WILMINGTON, N.C. – After regulation yielded no runs, the Columbia Blowfish put up a three-spot in the top of tenth to escape Buck Hardee Field with a 3-0 win over the Wilmington Sharks.  Four Blowfish pitchers held Wilmington to just two hits on the night.

The Sharks (19-20, 5-6 CPL second half), who had scored 39 runs in their last four games, were unable to score for the first time since July 2, when they were shut out in both games of a doubleheader against Florence. The loss also snaps a three-game winning streak for the Sharks and a two-game losing streak for the Blowfish.

Despite a 50-minute weather delay, starting pitchers Ryan Garton of Columbia and Atlee Pearson of Wilmington were both effective. Garton went seven innings pitched, allowed two hits, no runs and eight strikeouts. Pearson went 6.1 innings pitched, gave up one hit and no runs and struck out five.

Columbia had the first major scoring chance in the sixth when Ryan McCormick walked, then stealing second and third. However, Pearson was able to end the inning with a Branfy Arias fly out.

McCormick also put himself in scoring position in the eighth but Sharks reliever Patrick Szczerba struck out Nate Orvin to end the inning.

The Sharks best scoring chance came in the seventh when Kenny Bryant walked, stole second base and advanced to third after a Matt Willis sacrifice fly. With two outs, Richie Allen then grounded out to end the inning.

Demontez Jones lead off the Columbia 10^th with a walk. After advancing to second, Orvin reached first and advanced Jones to third on a passed ball after the third strike. After Orvin stole second, Arias’ short roller turned into the game-winner for the Blowfish as Kenny Bryant’s toss to pitcher Patrick Mincey (L, 1-2) at first was dropped, allowing Jones to score. Brian Celek’s single to right field scored Orvin and then another error by Mincey on the play scored Arias from third to make it 3-0.

In the bottom of the 10^th, Andy Podolinski got his second save of the year by retiring pinch-hitter Conor Szczerba to end the game with Richie Allen on first base. Thomas Little (W, 1-2) gets the win for the Blowfish, having worked the ninth inning.

The Sharks return to action on Friday, July 16 as they hit the road to take on the Wilson Tobs in inter-divisional action. Wilmington returns home for its final home game before the All-Star Break on Saturday, July 17 as the Sharks take on the Outer Banks Daredevils in inter-divisional action. Saturday is Wave Transit Night as the Wave Transit buses will be going back-and-forth between the Shark Tank and the Westfield Independence Mall, providing our fans with free shuttle service to and from the game. Also, the Adult Swim Two Dollar Ticket and One Dollar Refill deal will be in place for the night.