FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – Celebrating Senior Day, the Nova Southeastern Sharks broke out the brooms sweeping Florida Southern.
Game 1
Score: Nova Southeastern 2, Florida Southern 0
Pitching Decisions: W: G. Wallace (16-10), L: D. Aitken (6-10)
Records: Nova Southeastern (25-22, 11-14 SSC) | Florida Southern (11-29, 5-19 SSC)
Location: Fort Lauderdale, Fla. | NSU Softball Stadium
Game 1
- Destiny Lewis opened the scoring in the second with a solo home run to left field to put the Sharks ahead, 1-0.
- Lewis homered again two innings later, for her 13th of the season. It ties the single-season program record for home runs which was set in 2012 by Laura Saladrigas.
- Only Lewis and Saladrigas have hit 13 home runs in a season for NSU. The mark also ranks tied for seventh in NSU career home runs hit.
- Gracelyn Wallace dominated in the circle, shutting out the Mocs for her sixth complete game shutout of the season.
- Wallace didn’t allow a Florida Southern runner to reach further than first base for the entire game.
Game 2
Score: Nova Southeastern 4, Florida Southern 2
Pitching Decisions: W: A. Richiez (5-8), L: S. Savitt (0-1), S: G. Wallace (3)
Records: Nova Southeastern (26-22, 12-14 SSC) | Florida Southern (11-30, 5-20 SSC)
Location: Fort Lauderdale, Fla. | NSU Softball Stadium
Game 2
- NSU celebrated seniors Bella Ligotti, Gianna Russo, Destiny Lewis, and Emily Garcia in a pregame ceremony.
- Ana Richiez got the scoring started in the first inning with an RBI single to centerfield, helping her own cause as the Sharks’ starting pitcher.
- FSC threatened in the second, but NSU used a 5-4-3 double play to help it get out of the frame.
- NSU added a run in the second off a Brianna Matthews RBI single that scored Christina D’Agostino.
- The Mocs responded with an RBI fielder’s choice and an RBI single in the third that tied the game, 2-2.
- The Sharks reclaimed the lead with an RBI single in the fourth and a run-scoring passed ball in the fifth to take and hold onto the lead for the 4-2 win.
- FSC had an opportunity to tie or take the lead in the seventh with the bases loaded and just one out. Head coach Julie LeMaire turned to Gracelyn Wallace out of the bullpen who struck out the first batter she faced and induced a flyout for the final out of the ballgame.
Game 3
Score: Nova Southeastern 7, Florida Southern 1
Pitching Decisions: W: G. Wallace (17-10), L: D. Aitken (6-11)
Records: Nova Southeastern (27-22, 13-14 SSC) | Florida Southern (11-31, 5-21 SSC)
Location: Fort Lauderdale, Fla. | NSU Softball Stadium
Game 3
- NSU got the bats going immediately, putting up a four-run crooked number in the first inning.
- A Destiny Lewis triple, Ana Richiez double, and Gianna Russo home run capped off back-to-back-to-back run-scoring base hits to take a 4-0 lead into the second.
- The Sharks didn’t take their foot off the gas pedal in the third, as Emily Garcia doubled to left with runners on the corners, scoring both to take a 6-0 lead.
- Garcia would cross the plate herself on an RBI single from Savanna Isaacson.
- FSC would earn a run back in the fourth on a solo home run to left centerfield.
- Neither team would score again as the Sharks clinched their fourth straight victory and secured the series sweep.
- Gracelyn Wallace pitched another complete game only allowing the one run while striking out three on 77 pitches.
- Brianna Matthews: 4-6, 2 RBI, SB
- Destiny Lewis: 4-8, 3B, 2 HR, 3 RBI
- Gracelyn Wallace: 2 Wins, 1 Save, 14.2 IP, 0.48 ERA, 7 SO
The Sharks play their final series of the season on the road against Lynn on Friday, May 8 and Saturday, May 9 in Boca Raton, Fla. First pitch Friday is scheduled for 3 p.m., and Saturday’s doubleheader is expected to begin at noon.
To stay up to date on Sharks Softball, be sure to follow on X and Instagram @NSUSoftball.
