CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa – In the first preseason polls of the year, the Nova Southeastern Sharks garnered a No. 19 selection from Perfect Game this week, heading into the second season under head coach Laz Gutierrez.
In a COVID-19 pandemic-shortened 2020 season, the Sharks finished the year 11-11, overcoming a challenging start against a slate of 14 ranked opponents in the 22 games, and had won both Sunshine State Conference series on the road – clinching victory in five of the final seven games.
The Sharks were in the top tier of the SSC in league win percentage, aided by aggressive baserunning that topped the SSC and ranked fourth nationally with 65 stolen bases (2.95/game). A steady force in 2020 for the Sharks was also a heady defense, ranking 14th in the NCAA with 19 double plays (0.86/game). The Sharks also ranked fourth in the SSC with a .292 average, coming up 21st nationally with 21 doubles and 17th nationally with 230 hits.
NSU will retain all but one of its 2020 senior class for an additional year, which provides the Sharks with a deep roster and depth at every position. Among the leaders at the plate, shortstop Brandon Chinea led all hitters at .369 with 14 runs and 10 RBI, ahead of upstart rookie second baseman Tyler Epstein at .367 with 16 runs and nine RBI – after being forced into action by injury. Junior outfielder Adan Fernandez batted .365 and paced NSU with three homers, as well as seven doubles, 19 RBI and 14 runs. Reigning SSC Freshman of the Year utility Duncan Pastore hit .330 with team highs of 21 runs and 11 doubles, while also pitching 12.1 innings across five games. Andrew Labosky went .280 with a team-high 21 RBI, seven doubles and 15 runs.
On the mound, the Sharks will have access to 25 arms in 2021, including three primary starters from a year ago. Leading the way, closer-turned-starter JP Williams held a 1.99 ERA with a 1-2 record and 23 strikeouts in a team-leading 22.2 innings. Rookie Cooper Omans notched a 3-0 record and 1.45 ERA with 19 strikeouts in 18.2 innings, holding both Barry and Embry-Riddle without a run in two key league victories. The long-awaited return of Brady Acker produced a 1.50 ERA and 2-0 record with 15 strikeouts in 18 innings. Meanwhile, reliever Jarret Krzyzanowski co-led the squad with nine appearances and 21 strikeouts across 18.1 innings for a 4.42 ERA.
While the Sharks official schedule has not been released at this time, the slate is expected to consist primarily of SSC contests in the coming months.
The Sharks ranked as high as 16th in last year’s preseason polling from the primary outlets during the debut season for Gutierrez, marking the sixth consecutive season with an initial national ranking for Nova Southeastern.
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