Summer baseball at the Shark Tank is right around the corner and this year’s squad is shaping up to have the kind of firepower that could give the Fourth of July fireworks a run for their money.
Opening night is June 4, a home game that will showcase both returning and new talent, many of whom are getting ready to lead their universities in postseason play.
Chris Hacopian from the University of Maryland, Logan Hughes from Stetson University and Matt Prevesk from the University of Central Florida are all crushing it at the plate for their respective colleges this year.
Hacopian, a freshman infielder from Potomac, Md., is up to 14 home runs so far this season for the Terps. He’s batting .325 with 41 RBI and has started every game. His teammate, Brayden Martin, also a freshman utility player from Bowie, Md., will be joining him on the Island this summer. He has a thing for dramatics. Against Michigan State, Martin had two walk-off hits in the same series. More recently he made a diving catch that earned a spot on the SportsCenter top-10 plays.
Prevesk, a junior outfielder from Apopka, Fla., has found his groove at the plate this year as he’s hitting .365 with five home runs, 72 hits and 34 RBI.
Hughes, a freshman outfielder from DeLand, Fla., is also seeing the ball well as he’s batting .306 with six home runs, 41 hits and 25 RBI.
Also on the roster are two players from the University Arkansas, which is currently ranked third in NCAA Division I: Reese Robinett, a sophomore infielder from Kennett, Mo., and Ty Waid, a freshman outfielder from Texarkana, Ark.
Returning from last year’s squad is Scott Seeker from Mount Saint Mary’s, Dimitri Diamanté from Georgia Tech, Jack Beauchesne from Northeastern and Dan Snyder from Louisville.
The Sharks manager this year is Sean Stevens, a newcomer who was the head coach of the High Point-Thomasville HiToms of the Coastal Plains League last year. He has previously coached in the Cape Cod League with the Brewster Whitecaps in 2021 when they were league champions.
Opening night features last year’s NECBL champion Newport Gulls traveling to the Vineyard for a 6:35 p.m. first pitch. Opening night is also MV Little League night and the first 1,000 fans in attendance will receive Sharks magnet schedules.
The next night, June 5, is also a home game, this one against the Bristol Blues. The first 500 fans get a free team poster. And to cap off the three-game home opener, June 6 is $1 hot dog night against the Vermont Mountaineers.
Beyond baseball, there is plenty more to get excited about at the ballpark, especially in the concession department. Aquila is bringing a new food truck to the Shark Tank, offering acai bowls and five different flavors of lemonade, including the popular Desert Pear flavor that has become a staple at Aquila’s YMCA Cafe.
Aquila owners Del and Jen Araujo said they will also be rolling out new specials as the season continues.
Additionally, the Sharks are teaming up with Offshore Ale to announce a new Shark Tank pale ale that will be available in the beer garden. There will also be new items at the Shark Bites food trailer such as mac and cheese, nachos, cheese dogs and candy.
The Sharks’ best deal on the Island isn’t going anywhere either —for $12 you get a general admission ticket, a burger and a hot dog. And, as always, kids under 13 get in free all summer long.
Lastly, the Sharks still need host families for the summer. If you would like to welcome a player into your home please contact Russ Curran at 508-813-0380.
Business sponsorships are still available for the season as well.
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