BOCA RATON, Fla. (Apr. 30, 2010) - The Sharks (44-15, 18-5) shutout the Fighting Knights (24-30, 7-16 SSC) in the first game, 5-0 and took the second game, 7-2.
Noemi Luciani (Sr., Miami, Fla.) and Jessica Hernandez (Sr., Miami, Fla.) both went 2-for-4 in the opening contest. Lauren Lopez (Sr., Miami, Fla.) also played well with a hit and two runs scored.
Hernandez had an even bigger game in the Sharks' second outing, batting 3-for-4 with three RBI. Luciani had two hits and two runs while Lopez tallied three hits, two runs, and one RBI.
The Sharks only had one hit in the first inning of the series opening game but took advantage of costly Lynn errors and took an early lead. Noemi Luciani (Sr., Miami, Fla.) led off the day with a single up the middle and Rachel Talenfeld (Jr., Fort Lauderdale, Fla.) followed up with a walk.
After a force out at third base, Talenfeld scored from second on a scoring error. With Lauren Lopez (Sr., Miami, Fla.) and Jessica Hernandez (Sr., Miami, Fla.) on the corners, the duo attempted the double steal and scored the second run of the game.
The Sharks scored again in the fourth inning when Luciani hit an RBI single that drove home Dana Bergner (Sr., Palm Harbor, Fla.). In the fifth inning, Lopez led off with a double up the left field line and eventually scored off of an error.
NSU would score their final run of the first game by capitalizing off another Lynn mistake. Patty Rivero (Sr., Miami, Fla.) struck out but advanced to first on a passed ball. She would eventually score off of a ground out by Talenfeld.
The Fighting Knights were shutout thanks to a great performance from Dani Caron (Sr., Wellington, Fla.). Caron allowed no walks and five hits while striking out four batters. On offense, she tallied two sacrifice hits. Her record now stands at a team best 18-4.
In the following game, the Sharks lit up the scoreboard with four runs in the third inning. With an out on the board, Luciani and Talenfeld reached base and scored one run off of a double steal. Lopez followed up with a single but sent home a run and advanced to third on a throwing error.
Lopez would score her team's third run on Hernandez's fielders' choice. Bergner wrapped up the big inning with a RBI triple to right center field, her third of the season.
The Sharks increased their lead to 6-0 with a pair of fourth inning runs. Luciani reached on a single and was advanced on Talenfeld's team high 21st sacrifice hit of the season. Lopez drove the runner home on an RBI single and later scored off of Hernandez's sixth season triple.
The Sharks would cap off the night when Talenfeld scored off of a Hernandez single through the right side. The Fighting Knights were able to post two runs in the final inning but were never a threat.
Devin Higginbotham (Jr., Palatka, Fla.) earned the win in a complete game effort. She only allowed five hits, one earned run, and no walks while striking out four Fighting Knights. Her record now stands at 11-4. The Nova Southeastern softball team will wrap up its regular season schedule tomorrow against Lynn on the road at 3 pm.
