Summer baseball at the Shark Tank is back in action as the Martha’s Vineyard Sharks took on the defending league champion Newport Gulls Tuesday evening.
While the Sharks came up short 4-1 in the end, there was no shortage of fun to be had for the eager fans in attendance. From a roaring rendition of Sweet Caroline to dance-offs and new concessions ranging from acai bowls to a brand new Offshore Ale beer, there was something for everyone to enjoy along with the ballgame.
Opening night was also Little League night, complete with a bounce house for the next generation of ballplayers. Salute to the Sharks staffers who kept things as orderly as they could in that corner of the ballpark.
On the baseball side of things, the Sharks got a towering solo blast from catcher Will Lybrook that hit high off the trees in left field in the seventh but that was the extent of their scoring. Chris Hacopain smacked a double as well but he was left stranded on the base-paths.
On the mound, Brian Young did an amicable job holding the Gulls to three hits through five and two thirds innings of work with two earned runs, four strikeouts and no walks.
“You tip your cap to Brian Young, he went out there and threw his tail off,” Sharks coach Sean Stevens said after the game.
Early in the season is all about figuring out how this group is going to gel as a team, the coach said. Most of the Sharks are just getting to know each other and the Island.
The players, coming off heated college seasons, only had time for a few practices together before opening night. Plenty of the guys are still knocking off the rust as they trade in metal bats for wooden ones.
Coach Stevens is also new to the Vineyard, in his first season with the Sharks and on-Island now for less than a week.
Despite the first loss, Coach Stevens has no doubts about what his team is capable of.
“I believe we have the ability top to bottom to do some damage... It all starts with consistency and getting back into the swing of things. It’s time to bounce back and work. It’s a long summer and it’s my job to build them up and make sure that we’re better tomorrow,” he said.
The coach also stressed how important winning marginal pitches will be for the team’s offensive success this year. In doing so, he said, more offensive opportunities will present themselves in the form of hittable pitches.
“You’ve got to get guys on, move them over, get them knocked in and speed the game up on the defense,” Coach Stevens said.
Next up are two more home games both starting at 6:35 p.m. The Sharks battle the Bristol Blues Wednesday, June 5 and then the Vermont Mountaineers on Thursday, June 6. They are on the road Friday before another home game Saturday against the Sanford Mainers also at 6:35 p.m.
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