Sharks 13, Nordhoff 1

The Sharks began Frontier League play today against Nordhoff in the same way they closed out the Daily News-Victory Invitational tournament: with relentless hitting and dominating pitching. Phil Johnson gave up just one run on three hits in five innings on the mound and blasted a two-run homer in the third inning to lead Malibu to a 13-1 victory.

Nine different players notched base hits as the Sharks scored five runs in the first, three in the third, one in the fourth, and two each in the fifth and sixth innings. Meanwhile, Johnson was scattering three hits, four walks, and a hit batter. He got defensive help at several points. After Nordhoff’s lead-off hitter reached on a base hit, Michael Gwyn caught him stealing second. The second hitter walked and was promptly picked off first by Johnson.

In the top of the second, with two on and nobody out, the Nordhoff hitter lined a pitch to Brooks Fitch at first base. Fitch stepped on first to double up the runner.

The scoring got under way for the Sharks in the first inning. With two outs and the bases loaded, Jamie Van Soelen lined a single to right field to knock in Brett Weinstock and Phil Johnson. Jared Weinstock then singled to plate Jason Puklus. After Geoff Roth walked, Colbie Bell drove in the fourth run of the inning with a walk that ended the day for the Nordhoff starter. Daniel Williams then hit a bad-hop single to first to drive in Jared Weinstock and complete the scoring.

The third inning provided the most dramatic moments of the game. After two quick outs, Daniel Williams dropped a perfect bunt down the third base line for a base hit. With Brett Weinstock at the plate, Williams advanced to second and third on wild pitches. Then, with a 3-0 count on Weinstock, Williams stole home on ball four. After Weinstock stole second, Phil Johnson launched a 3-2 pitch deep to right for his first home run of the season.

The Sharks scored one in the fourth when a double by Bell knocked in Jamie Van Soelen who had reached on a walk. Van Soelen drove in two runs in the fifth with a single that chased home Fitch, who had walked, and Puklus, who had doubled down the right field line.

In the sixth, a lead-off walk by Gwyn and consecutive singles by Roth, George Azzi, and Williams led to two more runs.

Roth closed out the game on the mound with two scoreless innings in relief of Johnson. He entered in style, striking out the first four batters he faced.

On the day, Williams was 3-for-4 with a walk and the steal of home. Van Soelen was 2-for-2 with two walks and four RBIs. Johnson was 1-for-5 with a homerun, two RBIs, and two runs scored. Fitch, Puklus, and Roth were all 1-for-3. Jared Weinstock and Bell were 1-for-2, and Azzi was 1-for-1.