Box Score HONOLULU, HI - The Sharks overcame an early 5 run deficit and were able to tie up the game in the 6th inning but an 8th inning home run from North Greenville shortstop L. Shaw ended up being the deciding factor in this one run ball game. The Sharks battled all night and had the tying and winning runs on base with 2 outs in the 9th but were unable to push them across.
North Greenville jumped out to a 5-0 lead in the top of the 2nd inning powered by a B. Roddey 2 run double but the Sharks were able to answer back and pull within 1 thanks to some gritty at bats by Skyler Agnew and Andrew Nykoluk as well as a 2 run double by center fielder Noah Hata. North Greenville added 2 more in the 4th but a solo home run from Tyler Arnold cut the deficit to 2. In the bottom of the 6th, 2 big time at bats from Kan Taguchi and Ethan Murakoshi tied the game up for the Sharks. After the North Greenville home run, the Sharks battled and were 1 pitch away from tying the game up but fell short.
The Sharks bullpen continued to impress as Ryan Schuelke gave 2 strong innings of early relief. Makana Quia, Vicente Molina, Luigi Albano-Dito, and Jacob Vanek all competed on the mound and were once again the biggest factor in keeping the Sharks in the game. Closer Ryan Inouye continued his dominance to shut down North Greenville's offense and give the Sharks a chance to win it in the 9th. Offensively for the Sharks, right fielder Kan Taguchi had an impressive 2-4 day at the plate with some very timely at bats to push runs across in crucial situations. Freshmen Ethan Murakoshi and Tyler Arnold continued to swing the bat well as Murakoshi added 2 hits and Arnold hit his 2nd home run of the year.
North Greenville continued to capitalize on the Sharks mistakes to push runs across. Relievers M. Taubensee and T. Dean were able to get crucial outs to limit the Sharks momentum. On the other side of the ball, L. Shaw and B. Roddey both contributed 2 hit games with 4 runs combined.
Although it was a tough series for the Sharks, there were a lot of positives. In a series where they never had a lead, the Keehi Boys showed that they have the toughness and grit to claw their way back into any game. They had competitive at bats against a very polished North Greenville pitching staff and were able to capitalize on mistakes. Additionally, the performance by the Sharks bullpen was outstanding and definitely something they will be looking to carry and rely on as the season progresses. The Sharks look to grow from this series and bounce back for their California trip where they play Westmont on February 15th and 17th and Azusa Pacific February 20th-22nd.
