HUNTSVILLE, Ala. (May 14, 2010) - The Nova Southeastern University softball team was defeated 7-4 by host and No. 12 nationally ranked Alabama-Huntsville in their opening game of the NCAA Division II Softball South Regional on Friday afternoon. The loss drops the Sharks record to 45-16 and will place NSU in an elimination game against SSC rival Rollins College at 2:30 p.m. on Saturday afternoon.

The Sharks took an early 2-0 lead in the top of the first inning. Leadoff batter Noemi Luciani (Sr., Miami, Fla.) reached on an error and was followed with an infield single by junior outfielder Rachel Talenfeld (Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.). After senior shortstop Lauren Lopez (Miami, Fla.) reached on a fielder's choice, the Sharks struck for a run when senior outfielder Jessica Hernandez (Miami, Fla.) drove in her team leading 55th RBI of the season on another fielder's choice. Talenfeld stole home when the Charger's catcher made a throw to second base to account for the second run.

Alabama-Huntsville cut the Sharks lead in half in the bottom of the second inning on a solo home run by designated player Whitney Schrimsher.

A two-out rally by the Chargers in the bottom of the fifth inning gave UAH a 5-2 lead. The rally began with two walks before Chargers outfielder Erin Duke hit a three-run shot over the left field fence. Another run scored on a double and a single later in the inning.

Nova Southeastern closed to within a run in the top of the sixth inning, scoring twice on four hits. Lopez, Hernandez and designated player Laura Saladrigas (Fr., Hollywood, Fla.) hit back-to-back-to-back singles to lead off the inning while senior first baseman Brittney Lamb (West Palm Beach, Fla.) added a bunt single.

The Chargers added two insurance runs on three hits in the bottom of the sixth to take a 7-4 lead.

Talenfeld led the Sharks at the plate, going 2-4 with a run scored and a stolen base. Hernandez and Saladrigas each went 1-4 with a run batted in.

NSU starting pitcher Dani Caron (Sr., Wellington, Fla.) took the loss, allowing seven earned runs on eight hits in five and two-thirds innings pitched. Junior pitched Devin Higginbotham (Palatka, Fla.) struck out the only batter she faced in relief.

Whitney Hawkins earned her 19th win of the season for Alabama-Huntsville, allowing four runs on seven hits in seven innings.

NSU will play in an elimination game against SSC rival Rollins College at 2:30 p.m. on Saturday afternoon at the Charger Softball Complex.