Batting Ninth And Pitching..

By: Jake Levy

CAMDEN, NJ – The Riversharks were so depleted by injuries, the starting pitcher Keith Weiser was penciled into the nine hole of their lineup Saturday night.

A team already struggling to score runs, coming off a shutout loss the night before, was searching for something positive against the Liberty Division-leading Blue Crabs.

How about a four-run first inning?

The Riversharks did all their damage in the first, securing a 4-1 win in the middle game of a three-game set against the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs Saturday night at Campbell’s Field.

The Blue Crabs (24-18, 54-58) struck first with an RBI groundout from Brian Barton in the first inning. Camden responded with four runs in their half.

The first three Sharks all singled, including an RBI knock from Brian Burgamy. He was picked off during the next at bat, but it allowed Delwyn Young to score from third and put Camden (17-24, 51-59) in front for good.

Raul Padron added a solo home run and Danny Santiesteban drove in Steve Doetsch with a single to round out the scoring.

Each side put up zeros after that. Keith Weiser was great for Camden, going six innings and giving up the one run on seven hits. It was Weiser’s (7-8) third consecutive quality start, even though he did go 0-for-2 at the plate.

The Riversharks pulled back within 6.5 games of the Blue Crabs in the second half standings and look to make up ground Sunday in the series finale. Mike McGuire gets the start for Camden against Daryl Thompson.