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FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – The Nova Southeastern baseball team (3-1) will return to action Wednesday at the NSU Baseball Complex against the Florida Memorial Lions (2-6-1) at 6 p.m.
The Sharks will look to bounce back after a disappointing loss at home to the Sunshine State Conference defending champions, Barry, 1-0. The Sharks struggled offensively with only three hits in the game. Fortunately, the pitching staff was able to hold Barry scoreless for eight innings before a sacrifice fly won the game in the ninth. The Sharks’ struggles were not just limited to hitting, as they were caught stealing twice.
Despite the loss, the breakout star of the game was newcomer
Mike Gonzalez (Jr., Miami, Fla.). Gonzalez received the start in his second appearance as a Shark and proved his place among the Sharks’ top new arms. Gonzalez had a no-hitter through the first five innings before giving up one hit in the sixth. In a 76-pitch outing, Gonzalez struck out five batters and only allowed three base runners, two of which came in his sixth and final inning.
The Sharks will move on to a game against Florida Memorial that was the final game to be added to the schedule. Despite the team’s dismal start, the game has all the makings of a “trap game.” The Lions sit far below .500 but will ride some momentum heading into the game. They picked up their first two wins of the season against Northwood over the weekend, an opponent that nearly upset NSU last season.
If the Sharks come out 100 percent focused, the game should be a win and solid tune up heading into a weekend road trip to Valdosta State. The game could serve as a wake up for some of the team’s sleeping bats. Former All-SSC honorees
Areo Regoli (Sr., Homestead, Fla.),
Nikko Echevarria (Sr., Abqaib, Saudi Arabia) and
Daniel Petitbon (Sr., Fort Lauderdale, Fla.) have started the season a combined 6-for-27 (.222). These battle-tested seniors have proven that they will eventually get back into premium form and aid to an offense that already averages nine runs a game.
NSU will also get a chance to further prove its talent to the national poll voters. Despite seven straight 30-win seasons, 36 runs in four games and a 1-0 loss to Barry, a team ranked fifth the College Baseball Lineup national poll, the Sharks remain unranked with only one vote combined in the three national NCAA Division II baseball polls.
The National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association poll placed NSU eighth in the South Region, one spot ahead of Miles of the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference. A win Wednesday could separate the Sharks from teams such as Miles and Benedict, squads the Sharks rank closer to in votes than No. 23 Florida Southern and Lynn.
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