The Wilmington Sharks would like to thank our fans, host families, players and staff for making 2009 the best season yet at the “Shark Tank.” Without your support and generosity, the season would not have been possible. The lack of wins on the field did not take away from a successful and enjoyable 2009 experience at the “Shark Tank.”

In addition to hosting 30 home games the Sharks had the opportunity to host the Coastal Plain League All-Star Game and Fanfest. More than 5,000 fans flocked to the “Shark Tank” for the two-day event which featured the “Hometown Heroes” softball game showcasing the Wilmington Fire Department vs. the Wilmington Police Department, CPL Home Run Derby and the CPL All-Star Game. Furthermore, 2009 at the “Shark Tank” also had an appearance by Miss USA Kristen Dalton on Opening Day, five fireworks shows and seven “Thirsty Thursdays” in the newly renovated beer garden.

There were few throughout the season who would argue that the Wilmington Sharks brought together a dug out full of great baseball talent from around the country. Though, the results do suggest that there was just something that didn't connect.

The club ran out of the gates nipping at first place, and closed the season with wins in six of eight. In between there were struggles. While that takes away from post season thrills, it should still take nothing away from what these young men brought to the field each and every night and the passion with which they played the game, no matter the summer's ups and downs.

From a stalwart pitching staff, to solid defense and hitting that came and went, the Sharks showed up to play, and put on a show more often than night on this season of 2009.

Though they scored late to draw close, the Sharks came up short in their 2009 season finale, 5-3 to the Columbia Blowfish.

The game, a continuation of a rain suspended game on July 13th, started in the second with no score. Hunter Ford(Campbell) took the hill today but allowed a four runs on five hits through his four frames of work to take the loss and move to 0-2 on the season.

At the plate the Sharks battled back when Adam Gray(Mercyhurst) doubled in a run in the eighth. Andrew Guerra(St. Louis) chipped in a 2-4 night as did Alex Hill(UNC-Wilmington). The Sharks final record in 2009 stands at 19-36.

Well, it has all come down to this. The final edition of "Shark Bits" of the 2009 season. To many it may seem like death in the afternoon.

But take heart, these bits are full of bright and glowing good news about the Sharks, glistening like the snows of Kilamanjaro. From an elder reliever stringing some fantastic appearances, to a lefty climbing a hill where only two other CPL hitters had been.

Everyone here in the Sharks crack media relations department earnestly hopes these tidbits of information have been helpful if not entertaining. So, one more time, click for the clean well lighted info on your Wilmington Sharks.

The Sharks scored before and after a nearly two hour rain delay, in the end pounding out 16 runs on 16 hits to beat the SwampDogs 16-5 in a late Monday night affair.

With runs in seven of the nine frames, including four innings in which the Sharks scored two or more runs, the Sharks posted their biggest run total of the season with 16 and knocked out their most hits of the season also with 16.

Wilmington jumpped out to an early lead before the rains came. Adam Gray(Mercyhurst) walked with one down in the top of the first. After a Jesse Bosnik(St. Bonaventure) single, Andrew Guerra(St. Louis) reached on an error that allowed Bosnik to scamper all the way around from second. Then with two down and Gray on third, Alex Hill(UNC-Wilmington) slapped a single to left to make it 2-0.