MELBOURNE, Fla. – The Nova Southeastern Softball team completed a doubleheader sweep over SSC opponent Florida Tech. In game one, home runs from Tia Williams and Alexis Smith ultimately led NSU to a 7-6 victory. Game two featured an impressive hitting performance from the Sharks, including a five-run second inning, securing the 11-3 win for Nova Southeastern.
INSIDE THE MATCHUP (GAME ONE)
Score: Nova Southeastern 7 (W: K. Ellard, 2-2), Florida Tech 6 (L: S. Guider, 2-1)
Records: Nova Southeastern (9-3, 2-0 SSC), Florida Tech (5-7, 0-2 SSC)
Location: Nancy Bottge Field | Melbourne, Fla.
Get Social: @NSUSharks and @NSU_Softball on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube
HOW IT HAPPENED:
TOP 5th | Samantha Burke started the inning with a double to left center, shortly after, a SAC bunt by Alexi Watkins allowed Burke to advance to third. Alexis Smith stepped up to the plate and hit her 9th triple of the season, bringing home the first run of the game for Nova. With Smith on third base, Tia Williams hit NSU’s first home run of the season, giving the Sharks a 3-0 lead.
TOP 6th | It was déjà vu for the Sharks, Smith came to the plate with the bases loaded and hit a grand slam to give NSU a seven-run lead.
BOT 6th | The Panthers put their first run on the board, thanks to a three-run homer.
BOT 7th | Florida Tech was able to tack on two more runs but it wasn’t enough, NSU secured the 7-6 win over the Panthers.
INSIDE THE STATS:
- Tia Williams hit the first home run of the season for NSU.
- Alexis Smith had 5 RBIs.
- Smith broke the single season record for triples (9).
INSIDE THE MATCHUP (GAME TWO)
Score: Nova Southeastern 11 (W: J. Allen, 3-0), Florida Tech 3 (L: A. Hendrian, 1-3)
Records: Nova Southeastern (10-3, 3-0 SSC), Florida Tech (5-8, 0-3 SSC)
TOP 1st | Alexis Smith got the game started with a single to left field. In the ensuing at-bat, Ryleigh Langwell hit the third home run of the day for NSU, giving the Sharks an early 2-0 lead. Elise Eason was walked with the bases loaded, bringing in another run for Nova Southeastern, and a SAC fly by Samantha Burke capped off a four-run first inning for the Sharks.
TOP 2nd | In another bases loaded situation, Alyssa Drogemuller was walked, extending NSU’s lead to five runs, shortly after, Williams scored on a pass ball. Madison Fine then came up to the plate and brought in two more runs for the Sharks with a single. Later on, Burke had another SAC fly, giving NSU a 9-0 lead.
TOP 3rd | The hitting barrage continued for NSU, bringing in two more runs, thanks to RBIs from Fine and Williams.
BOT 4th | The Panthers were able to hit a three-run home run, but they couldn’t complete the comeback, the Sharks closed out the 11-3 win over Florida Tech.
INSIDE THE STATS:
- NSU had five athletes with two or more hits (Smith, Langwell, Williams, Shaw, Fine)
- Madison Fine had three RBIs.
UPCOMING
NSU will take the field next week, Friday, February 24th, and face Rollins at 6 p.m. at the AD Griffin Sports Complex.
