Oregon Park 9U Travel Team: Shark News

Defense was again the name of the game for the Sharks, who opened bracket play with the Boynton Generals and shut them down 15-0 with an amazing defensive showing.  The Sharks grabbed the sticks first, and Blake and Braedon both reached on perfectly executed bunts.  Matt continued to pound the ball and drove them in with a double.  Jarrett (RBI), Mikade, Mikey and Jeff (RBI) gave the Sharks an early 4-0 lead.  Foreshadowing the amazing defense to come, Matt started things off with a great diving catch in RC field.  2^nd baseman Braedon threw to Mikade at 1^st base for the 2^nd out and Jeff snagged a hard line drive from pitcher for out #3. 

Sharks bats stayed hot in the top of the 2^nd inning.  Aaron led off with a single and Blake hit a ball in the gap and touched ‘em all for an inside the park home run.  Back-to-back doubles from Kyle and Jarrett (RBI), and a single from Mikade (RBI) gave the Sharks an 8-0 lead.  The first General batter fanned, the 2^nd hitter came up with a bloop into shallow right field that 2^nd baseman Braedon hustled for and caught for out #2.   Brett made the final out with a catch in left field. 

The Sharks added 1 run to their lead, with opposite field hits from Brett and Blake (RBI).  In the bottom of the 3^rd, LC fielder Blake came up with the play of the tournament,  gloving a ball that one-hopped to him and throwing a perfect strike to a stretched out Elmy at 1^st base for the OUT!  Jeff recorded the next out from pitcher and Zach Stewart made another catch from behind the plate for the 3^rd out. 

Kyle led off the 4^th inning with a single, Mikade, Mikey (RBI), Jeff (RBI), Zach Stewart (double, RBI) and Zach Elmy (RBI) gave the Sharks a 13-0 lead.  Again the Sharks defense would come up with stellar plays to shut out the Generals.  Mikey fired to Kyle at 2^nd base from right field for an out, and Braedon moved to his right for a ground ball, stepped on 2^nd base and fired to 1^st for an inning ending double play. 

We want to thank all of our many sponsors who contributed items to the raffle this year. Congratulations to the following winners in the Sharks Raffle!

1                     White Rabbit                             $25 GC                                          Traci Bensley

2                     White Rabbit                             $25 GC                                          Fred Shaw

3                     Hiram Chiropractic                   1 Hour Free Massage                    Brian Johnson

4                     Hooter’s of Kennesaw              50 Free Wings                               Dwayne Miller

5                     Hooter’s of Kennesaw              VIP Wing Party for 10                    Terri Reichert

6                     Kroger                                       $20 GC                                           Peggie Parham

7                     Zeigler’s BBQ                           $20 GC                                           Staci Guest

8                     Itunes                                       $20 GC                                           John Sweeney

9                     Darden Restaurants                 $40 GC                                           Devan White

10                 NAPA Auto Care                       $525 of Service for $199                Brian Johnson

11                 Sweet Tomatoes                      2 Meal Passes                                Lee Hearn

12                 Wash Me Fast 3 Min Car        $14 Value                                        Jeff Johnson

13                 Wash Me Fast 3 Min Car        $14 Value                                        Fred Shaw

14                 Wash Me Fast 3 Min Car        $14 Value                                        Kevin Pfeffer

15                 Wash Me Fast 3 Min Car        $14 Value                                        Martha Hill

16                 Wash Me Fast 3 Min Car        $14 Value                                        Troy Ellenburg

17                 Joe’s Crab Shack                      Free Appetizer                                 Troy Ellenburg

18                 Joe’s Crab Shack                      Free Appetizer                                 Braedon Ferguson

19                 Joe’s Crab Shack                      Free Appetizer                                 Laura Dennis

20                 Joe’s Crab Shack                      Free Appetizer                                 Glenn Black

21                 Chili’s-Acworth                        $25 GC                                             James Tippins

22                 Ted’s Montana Grill                 $25 GC                                             Danny Bensley

23                 Cassie Connelly Photogra       $200 Photo Package                        Joyce Byrd

24                 Buffalo’s Restaurant               $25 GC                                             Nancy Dow

25                 Chick-Fil-A                               $25 Gift Basket                                Theresa Burt

26                 Barnsley Garden’s                   Golf for 4                                          Bert Hill

27                 Shaving Gallery                        $35 GC                                             Mike Stewart

28                 Olde Towne                              $20 GC                                            Melanie Smallwood

29                 Olde Towne                              $20 GC                                             Chris Mould

30                 Olde Towne                              $20 GC                                             Robin Eads

31                 Olde Towne                              $20 GC                                              Ann Patrick

32                 Olde Towne                              $20 GC                                              Brian Johnson

33                 Moe’s                                        Free Combo                                      Susan Dismukes

34                 Moe’s                                        Free Combo                                      Jerry Guest

35                 Moe’s                                        Free Combo                                      Brian Johnson

36                 CA Dreaming                             Free Wings                                       Jason Czar

37                 CA Dreaming                             $30 GC                                             Staci Guest

38                 Relax, Restore & Renew          1 Hour Massage                                John Martin

For the second time this all-star season, the Sharks took the field against friends and former teammates from Oregon Park.  Playing with poise and determination, the Sharks made great defensive plays and came up with key hits on their way to a 13-2 win and a berth in the district semi-finals.  The Sharks were the visiting team in the contest and jumped out to big lead.  Blake and Braedon reached on bunts, then the big bats of Kyle (RBI) and Jarrett (RBI) drove them in.  Jeff reached on a bunt and with the bases loaded, Mikey delivered a bases clearing double (3RBI’s) to give the Sharks a 5-0 lead.  The Sharks defense would not allow any runs in the bottom on the first, with a key play from Blake in LC field, as he caught a fly ball for an out and threw to Jarrett at 3^rd base to get a Titan runner attempting to advance.  Brett made the 3^rd out with a catch in left field. 

The Sharks added 2 more runs to make their lead 7-0 with a double from Braedon, an RBI single from Kyle, a single from Jarrett and an RBI single from Jeff.  The Titans were unable muster offense in the 2^nd inning, with a play from Jarrett to Zach Elmy at 1^st base, a great running catch from Brett in LC field and a catch from Zach Elmy at 1^st base. 

A Mikade single and a double from Aaron (RBI) gave the Sharks an 8-0 lead in the top of the 3^rd inning.  The Titans scored 1 run in the bottom of the inning, but the Sharks continued to play great defense to keep them off the bases.  Mikade stopped a grounder at 1^st base and threw to Braedon at 2^nd base to get a runner.  Matt made a great play from RC field, throwing to Kyle covering 2^nd base to get an advancing Titan.  Brett continued to be a ball magnet in left field and caught another fly ball out.

Braedon reached on a bunt to get things started in the 4^th inning, Jarrett and Jeff drove in runs for a 10-1 lead.  Titan crusher Will Hubbell went deep to put another run up for the Titans, but that was all the Sharks would surrender.  Kyle recorded all 3 outs in the inning, including a double play as he caught a line drive then stepped on 2^nd base to get a runner off the bag. 

The Sharks made quick work of the Powder Springs Red Sox in game one of the district championships with a 24-2 victory in 4 innings.  Every shark contributed to the offensive explosion, with many extra base hits and RBI’s:

Jarrett – 2 doubles, 5 RBI’s

Mikey (or is it “Miley”?) – 2 doubles, triple, 4 RBI’s

Matt – 4 RBI’s

Blake - in-park HR, 2 RBI’s

Jeff – 2 RBI’s

Aaron – double, 2 RBI’s

Zack S. – 2 RBI’s

Brett – RBI

Mikade - RBI

Kyle - RBI

Braedon - double

Zach E – single

The Sharks defense was solid, including a double play in the 1^st inning.  Jarrett stopped a grounder at 3^rd and threw to Brett at 2^nd for an out and Brett fired to Zach Elmy at 1^st base, stretching to make the double play.  A great beginning for what shark fans hope to be a three-peat of a district championship!

A few short days ago, the Sandy Plains Cougars handed the Sharks just their second loss of the season in pool play of the All Tournament Players Park Championships.  The Sharks responded with a 12-2 pounding of the Cougars during bracket play of the tournament, giving the Cougars an early exit and giving the Shark Dad’s a great Father’s Day gift.  The Sharks were again the visiting team in the competition.  Braedon reached first on a bunt single and advanced to 2^nd base on throwing error.  Jeff reached on another Cougar error and Kyle hit in the first run of the game on a fielder’s choice.  The Sharks did not need any more help from the Cougars.  Mikade, Brett (RBI), Jarrett (RBI), Matt (RBI), Mikey (double, 2 RBI’s) and Aaron (RBI) delivered big hits to give the Sharks an early 7-0 lead.  Defensive plays from Matt (RF), Kyle (short stop) and a long fly ball run down by Brett in LF shut out the Cougars in the bottom of the 1^st inning. 

The Sharks continued to pound the baseball at the Cougars.  Zach Stewart led off with a single, Blake doubled and Braedon drove in a run on a bunt single.  Jeff (bunt, RBI), Kyle (RBI), and Mikade (RBI) also contributed to the offensive show to give the Sharks an 11-0 lead.  Kyle and Zach Elmy combined for all 3 outs in the 2^nd inning, Zach taking the last one himself, keeping the score at 11-0. 

The Sharks added another run in the top of the 3^rd inning with a single from Jarrett and an RBI double from Mikey to make the score 12-0.  The Cougars would find some offense in the bottom of the 3^rd inning, scoring 2 runs before outs were recorded by Mikey (3^rd base), Matt (LF) and LC fielder Blake (falling down, then getting back up again to make the catch…no kidding!).  It was the only offense the Cougars would manage against the tough Sharks defense. 

The Sharks managed several hits in the 4^th and 5^th innings, but were unable to add additional runs to the board.  Needing only defense to put this one away after the offensive explosion in the early innings, the Sharks continued to make great plays to shut down any attempt at a Cougar rally.  Zach Elmy (1^st base), Brett (LF) and Kyle (short stop) made the plays in the 4^th inning.  In the bottom of the 5^th inning, just 3 outs from a win, Jarrett fell back and made a great catch at 3^rd base, Blake caught a ball in LC field and 2^nd baseman Braedon flipped to Kyle for the 3^rd and final out of the game!  Sharks win BIG 12-2!

Once again the Sharks and Warriors prepared for battle on the ball field, this time in early action of bracket play at All Tournament Players Park.  The Sharks were the visiting team and took an early 2-0 lead over the Warriors.  Blake reached on a bunt, Braedon singled and Jeff legged out bunt to load the bases for Kyle.  Kyle hit a hard grounder that got past the 2^nd baseman and 2 runs were in for the Sharks!  The Sharks shut-out the Warriors in the bottom of the 1^st with great defensive plays from Jarrett (3^rd base), Kyle (short stop) and Jeff (pitcher).  All three stopped very hard grounders and converted outs to 1^st base.

The Sharks were unable to score in the top of the 2^nd, but the Warriors came up with some big hits to even the score at 2-2.  Blake made a catch in LC field and Kyle recorded another 2 outs in the inning, throwing to Braedon at 2^nd and Zach Elmy at 1^st.  The Sharks went 1-2-3 in the 3^rd inning, which ended with Jeff robbed of a certain hit by a fantastic catch from the Warriors LC fielder.  The inning was big for the Warrior offense, which exploded with 4 runs before Brett (2^nd base), Jeff (pitcher) and Blake (LC field) got 3 outs for the Sharks.  Warriors held a 2-6 lead going into the 4^th inning.

The score remained 2-6 until the top of the 5^th inning…WHAM!!  The Sharks pounded away at the Warrior defense, which could not end the inning before the Sharks scored the maximum 7 runs allowed.  Up and down the order the Sharks battled and ran hard to take a 9-6 lead over the Warriors.

The Warriors got 1 back in the bottom of the 5^th to cut the lead to 9-7.  Aaron (RC field), Kyle (short stop) and Blake (LC field) made plays to keep the lead alive.  Hoping to add a little insurance, the Sharks fell short in the top of the 6^th and turned it over to the defense to maintain the lead.  Unfortunately, due to some well-timed and well-hit balls, the Warriors were able to tie things up in the bottom of the 6^th.  Outs were recorded by Jarrett (3^rd base) and Matt (RC field), but not before the Warriors plated 2 runs and the Sharks prepared for another extra-inning battle against the Warriors. 

The Sharks were held scoreless in the top of the 7^th inning, but the defense stood tall against the Warriors and kept the score at 9-9.  Blake made 2 catches in LC field and 2^nd baseman Braedon stopped a ground ball and flipped to Kyle at 2^nd base for the 3^rd out. 

The 8^th inning was nothing short of pure joy and amazement for Shark fans.  Jeff led off with a single and Kyle doubled, then Mikade doubled in the gap to score 2 runs and give the Sharks an 11-9 lead.  But they would not stop there!  Jarrett reached on a hard hit ball, Matt legged out a bunt single, and Mikey (RBI) and Aaron (RBI) both delivered hits to give the Sharks a 13-9 lead.  The defense needed 3 outs to put this one away, but the Warriors would not go down easily.  With 1 out (from Braedon at 2^nd base), the score at 13-11, and a Warrior on 3^rd base, a ball was crushed into deep left center field, Blake ran back and with little room to spare before crashing into the fence, he stretched out his arm and caught the ball for out #2!  The Shark side of the field erupted!  The runner from 3^rd scored to make the score 13-12, with 2 outs.  The next batter hit a ball to Jeff at pitcher, which he cleanly fielded and threw to Zach Elmy at 1^st for the final out!  Sharks win 13-12!!  WAY TO GO SHARKS!!

The Midway Mustangs stayed close to the Sharks for 4 innings, until the Sharks offense finally lit up the score board and defeated the Mustangs 11-3 in the first bracket game of the tournament.  The Mustangs jumped out to an early 3-0 lead in the top of the 1^st inning (the only runs the Sharks would allow) before Jarrett (3^rd base), Blake (LC field) and Braedon (2^nd base) put them away.  The Sharks evened up the score with hits from Blake, Braedon (bunt), Kyle (RBI), Mikade (RBI) and Brett (RBI). 

The Mustangs were unable to score in the 2^nd inning.  Zach Elmy caught a fly ball at 1^st base, Zach Stewart jumped on a foul ball from catcher for the 2^nd out and Blake gloved a grounder at short stop and threw to Elmy for the 3^rd out of the inning.  The Sharks took a 4-3 lead in their half of the 2^nd inning.  Mikey reached base on a single, Aaron bunted and legged out a single, Zach Stewart was on 1^st courtesy of a Mustang error and taking full advantage, Zach Elmy drove in a run on a fielder’s choice. 

The Sharks defense made things tough on the Mustangs into the 3^rd inning.  Blake made a catch in LC field, 2^nd baseman Brett stopped a hard grounder and threw to Elmy at 1^st and pitcher Jeff Dismukes caught a high pop fly to end the inning.  The Sharks increased their lead to 6-3 with some very well hit and well placed balls from Mikade (double), Brett (double, RBI), and Jarrett (RBI). 

The score remained 6-3 through the bottom of the 5^th inning, when the Sharks bats would put this one out of reach for the Mustangs.  Braedon led off with a single, Jeff bunted and reached on an error, Kyle stepped up and ripped a ball toward right field for a triple and 2 RBI’s.  Mikade, Brett and Jarrett continued the rally with singles that resulted in 3 more runs for the Sharks and an 11-3 victory.

The Sandy Plains Cougars were the Sharks next opponent in pool play action at the All Tournament Players Park warm-up tournament.  The Sharks were the visiting team and jumped out to a 2 run lead with a successful bunt by Braedon, followed by hits from Kyle, Mikade (RBI), and Brett (RBI).  A scorching triple by a Cougar player with a runner on resulted in 1 run for them in the bottom of the 1^st.  Jarrett saved another run by gloving a ground ball at 3^rd base and throwing home to Mikade, who laid down a tag on a Cougar attempting to score. 

The Sharks were unable to score in the 2^nd inning, the inning killer being a double play on Sharks base runners attempting to advance.  The bottom of the 2^nd was huge for the Cougars.  With a combination of hard hits in the gap and a few miscues by the Sharks usually dependable defense, the Cougars offense exploded with 6 runs and took a 2-7 lead. 

The Sharks cut into the lead, scoring 1 run in the top of the 3^rd.  Zach Elmy reached with a double, Blake was able to bunt him to 3^rd and Braedon delivered a hit to drive him in.  Kyle, Mikade and Jarrett all reached with singles, but were left stranded.  The Cougars did more damage and tacked on 2 runs before Blake (LC field), Jarrett (3^rd base), and Mikey (RC filed) converted outs.  Sharks trailed 3-9 going into the 4^th inning.

Matt Shaw led off the top of the 4^th with a triple and Mikey drove him in to cut the lead to 4-9, but that was all the Sharks would manage.  The Cougars were able to tack on another insurance run, but the Sharks defense played tough, with Zach Stewart making a catch behind the plate and outfielders Blake (LC field) and Brett (left field) making clutch catches to prevent further damage. 

Again the Sharks would battle and cut into the lead, scoring 1 run in the top of the 5^th as Braedon tripled and Kyle hit a long fly ball to score him.  Blake took charge in the bottom of the inning and recorded all 3 outs from LC field before the Cougars could to add to their lead. 

The Sharks would not go down without a fight and the boys came out swinging hard.  Brett Wood started things off with a single, Mikey, Aaron, Zach Stewart (RBI), Zach Elmy (RBI) and Blake all reached on singles and Braedon came up with a huge bases-clearing double down the right field line to even the score at 10-10.  Braedon was caught trying to advance to 3^rd for the final out of the inning.  The Sharks defense took the field to try and maintain the score.  The first Cougar batter reached with a single that got past a diving Braedon at 2^nd base.  Blake recorded a fly-ball out in LC field, but the next Cougar would rip a ball in the gap between left field and LC field, scoring the winning run.  Although the game would go down as a loss, the boys showed fight and courage battling back from so far down in the last inning.  WE ARE SO PROUD OF OUR SHARKS!

The Wills Park Predators were the next Shark victim in Hobgood Tournament action.  For the second time in as many games, the Sharks defense immediately shut down the opponents’ offensive attack.  3^rd baseman Jarrett Guest, short stop Kyle Reichert and 1^st baseman Zachary Elmy gloved hard hit balls and converted outs.   Inspired by the defensive effort, the Sharks came out swinging hard.  Blake Evans led off with a triple, Braedon Bensley, Brett Wood (RBI), Kyle (RBI), Jarrett (RBI), Jeff “Moose” Dismukes (RBI) and Mikade Johnson (RBI) contributed to a 5 run inning for the Sharks. 

The Sharks began their quest for the Hobgood Championship with a 15-2 victory over the SCRA Eagles in the first of three tournament games needed to capture the big prize.  The game did not start out well for the Eagles, who were set down 1-2-3 to open the 1^st inning, mostly due to the quick feet and hands of Sharks pitcher Jeff Dismukes.  Jeff raced to a bunt and gunned out the runner, then caught a line drive.  The 3^rd batter struck out, and the Sharks were racing for their bats.  Their fate proved far better, as Blake Evans led off with a single, Braedon Bensley followed with a bunt single, scoring Blake thanks to a few throwing errors by the Eagles defense.  The hit parade continued with Kyle Reichert, (RBI), Jarrett Guest, Jeff (RBI), Mikade Johnson (double, 2RBI’s), Matt Shaw, and Aaron Bensley (RBI) contributing to a 6-0 Sharks lead going into the 2^nd inning.

SCRA would be turned away again, with plays from Matt in left-center, Blake at short-stop and a diving grab from Mikey Leanos at 3^rd base.  The Sharks tacked on 3 more runs with a Zach Stewart single, another bunt from Braedon (this time opting for the 1^st base line with the Eagles defender in a 3^rd base), a hit up the middle from Kyle (RBI) and a monster shot off the bat of Jeff “Moose” Dismukes (2 RBI’s). 

Despite a comfortable 9-0 lead, the Sharks defense continued to stay on their toes and make the plays to shut down the Eagles.  Mikade gloved a hard grounder at 1^st base and stepped on the bag for an out, short stop Kyle threw to Mikade for another out, and another Eagles batter struck out to end their half of the 3^rd inning.  Matt Shaw started another Sharks rally with a line drive single, Aaron laid down a bunt and raced to the bag safely, Mikey Leanos drove in a run with a fly ball that dropped in front of the Eagles outfield.  Zach Stewart drove in Aaron with a long sac-fly.  With 2 runners on and Braedon at the plate, both the 1^st and 3^rd basemen were in to cover the bunt, so Braedon wisely tripled to right-center, giving the Sharks a 13-0 lead. 

The Eagles earned a few runs off the Sharks in the top of the 4^th inning.  The Sharks had a defensive highlight in the inning, with a relay from Aaron in right center to Brett at 2^nd base, who then threw to Jarrett who tagged an Eagle player trying to slide into 3^rd base...NO WAY!    Mikey and Brett both had catches in the inning to keep the Sharks well in front 13-2.  The Sharks scored 2 runs in the bottom of the 4^th with big hits from Jeff and Mikade.   The Sharks quickly disposed of the Eagles in the top of the 5^th to put the game out of reach for the Eagles. 

The Sharks easily defeated the Shaw Park Blue Devils in their final pool game of the Hobgood Showdown.  The   Blue Devils were held scoreless by the Sharks defense until the 4^th inning, when a few hard hit balls got past the outfield setting up runners in scoring position.  While the Shark defense was solid as usual, the Sharks offensive attack was phenomenal, pounding out many extra base hits.  Blake Evans and Kyle Reichert hit triples in 1^st inning to help the Sharks jump out to an early 3-0 lead.  Four more runs were added in the 2^nd inning with extra base hits from Mikade Johnson (double), Mikey Leanos (triple) and Blake Evans (double).  The Sharks scored the maximum 7 runs in the 3^rd inning with Brett Wood, Jeff Dismukes, Mikade, Matt Shaw, Aaron Bensley and Mikey reaching on singles and Kyle and Jarrett Guest contributing doubles to the offensive display.  With a 14-2 lead going into the 5^th inning, the Sharks plated 3 more with RBI’s from Blake, Kyle and Jarrett to put the game out of reach for the Blue Devils.   The Sharks won their pool and will be the 2^nd seed going into bracket play of the tournament on Sunday. 

With an impressive defensive and offensive show, the Sharks defeated the Sandy Springs Storm by a score of 15-0 in the first game of pool play at the Hobgood Showdown.  The Sharks took the field first as the home team.  Braedon Bensley made a shoe string catch from 2^nd base, Aaron Bensley made a running catch in right center and Jarrett Guest snagged a liner to him at 3^rd to quickly set down the Storm.   The Sharks put up 2 runs with hits from Blake Evans, Mikey Leanos (RBI) and a shot down the 3^rd base line from Jarrett (RBI).   

Blake took care of the Storm in the 2^nd inning, turning a double play from shortstop and making the 3^rdout with a tough catch at the edge of the grass.  Zach Stewart started a Sharks offensive rally with a hard hit ball the Storm shortstop could not handle.   Shots from the bats of Brett Wood (RBI), Jeff Dismukes (double, RBI), Aaron Bensley(RBI), Mikade Johnson (double), Zachary Elmy (RBI), Blake (RBI) and a rip to left-center from Kyle Reichert (RBI) resulted in 6 runs for the Sharks and a commanding 8-0 lead going into the 3^rd inning.

Plays from Kyle at shortstop and Jarrett at 3^rd base would keep the Storm from reaching home in their half of the 3^rd.  The Sharks continued to pound the ball at the Storm and put up another 5 runs with hits from Jarrett, Matthew Shaw, Zach Stewart (RBI), Jeff (RBI), Aaron (2 RBI’s), Mikade and Zachary Elmy (RBI). 

With a comfortable 13-0 lead, the Sharks held the Storm scoreless in the 4^th inning with great defensive plays.  Blake threw from left-center to Jarrett at 3^rd base for the first out, 1^st baseman Mikade stopped a ground ball and stepped on the bag for the second out and Jarrett knocked down a hot shot to 3^rd base to retire the Storm.  Needing only 2 runs to put the game out of reach, Kyle, Mikey, Jarrett (RBI) and a final shot from Matt Shaw (RBI) ended the contest.  A great start to the Showdown for Shark fans!

The Sharks improved their record to 6-0 with an impressive 9-3 victory in pool play over the Kennesaw Titans on the Titans’ own field. The Sharks were the home team in the contest.  Second baseman Braedon Bensley started the game with a great over-the-shoulder catch.  A few boots on some hard hit balls allowed the Titans to plate a run in the top of the 1^st.  The Sharks had some hard hit balls from just about every player that grabbed a bat to answer the Titans and score the maximum allowed 5 runs. 

The score would remain 5-1 through the 3^rd inning.  The Titans bats threatened to seriously cut the Shark lead in the top of the 3^rd.  Short-stop Kyle Reichert got control of a ball and flipped to Jarrett Guest at 3^rd for an out, but not before 1 run had crossed the plate.  Right center fielder Aaron Bensley caught a long fly ball for out #2 and with 2 runners in scoring position, a Titan crushed a ball deep into right center, but Aaron was able to track it down and come up with a huge catch to protect a 5-2 lead.  The Sharks added another run in their half of the 3^rd, courtesy of a Blake Evans single and a RBI hit from Kyle.

The Titans would not go down easily, continuing to pound the ball at the Shark defense in the top of the 4th.  A defensive highlight was turned in by Kyle from short-stop, as he gloved a ball and alertly threw to Zach Stewart at home to tag out a Titan runner.  Brett Wood also made a nice play from left field, charging a ground ball and throwing out a Titan runner at 3^rd base.  The Sharks lead was cut to 6-3. But the Sharks again had an answer for the Titans.  Hits from Matthew Shaw, Jeff Dismukes, Mikade Johnson (RBI), Zach Stewart (RBI), and Brett (RBI) gave the Sharks a commanding 9-3 lead going into the top of the 5^th inning.  That would prove to be all the Sharks needed, as the Titans were set down in order in the inning and the victory celebration began (again!). 

Welcome back Sharks Fans!!  The OP 8u Sharks are back in the water!  We’re looking forward to another fun filled, action packed summer season.  Let’s Get It Started!!

The Sharks first opponents ~ Shark Moms/Sibs ~ proved to be worthy adversaries in the season opening kick ball game J! However, the Shark Attack was back in full force.  The Sharks sent the moms/sibs home 12-11.  The game was filled with bunts, big kicks from shark brothers & sisters and great bouncy defensive efforts.  The Sharks stayed with the play and stayed ahead of the runners. They proved to be very gracious opponents, letting the “little Sharks” get in on the game J and make it safely to their bases. 

A great evening for some great practice and an exciting start to the Summer ’09

SHARK BALL SEASON!

Come join us this weekend @ The Lake City Classic.  Opening game fun begins Thursday evening May 21^st  at 7:30pm.  GO SHARKS!!

After weeks of anticipation, the 2009 Sharks made their debut on a windy, chilly Thursday night with an exciting win over the Shaw Park Predators in the first game of the Lake City Classic.   The Sharks grabbed the sticks first as the visiting team.  Braedon Bensley became the first Shark base runner with a hard hit ball up the middle.  Mikey Leanos, new Shark Mikade Johnson, and Brett Wood followed with RBI hits to put the Sharks up 3-0.  The Predators came out swinging hard.  The Sharks recorded three fly-ball outs in the bottom of the 2^nd, two by 1^st baseman Zach Elmy and one by left-center fielder Blake Evans, but not before some hard hit balls and a few defensive errors allowed the Predators to plate 2 runs. 

The Sharks were held scoreless in their half of the 2^nd. The Predators would continue to pound the ball and take the lead in the bottom on the 2^nd.  Short-stop Kyle Reichert threw to 1^st baseman Aaron Bensley for one, then knocked down another hard hit ball for a second out to Mikey at 3^rd base.  Left-center fielder Brett Wood caught a long fly ball to end the inning, but not before 3 runs crossed and the Predators took a 3-5 lead over the Sharks.

Blake Evans led off the top of the 3^rd and reached on a nice bunt to 3^rd base.  He was moved to 2^nd on a fielder’s choice by Kyle.  Hard hits by Mikade and Brett, with a little help from a shaky Predator defense, allowed the Sharks to even the score to 5-5.  The Shark defense was stellar in the 3^rd.     Third baseman Jarrett Guest got down on a hard hit ball and threw to Brett at 2^nd base for an out; pitcher Matthew also gloved a hard grounder, throwing to Jarrett at 3^rd for out two; and Aaron made a play on a line drive into right-center field, firing to 2^nd base for the final out. 

Fired up over their defensive effort, the Sharks came out swinging in the 4^th.  Jeff Dismukes reached 2^nd base on a hard hit ball to 3^rd,  followed by a Predator throwing error.  Aaron advanced Jeff to 3^rd base on a fielder’s choice.  Jeff scored on an RBI single from Matthew.  Zach Stewart delivered a hard hit, and successful bunts by Zach Elmy and Blake (and more help from the Predator defense) allowed another run to score.  The Sharks took a 7-5 lead to the bottom of the 4^th.  The Predators bats cooled off a bit and the Sharks got quick fly-ball outs from Kyle at short-stop, Braedon at 2^nd base and Jarrett at 3^rd base to maintain their slim lead.

The Sharks would return the favor and popped up the baseball in their half of the 5^th.  Three easy outs were recorded by the Predators.  And proving they would not go down easily, the Predators again pounded the ball at the Shark defense.  Jarrett recorded 2 outs from 3^rd base and Blake made a great catch from left center, but a hard hit ball down the 3^rd base line with 2 runners on would allow the Predators to even the score at 7-7 with 1 inning of play remaining.

Jarrett was the first batter for the Sharks, and he started them off perfectly with a hart hit ball to 3^rd.  Aaron singled, and Jeff delivered a bunt that would score Jarrett.  Matthew would also lay down a bunt to score Aaron and give the Sharks a 9-7 lead going to the bottom of the 6^th.  It would prove to be all the Sharks needed to win this contest.  Kyle gloved a hard grounder from short-stop and threw to Braedon at 2^nd base for an out.  Blake made a running catch in left-center field and Jarrett stopped a grounder at 3^rd base and threw to 2^nd for the final out.  The Predators managed just 1 run and SHARKS WIN by a final of 9-8.  What a way to start the season!  Way to go Sharks!

The Sharks took the field against the Grenada All-Stars to begin pool play in the 2009 Dizzy Dean World Series.  With near perfect defense and hard hitting, the Sharks won easily 18-3.  The Sharks were the home team in the contest and sat down the first 3 Grenada batters.  Kyle caught a pop-fly from short stop, then made a nice play on a grounder and threw to Elmy for out #2.  Braedon got out #3 with a grounder hit to him at 2^nd base.  The Sharks came out swinging hard, forcing many errors from the Grenada defense.  Blake and Braedon both reached on deep fly balls to RC field and Matthew cleared the bases with a hard hit ball in the gap between short stop and 3^rd base.  Kyle (RBI), Jarrett, Mikade, Mikey, Jeff (RBI), Zach Stewart (RBI) and Zach Elmy (2 RBI’s) contributed to the offensive beating and put up the maximum 7 runs for the Sharks in the 1^st inning. 

Grenada hitters found a few holes in the defense in the 2^nd inning.  The first batter struck out, Matthew stopped a one-hop line drive in left field and fired to Braedon at 2^nd base for the 2^nd out and Braedon stopped a ball up middle and stepped on 2^nd base for out #3, but not before 3 runs scored and the Sharks lead was cut to 7-3.  The Sharks got the 3 runs back with singles from Matthew and Kyle, a double from Jarrett (RBI), and a triple from Mikade (2 RBI’s). 

The Sharks defense held Grenada scoreless in the top of the 3^rd.  1^st baseman Mikade caught a pop fly for the first out and short stop Kyle gloved 2 grounders, the last one a great play ranging far to his left, and threw to Mikade for the last outs of the inning.   The Sharks continued to pound the ball at the Grenada defense.  Jeff got things started with a single, Brett (RBI), Aaron (RBI), Blake (triple, RBI), Braedon (RBI), Matthew and Kyle (RBI) gave the Sharks a commanding 15-3 lead after 3 innings of play.

Brett charged up the Shark defense with a great running catch in left field.  Blake caught a long fly ball in LC field for out #2 and with runners on 1^st and 2^nd base, Jarrett stopped a ground ball and stepped on 3^rd base for out #3.  The Sharks needed 3 runs to end the game.  Mikade led off with a single and reached 3^rd on a few Grenada errors.  Mikey drove in Mikade with a single.  Brett singled, driving in a run and rounding the bases to 3^rd, thanks again to a few Grenada blunders.  Aaron put a ball in play to score the final run the Sharks needed.  Sharks win!!

The Sharks continued to dominate pool play with a 15-4 win over West Point All-Stars, who entered the tournament as the runner-up from the Mississippi State Tournament.  The Sharks bats exploded in the top of the 1^st inning, scoring the maximum 7 runs with RBI’s from Kyle, Jarrett, Mikade (2 RBI’s), Brett (triple, 2 RBI’s) and Aaron.  West Point was held scoreless with a strikeout, a great diving catch from Brett in LC field and a play from Jarrett at 3^rd base, stepping on the bag to get an advancing runner.

The Sharks plated 2 more runs in the 2^nd inning with Braedon reaching on an error, a double from Matt (RBI) and a single from Kyle (RBI).  West Point cut the lead to 9-1, with 1^st baseman Aaron gloving a grounder and stepping on the bag for out #1, and short-stop Kyle twice denying West Point hitters, throwing them out at 1^st base.

A double from Jeff and an RBI single from Zach Elmy resulted in 1 more run for the Sharks in the top of the 3^rd.     The Sharks put on a defensive show in the 3^rd, with 3rd baseman Jarrett charging a ground ball and throwing to a stretched out Elmy at 1^st base for an out, and LC fielder Blake making a diving catch and throwing into Kyle at 2^nd base to catch a West Point runner off the bag. 

The Sharks came out swinging hard in the 4^th inning, and benefited from many defensive errors.  A lead-off single from Matt, followed by hard hit balls from Kyle (double), Jarrett (RBI), Mikade (RBI), Jeff (RBI), and Zach Stewart (2 RBI’s) gave the  Sharks a comfortable 15-1 lead.  West Point followed with some hard hits in the bottom of the 4^th inning, but were refused runs by more fine defensive plays from the Sharks.  Matt made a nice diving catch in left field and came up firing into Braedon at 2^nd base for the Sharks 2^nd double play of the game, and RC fielder Mikey chased a ball to the fence and threw into Kyle at 2^nd base for the 3^rd out. 

Leading 15-1, and needing only a run to put the game away, West Point converted 3 outs before the Sharks crossed the plate.  The Sharks defense again took the field, and with a few bad hops and some hard hit balls, West Point scored 3 more runs before the Sharks shut them down, winning the game by a score of 15-4. 

The Montevallo Bulldogs were no match for the Sharks, who won by a score of 22-0, going undefeated in pool play action at the Dizzy Dean World Series.  The awesome Sharks defense would only allow 10 Bulldogs to the plate. 

Blake started things off with a single in the top of the 1^st inning, and a HOT hitting Matt tripled to bring him in.  Kyle (RBI), Mikade, and Jarrett (2 RBI’s) completed the scoring, giving the Sharks an early 4-0 lead.  In the bottom of the inning, Braedon converted 2 outs from 2^nd base to Zach Elmy at 1^st, and Jeff stabbed a line drive at pitcher for the 3^rd out. 

Zach Elmy led off the 2^nd inning with a single, Braedon (RBI), Matt (triple, 2 RBI’s), Kyle (RBI), Mikade, Jarrett (RBI), Mikey (RBI) and Jeff (RBI) contributed to the hit parade and a maximum 7 runs for the Sharks.  Leading 11-0, the defense again refused any hits.  Short stop Kyle and Braedon both made plays to Elmy at 1^st base, and a diving Zach Stewart caught a high pop up from catcher to end the inning.

The Sharks put up another 6 runs in the top of the 3^rd, with a lead off single from Zach Stewart and hits from Zach Elmy, Blake (RBI), Braedon (double, 2 RBI’s), Matt, Kyle (2 RBI’s) and Brett (RBI).   

Blake made a nice diving catch from LC field, and Braedon recorded the last 2 outs to Zach Elmy to complete the shut-out of the Bulldogs.  The Sharks scored another 5 runs in the top of the 4^th inning, with hits from Zach Elmy , Blake, Braedon (RBI), an inside the park home-run from Matt (3 RBI’s), a single from Kyle, Brett and an RBI single from Jarrett.  The Sharks awesome pool play gave them a 7^th seed for upcoming bracket play.  GO SHARKS GO!!