Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. (Mar. 5, 2010)  The Nova Southeastern University baseball team was dealt a 9-1 setback by Palm Beach Atlantic on Friday evening at the NSU Baseball Complex. The loss drops the Sharks to 9-11 on the season while Palm Beach Atlantic improves to 3-9.

The Sailfish jumped on NSU starter Sean Koecheler (Jr. Palm Beach Gardens, Fla.) for six runs in the top of the first inning. Palm Beach Atlantic tallied five hits, a walk and took advantage of a NSU error to score the six runs.

After PBA extended their lead to 7-0, junior outfielder Sharad Johnson (Nassau, Bahamas) put the Sharks on the board with a solo home run to right field.

Palm Beach Atlantic tacked on runs in the eighth and ninth inning to account for the 9-1 final score.

Sailfish starter Peter Graffeo limited the Sharks to just three hits and a single run in eight innings on the mound. He struck out eight and walked three to earn his first win of the season.

Koecheler (0-4) took the loss, allowing four earned runs in one inning. Reliever Chris Hamper (So., Melbourne, Fla.) kept the Sharks in the game, holding PBA to one run on four hits in six innings.

The Sharks resume Sunshine State Conference play in Tampa, Fla. vs. #19 Tampa on Friday, March 12th at 6 p.m.