GAME 1 BOX SCORE | GAME 2 BOX SCORE

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – The Nova Southeastern University softball team (17-11, 1-5 SSC) did not have a favorable outcome as the Sharks dropped two Sunshine State Conference games to the Rollins Tars (25-1, 6-0 SSC), 4-0 and 7-0, Saturday afternoon at the AD Griffin Sports Complex.

GAME ONE
In another no-hit pitching performance by Rollins, the Sharks still found other ways to threaten in the game.

The Tars were first to put a run on the scoreboard as Monica Meadows singled home Meredith Foster from second in the third inning. Foster was 3-for-3 with two runs scored in game one.

Still in the third, Rollins had the bases loaded with one out but Sharks’ pitcher Lexi Sarradet (Sr., Miami, Fla.) struck out Krista Rodden and Hope Bitzer to close out the inning without any other damage being done.

In the home half of the fourth, senior Rachel Talenfeld (Sr., Fort Lauderdale, Fla.) was the first Shark to reach base. After fighting off eight pitches from Rollins’ hurler Kirsten Frame, Talenfeld earned the one out walk. Senior Brittany Phillips (Seminole, Fla.) moved Talenfeld into scoring position on a sacrifice bunt but no runs resulted from it.

With two outs in the sixth, Rollins added three insurance runs, two being unearned.

Sarradet (6-2) suffered the loss as she struck out eight but allowed four runs on eight hits.

Frame improved to 9-1, throwing the Tars’ second consecutive no-hitter. The righty walked two and struck out nine in the outing.

GAME TWO
Despite a 7-0 loss in game two, the Sharks finally got a hit from their offense, finishing with four.

After a collapse by the Sharks’ defense, Rollins scored three runs as NSU committed three errors in the first inning.

With two outs in the bottom half of the first, freshman Gina Bondarenko (Pembroke Pines, Fla.) hit a shot to left field for the Sharks’ first hit of the game. Feeding off of that, Dani Millan (Fr., Ventura, Calif.) followed suit with a hard single herself, this time to centerfield. The Sharks could not capitalize on the back-to-back hits by the rookies.

Scoring a single run in the second and three more in the fifth, Rollins took a 7-0 lead.

In the home half of the fifth frame, Sara DeMuth (Jr., Plant City, Fla.) led off the inning after being hit for the second time of the day. Freshman Gianni Artidiello (Miami, Fla.) laid down the bunt-single down the third base line for the Sharks third hit, putting DeMuth on second. Talenfeld hit a liner that was headed for the gap in left center but a diving grab by Rollins’ left fielder recorded the second out. A throwing error on the attempted double play sailed wide, moving DeMuth and Artidiello into scoring position. A deep fly ball by Kelton was caught to end the Sharks rally.

In the seventh, Laura Saladrigas (So, Hollywood, Fla.) led off the inning with a single right up the middle. DeMuth reached base for the second time as she walked on the 3-2 count. Holly Roberson (Dunnellon, Fla.) grounded to the Tars’ third baseman, who could not make the play at her respected base to load the bases with no outs.

Artidiello hit a hard shot but was right at the third baseman for the out. Both Talenfeld and Katie Kelton (Jr., Pembroke Pines, Fla.) were inches from hits as the Tars held on and walked away with the win.

Bitzer (11-0) tossed a complete game, giving up four hits, walking two and striking out five.

DeMuth evened her record to 7-7 as she gave up nine hits, seven runs, only two earned and struck out six without allowing a walk.

The Sharks will have a regional doubheader on Wednesday, March 23 against Palm Beach Atlantic at 6 p.m. in West Palm Beach, Fla.