FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (Apr. 14, 2010) - The Nova Southeastern softball team dropped two straight games to the Palm Beach Atlantic Sailfish at home Wednesday evening. The Sharks (37-15) lost the first game, 2-1 and dropped the second game, 8-5.

Despite the loss, Dani Caron (Sr., Wellington, Fla.) played exceptional offensively and defensively. Caron scored the Sharks' only run of the first game with a home run over the left field fence in the fifth inning. It was her first home run of the season.

In the circle, Caron pitched the complete game and held the Sailfish (31-7) at bay for the majority of the game. She only allowed five hits and struck out one batter. She has now gone 21.1 straight innings without allowing an earned run or a walk.

In the second game, Jessica Hernandez (Sr., Miami, Fla.) had a solid outing in which she batted 2-for-4 with two RBI. Brittney Lamb (Sr., West Palm Beach, Fla.) also had a multiple hit game.

With a one run lead and Caron firing on all cylinders, the Sharks were one half inning away from defeating the Sailfish in the opening game. In the top of the seventh, the first two Sailfish batters reached base and were advanced into scoring position. Caron was able to retire one batter but gave up a single to right field that gave PBA the lead. The Sharks were unable to strike back in the bottom of the seventh.

The Sharks struck first in the encore, putting two runs on the board in the second inning. Laura Saladrigas (Fr., Hollywood, Fla.) and Lamb both reached base off one out singles and were advanced into scoring position by Dana Bergner (Sr., Palm Harbor, Fla.). Both runners would score off singles from Caron and Sarah Hart (Jr., Newburgh, Ind.).

The following frame, the Sailfish took the lead with a five-run third inning. The first two runners reached base off errors and the Sharks struggled to end the side afterwards. The Sailfish would put three more insurance runs on the board in the final two innings.

The Sharks attempted a comeback in the seventh inning but came up short. With two quick outs on the board, Hart and Marissa Raimo (Fr., Hampton Bays, N.Y.) walked before Rachel Talenfeld (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.) hit an infield single.

The Sailfish walked in a run with Brittany Phillips (Jr., Seminole, Fla.) at the plate and Jessica Hernandez drove in two runs with a double to right field. PBA reentered starting pitcher Ashley Jones who earned a strike out to end the game.

Although the Sharks gave up eight runs, only three were earned as the Sharks committed five errors. Lexi Sarradet (Jr., Miami, Fla.) pitched the complete game and struck out seven Sailfish. Her record now stands at 9-7 overall.

The Sharks will return to Sunshine State Conference play this Friday when they take on Saint Leo on the road at 7 pm.