Box Score

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – The Nova Southeastern baseball team (11-6) will enter the Sunshine State Conference opener on a three-game winning streak as they defeated the Southern New Hampshire Penmen (4-5), 7-6, Tuesday night at the NSU Baseball Complex.

The score does not accurately represent the way the game played out as the Sharks carried a four run lead into the ninth inning before multiple errors put the Penmen back into the game. Sean Albury (Sr., Nassau, Bahamas) came in for the final out and picked up his fourth save of the season while stranding the tying run at third base.

Anthony Nalepa (Sr., Miami, Fla.) pitched three shutout innings in relief to earn the victory. Nalepa struck out four batters without a walk and allowed only two hits. He improved his ERA to 3.05 while lowering his batting average to .211.

Seniors Luis Penate (Miami, Fla.) and Andrew Durden (Port St. Lucie, Fla.) led the Sharks offensively in their third straight victory. Penate went 2-for-4 with a team-high three RBI while Durden went 2-for-3 with a run. Ray Navarro (Jr., Miami, Fla.) and Haven Fitzsimmonds (Sr., Loxahatchee, Fla.) each went 1-for-3 with a run scored and combined for three RBI.

NSU found themselves in an early hole as Tyler Redding (So., Pembroke Pines, Fla.), who received the first start of his career, allowed two runs in the top of the second. Despite the early deficit, Redding left a runner in scoring position by ending the inning on a foul out and a strike out. Redding pitched three innings and picked up two strikeouts on the night.

The Sharks did not trail for long as they posted three runs in the bottom of the second. Fitzsimmonds and Daniel Petitbon (Jr., Fort Lauderdale, Fla.) each reached base on singles before Anthony Angulo (Jr., Homestead, Fla.) loaded the bases after an error by the shortstop. The Sharks showed patience at the plate as SNH’s Zach LeBarron walked the next three batters, giving the Sharks a free 3-2 lead.

NSU expanded the lead by scoring two runs over the next two frames, both of which were unearned for LeBarron. Durden led off the side with a single up the middle and advanced to third on an error by the pitcher. Fitzsimmonds recorded his only RBI by hitting a sacrifice fly to left field. In the fourth, Carlos Asuaje (Fr., Weston, Fla.) struck out but reached base on a throwing error by the catcher. After stealing second, Asuaje was plated by Penate’s RBI single to left centerfield. Asuaje now leads the conference with 10 stolen bases on 10 attempts.

The Penmen cut into their deficit with a run in the seventh inning but the Sharks increased their lead with two in the eighth. Dusty Maggs (Sr., Satellite Beach, Fla.) hit a leadoff ground rule double to centerfield on the first pitch of the side. Matt Seese (Sr., Ocala, Fla.) pinch ran for Maggs and scored off Navarro’s double to left centerfield. Penate followed with his second triple of the season, putting the Sharks up by four heading into the ninth inning.

SNH scored three runs in the ninth and had the go-ahead run in scoring position. With one out on the board, the Sharks attempted to pick off Time Rines but committed an error which allowed him to score. Zachary Westcott (Fr., Weston, Fla.), who only allowed one hit over 1.2 innings pitched, put a runner on first before the coaching staff entered Albury into the game.

Albury gave up an infield single to the first batter he faced before an error in the next at bat allowed two runners to score. The Sharks held the tying run on third and Albury ended the game as SNH’s Jon Massad flied out to left field. Albury now leads the SSC with four saves.

The Sharks will head into one of the biggest weekends of the year as they open the SSC schedule with a series against No. 6 Tampa beginning Friday, March 11 at 6 p.m. It will be alumni night as fans are invited to a pregame party at Quarterdeck Bar and Grill beginning at 4:30 p.m. before heading to the game. Contact Brian Needle at (954) 240-5033 for more details.