Wilmington Sharks clinch CPL playoff spot
WILMINGTON, NC (SHARKS RELEASE) — The Wilmington Sharks (28-23) have clinched a spot in the Petitt Cup Playoffs after defeating the Holly Springs Salamanders (26-26) by a score of 9-2 on Thursday night at the Shark Tank. Sharks second baseman Sam Foy was 4-5 with 2RBIs on the night, and is 7-9 in the last two games.
Wilmington’s seeding in the postseason depends on the performance of the rest of the teams in the CPL East. If Wilmington secures a 2 seed, they will play at the 3 seed on Wednesday August 5th, before hosting Thursday and Friday in a best of three series. If they draw a 3 or 4 seed, they will host on Wednesday, before hitting the road on the 6th and 7th.
Foy and the Sharks got the onslaught rolling in the bottom of the first inning. Kyle Nowlin drew his first of three walks on the night and moved up to third on Alex Destino’s single. Sam Foy ripped the ball to the right field corner for a triple to score them both. Foy would be knocked in by a Jae Roberts single.
Sharks tacked on a run in each of the next two innings. Kennard McDowell’s solo shot led off the second inning, while Jose Hernandez came around to score after walking, bring scored by Brett Smith’s RBI single in the third.
The wheels fell off for Holly Springs in the fifth inning, as the Sharks brought in three more runs on four walks and Jose Hernandez’s single. Nowlin and Destino would pick up RBIs to go along with their walks.
Some extra wiggle room was attained in the sixth, as the Sharks brought in two more runs as Nick Rotola’s double scored Roberts and McDowell, who each walked.
Rotola’s three stolen bases on Thursday bring his season total to 36, tied for the most in the CPL with Salamander Brian Miller.
Sharks starter Reed Scott looked great Thursday as he earned the victory by tossing seven innings, relenting a single run on eight hits, striking out six and walking a single Salamander.
The Sharks will host the Morehead City Marlins on Friday for the final home regular season game of the summer, and will be hosted by the Marlins Saturday for their regular season finale. For more information, call 910-343-5621 or visit www.wilmingtonsharks.com
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