Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. (Apr. 1, 2010)  The Nova Southeastern University baseball team routed Eckerd 19-3 in their Sunshine State Conference series opener at the NSU Baseball Complex on Thursday evening. The win, NSU's 12th consecutive at home, improves their record to 21-15 on the season and 5-5 in SSC play. Eckerd falls to 15-15 and 1-9.

The Sharks jumped out to an early lead, scoring twice in the bottom of the first inning. NSU carried the momentum over into the rest of the game, scoring three 3runs in the second, three runs in the third, five runs in the fifth and six runs in the sixth inning.

Senior All-America right fielder Brayan Valencia (Pembroke Pines, Fla.) led the Sharks at the plate, going 3-4 with a home run, double, three runs scored and four RBI. Junior shortstop Luis Penate (Miami, Fla.) was 3-3 with two runs scored, two RBI and a stolen base. Four other NSU players recorded multiple hits in the contest.

Junior starter Nick Avila (Pembroke Pines, Fla.) earned his team leading fifth win of the season, pitching six innings and allowing three earned runs on nine hits. Relievers Torey Ekey (Jr., Merritt Island, Fla.) and Jovahny Castaneda (So., Miami, Fla.) held the Tritons scoreless over the final three innings.

The Sharks remain at home, hosting Eckerd in doubleheader to complete their SSC series at 1 p.m. on Friday, April 2nd at the NSU Baseball Complex.