The Bristol Blues bested the Martha’s Vineyard Sharks by a score of 8-1 Monday night at Muzzy Field.  

Bristol wasted no time getting the bats going. The Blues scored two runs in the bottom of the first to jump out to an early lead.  A Joe Tiroly (Virginia U of) single drove in a run and put runners on second and third. Later in the inning, Mika Peterson (Brown) brought Thomas Ahlers (Dayton U of) in to score on a groundout to first. 

 The Sharks cut into the lead in the top of the third, thanks to a William Lybrook (Harvard) RBI single to make it a 2-1 game. However, in the fourth inning Bristol scored four runs to increase their lead and make it a 6-1 game. Jack Hopko (Rhode Island U of) singled in the bottom of the eighth to add on two more to the Bristol lead and make it an 8-1 game, which would end up being the final score. 

Errors came back to bite the Sharks. They had five errors and all eight runs they gave up were unearned. While the Blues were able to take advantage of the Sharks defensive mishaps, they were also able to limit the Sharks offensively. Benjamin Winslow (Yale) got the start and went three innings giving up only three hits, one earned run, three walks and recorded three strikeouts. JT Landwehr (Portland U of) came on after Winslow and shut the Sharks down. Landwehr threw five shutout innings and allowed only one hit, zero walks and retired three batters by way of the K. James Ellis (St. Peters) came on in the ninth to close out the game and secure the win for the Blues. 

The Blues have now won three straight and are 13-8 on the season and in second place in the South division. Bristol will look to carry their momentum into a road matchup with the Ocean State Waves Tuesday night. First pitch is set for 6:30 p.m.          

Written by Ryan McKenna 

Photo Courtesy of Bristol Blues Instagram Page (@bristol_blues)