Martha's Vineyard Rolls Right Over the Waves, 8–5, for Sixth Straight Win
Wesley Scott homered and rapped three of the Vineyard's four hits, Will Bavaro drove in three, and the Sharks turned ten walks and six stolen bases into their sixth consecutive victory — avenging their only road loss of the summer.
| Final | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | R | H | E |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 4 | 3 |
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0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 5 | 4 |
South Kingstown, Rhode Island - Under clear skies on a postcard Rhode Island evening with temperatures easing from the upper 70s into the low 70s with a light five-to-seven-mile-per-hour breeze, the Martha's Vineyard Sharks walked, ran, and swarmed their way to an 8–5 victory over the Ocean State Waves, stretching their winning streak to six games and improving to 22–5 on the NECBL season.
The box score will raise eyebrows: Martha's Vineyard scored eight runs on just four hits. The Sharks did it the hard way, and the fast way, drawing ten walks, stealing six bases, and pouncing on four Ocean State errors in a game that felt like feeding time from the opening frame.
The frenzy started immediately. Wesley Scott, Jack Kamin, and Will Hampton all crowded the bases in the top of the first, and shortstop Will Bavaro cleared room with a two-run double to left field, scoring Scott and Kamin for a 2–0 lead before the Waves could catch their breath. An inning later, Scott made it 4–0 with one swing, launching a two-run homer to right field that also cashed in Jailen Watkins.
Ocean State bit back in its half of the second when Owen Morgan lined a two-run single to right, trimming the lead to 4–2. Starter Jake Lodgek handled the first two innings before handing off to Kian Vorster, who bridged the third and fourth with two scoreless frames and three strikeouts. Max Farrell's solo homer in the fifth pulled the Waves within 4–3.
Then came the sixth, when the Sharks manufactured two runs without the benefit of a base hit. Bryan Sornas stole second and kept right on running when the throw skipped into center field, and moments later Bavaro swiped third and raced home on a catcher's error. Just like that, 6–3. Ocean State answered with two unearned runs of its own in the bottom half. The teams combined for seven errors on the night, to squeeze it back to a one-run game at 6–5.
Martha's Vineyard restored order in the seventh. Hampton dashed home on a wild pitch, and Bavaro, who finished with a team-high three RBI, plated Rylen Stockton with a groundout to set the 8–5 final. Hampton and Watkins swiped two bags apiece to pace the running game.
Alex Grant (W, 3–0) worked three innings of relief to earn the win, and Angel Cruz was untouchable at the finish, setting down all six batters he faced with two strikeouts across the eighth and ninth to lock up his first save of the summer.
The win carried extra teeth. The Waves handed the Sharks their only road loss of the season on this very field back on June 19; Martha's Vineyard has now won 11 of 12 games away from the Island and six in a row overall.
The Sharks return home to the Shark Tank tonight, Sunday, July 12, to host the Danbury Westerners at 7:05 PM.
Six straight and counting. If the rest of the league wants to slow this school of Sharks down, they're gonna need a bigger boat.
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.