Sharks pitcher Austin Peterson winds up a throw during the opening night game against the Valley Blue Sox. –Charlie Utz
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Rudy Aguilar concentrates on the ball while at bat.
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The Martha’s Vineyard Sharks opened their 2019 season to considerable fanfare at Vineyard Baseball Park on Wednesday night, but fell to the visiting Valley Blue Sox by a 3-1 score. A spirited and appreciative crowd witnessed a tightly played game that featured strong pitching and sparkling defense by each club. Both offenses struggled. The visitors pushed across a run in the fourth inning, then added two more in the seventh. The Sharks, who were held to four hits on the night, averted a shutout when Kai Nelson homered in the bottom of the ninth. Will Lozinak pitched eight and a third innings for the Blue Sox and got the win, allowing one run and fanning five. Austin Peterson went seven and two-thirds for the Sharks before giving way to Chris Stefl, who took the loss. The Sharks are on the road for two games, then open a five-game home stand against the Mystic Schooners on Monday, June 10, at 6:30 pm.