Sharks Sink Navigators 5–2 for Third Straight
Nick Barron's go-ahead two-run homer and a combined two-hitter from Ethan Santerre and the bullpen powered Martha's Vineyard to its third consecutive win, a 5–2 road decision over North Shore in Lynn.
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0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 5 | 7 | 0 |
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Lynn, Massachusetts, On a warm, humid late-June evening on the Massachusetts North Shore with temperatures in the low 70s easing into the upper 60s as the night wore on, a light northerly breeze off the water, and a passing drizzle in the area giving way to partly cloudy skies, the Martha's Vineyard Sharks proved once again that there's no safe water anywhere in this league. The Sharks ran their winning streak to three games Friday night, erasing an early deficit to beat the North Shore Navigators 5–2 at Fraser Field in front of 1,311 fans, improving to 13–4 on the NECBL season.
North Shore drew first blood. In the bottom of the first, Michael Brown came around to score on Daniel Leikus's RBI single to right field, staking the Navigators to a 1–0 lead.
That edge held until the fourth, when the Sharks' offense surfaced. With Carter Bentley aboard, Nick Barron turned on a pitch and drove it over the right-field wall for a two-run homer, flipping the score to 2–1, a lead Martha's Vineyard would never surrender.
From there, the story was pitching. Starter Jordan Paradis settled in after the early run, striking out five over three innings of work. Ethan Santerre (W, 2–0) followed with five strong innings, surrendering nothing but a late solo home run while the Sharks' bats steadily built the lead behind him.
Martha's Vineyard tacked on in the seventh. Kevin Hall doubled to left field to bring home James McGee, stretching the margin to 3–1. An inning later, the Sharks broke it open: with two runners aboard, McGee lined an RBI single that plated Carter Bentley and Griffin Crain for a commanding 5–1 cushion.
North Shore got one back in the bottom of the eighth on Jason Bello's solo homer to left, but that was as close as the Navigators would come. Ryan Renfroe slammed the door with a perfect ninth, capped by a strikeout, for his second save of the season.
Barron led the offense with two hits and two RBI, while Hall added two hits, an RBI, and a stolen base. McGee chipped in a hit, an RBI, and a run scored, and Kevin Hall, Griffin Crain, and Carter Bentley combined for three stolen bases to keep the pressure on all night. On the mound, the Sharks' staff was suffocating, holding the Navigators to just two hits while piling up nine strikeouts over a tidy 2-hour, 33-minute game.
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.