GAME 1 BOX SCORE | GAME 2 BOX SCORE

TAMPA, Fla. – The Nova Southeastern University softball team (17-8, 1-2 SSC) dropped the first game against the No.15 Tampa Spartans (20-3, 5-1 SSC), 2-0, but regrouped to close out the series with a 1-0 win Sunday afternoon at the UT Softball Field.

GAME ONE
With a combined eight hits between the two teams, the Tampa Spartans scored two runs, one in the first and one in the sixth, and the Sharks failed to score a run, suffering its second loss to Tampa, 2-0.

After Julie Wisniewski led off the bottom half of the first with a triple to right center. hurler Sara DeMuth (Jr., Plant City, Fla.) retired the next two batters, holding Wisniewski on third. DeMuth then  threw a rise ball that tipped off the glove of NSU catcher Stephanie Palazzolo (So., New Port Richey, Fla.) landing to the backstop allowing Wisniewski to slide into home safely for the Spartans first run.

It wasn’t until the fifth inning, that the Sharks reached base, breaking up Tampa’s Kari Walsh run at a perfect game. Sophomore Laura Saladrigas (Hollywood, Fla.) earned a leadoff walk before advancing to second on a Brittany Phillips (Sr., Seminole, Fla.) sacrifice bunt.

Freshman Dani Millan (Ventura, Calif.) stepped to the plate and singled to right field to put runners on the corners for the Sharks. With one out, the Sharks couldn’t capitalize to plate home a run.

It wasn’t until the sixth when Tampa drove in its second run.

DeMuth (7-5) earned the loss, scattering six hits while striking out three.

Walsh (7-2) threw 4.2 innings, only allowing one hit in the win. Deanna Henriott tossed the final 2.1 innings to earn her first save of the season.

GAME TWO
Senior Lexi Sarradet (Miami, Fla.) started game two, her first appearance in the series. In the circle, the righty held the Spartans to four hits, shutting out the No. 15 Tampa Spartans, 1-0.

Just as in every game of the conference series, the final game was another pitching battle.

Freshman Gina Bondarenko (Pembroke Pines, Fla.) was the first Shark to reach base as she trotted down to first on a two-out walk in the second.

In the third, freshman Gianni Artidiello (Fr., Miami, Fla.) walked with one out before senior Rachel Talenfeld (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.) laid down a bunt single for the Sharks first hit. Nova Southeastern threatened with two runners at second and third but left them stranded.

It wasn’t until the fifth when NSU struck gold. DeMuth led off the inning with a long shot over the left fielders' head for a standup double. Freshman Holly Roberson (Dunnellon, Fla.) laid down a perfect sac bunt to put DeMuth 60 feet away. Henriott lost control of a pitch that got past Tampa’s catcher Becky Vyzas, and allowed DeMuth to slide in safely for the Sharks only run.

Sarradet continued to shut down the Spartan offense as Tampa flew out 14 times in seven innings.

Phillips had five putouts in right field as the Sharks played stellar defense.

Trailing 1-0, Katlyn Raatz led off the final inning with a walk. The Spartans would pop up the next two bunt attempts bringing up Chelsey Brooks to pinch hit. With a 2-2 count, Sarradet fooled Brooks on the off speed pitch to close out the game with the win. Sarradet struck out five in the victory.

Henriott (13-1) suffered her first loss of the 2011 season, giving up five hits, one run and three walks.

The Sharks will head home for its first conference series at the AD Griffin Sports Complex against No. 17 Rollins on Friday, March 18 with game one at 7 p.m.