BOX SCORE

WINTER PARK, Fla. – The Nova Southeastern baseball team (20-8, 7-2 SSC) completed its first sweep in Sunshine State Conference play this season by taking out the Rollins Tars (18-12, 1-5 SSC) Sunday in Winter Park, Fla., 5-4.

Anthony Angulo (Jr., Homestead, Fla.) drove home two runs to take the lead in the top of the ninth inning on single to right centerfield. It was Angulo’s second hit of the game as he finished 2-for-4 with two RBI. Before the dramatic final frame, Andrew Durden (Sr., Port St. Lucie, Fla.) hit his eighth home run of the season in the fourth inning, putting up the Sharks 2-1. Durden went 1-for-3 in the game with two run and two RBI.

Mauricio Rodriguez (Jr., Miami, Fla.) (2-0) pitched what might be his most prolific relief appearance of the season as he earned his second win. Rodriguez entered the game with the bases loaded and no outs and escaped unscathed. He pitched two shutout innings and only needed 16 pitches to collect six outs.

Nick Avila (Sr., Pembroke Pines, Fla.) did not earn the decision but followed up his complete-game one hitter by throwing six innings without giving up an earned run. Avila held the Tars to only six hits and one walk. It was his first appearance of the season without a strikeout and it marked the first time in which a starter went at least three innings without a punch-out for NSU this season. Sean Albury (Sr., Nassau, Bahamas) struck out three batters in the ninth en route to his seventh save of the season.

The Tars took the lead in the first as the leadoff hitter reached base on an error. He would eventually score off a single before Avila loaded the bases with one out. Avila collected himself and ended the inning by drawing a double play in which he assisted on. Avila would see two runners in scoring position in each of the first three innings but escaped by stranding seven runners on base before the fourth frame.

The Sharks took the lead in the fourth when Daniel Petitbon (Jr., Fort Lauderdale, Fla.) hit a two-out single to right field, his team’s first hit of the game. Durden followed up with his two-run blast over left centerfield that gave his team a one-run lead the Sharks would hang onto for three innings. Durden now has a team-high 37 runs along with 23 RBI this season. Petitbon finished 1-for-4 with two runs.

Rollins swung the lead their way in the seventh by scoring two runs. The Tars led-off the frame with five straight singles that put the team up and loaded the bases with no outs on the board. Rodriguez entered the game and drew a line drive to centerfield for the first out. Rollins sent home the runner at third but Durden made an outstanding throw directly to home plate to complete a double play and pick up an outfield assist. Rodriguez drew a flyball to left field to end the side.

In the top of the ninth, Petitbon led-off by reaching on an error before Durden walked. Alan Avila (Jr., Pembroke Pines, Fla.) pinch hit and laid down a bunt to advance the runners but the pitcher unsuccessfully attempted a play at third base. With Angulo up to bat, the Sharks scored the tying run on a wild pitch before Angulo hit his go-ahead single that put the score at 5-3. Albury allowed a run to score on a wild pitch in the ninth but held on for his seventh save of the season.

The Sharks will take a break from conference play this Tuesday, March 29 as they travel to Palm Beach Atlantic at 6 p.m.