Melbourne, Fla. (Feb. 26, 2010) The Nova Southeastern University baseball team lost their Sunshine State Conference opener 4-3 to #20 Florida Tech in play on Friday afternoon. The loss drops the Sharks to 6-8 (0-1 SSC) on the season while Florida Tech improves to 12-1 (1-0 SSC).
Sharks starting pitcher Ryan Whelan (Jr., Boca Raton, Fla.) kept the Florida Tech bats at bay over the opening four innings, allowing only three runners while keeping the Panthers hitless.
NSU scored a run on two hits and a RBI groundout by senior third baseman Rhys Roberts (Parkland, Fla.) in the top of the third inning. The Sharks added two runs on a homer by junior shortstop Luis Penate (Miami, Fla.) in the top of the fifth to lead 3-0.
Florida Tech finally managed their first hit and broke through for a single run off Whelan in the bottom of the fifth inning. The Panthers scored another run in the sixth inning and tied the game in the bottom of the eighth to make it 3-3 heading into the ninth inning.
The Sharks threatened in the top of the ninth, getting runners on first and third base with one out but couldn't cash in with a run. Florida Tech won the game in the bottom of the ninth when catcher Brian Flynn doubled in a run with one out.
Whelan finished with a no-decision. He allowed just two hits and two runs in five and one-third innings pitched. Reliever Sean Tighe (Hobe Sound, Fla.) took the loss, allowing one run on three hits in one and one-third innings pitched.
Florida Tech starter Jonathan Cornelius pitched eight and one-third innings, allowing three runs and eight hits while striking out eight. Panthers reliever Brandon Lindquist retired two NSU batters to earn the win.
Penate led NSU at the plate, going 2-4 with a home run, a double, two RBI and a stolen base. Second baseman Nikko Echevarria (So., Abqaiq, Saudi Arabia) and centerfielder Matt Seese (Jr., Ocala, Fla.) each had two hits in the loss for the Sharks.
NSU will conclude their SSC series at Florida Tech with a doubleheader at 1 pm on Saturday, February 27th in Melbourne, Fla.
