Wilmington Sharks capture Pettit Cup with 11-0 shutout win over Macon Bacon

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — The Wilmington Sharks captured their fourth championship in team history Monday night, defeating the Macon Bacon 11-0 in a decisive Game 3 to win the Pettit Cup.

The winner-take-all matchup was one-sided from the start. Wilmington scored four runs in the first inning before adding three more in the bottom of the third.

The Sharks combined a strong offensive performance with shutdown pitching to keep the Bacon off the scoreboard throughout the game.

The championship caps a successful season for Wilmington, which entered the game hoping to win its second title in three years.

Sharks head coach Russ Burroughs said the championship was especially meaningful because of his connection to the Wilmington community. “This means everything. I bleed Wilmington blue, I do this 12 months out of the year. I love the city. I love these fans. I love everything about Wilmington. And this will be my home forever.”

The title is the fourth in Sharks history.

Wilmington native and former Ashley High School standout Quinn Bentley played a major role in the championship run including a three-run homerun in Monday nights win.

Bentley, an NC State outfielder, said he knew early in the season that the team had something special.

“I knew from day one … pitchers, hitters, we all just molded together. It was great. I had a lot of fun. Great coaching staff. Like I said, it was an awesome summer.”

The Sharks’ Game 3 victory was a stark contrast to the first two games of the championship series, which were each decided by one run.

Instead, Wilmington left no doubt in the winner-take-all finale, shutting out Macon 11-0 to claim the Pettit Cup.