The many loyal fans of the Sharks traveled to Oyster Bay to see their favorite team go for the title. The offense was led by James Prado setting the table in the leadoff spot going 2-3 with a run scored and two stolen bases. The game was knotted at all zeros in the bottom of the fourth inning with two outs when Ryan Wasserman drove in James with a hard single to right. In the fifth inning the Sharks added a second run when Kenny Hirschfeld led off with a single, stole second and then third. Anthony Agerenza then followed with a single to drive him in. That was all the runs the Shark pitchers would need on this day as the capacity-filled crowd saw spectacular pitching. The Shark pitchers held the opposing team to just three hits and no runs over seven innings. Jimmy “Jimbo” Weedon took the hill to start the game and pitched four strong innings. Brandon Colon than came in for a scoreless fifth inning and Ryan “The Ice Man” Wasserman pitched the final two innings to close out the championship. The defense played a great game as well. The play of the game happened in the final inning with a runner on and only one out when Jimmy Weedon, now playing the hot corner, made a fantastic grab on a scorched line drive off the bat of a Hellcat slugger. Wow, what a play! The other team was shocked in amazement and the Sharks fans went wild. The Sharks played like champions well beyond their years.
Merillon 8U Red Sharks vs. Cedarhurst Threshers
Merillon defeated the Threshers 6-3 in route to the NJBL championship game. Tully Stadium was full of fans who came to cheer the Sharks to victory. The offense was led by Brandon Colon who was 3-3 with an RBI and a double. Also contributing to the offense was Ryan Wasserman who had a big two-out double late in the game and two RBIs. James Prado contributed with five stolen bases and two runs scored. James is leading the team with an impressive forty stolen bases. The fans saw excellent pitching by the Shark hurlers who held the opposing team to just three runs and four hits over seven innings. The pitchers were Jimmy “Jimbo” Weedon, Brandon Colon and Ryan “The Ice Man” Wasserman who closed out the victory. The defense played a very clean game, capped off by birthday boy “Cool Hand” Luke Notine making a fine grab on a pop-up for the final out of the game.
