Sharks 13, Nordhoff 3

The Sharks sent twelve batters to the plate and scored six runs in the top of the third inning and rode the pitching of Jared Weinstock and Mike Gwyn to a 13-3 win over Frontier League rival Nordhoff on Friday.

With Malibu already up 2-0, Greg Kernodle led off the third inning with a bunt single down the third base line. Kernodle stole second and then advanced to third as Weinstock grounded out to Nordhoff first baseman, Todd Landsman. After Brooks Fitch was intentionally walked, Stephen Williams hit a ground-rule double down the left field line that score Kernodle and moved Fitch to third. Fitch and Williams scored when Gwyn’s ground ball bounced over the shoulder of second baseman Marty Myers. On a well-executed hit-and-run play, Jacob Perrin singled through the hole at second to chase Gwyn to third. Perrin advanced to second on the throw from the outfield. Colbie Bell’s base hit plated Gwyn before Ross Ellis was hit by a pitch to load the bases.

Jace Dispenza greeted the first pitch from Nordhoff’s Rob Magill, on in relief of starter Tyler Erickson, with a two-run double into the left-center field gap. Kernodle walked to load the bases, but Weinstock fouled out and Fitch flied to left to end the inning.

Weinstock, making his second start of the season on the mound, gave up two hits in the bottom of the first, but kept the Rangers’ bats silent the rest of the way. His only problems came as a consequence of temporary lapses in control. Weinstock walked the bases loaded on the first fourteen pitches of the third inning. He immediately settled down, however, and retired the next three batters, allowing only one run on a fielder’s choice. In all, Weinstock allowed two runs (one earned) in four innings with three strikeouts and six walks.

Mike Gwyn, who entered in relief after Weinstock walked the leadoff hitter in the fifth inning, pitched three complete innings allowing only one hit and one unearned run.

Malibu started the scoring in the top of the first. Erickson hit leadoff hitter Greg Kernodle with a 1-2 pitch. Weinstock grounded into a fielder’s choice that erased Kernodle at second. Fitch followed with a double that moved Weinstock to third. A sacrifice fly to center by Williams scored Weinstock. Fitch then scored the second run of the game on Mike Gwyn’s infield hit.

With the score 8-1, the Sharks added a single run in the fourth inning. Gwyn reached on a one-out single and advanced to second when Perrin grounded into a bizarre 5-6-3 out. Bell then lined a single up the middle to score Gwyn.

Malibu put the game away with four more runs in the sixth inning. The first three batters–Williams, Gwyn, and Perrin–reached on walks. Williams scored on a wild pitch and Bell knocked in Gwyn on a groundout to short. After Nate Schoenbrun walked, Dispenza singled to knock in Perrin. Kernodle followed with a base hit that loaded the bases. Jake Jesson then hit a sacrifice fly to center to score Schoenbrun with the thirteenth and final run of the game for Malibu.

In addition to the strong pitching and hitting performances, Malibu got exceptional defensive play from Jacob Perrin at short. Nate Schoenbrun and Jake Jesson had solid defensive games in the outfield and Stephen Williams had a good game behind the plate.

The win over Nordhoff moved the Sharks into second place in the Frontier League a game-and-a-half behind Oaks Christian. It also took Malibu over .500 for the first time this season with a 5-4 overall record.

The Sharks play a non-league contest on Saturday at 11:00 a.m. at Oak Park.