Sharks End Silver Knights 13 Game Win Streak

How do you end a 13 game winning streak of the first place visiting team (Nashua Silver Knights) playing in front of your home crowd? Dial up one of your two aces and have him step out on the mound. The call this time went to Mike Bradstreet (junior -University of Rhode Island), part of the one-two deadly pitching combination of the Sharks, the other being Ryan Brockett (sophomore - St. Mary’s in CA).

Bradstreet had yet another no-hitter going into the latter innings of the game before Connor Lyons (sophomore – Northeastern University) singled in the 6th with 2 out. The Sharks jumped out for two runs in the first inning by bunching a few singles and an error together. Nick Sanford (sophomore – University of Massachusetts) started it with one out by getting a base hit, followed by singles
by Eric Jensen (junior – Wheaton College) and Justin Meier (sophomore – Bucknell University).  A ground ball hit to the Silver Knights second basemen Logan Gillis (junior- Bentley University) was booted allowing Sanford to score.
Jensen eventually scores on a pass ball.

In the bottom of the second, Karl Kapinos (sophomore – Holyoke College) lead off the inning for the Sharks with a walk. With two out Tad Gold (sophomore - Endicott College) delivered a single moving Kapinos to third. On a pass ball Kapinos scores for the Sharks third run of the game, taking a 3 -0 lead.

In the bottom of the 6th the Sharks added two more runs. Apo De La Cruz (freshman – Wheaton College) started the inning off with a walk then stole second base. Eric Brenk (sophomore – Wofford College) moved De La Cruz to third with a single. Kapinos followed with a single knocking in De La Cruz and moving Brenk to third. At this point the Silver Knights removed their starting pitcher Lamarre Rey (sophomore – Bentley College) with Cole Warren (sophomore – University of Rhode Island). Kapinos immediately steals second base with Brenk scoring from third on the throw down to second. Cale Hansen follows with a single knocking in Kapinos.

In the 7th it appears that Bradstreet might be getting tired as he gives up two consecutive home runs to Chris Shaw (senior – Boston College) and James Katsiroubas (junior – University of Massachusetts) on two consecutive pitches. Eric White (junior – University of Maine) follows this with a long bomb that is foul over the leftfield wall. White subsequently flies out.

In the top of the eight the Silver Knights take one last shot at Bradstreet. Lyons gets a base hit with one out. This is followed by a fielder’s choice by Gillis replacing Lyons at first base.  Shaw doubles moving Gillis to third base before Bradstreet retires Katsiroubas on a fly ball to right field.

Ryan Morris (junior - Presbyterian University), the Sharks closer, replaces Bradstreet to start the ninth inning. Ryan strikes out the first batter than gets a groundball for the second out. Ryan Gendron then singles breathing life into the Silver Knights before Morris shuts the door for the last out picking up his 3rd save of the season. His ERA stands at 1.86. Eric Jensen leads the team in hitting batting .337 with 28 hits in 22 games.

Bradstreet has a 4-0 record with an impressive 1.31 ERA. The Sharks are now 10 – 11 and remain 1 game out of the playoffs. The Silver Knights are now 21 – 6 leading the North Shore Navigators by 4 games. Next game is away at the Pittsfield Suns on Thursday with Ryan Brockett and his 1.46 ERA taking the mound for the Sharks. Our next home games are Saturday (Navigators) and
Sunday (Old Orchard Beach) on July 14th and 15th, respectively.

Come support your Sharks! Both games start at 5:00 PM.