GAME 1 BOX SCORE | GAME 2 BOX SCORE

MIAMI SHORES, Fla. – The Nova Southeastern University softball team (22-17, 4-11 SSC) slipped in another three-game series as the Barry University Buccaneers (28-7, 14-1 SSC) completed the sweep with 9-1 (5 inn.) and 5-1 wins on Saturday at Buccaneer Field.

GAME ONE
The Sharks suffered their first run-rule loss of the season as NSU only tallied four hits in five innings of play.

Senior Rachel Talenfeld (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.) started off the game with her 96th walk of her career after watching and fighting off eight pitches from starter Paula Mackin. Talenfeld reached as far as second but was stranded.

With one out in the bottom of the second, Barry scored three runs on four hits before the Sharks could get their first hit of the game.

Junior Sara DeMuth (Plant City, Fla.) sent a 1-0 pitch deep over the left field fence for NSU’s first hit and eventually only run of the game. Talenfeld singled with one out in the same inning and Gianni Artidiello (Fr., Miami, Fla.) reached on an error to put runners on first and second. The momentum quickly changed downward for the Sharks as the field umpire called Talenfeld out for leaving early as she was off the base as the ball was in the circle. So just like that, the Sharks now had two outs and only runner on base and the inning would end on a strikeout.

In the fourth, freshman Gina Bondarenko (Pembroke Pines, Fla.) singled with two outs for the Sharks third hit.

Barry spotted a five-run inning in the fourth, taking a seven run lead.

Talenfeld reached base for the third time in the game as she grounded a ball to the third baseman who could not field it cleanly with two outs. Artidiello singled right up the middle for the Sharks final hit but again the Sharks left numerous runners stranded on base.

Barry hit a single with a runner on second and two-outs to end the game with the eight-run advantage.

Mackin (9-2) earned the win, allowing four hits, one run while walking one and striking out three.

DeMuth (9-9) only threw 3.1 innings, suffering the loss. The righty allowing 10 hits, seven runs, while only striking out one.

Laura Saladrigas (So., Hollywood, Fla.) tossed the final 1.1 innings, where she gave up five hits and two runs.

GAME TWO
The Sharks faltered in game two on account to five defensive errors and only three hits.

Artidiello started off the game with a single to left field. Talenfeld trotted to first on four straight balls and the Sharks had two runners on with no outs. Katie Kelton (Jr., Pembroke Pines, Fla.) moved both Artidiello and Talenfeld in scoring position on a sacrifice bunt but the Sharks failed to get the timely hit, leaving both runners on base.

Once again, Barry was the first on the board as the Buccaneers scored one run in the second off two hits.

The Sharks quickly responded in the top of the third. Sophomore Stephanie Palazzolo (New Port Richey, Fla.) led off the frame with a walk and moved to second on a sac bunt by Artidiello. Bucs’ pitcher Brianna Smith threw one past the catcher allowing Palazzolo to stand 60-feet from scoring position. The senior Talenfeld singled home the tying run as the game was now deadlocked 1-1 after three innings of play.

Jessica Tabor hit a two-run home run in the fourth to give Barry a two-run advantage. Three Sharks errors after the homer was costly which scored two more runs as Barry had a 5-1 lead.

The Sharks bats went stagnant for the rest of the game as DeMuth was the only player for Nova Southeastern to get a hit for the rest of the game.

Smith (14-5) hurled a complete game for the win, scattering three hits while walking one and striking out three.

Devin Higginbotham (Sr., Palatka, Fla.) (4-3) tossed 6.0 innings, giving up eight hits, three earned runs and striking out one in the loss.

The Sharks will look to turn things around in Sunshine State Conference play as they host Saint Leo Lions on April 9, with a doubleheader at 5 p.m. at the AD Griffin Sports Complex.