Tampa, Fla. (Mar. 14, 2010)  The Nova Southeastern University baseball team was swept in a Sunshine State Conference doubleheader by #16 Tampa on Sunday afternoon. The 15-5 and 13-2 losses drop the Sharks to 9-14 overall and 1-5 in SSC play while Tampa, who has won ten straight, improves to 22-5 and 6-0 in SSC play.

Nova Southeastern grabbed an early 2-0 lead on a two-out RBI single by sophomore designated hitter Nikko Echevarria (Abqaiq, Saudi Arabia) in the top of the first inning of the first game. Tampa tied the game at two apiece in the third inning before senior third baseman Eric McCans (Pembroke Pines, Fla.) put the Sharks back ahead with a RBI single in the top of the fourth inning.

Tampa broke the game open with a four-run fifth inning. The big hit was a three run homer by designated hitter Mike Schwartz. NSU kept the game within reach until the eighth inning when Tampa scored eight times to put the game away.

NSU starter Chris Hamper (So., Melbourne, Fla.) took the loss, allowing six earned runs in four and one-third innings pitched. Tom Meagher earned his fourth win for Tampa, pitching two innings of relief.

After NSU scored a run on a RBI single by senior first baseman Rhys Roberts (Parkland, Fla.) in the top of the first inning, Tampa picked up right where they left off. The Spartans scored seven times on six hits in the bottom half of the first to take a commanding lead.

Sharks starter Ryan Whelan (Jr., Boca Raton, Fla.) took the loss, allowing six earned runs in one inning of work.

NSU was led by Roberts at the plate for the day, as he went 4-7 with a home run and two doubles. He scored three times and drove in two runs. Echevarria went 3-7 with two RBI.

NSU returns home to host Franklin Pierce at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, March 16th at the NSU Baseball Complex.