The fresh start of the second half has come and gone, but its still early in the late part of the season.

Early or late Sharks starters have produced all season long, but offensively some outs of the double variety have proved to hamper the Sharks efforts.

Here, with all of that an more, "Shark Bits" for this first day of July.

Last Game Synopsis: The Wilmington squad battled back late in
the first game of the second half, but fell short in extras
5-3. The Columbia Blowfish led 3-0 most of the night. Ryne
Harper gave up just a single unearned run through seven
innings, striking out eight. Trailing 3-1 in the ninth,
Jesse Bosnik singled home a run and then a double play ball
brought home the tying run to send things to extra frames.
Two runs in the top of the 11th beat the Sharks and sent
them to 0-1 on the second half.

J.C.’s Revenge: After shutting the Florence Redwolves down in
his only start against them this season, the ‘Wolves
touched up starter J.C. Casey for three runs in a relief
appearance June 16th. Casey did throw eight innings of shut
out ball against Florence on June 11th to get his second
win, but is riding a personal two game losing skid as he
brings a season ERA of 2.60 and 29 strike outs into
tonight’s game.

Rally Killers: Without a doubt the Sharks showed plenty of life
late the ball game last night, but three double play balls
throughout the game, helped sink Wilmington in the end. Two
of the twin killings came as the first and second outs in
run scoring innings for the Sharks, making it difficult to
sustain any further rally. On the season opponents have
turned 22 double plays against Sharks hitters.

Starter’s Pistol: Since the beginning of the season Sharks
starters have had minor ups and downs, but for the most
part have kept the club in games. The rotation of Schrader,
Cropper, Harper, Casey and Friedman has posted a 3.31 ERA
over 26 starts for the Sharks. Opponents are hitting just
.231 against the starters, while the starting firm is
averaging just over eight strike outs per nine innings
walking only 44 in more than 160 frames.

189 Miles and a Right Turn: For the first and only time this
season the Sharks will visit the Asheboro Copperheads at
McCrary Park. The Thursday rode trip is a shorter jaunt
than the road to Columbia, but represents a departure from
CPL South division play. It will be the only time the CPL
West’s Copperheads meet up with the Sharks from down south
this season.