GCSU BOX SCORE|AASU BOX SCORE
CLEARWATER, Fla. – The Nova Southeastern softball team (3-5) went 1-1 on the opening day of the Eckerd College Tritons Spring Tournament. The Sharks opened with a 4-0 shutout of the Bobcats from Georgia College and State University (1-4) and then dropped their evening game to No. 21 Armstrong Atlantic State (4-1), 4-1.
GCSU Recap
The Sharks kicked off play in Clearwater, Fla. with a 4-0 victory over the Bobcats from Georgia College and State University. The Sharks rode the strong arm of
Laura Saladrigas (Jr., Hollywood, Fla.), who pitched a four-hit shutout for her second win of the season.
After a scoreless first inning, the Sharks got on the board in the bottom of the second. Saladrigas drew a leadoff walk and the then proceeded to steal second with
Gina Bondarenko (So., Pembroke Pines, Fla.) at the plate. Bondarenko grounded out to short, but was able to move Saladrigas over to third. Junior
Chelsea Emery (Eustis, Fla.) then drove a 2-2 pitch through the middle of the infield, bringing in Saladrigas to put NSU ahead 1-0.
Saladrigas helped her own cause in the bottom of the third. The junior recorded her sixth RBI of the season, driving in
Katie Kelton (Sr., Pembroke Pines, Fla.) who was on second after a bunt single and stolen base.
Jaimee Vega (Jr., Loxahatchee, Fla.) provided the Sharks with their third run in the bottom of the fourth. With the bases loaded, Vega hit a sacrifice fly to center field, deep enough for
Marissa Raimo (Jr., Hampton Bays, N.Y.) at third to tag up and score.
The Sharks added an unearned run in the bottom of the sixth to cap the scoring.
Dani Millan (So., Ventura, Calif.) reached base after the Bobcats’ right fielder popped a fly ball down the line. After reaching third via a passed ball, Millan came in to score when
Raven Sepulveda (Fr., Tampa, Fla.) knocked a single up the middle.
AASU Recap
Megan Barnwell pitched six scoreless innings before giving up one run to the Sharks, as the Pirates from Armstrong Atlantic State secured a 4-1 win in an evening affair between the squads.
Sara DeMuth (Sr., Plant CIty, Fla.) pitched six innings for NSU, striking out seven, but allowed four runs on six hits.
The Pirates struck in the bottom of the second inning, putting three runs on the board. The Sharks were able to get to two outs with a pair of Pirates runners on when Shelby Duff stepped to the plate for AASU. Duff sent a shot out to right field that brought in the Pirates’ first run of the game. April Jowers followed with a single of her own, driving in two more runs before the Sharks could get out number three.
AASU added another run in the bottom half of the fifth inning, as Jowers scored off a double by Brittany Cooley.
The Sharks tried to rally with two outs in the top of the seventh, beginning with a double by
Melanie Spicola (Fr., Umatilla, Fla.). The top of the NSU lineup then came up, with Vega singling up the middle to drive in Spicola. Kelton was next up and she mimicked Vega, singling through the middle of the infield. The rally would end there though, with
Ashley Silveira (Jr., Miami, Fla.) popping out to short.
NSU will face two new opponents Saturday, leading off the day at 1:30 p.m. against Lindenwood before ending the day with a 6:30 p.m. tilt against Flagler.
For the latest NSU news and results, be sure to visit
www.NSUSharks.com. To have results sent directly to your cell phone via text message, sign up for SMS text message delivery by
clicking here. For the latest news, be sure to sign up for the Shark Alert E-newsletter by
clicking here.
