Host First Round Game on Thursday at 7:05 p.m.

The Wilmington Sharks of the Coastal Plain League have announced that the Sharks have clinched a spot in the 2011 CPL Petitt Cup playoffs, marking the first time since 2003 that the organization has made the postseason.

The Sharks clinched their spot in the eight-team playoffs with a doubleheader sweep over the Morehead City Marlins on the road Monday night, the first doubleheader sweep for the Sharks in 2011.

With the Sharks sweeping the Marlins last night the Sharks have locked themselves into no lower than the No. 7 seed. The Sharks still have a chance to move up to the No. 6 seed with another win over Morehead City and Gastonia losing their final regular season game on Tuesday night.  After tonight their will be a clear opponent for the first round, best-of-three series.

Regardless of their opponent or seed, the Sharks will host game one of the series on Thursday night, with the first pitch scheduled for 7:05.

The most up-to-date information on the Sharks opponent and seed can be found on the team’s homepage, http://wilmingtonsharks.com/.

Ticket sales for the general public will go on sale at 2 p.m. Tuesday afternoon by calling the Sharks office at 343-5621.

The Wilmington Sharks are members of Coastal Plain League, the nation’s hottest summer collegiate baseball league.  Celebrating its 15^th season, The Coastal Plain League features 15 teams playing in North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia.  The CPL gives college players the chance to refine their skills with the use of wooden bats.  Players are housed with local host families for the summer.  The CPL has had over 930 alumni drafted and 45 alums make their Major League debut thus far.  For more information on the Coastal Plain League, please visit the league website at www.coastalplain.com.