Sharks Split Doubleheader
June 26, 2018 - Coastal Plain League (Coastal Plain)
Wilmington Sharks News Release
Wilmington (7-14) and Morehead City (17-4) split a doubleheader that featured two completely opposite games. Game 1 was a pitcher's duel that was changed by one swing of the bat, while Game 2 saw the benches clear, extra innings and pouring rain.
In the first contest of the night, both teams committed early errors but neither team could capitalize. During innings that involved an error, the Sharks and the Marlins left a combined seven runners on base.
Game 1 turned in the bottom of the fourth. Dominick Cammarata lead off the inning with a towering shot that cleared the scoreboard in left field on the very first pitch of the inning. That blast was enough as the Marlins took Game 1, 1-0.
Mason Duke (2-1) scored the win, while Caleb Bishop (0-2) lost and Kenny Wells (6) came in to shut the door in the seventh.
The nightcap was a much different story. Morehead City jumped on the board first in the bottom of the first inning. Danton Hyman doubled off the right field wall and then scored on a groundout later in the inning.
Then in the third, Wilmington started to hit former Shark Breydan Gorham. Ben Anderson led off the inning with a single. Two batters later Doug Angeli singled off his UNCW teammate. Then Mason Streater walked on four pitches to load the bases. On a full count with two outs, Ward Coleman walked as well to tie the game at 1. The next hitter, Joe Gruszka, poked a single into left field two score two.
After arguing balls and strikes earlier in the frame, Jesse Lancaster argued whether Ward Coleman scored the fourth run of the inning. The Marlins manager was then tossed from the contest in third with his team down 4-1.
In the sixth, Morehead City pushed back with two runs against Eddie Hiott, who was in his third inning of relief.
Keith Gabrielson (1-0) entered to close it out in the seventh, but the First Half East Division Champions got to the righty. Morehead City tied it on a sacrifice fly by Danton Hyman to force extras.
Having to play extra innings did not bother Tyler Jackson and the Sharks. Wilmington came out and scored four in the top of the eighth including Joe Gruszka's third RBI and a three run home run by Danny Wondrack, his fourth of the summer.
After the game Coach Jackson said, "We love extra innings. We have seven runs in the two innings we have gone to extras. We play to win in extras and that's what we did." Coach was referring to the three runs scored in the top of the 10th at Holly Springs earlier this summer in a 6-3 win.
Keith Gabrielson returned for his second inning of work in the eighth to see the Sharks to the finish. Meanwhile, Hunter Shepherd (0-1) lost giving up the four runs in extras.
Next up, the Sharks are off tomorrow but return home to face Fayetteville on Wednesday. Super Splash Day is this Wednesday with a special first pitch at 1:05. Gates will open at noon or you can stream it online at: portal.stretchinternet.com/cplsharks/
• Discuss this story on the Coastal Plain League message board...
Coastal Plain League Stories from June 26, 2018
- Hall Monitors Tobs Hitters in 4-2 Win - Edenton Steamers
- Schriever Shines in Shutout Victory - Fayetteville SwampDogs
- Sharks Split Doubleheader - Wilmington Sharks
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
