Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. (Feb. 4, 2010)  The Nova Southeastern University baseball team was dealt a 4-2 setback on opening night by Newberry College in action at the NSU Baseball Complex on Thursday evening.

Newberry took the lead in the top of the first inning, scoring three runs on two hits off Sharks starter Sean Koecheler (Jr., Palm Beach Gardens, Fla.). The big hit of the inning was a two out, two RBI single by Newberry first baseman Evan Darr.

The Sharks struck back in the bottom of the second inning, scoring a run when first baseman Dusty Maggs (Jr., Satellite Beach, Fla.) scampered home on a passed ball.

NSU added another run in the bottom of the third inning when second baseman Eric McCans (Sr., Pembroke Pines, Fla.) led off the inning with a single then scored on a RBI double by All-America right fielder Brayan Valencia (Sr., Miami Beach, Fla.).

Newberry scored an insurance run in the top of the fourth inning on a RBI single from outfielder Pierce Labrador.

Nova Southeastern had opportunities to mount a comeback in the 7th, 8th and 9th innings but combined to leave eight runners on base in the three innings.

Valencia led the Sharks at the plate, going 4-5 with three doubles off the wall and a RBI. Left fielder Nikko Echevarria (So., Abqiaq, Saudi Arabia), McCans, shortstop Luis Penate (Jr., Miami, Fla.), Maggs and catcher Matt Fisher (Sr., Sunrise, Fla.) each had one hit for NSU.

Koecheler (0-1) was tagged with the loss, allowing three earned runs on two hits in three innings pitched. He struck out five batters. Isaac Hicks (Jr., Ft. Myers, Fla.) pitched five innings of relief, allowing one run on four hits while striking out three. Sean Albury (Jr., Nassau, Bahamas) pitched the final inning for NSU and struck out the side.

DJ Hearsey picked up the win, throwing two and two-thirds scoreless innings of relief for Newberry. Roman Colon earned his first save by getting out of a bases loaded jam in the bottom of the ninth inning.

NSU will re-match Newberry at 6 pm on Friday, February 5th as part of the NIKE/OTS Challenge at the NSU Baseball Complex.