By MICHAEL RADANO
Courier-Post Staff
CAMDEN

Too many times this season, the Camden Riversharks have fallen short the game after a win.

Tuesday was no exception.

The Sharks (22-32 half, 46-71 overall) managed only six hits and committed three errors in a 4-2 loss to Lehigh Valley in front of 3,637 fans at Campbell's Field. Ryan Schurman fell to 9-10 after he gave up four runs over six innings.

He failed to retire either of the two batters he faced in the seventh. The loss came in only the second game since a seven-game layoff because of the terrorist attacks in America, but that wasn't an excuse after a good effort Monday.

What made the loss particularly difficult was that it came at the hands of Mark Seaver.

Seaver, who started the year on the Sharks' roster, went seven strong innings, during which only six runners reached scoring position.

"It was real tough to come out tonight, especially after what's happened the last few weeks and coming back to pitch against my friends," said Seaver, whose ERA is just over four, after ballooning to 6.29 in his time with the Sharks. "I think I was too pumped up early on and it hurt me.

"It's been a good change for me to be with a team that can really work with you more. I've overhauled my mechanics and I think I'm a better pitcher now."

Lehigh Valley (18-38, 36-83) opened the game with a pair of runs in the top of the first inning.

Victor Gutierrez started it with a single. Edgar Tovar followed with a single. That's when the Sharks gave the game away.

Gutierrez had stolen second before the single, so when Schurman uncorked the first of two consecutive wild pitches, the leadoff hitter easily scored. Tovar reached third before Chad Gambill grounded out to second to score the second run.

The Sharks managed only one run in the bottom half of the first inning and another in the bottom of the ninth.

Haddon Township graduate Brad Strauss, who doubled twice on a night when posters of him were given out, scored on a wild pitch with one out. He led off the first with a double.

•Shark Tank: Before the game 8-year-old Chelsea Musick sang a stirring rendition of "God Bless the USA." It' s a continuation of some of the patriotism that has swept the country since last Tuesday. Some in the crowd wept. ... The Sharks paid tribute to four teams that were wildly successful over the summer. Before the game, members of the Runnemede Eagles flag football team that won the World Flag Football title in Europe were honored. Also honored were the Brooklawn American Legion senior and junior teams. Gloucester Catholic High School baseball coach and Brooklawn assistant Dennis Barth accepted a plaque honoring the national-champion senior team. Collingswood head coach and junior team manager Jack Marcellus accepted for the state-champion junior team. ... Starting tonight, the Sharks have only five home games remaining. Tonight is the last game with Lehigh. It will decide the season series as the Sharks hold a 9-8 advantage.

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