FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – The Nova Southeastern softball team opens the 2013 season on the road to take on the St. Thomas Bobcats for a doubleheader in Miami, Fla., starting at 1 p.m.

“The girls are really antsy to get out there and play,” said head coach Lesa Bonee. “We have been practicing the last three weeks and we are ready to go out against competition and start our season. We are ready.”

The team returns six starters this season, including All-SSC selections Lorena Spaulding (So., Pembroke Pines, Fla.) and Laura Saladrigas (Sr., Hollywood, Fla.).

The Sharks will be looking to improve upon last season’s fifth-place finish in the Sunshine State Conference and continue its success against St. Thomas. Since 2008, the Sharks hold a 15-0 record and have outscored the Bobcats, 100-25, in that time.

“This is a game we can’t look over,” said Bonee. “St. Thomas has gotten progressively better since [head coach] Jeff Norman has taken over the program. They have picked up some good players this offseason and are definitely not a team to look over.”

St. Thomas, a NAIA school out of the Sun Conference, were picked to finish second (68 points) just behind South Carolina Beaufort (71 points).

Last season the Bobcats finished 16-26 overall and 8-10 in conference play, but made a run in The Sun Conference Softball Tournament, finishing as the runner-up.

First pitch is slated for 1 p.m. Saturday, and fans can follow the game via live audio HERE and live stats HERE.

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