After rain spoiled the planned home opener Wednesday, the Fayetteville Swampdogs did a little spoiling of their own Friday, beating the Sharks 4-2 at Buck Hardee Field.

A lead off hit by Sharks right fielder Jarred Jiminez opened the 2008 CPL season for the Sharks Friday night. Jiminez came around to score and give Wilmington a 1-0 advantage that starter Dan Gerjets made stand up into the 6th inning.

Gerjets, a Freshman from George Mason, shined through 5 and 1 third innings striking out 7, walking 2, giving up only 1 hit and 1 run to the visiting Swampdogs.

Fayetteville grabbed the lone run off Gerjets in the top of the 6th inning, but the Sharks jumped ahead 2-1 thanks to a clutch two out single from starting catcher John Nester in the bottom half of the frame. That lead held up until Swampdog right fielder Stephen Hunt slashed a game tying RBI single in the top of the 8th. The next inning the Swampdogs loaded the bases off Wilmington reliever Tyler White. 2 runs scored to make a 4-2 final.

White did limit the damage, striking out three in that 9th inning leaving the door open for a rally, but the Sharks only base runner in the bottom of the ninth came on a 2 out single by Justice French. He was left at first and the book closed on opening night 2008 for the Wilmington Sharks.

Travis Wright got the win in relief for the Swampdogs, moving his 2008 record to 2-0. Tyler White took his first loss of the season for the Sharks.

Other noteables for the Sharks, Centerfielder Cory Lyda collected two hits including a triple, while lead-off man Jarred Jimenez went 1-3 and scored a run.

The Sharks travel to Florence tomorrow to take on the Red Wolves at 7pm. The next game at the Shark Tank in Wilmington is set for Monday at 7pm against Colombia.  -Courtesy Wilmington Sharks