Sharks Sweep Doubleheader for Their Seventh and Eighth Straight Wins

The Shark Tank — Oak Bluffs, MA. Under clear early-summer skies, with temperatures topping out near 78°F and barely a 10% chance of rain, conditions were picture-perfect for baseball on the Vineyard.

The Martha's Vineyard Sharks needed just one afternoon to remind the New England Collegiate Baseball League why they sit near the top of the standings. Hosting the Upper Valley Nighthawks for a doubleheader at The Shark Tank, the Sharks swept both ends, taking the opener 7–4 and the nightcap 9–5, to push their winning streak to eight games and improve to 8–1 on the season. Wins number seven and eight came in front of a combined crowd of nearly 2,500 fans.

In the opener, the Sharks struck first, pushing across three unearned runs in the opening inning after Will Bavaro reached on an error. Upper Valley clawed one back in the fourth on a Charley Magoulick sacrifice fly, but Martha's Vineyard blew the game open with a four-run fifth: Jaylen Hernandez was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded to bring home Kevin Hall, a Nighthawks throwing error plated two more, and the rally was capped when Griffin Crain stole home. Starter Thomas Achey (1–0) was the difference on the mound, working four strong innings and allowing a lone unearned run while striking out five. Timmy Virtudes followed with two scoreless frames and three more strikeouts. Upper Valley got a two-run Cameron Boardman home run in the seventh, but it was too little, too late. Remarkably, the Sharks managed just three hits all game, Kevin Hall doubled and went 2-for-4, yet manufactured seven runs by drawing six walks and pouncing on three Nighthawks errors.

The nightcap was all Martha's Vineyard at the plate. After Upper Valley grabbed an early 1–0 lead, the Sharks answered with a three-run bottom of the second — highlighted by Griffin Crain's two-run single — and then broke it wide open with a five-run third, with Crain delivering yet another two-run single. Ryan Thompson tacked on a solo home run in the fourth to make it 9–1. Crain finished 2-for-4 with four RBI, Thompson went 2-for-4 with two runs scored and the long ball, and the Sharks pounded out nine hits. Jake Lodgek set the tone on the mound with two no-hit innings and four strikeouts, and a deep bullpen effort held the Nighthawks to just three hits on the night. Late runs in the fifth and sixth trimmed the final to 9–5, but the outcome was never in question.

Eight in a row, and the Sharks show no signs of slowing down. For visiting clubs, the waters at The Shark Tank have rarely looked less inviting.

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.