Newport's Gonna Need a Bigger Boat: Sharks Reel Off Sixth Straight
Behind a three-run first inning and 12 strikeouts, Martha's Vineyard ran its winning streak to six with a 5–2 takedown of the Gulls.
| Final | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | R | H | E |
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3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 7 | 0 |
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0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 5 | 3 |
Cardines Field — Newport, RI. The Martha's Vineyard Sharks wasted no time Friday night in Newport. Batting first, the Sharks pushed across three runs in the opening inning, never trailed, and rolled to a 5–2 win over the Newport Gulls, their sixth consecutive victory and a 6–1 start to the NECBL season.
Leadoff man Griffin Crain set the tone, reaching base and coming around to score the game's first run after a Newport throwing error. Ty Fredo followed with a sacrifice fly to plate Carter Bentley, and Jackson Roper singled home Will Hampton, aided by a misplay in left field, to make it 3–0 before the Gulls escaped the inning. Bentley doubled down the right-field line in the second and scored on yet another Newport throwing error, stretching the lead to 4–0. Three of those early runs were unearned; the Gulls committed three errors on the night.
Starter Serigne Sarre was steady across six innings, scattering five hits and striking out seven to earn his first win of the year. Newport scratched back with single runs in the third, on a Tristan Salinas RBI double, and the fifth, on a Devan Zirwas RBI single, but never got the tying run to the plate.
Jackson Taylor restored the three-run cushion in the eighth, lining an RBI single to score Hampton for the 5–2 final. From there, Ben Waterman slammed the door, three hitless innings of relief with five strikeouts for his first save. Sharks pitching combined for 12 strikeouts on the evening.
Crain and Roper each collected two hits, Bentley reached base three times with a double and two walks, and Hampton crossed the plate twice. In front of 2,172 fans, Martha's Vineyard finished a crisp 2 hours, 36 minutes and stayed perched near the top of the standings.
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.