The Martha’s Vineyard Sharks are facing a do-or-die game tonight against the Danbury Westerners as they try to battle back in the southern division championship round of the New England Baseball League playoffs.

The Sharks lost 9-2 at home last night during the first of a three game series against the Westerners. The game was tied 2-2 but then a grand slam in the sixth by Henry Strmecki of the Westerners put the game out of reach for the Sharks. Strmecki hit another homer in the ninth to cap off the victory.

Sharks general manager Russ Curran was not worried as the team headed off to Danbury on Monday.

“We will see you in town on Tuesday,” he said, referring to the possible final game of the series if the Sharks win tonight. “The team is planning to play at home again.”

Ryan Vanderhie takes the mound tonight for the Sharks, but lead off hitter Matt Woods is out with an injury, Mr. Curran said.

Earlier in the weekend, the Sharks cruised through the first round of the playoffs against the Oceanstate Waves, with wins of 14-5 on Friday and 6-0 on Saturday to close out that series. If the Sharks come back and beat the Westerners for the southern division title they will play the winner of North Shore Navigators and the Upper Valley Nighthawks for the league championship.

Game time tonight in Danbury is 6:30 p.m., with the possible third game tomorrow at the Shark Tank beginning at 7 p.m.