BOX SCORE

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – The Nova Southeastern baseball team (7-6) won an extra-inning thriller Friday night against Bentley (3-4), ending with a walk-off double by Carlos Asuaje (Jr., Weston, Fla.), 3-2.

In the bottom of the 11th, with runners at first and second and two outs, Asuaje came to the plate. He had earlier had a chance to be the hero, but the potential winning run was cut down at the plate in the ninth. This time, there was no doubt, as Asuaje's hard-hit ball to left-center rounded Brett Clements (Sr., Riverview, Fla.) easily from second for the game-winning run.

The Sharks' fourth pitcher of the night, Kenny Miranda (So., Loxahatchee, Fla.) (1-0) picked up his first win of the season, allowing no hits in four innings pitched, striking out five.

NSU had lit the scoreboard first all the way back in the bottom of the second with Alex Marrero (Sr., Miami, Fla.) scoring from third off a groundball to third by Anthony Angulo (Sr., Homestead, Fla.), which also advanced Rudolph to third. Rudolph, who had reached on a double, reached home safely on the next at-bat off a wild pitch as the Sharks took an early 2-0 lead.

Bentley held the Sharks scoreless while adding runs in each of the sixth and seventh innings to even the score at 2-2.

The Sharks had that strong opportunity to end the game in the bottom of the ninth with Eric Acevedo (Sr., Miami, Fla.) on first with two outs. Asuaje hit a double to the right field wall, but Acevedo was tagged out at the plate by the Falcons, sending it into extras. Two innings later, Asuaje came through with the game-winner.

Leading the offense for NSU was Asuaje who went 3-for-4 with two doubles and one RBI, while Clements and William Rudolph (Jr., Parkland, Fla.) each had two hits. Starter Zachary Westcott (Jr., Weston, Fla.) had a solid six-inning effort included allowing only one run on three hits with five strikeouts. 

NSU will be back at it again Saturday afternoon for the second game of the series against Bentley. First pitch is slated for 2 p.m. at the NSU baseball complex.

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