FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – After coming off a 6-0 weekend, the Nova Southeastern University softball team (12-4) will return to the confines of its home field of the AD Griffin Sports Complex as they take on Mercyhurst (8-4) in a doubleheader on March 2 with the first pitch slated for 5 p.m.

The Sharks overcame their lack of inexperience playing together as a group and showed their raw talent, earning themselves six wins, five of them being regional victories over the weekend. The biggest win came over the No. 22 ranked Flagler Saints. In a 5-3 battle, the Sharks showed strength in all facets of the game. Timely hitting, strong defense, aggressive base running and elite presence in the circle showed the talent level of NSU.

The team batted .363, scored 48 runs and was 14-19 in stolen bases. The Sharks only committed two errors in the field for a .988 fielding percentage and the pitching staff hurled 39 innings for a 2.15 earned run average.

Katie Kelton (Jr., Pembroke Pines, Fla.) batted a staggering .579, and was the only Shark with double-digit hits at 11. Senior Rachel Talenfeld (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.) hit .444, while scoring a team-high nine runs while also leading the team with five stolen bases.

Sophomore Laura Saladrigas (Hollywood, Fla.) drove in eight runners over the weekend while hitting three doubles and her first career triple.

On the mound, Sara DeMuth (Plant City, Fla.) was 3-0 with a 2.33 ERA. The junior righty struck out 23 while also claiming the win over the No. 22 Saints.

About Mercyhurst
The Lakers of Mercyhurst will head into the game against NSU as part of the 10-game road trip to South Florida. The Eerie, Pa. team began its trek to Florida by opening up with St. Thomas on Feb. 25. After sweeping the Bobcats, the Lakers followed suit with two wins against Northwood.

After breaking for a day, Mercyhurst continued its journey by facing Sunshine State Conference opponents Barry and Lynn. On Monday, Feb. 28, the Buccaneers took two from the Lakers. Lynn and Mercyhurst will battle in two games today, before facing Nova Southeastern.

Courtney Smith is the Lakers leading hitter batting a .452, driving in nine. Samantha Eimers already has five home runs for Mercyhurst. Eimers is the leading the team in RBI (13), runs scored (13), total bases (30) and stolen bases (3).

Mercyhurst is batting .322 as a team while the pitching staff has a registered 3.29 ERA.

The Series vs. Mercyhurst
The Sharks have a 2-0 series lead over the Lakers. In a doubleheader on Feb. 23, 2010, NSU shutout Mercyhurst in both games, 9-0 and 7-0.

Former NSU pitcher Dani Caron (2007-10) tossed a perfect game for the Sharks while Brittany Phillips (Sr., Seminole, Fla.) went 2-for-3 including a grand slam as the Sharks dominated both games.

Marketing and Promotions
The Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) will be sponsoring a Make-A-Wish night during the doubleheader against Mercyhurst. SAAC will be selling stars for $1 a piece and all the proceeds go back to the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

Also fans will be able to receive beads and Make-A-Wish rubber band bracelets as they enter the gate to wear throughout the game.

Also, Sharks BINGO will commence for the first time this year. The first five winners will get a choice between a $25 gift card to Best Buy or Anthony’s Coal Fire Pizza. All numbers will be called out in between each half inning and the Shark Bingo cards will be available in the game program at the field.

As it is designated as a SAAC event, NSU athletic sponsor Moe’s Southwest Grill will be providing food for all student-athletes. In addition to the food, the annual kickball game between staff vs. student-athletes will take place in between the doubleheader on the adjacent softball field.

Live Audio (Click HERE) and live stats (Click HERE) will be available for the 5 p.m. doubleheader. Follow NSU Softball through Twitter at www.twitter.com/NSUSharks.