Sharks Detonate for 17 Runs, Sink Ocean State for Fourth Straight

Oak Bluffs, MA - It was a flawless island evening for a feeding frenzy — clear skies, 73 degrees at the 7:05 first pitch, and a gentle southwest breeze off the Sound after an 79-degree afternoon. A crowd of 2,367 packed the Shark Tank, and by the time the sun was down the Sharks had turned a summer Friday into a demolition, hammering the Ocean State Waves 17–6 to run their winning streak to four and improve to 26–7 on the NECBL season.

The tone was set before Ocean State could catch its breath. In the bottom of the first, Carter Bentley swiped second — and while the Waves were watching him, Kevin Hall broke from third and stole home. One pitch of chaos, 1–0 Sharks, and the night belonged to Hall from there.

Ocean State answered in the second on Charlie Saul's RBI double, but the Sharks responded with a four-spot in their half of the inning. Bentley punched a two-run single up the middle, and Nick Rubino followed with a two-run single to right field to make it 5–1.

Hall struck again in the third, driving a two-run homer over the center field wall to push the lead to 7–1. The Waves scratched out single runs in the fourth and fifth — one on a wild pitch, one on a Sharks error — but Martha's Vineyard answered right back in the fifth when Wesley Scott singled to left to plate Mason Scott.

The sixth was the knockout. Five runs crossed the plate as Austin Pierzynski doubled to right, Jailen Watkins singled home a run, Hall doubled in another and came around on an error, and Wesley Scott reached on an error to bring in the fifth. Ocean State's infield unraveled, and the lead ballooned to 13–3.

Hall put the exclamation point on it in the seventh, launching a three-run homer to right center — his second of the night, his fifth and sixth RBI — for a 17–3 advantage. The final line for the center fielder: 4-for-5, five runs scored, six RBI, two home runs, two doubles and a stolen base.

He had plenty of company. Bentley went 3-for-4 with two RBI and two walks. Rubino was 3-for-5 with two RBI, a double and a triple. Watkins reached base four times, scored four runs and drove in a run. All told, the Sharks collected 17 hits and drew nine walks, with 13 RBI spread across six different hitters.

On the mound, Scott Longo opened with three innings of one-run ball, and Ethan Santerre earned the win with two scoreless innings of one-hit, three-strikeout relief to move to 4–0. Alex Grant and Leo Colena closed it out. Five Sharks pitchers combined for nine strikeouts.

Ocean State picked up late runs on Saul's eighth-inning home run, a Zach Plasschaert RBI single and a ninth-inning sacrifice fly, but the outcome was never in question. Grant Wren took the loss for the Waves, who fell to 11–23.

The Sharks head back out on the road Saturday.

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.