–0) fired two spotless innings with three strikeouts across the fourth and fifth, and James Beasley followed with three scoreless frames of his own, fanning five. In all, the Sharks' staff punched out 13 Schooners on the night.
Will Shaheen's RBI single to center made it 5–3 in the eighth, and the Sharks put the game away with four in the ninth. Crain scored when Nick Rubino reached on a throwing error by the shortstop, Sornas lined a two-run single down the right-field line to make it 8–3, then swiped second base as Rubino raced home on the play for a 9–3 cushion. Sornas finished with two RBI, two walks, and a steal from the bottom of the order.
Mystic made things briefly interesting in the ninth when a balk brought home one run and an error let two more score, but Jack Volo entered and struck out the only batter he faced to slam the door on the 9–6 final.
The victory ran the Sharks' road record to 10–1 and kept the Island's hot streak rolling into the weekend.
Martha's Vineyard continues its road swing Saturday night in South Kingstown against the Ocean State Waves, with Jake Lodgek expected to take the ball.
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.