Bombs Burst in USA Win over Sharks
June 26, 2012 - Coastal Plain League (Coastal Plain)
Wilmington Sharks News Release
Wilmington, N.C. - If the first inning didn't count, the Wilmington Sharks (0-1) and the USA Baseball Collegiate National Team (2-0) may still be playing. Instead, the Nationals came out of Buck Hardee Field with a 7-4 victory, their second straight win over a Coastal Plain League foe.
A pair of walks issued by Tim Keller opened the game, and when Kris Bryant launched a rocket over the right center field wall it looked like it could be a long night for the Sharks. Instead, the bullpen came on and seven other pitchers allowed just four more runs through the final eight innings of play against some of the best summer collegiate players in the country.
Aaron Hoover, Chris Thomas and Ryne Frankoff posted zeroes until Frankoff came out for his second inning of work, in the fifth of the game, and surrendered two more runs.
Justin Livengood put ones across the board, allowing an earned run, a hit and a walk with one strikeout in his only inning of work before giving way to Wes Hatley and Nick Bruns, who each fanned two batters in their single frames.
Leading off the bottom of the seventh, Connor Mitchell came up for his first at bat in a Sharks uniform after reporting to Wilmington earlier in the day. Though it won't count on the official statistics due to the game being an exhibition, he finished his night 2-for-2 with two runs scored. The first of his two runs was scored on Cole McInturff's infield single, when the shortstop's late throw skipped away from the first baseman. Zach Stephens also came home on the play, with both runs being recorded as unearned.
Each team would score in the ninth, with Andrew Brockett getting the inning on the mound for Wilmington and surrendering one run. Mitchell's second plate appearance ended with a base hit to second that he beat out down the line. Grayson Atwood sent a charge deep over the left field fence, cutting the deficit to 7-4, but it was not enough as the Sharks fell by that margin.
The Sharks host the Lexington Chops in another exhibition on Wednesday at 11 a.m. before returning to CPL play on Thursday and Friday at home. For more on the Sharks, visit wilmingtonsharks.com, find Sharky Sharks on Facebook and follow @ILMSharks on Twitter.
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Coastal Plain League Stories from June 26, 2012
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- Bombs Burst in USA Win over Sharks - Wilmington Sharks
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