CARROLTON, Ga. (Mar. 6, 2010) - The No. 14 Nova Southeastern softball team went 1-1 in the second day of the West Georgia Wolves Invitational Saturday. The Sharks (16-6) defeated the Columbus State Cougars, 7-2 before falling to the West Alabama Tigers, 11-6.
In the first game of the day, Stephanie Palazzalo (Fr., New Port Richey, Fla.) had the best offensive performance of her young career. In the second inning, Palazzalo hit a two run home run past centerfield that put the Sharks up by three runs. It was the first home run and first extra base hit of her career.
Laura Saladrigas (Fr., Hollywood, Fla.) also came up big against Columbus State. One day after making her pitching debut, Saladrigas had a double and a run in the second and an RBI single in the fourth.
In the loss to West Alabama, Patty Rivero (Sr., Miami, Fla.) had a solid outing and had solo home runs in the second and sixth innings. It was her first multiple home run game as a Shark. She now ranks second on the team with four homers this season. Saladrigas had her second productive game of the day, with a double and two RBI.
With a four-game win streak heading into the day, the Sharks came out swinging against the Cougars early. Saladrigas started off the action in the second with a double before advancing to third on Brittney Lamb's (Sr., West Palm Beach, Fla.) sacrifice bunt. Dana Bergner (Sr., Palm Harbour, Fla.) advanced her home on a single, batting in her seventh run of the season. Bergner eventually advanced home on Palazzalo's first career homer.
The Sharks scored the rest of their runs in a productive fourth inning. Rivero hit a leadoff double and was eventually advanced home on a passed ball and a throwing error. Noemi Luciani (Sr., Miami, Fla.) and Rachel Talenfeld (Jr., Fort Lauderdale, Fla.) reached base on a walk and a hit-by-pitch.
Lauren Lopez (Sr., Miami, Fla.) batted in the Sharks' fifth run with a bunt single that sent Luciani home. Luciani and Lopez were advanced home next on a Saladrigas single. The Sharks did not score again but put runners in scoring position in the last two innings.
Devin Higginbotham (Jr., Palatka, Fla.) entered the Columbus State game with a 2-0 record and 1.17 ERA. Higginbotham gave up two solo home runs but still kept the Cougars at bay to earn her third win of the year.
Dani Caron (Sr., Wellington, Fla.) pitched the final 1.2 innings and did not give up a hit. She stranded three inherited runners in the sixth inning and retired three straight batters in the final frame.
The Tigers had the Sharks number Saturday and handed them their worst loss of the season. West Alabama scored runs in five innings and led for most of the game. The Sharks offense was still potent and the game was tight heading into the fifth inning.
The Tigers put up two runs in the first, but the Sharks answered back in the same inning when Luciani and Talenfeld scored. Saladrigas and Lamb both batted in runs in the opening frame. Rivero's second inning bomb gave the Sharks their only lead of the game.
The Tigers regained the lead with a three run homer in the fourth inning, but the Sharks immediately tied the game. With an out on the board, Luciani walked and eventually scored when Lopez's flyball was dropped by the leftfielder. Saladrigas tied the game with an RBI double in the next at bat. Rivero's second home run in the sixth was the Sharks final run of the game.
NSU will finish the UWG Wolves Invitational with two games on Sunday morning. The Sharks will play Georgia Southwestern at 9 am followed immediately by a game against Augusta State.
