GAME 1 BOX SCORE | GAME 2 BOX SCORE

CLEARWATER, Fla. – The Nova Southeastern University softball team (8-4) walked away from day one of the Eckerd College Triton Spring Invitational with two wins defeating UMass-Lowell (0-1), 9-2, followed by a 5-3 win over Saint Leo (7-8) in a non-conference game on Friday afternoon at Eddie C. Moore Complex in Clearwater, Fla.

GAME ONE
Despite UMass-Lowell stepping on the field for the first time in the 2011, the River Hawks looked like they have played in 50 games as they began the game with back-to-back hits resulting in the first run of the game.

Sara DeMuth (Jr., Plant City, Fla.), who got the start in the circle, settled down and struck out the next three batters to end the UML rally.

The Sharks answered right back as freshman Dani Millan (Ventura, Calif.) and sophomore Laura Saladrigas (Hollywood, Fla.) both earned back-to-back walks. Freshman Gina Bondarenko (Pembroke Pines, Fla.) laced a double down the right field line scoring Millan and Saladrigas as NSU took a 2-1 lead.

Senior Rachel Talenfeld (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.) earned a leadoff double on a bunt down the third base line. Millan, who reached base on her second straight walk, was driven in as Saladrigas roped her first career triple and the Sharks extended their lead, 4-1.

With Saladrigas just 60 feet away, Bondarenko grounded a ball to the right side, as NSU found themselves with a four-run lead, 5-1, after three innings on play.

UMass scored a run in the top of the fourth, but NSU answered back by doubling the River Hawks one run.

Freshman Holly Roberson (Dunellon, Fla.) and junior Katie Kelton (Pembroke Pines, Fla.) both drilled doubles in the fourth and a squeeze bunt by Talenfeld was the result of two more runs for the Sharks.

In the sixth, NSU tacked on two additional runs as the freshman Gianni Artidiello (Miami, Fla.) singled home Kelton and Roberson.

DeMuth (4-2) threw 7.0 innings, giving up five hits, two runs, five walks while striking out seven.

Elyssa Borris (0-1) suffered the loss for UMass-Lowell, lasting only 3.0 innings, allowing five runs but held the Sharks to three hits.

Artidiello, Roberson and Kelton finished the game with two hits each while Bondarenko led all with three RBI.

GAME TWO
The Sharks scored five runs but their defense was the winning reason against the Saint Leo Lions in a 5-3 victory.

NSU was the first to strike in the second inning. Saladrigas led off with a double down the right field line for the Sharks. Millan stepped to the plate with Saladrigas just 60-feet away, after she stole third. Millan dribbled a ball down the first base line, stalling enough time for Saladrigas to cross home plate.

Back-to-back great defensive innings held Saint Leo scoreless in the second and third inning.

In the second frame, DeMuth made a diving grab, turning the double play at third to end the inning. In the following inning, pitcher Lexi Sarradet (Sr., Miami, Fla.) made a nice glove flip on the attempted suicide squeeze, catching the runner out at the plate.

With a 2-2 count, Bondarenko drove a ball to left field, resulting in a stand up double in the fourth. Saladrigas, the Sharks RBI leader, singled up the middle as NSU went up 2-0.

The Lions cut the Sharks lead in half in the fourth as they forced a run down between first and second, allowing the runner on third to touch home.

NSU’s used an error by Saint Leo in the fifth to bring across three crucial runs. After a muffed play by SLU’s first baseman, the Sharks eventually loaded by bases for Talenfeld.

Talenfeld drove a ball to deep center bringing home Roberson on the sac fly. Saladrigas once again was clutch with runners in scoring position, driving home two more in the game.

Saint Leo scored two runs in the sixth to cut NSU’s lead, 5-3, and the Lions, the designated the home team, stepped to the plate in effort for comeback win.

The Lions had the tying runner on second and one of its power hitters up to bat, but Sarradet forced a popup to short to end the ball game and secure the win.

Sarradet (3-1) hurled a complete game allowing six hits, walking five and striking out two. She was credited for all three runs.

Kristen Kelly (1-1) was held to 4.0 innings, giving seven hits and only striking out two.

Saladrigas was the Sharks offensive MVP going 3-for-4, driving in three.

Nova Southeastern will continue in the Spring Invitational as they play two more games Saturday at Eddie C. Moore Complex against host Eckerd at 11 a.m. and No. 22 Flagler at 1:30 p.m.