Sharks Fall at Home
June 29, 2018 - Coastal Plain League (Coastal Plain)
Wilmington Sharks News Release
In a classic pitchers' duel, the Sharks bats failed to put together two hits in the same inning against the RedWolves. Wilmington (7-17) dropped an eighth straight at home, 2-0, to Florence (13-10).
Nick Bruno (0-3) started hot in his fifth and final start as a Shark this summer. The UNCW righty sat down the RedWolves in order through the first three innings, striking out three.
In the fourth, Patrick Causa led off the inning with a single and made his way to third. Then with two outs Joe Simone walked and moved up to second base. With two in scoring position, Nick Bruno battled Lenny Gonzalez in a nine pitch at bat for an inning ending double play to leave two stranded. At this point midway through for, the Sharks had scattered two hits through three innings.
Bruno then cruised through the fifth, striking out two looking. In the sixth though, the redshirt freshman ran into trouble. Patrick Causa doubled to lead off the inning for just the second Florence hit. Then, Griffin Hulecki walked and both runners advanced with two outs on a balk by Bruno. Joe Simone then launched a double to the gap in left center to score the only two runs of the night.
In the ninth, the Sharks sent the winning run to the plate with two outs. After a walk to Ward Coleman and a two out single by Zach Bridges the Sharks had the tying run on base. A wild pitch by Joshua Plummer (1) put the tying run in scoring position. However, a Ben LaSpaluto fly out to right field ended the contest with two runners left stranded.
Michael Kuypers (4-0) earned the win, going seven scoreless and striking out six. Nick Bruno lost despite allowing just two earned runs on three hits, while striking out eight. Plummer earned his first save recording the final six outs.
Wilmington has now lost eight straight home games and has lost 14 of the last 16 games.
Next up, the Sharks close out the first half tomorrow night at Edenton. First pitch at Historic Hicks Field is at 7:00. You can watch tomorrow's contest here: portal.stretchinternet.com/cplsteamers/
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Coastal Plain League Stories from June 29, 2018
- Four in a Row as SwampDogs Win on Walk Off - Fayetteville SwampDogs
- Sharks Fall at Home - Wilmington Sharks
- Steamers Drop Doubleheader to Peninsula - Edenton Steamers
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