Records can sometimes be deceiving in sports.

That is the case with the Sand Gnats 35 team, which enters the midseason break with a 3-8 mark.

But looking a bit closer at the numbers, you see that the Gnats are a better team than their record indicates.

Despite the record the team has outscored opponents 80-75. Six of the team's eight losses are by one or two runs.

John Meygas has been a standout performer for the team through the first half of the year. As a pitcher, Meygas has an ERA of 0.58. He ranks among the top 10 in the state in strikeouts, hits allowed, walks and strikeouts per nine innings.

At the plate, Meygas, who also plays shortstop, ranks among the top 10 in the state in doubles, triples, home runs and total bases.

William Garner ranks second in the state league in doubles and RBI, and in the top 10 in total bases, and walks. Ray Hutchens (runs), Kip Dennis (hits), Greg Patterson (homers), Dennis Johnson (triples and total bases). Johnson leads the team with a .432 batting average.

The Gnats 21 team is 2-8 in its first season. Offensively Dan Thomas has been the catalyst. He ranks fifth in the nation with a .667 batting average, and is 8th in on base percentage. He leads the state league in both categories and is second in hits and fifth in slugging percentage.

Stuart Richardson is posting impressive numbers on the mound. He ranks nationally in strikeouts and complete games, along with being in the top 10 in the state in ERA, innings pitched, hits and strikeouts per nine innings.

Richardson is nationally ranked in strikeouts and complete games, along with being in the top ten in NC in ERA, innings pitched, hits and K's per 9 innings pitched.

Jason Lowe, an Army surgeon who is deploying to Afghanistan soon, leads the North Carolina league in ERA. When he isn't pitching, Lowe is tops in the state in Homers.

The Gnats start up again with the 21 team playing the Wake Blue Sox at 4 p.m. July 12. The 35 team is back in action with a double header on July 13. The team will battle the Apex Athletics at 1:15 p.m. and the Raleigh Marlins at 4:30 p.m.

All games will be played at Union Pines High School.