Riversharks Advance to Championship Series

Nine runs and 14 hits carried the Camden Riversharks into the Atlantic League Championship Series on Wednesday night as they continued their season with a 9-4 win over the Atlantic City Surf at Sandcastle Stadium.

The Riversharks clinched the best of three series with a two game sweep after winning the opener 8-2 on Tuesday at Campbell’s Field. Once again the Riversharks scored earlier, received solid pitching through the contest and then pulled away late in the game.

Camden jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the top of the second inning as Tony Rodriguez and Quincy Foster each delivered RBI hits. Rodriguez, who finished the game 4-for-5 with three RBI, also belted a solo home run in the Riversharks’ five-run sixth inning.

Ben Simon, who entered the contest with a 2.10 ERA in the month of September, allowed just two runs and four hits in seven innings of work. He also struck out four batters and walked one before turning the game over to Evan Thomas in the eighth inning.

Thomas, who joined the team earlier in the day, pitched the final two innings to send the Riversharks in the Championship Series.

The Riversharks will now meet the winner of the Nashua, Long Island series, which is currently tied at one game apiece after the Ducks won 3-2 on Wednesday night at Citibank Ballpark.

Camden will host the final three games of the Championship series at Campbell’s Field on Sunday and Monday and Tuesday if necessary. Tickets for Games three, four and five can be purchased by calling (866) SHARKS-9, at www.riversharks.com, or by visiting the Campbell’s Field ticket office during normal business hours. Game time for all three contests is scheduled for 6:35 p.m