WILMINGTON, N.C. – Three words after Saturday night. Golden. Chumbucket. Champions.
That’s what the Marlins are, defeating the Sharks by a final of 10-1 in Wilmington.
“Always good to bring home a trophy,” said Marlins head coach Jesse Lancaster. “We took the pressure off ourselves by being ready to go offensively, and we did some good things on the mound tonight too. We’re close to being where we want to be, but we’re getting better every day.”
Just like Friday night, Sean Johnson (Belmont Abbey) attacked early. The center fielder hit a leadoff solo home run on the second pitch of the game. Later in the top of the first inning, Zack Miller (Catawba) tacked on a 2-run RBI single.
Morehead City added two more in the top of the second. Jack Harris (Newberry) hit a 2-run RBI double to give the fish a 5-run lead.
It wouldn’t stop in the third, as Jeff Wehler (Pittsburgh) hit Joe Mason (Mount Olive) home on a sacrifice fly.
Wilmington grabbed its first and only run in the bottom of the fourth. David Smith hit an RBI single that scored Taber Mongero.
After being hitless for the fourth, fifth and sixth innings, the Marlins got back on the board in the seventh. Miller grabbed an RBI groundout, followed by Mason touching home on a wild pitch.
It did not stop in the eighth for Morehead City. Harris hit an RBI single that scored Jack Casbarro (Mount Olive), giving the Marlins a 9-1 lead. Morehead City grabbed double digits later in the inning, thanks to a sacrifice fly from Mason.
The pitching was dominant for the Marlins at the Shark Tank on Saturday night.
After striking out eight batters in Holly Springs last Saturday, Cam Seguin (Elon) kept it going in Wilmington. The southpaw struck out five, giving up five hits and an earned run in three and two-thirds inning pitched.
Jon Vore (Butler) got the win, moving to 4-0 on the season. The righty gave up no earned runs and three hits, striking out one in an inning and two-thirds pitched.
Matt Hickey (Tarleton State) came in midway through the fifth inning, and put the Sharks to sleep. The sidearm throwing righty struck out two, giving up neither a hit, run nor walk in an inning and two-thirds pitched.
The pitching was not the only strongpoint for Morehead City, though.
Johnson, who led off for the third consecutive game, went one for three. His only hit was the leadoff solo home run that stayed fair down the left field line.
Harris followed Johnson in the order, and continued his strong 2021 campaign. The right fielder went two for four, driving in three runs. Harris’ RBI total this year is now up to 36.
Mason was a force at both the plate and on the base paths. The left fielder went one for two with an RBI, along with two runs scored and two stolen bases.
Miller was another name that stood out in the Marlin lineup on Saturday night. The catcher went one for four with three RBIs.
The win for the Marlins is their fifth straight, moving to 14-3 in the second half and 28-11 overall. Morehead City is off on Sunday, but back at Legion Stadium on Monday to take on Wilmington once again. First pitch is set for 7:05. Listen live on the Morehead City Marlins Radio Network.