See-Saw Game Goes to Sharks Saturday

OAK BLUFFS, Mass. — The North Shore Navigators rallied from a six-run deficit in the first inning to take the lead, but dropped a 12-11 decision to the New England Collegiate Baseball League-leading Martha's Vineyard Sharks on Saturday night at The Shark Tank.

All-Star shortstop Hudson Ellis (Oral Roberts) and center fielder Hunter Kingsbury (Bryant) were a combined 7-for-11 at the top of the lineup for North Shore, which slipped to 18-21 on the season. First baseman Anderson French (Dallas Baptist) highlighted the team's seven-run second inning with a one-out grand slam.

The Byfield native Kingsbury posted his second four-hit game of the summer, hitting safely in each of his final four at-bats en route to a 4-for-5 showing with a double, two triples and four RBI. He is just the third player in franchise history and first since 2018 to hit two triples in a game.

Martha's Vineyard posted a six-run inning to start the night, with first baseman James McGee's (Kennesaw State) grand slam to left field highlighting the frame. 

However, the Navs immediately responded by sending 12 men to the plate and scoring seven runs on five hits in the second. Designated hitter Daniel Leikus (Rhode Island) and second baseman Jack Rickheim (Harvard) drew back-to-back walks with one out before catcher Aidan Sengenberger's (Seton Hall) single to left loaded the bases.

French brought North Shore right back into the game with one swing of the bat, ripping a grand slam to right field for his first home run of the summer. A walk to Danvers native left fielder Danny Flynn (Northeastern) and an Ellis single to left kept the line moving, and Kingsbury evened the score with a two-run double inside the right-field line.

After Kingsbury advanced to third on a failed pickoff, third baseman Tyler Shulman (Harvard) hit a sacrifice fly to right field to give the Navs their first lead of the game. 

North Shore reliever Cam Freeman (Longwood) followed up the big inning by facing the minimum, inducing an inning-ending 6-4-3 double play to Ellis and setting the table for a two-run third inning. After French knocked a one-out infield single and Ellis reached on a fielding error, Kingsbury ripped a two-out, two-RBI triple to deep center field.

The hosts got three runs back in the latter half of the third and executed a double steal to take a 10-9 lead in the fifth, but Kingsbury's second triple of the game landed in the right-field corner to spark the Navs as they tied the game again at 10-10 in the sixth. Right fielder Grant Hunter (Binghamton) drew a one-out walk and scored on a Leikus RBI grounder.

Shortstop Jackson Roper (Wake Forest) drove home the Sharks' ultimate go-ahead run on a groundout in the sixth. An inning later, third baseman Will Bavaro (Florida State) hit a single into right to plate an insurance run.

After Cameron Keaveney (SNHU) struck out three while allowing just one earned run over three innings of relief of starter Thomas Mahoney (Northeastern) and Freeman, North Shore newcomer Nigel Cross (Wentworth) pitched two innings of one-run ball to keep his offense within striking distance.

North Shore did not go away quietly, climbing within one and putting the tying run on base in the ninth. A one-out walk to Sengenberger started the rally, and French's grounder back to the pitcher moved him into scoring position. Down to his final strike, Flynn laced an RBI single through the right side, but an Ellis fielder's choice ended the game.

The Navs and the rest of the NECBL take Sunday off from the playoff chase, as the NECBL All-Star Game is set to be played in Sanford, Maine. Ellis and Wenham native left-hander Gian Gamelli (Notre Dame) will both start for the North Division, while Kingsbury is a reserve outfielder. Hunter will compete in the Home Run Derby.

North Shore plays four of its final regular-season games at Fraser Field, beginning with a Monday doubleheader against the Mystic Schooners. First pitch is set for 4:05 p.m.