After drubbing the North Shore Navigators 16-5 Tuesday night at the Shark Tank, the Martha’s Vineyard Sharks are finding their groove as they make a late-season push for the playoffs.
With a record of 13-17-1 after beating the Navigators, the Sharks have struggled this summer a year after bringing a championship to the Island. However, with wins in six of their last eight games, they are not out of the hunt yet, just three wins back from the final playoff spot.
Tuesday’s contest was an encouraging sign that the Sharks’ bats might be coming alive after they have been on the wrong side of one-run games numerous times this season. With the pitchers continuing to prove their dependability, the Sharks could make a run if they can keep their offense in gear.
Carsten Sabathia capped a six-run second inning against the Navigators with a three-run, 380-foot blast. It was his fourth home run of the season, tying fellow sluggers Scott Seeker and Jayden Hylton for most on the team.
All three batters, along with Nolan Nawrocki, the team leader in batting average (.295) and stolen bases (15), and Nathan Hall, team leader in hits (31) and RBIs (16), will need to rally the team into the playoffs. Hall, Nawrocki and Seeker have all been elected to the eastern all-star team with bullpen pitcher Eli Majick.
Majick has been the highlight of a dominant core of relievers. His 1.42 ERA leads the team and is one of the lowest in the league among relievers. He also leads the team in strikeouts with 27.
In addition to Majick, Demitri Diamant has been dominant out of the pen allowing only six hits in eight appearances with a 2.07 ERA. Diamant also gets looks as the Sharks’ designated hitter and even smacked a dinger against the Navigators in the win Tuesday.
Jack Beauchesne and James Sashin, two returning Sharks from last year, have been steadfast on the rubber this year as well. Beauchesne has made the most relief appearances on the team with 13 going 2-1 with a 2.53 ERA.
Sashin, an Island native, has started four games and came out of the pen in two. Through 21 innings of work, he has a 3.00 ERA and 25 strikeouts. In his last start against the Navigators, Sashin tossed five scoreless innings while striking out nine.
With 13 games left in the season, there is still plenty of opportunity for the Sharks to string together some wins. Luckily for Vineyard fans and the Sharks, nine of the remaining 13 games are scheduled to take place at the Shark Tank. There are still plenty of chances to cheer on the boys at the ballpark and join in on the fun.
On Thursday the team takes on top-ranked Newport. Weekend play begins with a doubleheader Friday against the Upper Valley Nighthawks at 4:30 p.m. and 7:05 p.m. Then, on Saturday, the Sharks take on Mystic starting at 7:05 p.m.
For more information, visit mvsharks.com.
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