Sandsharks turn back Future of America
BY JOSH GALVIN CONTRIBUTING WRITER
Defense and nine runs over the second, third and fourth innings spelled victory for the Sandsharks, who improved to 2-0 with a 9-1 victory over Future of America in Friday night's rec league softball game of the week at Tom Nevers.

MICHAEL GALVIN/The Independent Despite the sure hands of Future of America's Ben Butterworth, the team fell to the Sandsharks last Friday. Ready in the outfield is Leah Day.

After being retired one, two, three in the first inning, the Sandsharks found their groove, plating three runs in the second inning, four in the third and two in the fourth to round out their scoring. Jeremy Wagaman was the story on both offense and defense for the Sandsharks, going 3-4 with three runs batted in while recording eleven put-outs at shortstop where he anchors the Sandshark infield. Future of America, who dropped to 1-1 with the loss, scored their only run in the sixth inning after Ben Butterworth was plated by a Josh Galvin single with one out.

The Sandsharks were flawless defensively, scattering just seven hits over the seven innings, none of which went for extra bases. "We have been playing really well on defense to start the season," commented Sandsharks manager Wagaman after the game. "We have some new faces this year, and everyone has fit nicely into their roles and we've had positive results so far." The Sandsharks won their first game in similar fashion, soundly defeating Wolfhound in an 11-2 contest.

Wagaman got things started for the Sandsharks in the second inning, doubling deep to right, moving Liz Merendino, who reached on a walk, to third. Leigh LeClair followed with a single bringing home Merendino and moving Wagaman to third. First baseman Colby Roberts blasted a double over the head of Future of America's left fielder scoring Wagaman for the inning's second run. After two consecutive outs, Coco Philips singled home teammate LeClair before the side was retired.

The third inning was more of the same as the Sandsharks dialed up four more runs to extend their lead to 7-0. Jackie Laurenti began the inning with a single and went on to score on a Wagaman single to right. Merendino scored second for the Sandsharks, driven home after Roberts singled to left. Roberts, along with Wagaman, were each plated by a two-out single by Brandon Keeley.

Sandshark pitcher Steve Blashfield got in on the offensive action singling to spark a two-out two-run rally to help out his own cause. Blashfield and teammate Kyra Taylor, who also singled, were each plated by Wagaman's third hit in as many innings, bringing the Sandshark run total to nine, where it would remain.

Future of America collected themselves defensively for the final three innings but their bats continued to be quieted by the stingy Sandshark defense. "They didn't make mistakes," said Future of America manager Butterworth. "We suffered from suspect defense for a few of those middle innings, but we dug in and played sharp the last few. What I think really hurt us was the bye week we had. A week off is an offense-smothering vex, especially early in the season when we

haven't really settled in." I