FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – The Nova Southeastern Sharks swept their second-straight series in a low-scoring three-game set against Palm Beach Atlantic. NSU only scored nine runs across all three games, but it was enough to secure another trio of SSC victories.
Gracelyn Wallace showed no signs of fatigue, throwing 221 pitches across all three games. She earned two winning decisions and her second save of the season in the series, only allowing one run to score across 14.2 innings pitched.
Gianna Russo proved to be a tough out for the Sailfish, going 4-for-6 on the series with three walks. Two of her hits were for extra bases, tallying a triple and a home run.
Game 1
Score: Nova Southeastern 4, Palm Beach Atlantic 0
Pitching Decisions- W: G. Wallace (12-7), L: L. Allen (3-10)
Records: Nova Southeastern (20-15, 6-7 SSC) | Palm Beach Atlantic (8-21, 0-10 SSC)
Location: Fort Lauderdale, Fla. | NSU Softball Stadium
Game 1
- It was a true pitcher’s duel through three innings, with the Sharks only collecting two base hits. Gracelyn Wallace only allowed one hit to Sailfish batters in the same period.
- NSU finally broke through in the fourth using a pair of leadoff walks and a sacrifice bunt to put two in scoring position before Emily Garcia hammered a 1-1 count to left field for a 2 RBI ground-rule double.
- The Sharks took advantage of more free passes with Destiny Lewis drawing a walk before NSU immediately cashed in with a Gianna Russo RBI triple to draw the score to 3-0.
- Gracelyn Wallace pitched a complete game shutout, only allowing three hits to the Sailfish while striking out seven. It is her fourth complete game shutout of the season.
Game 2
Score: Nova Southeastern 3, Palm Beach Atlantic 2
Pitching Decisions- W: A. Richiez (4-4), L: R. Little (3-10), S: G. Wallace (2)
Records: Nova Southeastern (21-15, 7-7 SSC) | Palm Beach Atlantic (8-22, 0-11 SSC)
Location: Fort Lauderdale, Fla. | NSU Softball Stadium
Game 2
- Palm Beach Atlantic struck first in the opening inning on a RBI fielder’s choice following a Shark error.
- NSU got its first hit of the day in the third on a Brianna Matthews bunt single.
- Abbey Moore drove in the tying run with a suicide squeeze bunt down the first base line. NSU took the lead when Brianna Matthews scored on a Sailfish wild pitch.
- Gianna Russo mashed her 17th career home run to right field in the sixth inning to extend the Sharks’ lead to 3-1.
- PBA rallied in the seventh, getting two of its first three batters aboard, prompting a call to the bullpen for Gracelyn Wallace in a save situation.
- The Sailfish loaded the bases with just one out, the next two batters popped out and walked, cutting the lead to just one.
- Gracelyn Wallace induced a popout to end the game and the Sailfish rally.
Game 3
Score: Nova Southeastern 2, Palm Beach Atlantic 1
Pitching Decisions- W: G. Wallace (13-7), L: L. Allen (3-11)
Records: Nova Southeastern (22-15, 8-7 SSC) | Palm Beach Atlantic (8-23, 0-12 SSC)
Location: Fort Lauderdale, Fla. | NSU Softball Stadium
Game 3
- Another pitcher’s duel emerged as both teams only had one hit through three.
- The Sharks finally broke through in the fourth as pinch runner Mia Schwaner advanced to third on a groundout. The Sailfish first baseman tried a throw across the diamond for a double play, but overthrew her target, allowing Schwaner to come home.
- NSU scored again in the fifth without a base hit. Using two walks and a hit-by-pitch, the Sharks were able to collect their second run of the game on a Christina D’Agostino sac fly.
- Similar to the first game of the doubleheader, PBA rallied in the seventh. With runners at the corners, PBA’s Holly Frankl singled through the left side of the infield to bring the score to 2-1.
- The next two Sailfish batters flew out to second baseman Gianna Russo to secure the series sweep.
- Russo made the series’ top defensive play, diving full extension into right field to rob Mari Szierer of a base hit in the fourth inning.
- Gracelyn Wallace earned a decision in all three games with two wins and a save.
- Gianna Russo: 4-6, 3B, HR, 3 BB, 2 RBI
- Gracelyn Wallace: 2 Wins, Save, 14.2 IP, 1 Run Allowed, 10 Strikeouts
The Sharks get a bye week before returning to action on the road against Tampa on April 10 and 11 for a three-game conference series at Naimoli Family Field. First pitch on Friday is scheduled for 6 p.m. To stay up to date on Sharks Softball, be sure to follow on X and Instagram @NSUSoftball.
