A week after Ronaldo Gallo’s season at the University of Miami came to a close he was unsure if he’d be playing summer baseball. But then his pitching coach told him “you’re going to the Martha’s Vineyard Sharks.”

To which Gallo replied, “What the heck is that?”

The six-foot-six, 21-year-old Miami native turned to Google to learn more about the Island and what there is to do here. He admits he didn’t find much online that piqued his interest but after learning four of his Miami teammates would be coming with him, Gallo was full sail ahead.

“Everybody just kept telling me it’s a beautiful place to play and a lot of fun. Miami has had guys that have enjoyed it and to be honest I was all in for it,” the Sharks pitcher said.

Since his arrival, Gallo has been a force on the mound for the Sharks. With a mid-90s fastball, a filthy slider and a wicked change-up, the right-hander has been nearly untouchable in his three June appearances. Last Friday he threw five innings against the reigning NECBL champions Danbury Westerners as the Sharks rallied late to come away with a 4-2 victory.

“He gave us a huge start and only gave up two runs, only one earned,” Sharks manager Jay Mendez said. “We’re kind of one of those teams where we don’t really ever see ourselves out of it no matter what the score is,” the manager continued. “These guys have that quiet confidence where they can put things together. I think once our hitting starts to get going it’s going to be contagious and we’re going to take off.”

Since the victory over Danbury, the Sharks tore off two more victories against the Newport Gulls and the Valley Blue Sox. Against the Gulls on Saturday, Rafe Schlesinger, a teammate of Gallo’s at Miami, earned the win with five innings of solid work. Schlesinger, along with Gallo, are staying in Edgartown this summer and are enjoying the change of pace, and humidity, from Florida.

“The weather here is a little nicer, you don’t sweat when you step outside,” Schlesinger said. “I’ve been to State Beach and that was nice, there weren’t too many people there and it wasn’t packed, not like Miami is.”

Gallo prefers South Beach, even though “this South Beach is very different from Miami’s South Beach,” he said with a laugh.

“In Florida, it’s more touristy. There are a lot of younger people but a mixed crowd of different people broken off into different areas,” Gallo said. “Here it’s so scattered and the parking here is so much easier. In Miami, you have to pay $70 just to spend the day at the beach. Here it’s free or you can even walk there.”

On Wednesday, the Sharks looked to build their lead on top of the coastal division as the Ocean State Waves surfed into the Shark Tank. With a seven-run bottom of the fourth, the Sharks coasted to a 9-2 victory as Dorian Gonzalez and Michael Snyder each had three hits and starter Cade Lommel struck out eight in the victory.

The win over the Waves started the Sharks off on the right foot in a crucial stretch of upcoming divisional bouts. After a trip to Danbury Thursday, they play the North Shore Navigators back-to-back Friday and Saturday before playing the Waves again at home on Sunday.

Friday is Island appreciation night at the Shark Tank. Year-round residents receive 20 per cent off at the apparel shop and if they spend $100 they receive a $50 Cronig’s gift card.