A Perfect Engine: Down to Their Last Out, Sharks Outlast Newport 5–4 in 10 for Second Straight Win
Austin Pierzynski went 3-for-4 with three RBI — the last on the go-ahead sacrifice fly in the tenth — after Nick Barron and Will Hampton laced back-to-back two-out doubles in the ninth to pull Martha's Vineyard even.
| Final (10) | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | R | H | E |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 5 | 12 | 0 |
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0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 10 | 0 |
Newport, RI - In Jaws, Matt Hooper describes the shark as "a perfect engine, an eating machine," a creature that simply never stops moving. On a warm Newport evening that slid from the low 80s toward the mid-70s under gathering clouds, with a light westerly breeze drifting across Cardines Field, the Martha's Vineyard Sharks spent ten innings proving his point. Down to their final out and trailing by a run in the ninth, the Sharks kept swimming — rallying to tie on back-to-back doubles, then winning it in the tenth, 5–4, for their second straight victory and a 24–7 mark on the NECBL summer.
The win carried a little extra bite. Two nights after the Gulls escaped the Shark Tank with their first victory over Martha's Vineyard this season, the Sharks crossed the water and returned the favor in Newport's own harbor, taking the season series four games to one and running their road record to a gaudy 12–1.
The visitors drew first blood in the opening frame, when Griffin Crain came around to score on Will Hampton's sacrifice fly to center. They doubled the pressure in the third: with Hampton and Nick Rubino aboard, Austin Pierzynski ripped a double down the left-field line to bring both home and make it 3–0.
The way Ryan Gold was pitching, that felt like plenty. Gold was electric across six innings, striking out 11 Gulls while scattering six hits, the only blemish a fourth-inning RBI single by Tristan Salinas. He pounded the zone with 70 strikes on 103 pitches and handed the bullpen a 3–1 lead.
Newport's seventh changed the night. Colby Wallace tripled to right-center to bring home two runs and tie the game, and Ryan Jaros followed with an RBI single to nudge the Gulls in front, 4–3. James Beasley steadied things from there, carrying the game scoreless into the ninth — and setting the stage for the theatrics.
Reliever John Mass struck out Crain and retired Jackson Roper on a fly ball to open the ninth, leaving Martha's Vineyard down to its last out with the bases empty. Nick Barron refused to let the night end there, battling to a 2-2 count and lacing a double down the right-field line. Will Hampton worked to 2-2 himself, then doubled to right, and Carter Bentley, who was pitch running for Nick Barron, came racing home to tie it at 4.
Newport nearly walked it off in the bottom half. Caeden Cloud led off with a double, planting the winning run in scoring position with nobody out. Braxton Tramel lined out to right, and Ryan Renfroe took over on the mound. After hitting Colby Wallace, Renfroe got Ryan Novak on a fly ball to right and struck out Ryan Jaros swinging to strand the winning run at second.
In the tenth, Pierzynski finished what he started, lifting a sacrifice fly to center that brought Jack Kamin home with the go-ahead run. Renfroe handled the rest, striking out the side in the bottom of the inning to slam the door. The Sharks' closer faced six batters, allowed no hits, and struck out four across 1.2 innings to earn the win. Kyler Zagar took the loss for Newport.
Martha's Vineyard finished with 12 hits — four of them doubles, off the bats of Barron, Hampton, Pierzynski, and Jailen Watkins — played errorless baseball, and turned two double plays behind a staff that piled up 16 strikeouts. Will Bavaro chipped in two hits, and James McGee swiped a bag.
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.