Sharks Sink Mountaineers 7–1 for Fifth Straight Win

The Shark Tank — Oak Bluffs, MA. On a mild, partly cloudy island evening with temperatures hovering near 70 degrees and barely a hint of rain in the air, the water at The Shark Tank proved anything but safe for visitors. The Martha's Vineyard Sharks devoured the Vermont Mountaineers 7–1 on Thursday night, running their winning streak to five games and improving to 5–1 on the young NECBL season.

Starter Jordan Paradis set the tone, carving up Vermont with four scoreless innings of one-hit ball, striking out four and walking one on an efficient 50 pitches. Vermont's Luke Deschenes matched zeros early, holding the Sharks hitless through three, but the home side smelled blood once the bullpens took over.

The first bite came in the fifth. With Will Bavaro and Will Shaheen aboard, Jackson Taylor laced a two-run double to put the Sharks up 2–0. Taylor was cut down trying to stretch the hit into a triple, but the damage was done.

The sixth was a full feeding frenzy. Shaheen lined an RBI single to center to score Jack Kamin, Bavaro followed with a two-run single up the middle to plate Shaheen and Austin Pierzynski, and Griffin Crain scampered home on a wild pitch during Kevin Hall's walk. Four runs later, Martha's Vineyard led 6–0, with all four scoring on two-out-style hustle, patient at-bats, and pressure on the bases.

Vermont's lone counterpunch came in the seventh, when Nick Mullen ripped an RBI double to left to score Bryce Rudisill. The Sharks answered immediately in the bottom half, as Madux Iovinelli trotted home on a balk to restore the six-run cushion at 7–1.

From there, the bullpen circled and closed. Michael Devenney tossed two sharp innings with two strikeouts, and Scott Longo, Landon O'Donnell, and Warner Gearhart finished the job as the staff scattered four hits and punched out nine. The Sharks played errorless defense behind them, with Bavaro and Shaheen teaming up to turn a double play.

The offense was as opportunistic as it was relentless: seven runs on seven hits, fueled by seven walks, four stolen bases (Crain, Bavaro, Hall, and Kamin), and a Vermont staff that unraveled with four wild pitches, two balks, and a hit batsman. Bavaro finished 2-for-3 with two walks, two RBI, a run, and a steal; Shaheen went 2-for-4 with two runs and an RBI; Taylor added his two-run double and reached twice more by walk.

The win, completed in a crisp 2 hours and 59 minutes, dropped the Mountaineers to 2–4 while the Sharks keep circling at 5–1.

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.