The Martha's Vineyard Times

MV Sharks tied for first after busy week on diamond

By Ralph Stewart
July 6, 2011

Photo by Ralph Stewart

Sharks center fielder and Vineyarder Tad Gold slid safely into third base against Nashua, Monday afternoon. [More Photos]

The Martha's Vineyard Sharks lost more than they won in the past seven days, but still remain tied for first place in the Futures Collegiate Baseball League standings with an 11-7 record.

The Sharks actually lead the 12-8 Nashua Silver Knights by .011 in winning percentage, but the Knights got the better of the Vineyard team last week, winning all three meetings. Nashua won 8-1 at home on June 29 and swept the Island contests 6-5 on June 30 and 7-2 on July 4th.

Frustrations with the Silver Knights aside, the silver lining for the Sharks was three victories over the other New Hampshire club, the Seacoast Mavericks.

The Sharks beat the Mavs 4-3 in Rochester, NH on Tuesday. Seacoast had the bases loaded in the ninth inning, but Sharks reliever Ryan Morris of Presbyterian College struck out the side and earned his fifth save of the year.

MV also topped the Mavericks 11-1 at Vineyard Baseball Park on Sunday and 3-1 in Rochester, Friday.

The Sharks played the Torrington Titans once last week and lost 4-3, Saturday, in the Nutmeg State.

Sharks pitcher Zach Rafferty of Anna Maria College, leads the league in wins with a perfect 4-0 record. Sacred Heart's Matthew Hegarty is fourth in ERA at 1.29. Shortstop Robbie Zinsmeister of Indiana University (Pa.) is second in the league with a .387 batting average and tied for first with14 RBI's.

The Sharks have three home games this week, all 5 pm starts, against Nashua, Friday, Torrington, Saturday, and Seacoast on Tuesday.