Just three games into the Coastal Plain season the Wilmington Sharks have a winning record thanks in large part to starting pitching. In the three contests Shark starters have combined to throw 17 innings, posting a miniscule 0.52 earned run average over that span.

It was Adam Schrader(SW Minnesota State) who started the trend against Thomasville Wednesday. The Minnesota native flirted with a no hitter as he went seven scoreless facing just four over the minimum.

Next it was Daniel Cropper(UNC-Wilmington) going five scoreless and striking out seven Colombia Blowfish to keep the string of stifling starts rolling.

The ball went to Ryne Harper(Austin Peay) in the Sharks third contest, and while he did give up a run, it was his only blemish through five frames as he scattered four hits in Columbia.

Many of the Shark's starters pitched far fewer innings and mostly in relief for their respective schools so they will have to work up to long starts here in the CPL. However, if these early indicators hold true, starting pitching could become a hallmark of winning baseball in Wilmington.

The Sharks next home game will be Saturday night May, 30th against the Fayetteville Swampdogs. The game starts at 7:05, stick around after the game for a fireworks extravaganza presented by Sharonview Federal Credit union.

The Wilmington Sharks are members of the summer collegiate Coastal Plain League, the nation’s hottest summer collegiate baseball league. In 2008 the Sharks drew more than 50,000 fans to the "Shark Tank" for an average of 1,650 per game. For more information on tickets, merchandise or advertising opportunities please call (910) 343.5621.