BOX SCORE

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. -- Fans cheered loudly as the AD Griffin Sports Complex filled to capacity for the Nova Southeastern University softball teams (1-0) opening game against the St. Thomas Bobcats (0-1) on Tuesday, February 8 as the Sharks came from behind in the last two innings to defeat St. Thomas, 5-4.

With bases loaded in the bottom of the seventh inning the Sharks were locked with the Bobcats, 4-4, as senior Rachel Talenfeld (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.) reached first base off an error by the first baseman, scoring senior Brittany Phillips (Seminole, Fla.) which gave the Sharks their first win of the season.

NSU got off to a hot start by recording two runs in the first inning off three hits and three stolen bases. Talenfeld began the NSU charge as was patient at the plate setting for a walk and then showed aggressive on the base path, stealing second base and putting herself in scoring position. Freshman Gina Bondarenko (Pembroke Pines, Fla.) then singled through the left side for her first career hit as a Shark, scoring Talenfeld for the first run of the game. On a pass ball, junior Katie Kelton (Pembroke Pines, Fla.) and Bondarenko advanced second and third. Laura Saladrigas (So., Hollywood, Fla.) smashed a line drive single to centerfield scoring Kelton as NSU opened with a 2-0 lead.

NSU senior pitcher Sarradet (Miami, Fla.) kept the Bobcats at bay through five innings, keeping STU’s bats silent only allowing two hits through five innings, both hits coming in the first inning. The Bobcats rallied in the top of the sixth loading the bases and stringing five hits together to rattle off four runs and take a late, 4-2, edge over the Sharks.

The Sharks battled back in the bottom of the inning with aggressive running on the base paths and a late error by St. Thomas. Talenfeld and freshman Gianni Artidiello (Miami, Fla.) both rallied back-to-back singles and used their speed to put themselves in scoring position. With two outs, Bondarenko reached first on an error by the first baseman and great hustle on the part of Artidiello and Talenfeld to score on the mishap by St. Thomas and even the game at four heading to the seventh inning.

Overall, the Sharks had 12 hits with no errors while the Bobcats posted eight hits and three errors.
Sarradet pitched all a complete game, recording eight strikeouts to earn the Sharks first win of the season. The righty allowed four earned runs and walking three.

NSU rallied with 12 hits as Talenfeld (2-3), Kelton (3-4), Bondarenko (3-4)and Phillips (2-3) all recorded multi-hit games for NSU.

Nikki Sanchez (0-1) suffered the loss, tossing 6.2 innings, allowing all 12 hits, five runs, five walks and striking out four.