Sharks get opening day victory over Morehead City

WILMINGTON, NC (Wilmington Sharks) — After taking a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the sixth, Wilmington (1-0) let the Morehead City Marlins (0-1) right back into the contest with mistakes in the top half of the eight. The visitors used two Shark errors and a balk to tie the game at two. In the next half inning, Wilmington made the Marlins pay and held on for 3-2 Opening Day victory.

It was smooth sailing for Octavio Mirabel and the Marlins through the first five innings. The lefty faced the minimum 15 batters through the first five, striking out two and allowing just one hit.

Everything changed in the sixth inning for Wilmington’s bats. With one out Kevon Perkins singled and was moved over to third by a Wil Hoyle double. The Sharks struck on the very next pitch. Freshman Ben Anderson hit a sacrifice fly to drive in Perkins and move Hoyle up to third. The ensuing batter, Ayden Karraker legged out an infield single to score Hoyle and put the Sharks up two.

After a combined seven scoreless innings from Nick Bruno and Sam Luchansky, the Marlins struck for two in the top of the eighth. The Sharks committed two errors and also balked home a run in the inning.

Heading to the bottom of the eighth, the score was tied once again at two. Kevon Perkins then laced a ball into right field for a leadoff double. Then with two outs, Ayden Karraker walked to put two on with two out. Up stepped Danny Wondrack who hit a ground ball to the left side. The throw to first came up short from Alex Pimentel, which allowed Kevon Perkins to score and put the Sharks up 3-2.

For the ninth, Brandon Justice (1) from Elon University came in to shut the door and pick up his first save of the summer. Eddie Hiott (1-0) scored the win, while Brandon Marklund (0-1) took the loss for the Marlins.

The Sharks and Marlins are back in action tomorrow night at Big Rock Stadium at 7:05. Check the Sharks Twitter and Facebook pages for tomorrow’s broadcast information. Wilmington returns home Saturday to face the Holly Springs Salamanders.