FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (Feb 23, 2010) - Nova Southeastern pitcher Dani Caron (Sr., Wellington, Fla.) threw the first perfect of her career Tuesday in the Sharks' 7-0 win over the Mercyhurst Lakers. NSU (10-4) went on to sweep Mercyhurst (1-4) by defeating them in the second game, .9-0.

"It felt really good because I've gotten to two outs in the bottom in the seventh and gave up a hit," said Caron. "The defense really helped out a lot. I hope we can carry this momentum into the rest of the season."

In Caron's finest performance of her career, she retired 21 straight batters while striking out four. She also threw in two assists in her fifth win of the year.

On offense, Brittany Phillips (Jr., Seminole, Fla.) had her best outing of the season. She went 2-for-3 including a grand slam in the fifth inning that put the Sharks up by seven. It was the first home run of her career. Noemi Luciani (Sr. Miami, Fla.) also had a strong outing, batting 2-for-4 in the game and 2-for-5 on the night.

The Sharks put together a steady stream of offense while Caron dominated on the mound. Caron, Lauren Lopez (Sr., Miami, Fla.), and Dana Bergner (Sr., Palm Harbor, Fla.) all batted in runs during the third and fourth innings to seal the Sharks' ninth win of the season.

The Shark defense carried their momentum into the second game of the night and held the Lakers scoreless with one hit. Rachel Talenfeld (Jr., Fort Lauderdale, Fla.) was a perfect 4-for-4 from the plate while earning two runs and two RBI. Stefanie Palazzalo (Fr., New Port Richey, Fla.) had the strongest offensive performance of her young career, batting 2-for-3 with one run and one RBI.

The second game was tight until the fifth and final inning of the game. The Sharks led 1-0 heading into the frame and scored eight runs with only one out on the board. Talenfeld, Phillips, Jessica Hernandez (Sr., Miami, Fla.), and Patty Rivero (Sr., Miami, Fla.) all had multiple RBI in the contest.

Devin Higginbotham (Jr., Palatka, Fla.) earned her first win as a Shark in her second start of the year. She struck out two batters over four innings while maintaining her perfect ERA. Lexi Sarradet (Jr., Miami, Fla.) pitched the final inning and picked up her first save of the season.

The Sharks will hit the road this weekend to play in the Delta State Tournament beginning this Saturday, Feb. 27 against West Georgia.