FORT LAUDERDALE, FLA – The Nova Southeastern Softball team swept a doubleheader on Saturday, defeating Eckerd 15-1 in game one and 8-4 in game two. The Sharks were led by a dominant record-breaking performance from Alexis Smith, Smith broke the NSU career triples record with 17 career triples.
Prior to today’s doubleheader NSU athletics honored four seniors, Tia Williams, Katelyn Ellard, Grace Rende, and Samantha Burke.
(Game One)
Score: Nova Southeastern 15 (J: A. Allen, 11-4) | Eckerd 1 (L: A. Beauchain, 5-9)
Records: Nova Southeastern (37-13, 21-8 SSC) | Eckerd (21-25, 6-23 SSC)
Location: AD Griffin Complex | Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
Get Social: @NSUSharks and @NSUSoftball on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube
BOT 1st | Alexis Smith (1B) and Alyssa Drogemuller (1B) got hits on back-to-back at bats, putting two runners on base for the Sharks. Ryleigh Langwell would then single to shortstop, bringing Smith across home plate. Shortly after, Drogemuller stole home, putting the Sharks up 2-0.
BOT 2nd | Emily Thomas singled to center field to start the inning for the Sharks. After Grace Rende was walked in the ensuing at bat, Alexis Smith came up to the plate and hit her 14th triple of the season, bringing in both runners for NSU. Alyssa Drogemuller then grounded out to second base but not before Smith came across home plate, putting the 5th run on the board for NSU.
TOP 3rd | With two runners on base, the Tritons stole home, giving them their first run of the game.
BOT 3rd | The Sharks loaded the bases with no outs after Burke (1B), Thomas (BB) and Rende (1B) found their way aboard. Smith continued her stellar play, hitting a double to left field and tacking on two more runs for NSU, giving the Sharks a 7-0 lead. Drogemuller was walked in the next at-bat, which loaded the bases for NSU once again. The Sharks would then put four straight runs on the board, thanks to Langwell (1B), Fine (1B), Williams (1B), and Shaw (1B), extending the Sharks lead to 11-0. The hitting party was just getting started, a double by Rende brought in three more runs for NSU. Shortly after, Smith would put the final run on the board for the Sharks off of a double to center field, securing Nova Southeastern’s 15-1 victory over Eckerd.
- Alexis Smith broke the NSU career triples record with 17 triples.
- Smith was also one home run away from completing the first cycle in NSU softball history.
- 11 different NSU athletes registered a hit.
- Three athletes had two or more RBIs (Smith, Langwell, Rende).
(Game Two)
Score: Nova Southeastern 8 (W: K. Ellard, 7-2) | Eckerd 4 (L: B. Benefield, 8-11)
Records: Nova Southeastern (38-13, 22-8 SSC) | Eckerd (21-26, 6-24 SSC)
Location: AD Griffin Complex | Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
Get Social: @NSUSharks and @NSUSoftball on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube
BOT 1st | Drogemuller singled to get it started for NSU. In the ensuing at-bat Fine doubled to left field, bringing Drogemuller home for the first Shark run of the game.
BOT 2nd | In her first at-bat, Kerstyn Shaw hit her first home run of the season, extending NSU’s lead to 2-0.
BOT 3rd | After the Sharks loaded the bases, a sacrifice fly from Williams tacked on another run for Nova.
TOP 4th | The Tritons homered to left field, cutting their deficit to two runs.
TOP 5th | A single to center field brought home another run for Eckerd, bringing the score to 3-2.
BOT 5th | The Sharks scored off an error by the Tritons to give them a two-run advantage. With the bases loaded, Smith was hit by pitch, bringing another NSU run home. NSU wasn’t done yet, adding their seventh run of the game thanks to a passed ball by the Tritons.
BOT 6th | NSU tacked on a run off of a walk with the bases loaded, extending their lead to 8-2.
TOP 7th | The Tritons added two more runs but were unable to complete the comeback, dropping this SSC series against the Sharks 8-4.
- Kerstyn Shaw hit her first home run of the season.
The Sharks will await the NCAA Tournament Selection Show on Monday, May 8 at 10:00am.
