WILMINGTON, N.C.—Coming off a weekend where the Wilmington Sharks lost four games in three days, the first-place Morehead City Marlins came back to Buck Hardee Field in hopes of stepping closer to a playoff berth. The Sharks, in a playoff battle of their own, needed a win to keep pace in the Wild Card race. With a complete game four-hitter from Joe Wagstaff, the Sharks picked up two runs in the eighth to grab the victory by a final of 3-2.

Early on the Marlins (28-18, 13-5 CPL second half) seemed to get the better of Wagstaff (W, 4-3). Luke Smierciak scored in the top of the first off Chad Oberacker’s single to center.

In the second, it was the defense that was at fault. Chris Taylor reached on an error and then after reaching third, scored on another error to make it 2-0. All in all, the Sharks (22-25, 8-11 CPL second half) had four errors on the night.

After the second run scored, Wagstaff only allowed one hit the rest of the night, which came in the fourth inning. He gave up four hits, two runs, one earned, one walk and struck out seven.

Wilmington’s bats awoke in the sixth inning when Aaron Preston hit a solo homerun to cut the lead in half, 2-1. It was the first homerun for the newcomer, who was playing in his fifth game in a Sharks uniform.

The Sharks took advantage of the Marlins bullpen in the eighth when Jeff Guthridge (L, 3-1) came in to pitch. After walking Kenny Bryant and Greg Fujii, Richie Allen’s single to left field tied the game, scoring Bryant on the play. After walking Conor Szczerba to load the bases, Guthridge was replaced by Thomas Girdwood. Pinch-hitter Joey Rapp came in to face Girdwood and was able to draw a walk on four straight pitches to take the lead.

In the ninth, Wagstaff came in to finish the job. Chris Schaffer reached on a one-out error and advanced to third, but Taylor popped up to Aaron Miller to end the game.

With the win, the Sharks are now virtually even with Asheboro for the final Wild Card spot.

The Sharks return to action on Tuesday, July 27 as they travel to Martinsville for inter-divisional action. Wilmington then returns home on Wednsday, July 28 for Budweiser Fly Away Night where one lucky fan will win a round-trip to Atlanta to see the Braves play at Turner Field late in August. The Adult Swim Two Dollar Ticket and One Dollar Refill Deal will be in effect for this game. Gates open at 6:00 p.m. and first pitch is at 7:05 p.m.