Sharks Devour Ninth Straight, 6–5
Nick Rubino's two-RBI night and a shutdown bullpen powered Martha's Vineyard past the Danbury Westerners, pushing the Sharks' winning streak to nine.
| Final | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | R | H | E |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 10 | 1 |
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3 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | X | 6 | 9 | 1 |
Oak Bluffs, MA. Under partly cloudy skies and a comfortable game-time temperature in the upper 60s, the Martha's Vineyard Sharks reeled in their ninth consecutive victory, holding off a late Danbury Westerners rally to win a 6–5 thriller in front of 1,901 fans at The Shark Tank.
The Sharks came out hunting from the opening pitch. In the bottom of the first, Ty Fredo laced a two-RBI single to left field to bring home Will Hampton and Carter Bentley, and Jackson Taylor followed with an RBI single to center to plate Jaylen Hernandez, staking Martha's Vineyard to a quick 3–0 lead.
Danbury bit back in the second, stringing together three runs to even the score. Michael Delph's RBI single drove in Collin Mowry, a throwing error allowed Ronan Donohue to come around, and Delph later scampered home on a stolen base to knot the game at 3–3.
The Sharks surged back ahead in the third. Nick Rubino singled home Jackson Taylor, and Kevin Hall delivered an RBI single to score Rubino, opening up a 5–3 cushion.
From there, the bullpen took over. James Beasley fired three scoreless innings with four strikeouts, and Ethan Santerre struck out five over three frames to pick up the win and improve to 2–0. Rubino tacked on a much-needed insurance run in the seventh, dropping his second RBI single of the night to bring in Jack Kamin.
Danbury refused to go quietly, chipping in a run in the seventh on Kyle Garbowski's RBI single and another in the eighth on a balk to climb within 6–5. But Ryan Renfroe slammed the door in the ninth, stranding the tying run and striking out two, to lock down his first save of the season.
Rubino led the way at the plate, going 2-for-3 with two RBI and a run scored. Hall added two hits, an RBI and a stolen base, while Fredo's first-inning blow drove in two. On the mound, Sharks pitching was overpowering, combining for 13 strikeouts on the night.
With the win, the Sharks improve to 9–1.
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.