The Wilmington Sharks capped off its 2024 season by bringing the Coastal Plain League (CPL) Petitt Cup Championship to Wilmington for the first time in 25 years, according to a news release.

The team finished the season with a record of 30-19, and four Sharks players were honored by being selected for the 2024 All-Star Game.

“Under the leadership of first-year General Manager Brett Bloomquist, who previously played for the Sharks in 2008, the team excelled both on and off the field,” the release stated. “Head Coach Russ Burroughs also reached a significant milestone, recording his 150th win in the CPL during the season. The Sharks showcased their dominance by defeating the Peninsula Pilots to win the East Division and then sweeping the Lexington County Blowfish in both three-game series, with a 2-0 victory in each.”

The 2024 season brought over 35,000 fans to Buck Hardee Field at Legion Stadium, marking some of the highest attendance numbers in the Coastal Plain League, according to the release.

Bloomquist stated in the release, “Winning the Coastal Plain League Championship was a tremendous achievement, but our true victory lies in the partnerships we’ve built and the initiatives we’ve supported. This season has truly showcased the power of coming together through baseball. Wilmington is more than just a place to play; it’s a community we are honored to be a part of and contribute to.”

The Sharks team is a founding member of the CPL, a summer collegiate baseball league, the release stated. The league comprises 15 franchises across Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia. The CPL has seen over 1,800 alumni drafted, with 194 making their Major League debut, according to the release.