By: Evan Rogers

HOLLY SPRINGS, N.C. — Behind hot hitting from the away squad, the Holly Springs Salamanders (15-11) were defeated by the Wilmington Sharks (12-15), 7-1, Thursday night at Ting Stadium.

It didn’t take long for the Sharks to get on the board first. In the top of the first inning, shortstop Andrew Ciufo (Georgetown) lined an RBI single to right field to plate Wilmington’s first run. Two batters later, left fielder Wyatt Crenshaw (Colorado Christian) bulleted an infield single, scoring the Sharks’ second run of the frame. 

The Sharks added to their lead two innings later. Second baseman AJ Mendolia (Central Arkansas) led off the third with a double that bounced off the right field wall. And, he was driven home when Scott Bandura (Princeton) lasered an RBI single to right field. 

After opening up a four-run advantage, the Sharks’ offense remained hot. In the top of the fifth inning, center fielder Noah Bridges (UNCW) placed a double between the left-center field gap, stretching Wilmington’s lead to 6-0. 

The Salamanders plated their first run of the game in the next inning. Left fielder Nate Carriere (Lamar) raced around first base to take what appeared to be a routine single and flip it into a one-out double. Moments later, Carriere again showcased his speed, racing home on a groundout. 

However, Carriere’s run proved to be one of two scoring plays for the Salamanders, as Holly Springs fell, 7-2.

In the defeat, Carriere’s hustle provided Ting Stadium with a brief spark. The junior from Lamar University’s ability to take second on a dribbler to shallow center field ended up paying off, as he went on to score the Salamanders’ first run.

Holly Springs will look to bounce back against the Wilmington Sharks on Friday night. The road battle’s first pitch is set for 7:00 p.m.