FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – The Nova Southeastern softball team (23-23, 5-16 SSC) will take to the road this weekend for a three-game series against the No.15 Tampa Spartans (25-8, 13-5 SSC) in Tampa, Fla., beginning Friday, April 19 at 6 p.m. The series will conclude with a doubleheader on Saturday, starting at 1 p.m.
The Sharks are going into the weekend most recently sweeping Palm Beach Atlantic on Wednesday, both wins ending on walk-off base hits. The first game ended after nearly three hours of play in the bottom of the 11th on a bases-loaded single by
Erika Garcia (Jr., Pembroke Pines, Fla.) to win 4-3. Game two ended in similar fashion, this time on a
Laura Saladrigas (Sr., Hollywood, Fla.) walk-off bunt in the bottom of the seventh, giving the Sharks a 5-4 win.
NSU is in the middle of their hottest stretch of games this season, winning 10 of the last 12, with the only two losses coming on the road against Florida Southern last weekend. The Sharks currently hold a nine game home winning streak, with only one more home series of the season.
The Sharks will look to Garcia (6-4) for solid pitching, as she has wins in six of her last seven starts in the circle for NSU. Garcia enters the weekend with a 2.19 ERA and has struck out ten batters in the 12 appearances she has made this season.
Saladrigas has been on a tear at the plate as of late, going 7-for-15 and bringing in seven RBI in her last five games.
The Sharks will have their hands full against one of their toughest opponents to date, when they go up against Tampa’s starting pitcher Kayla Cox (19-4). Cox has the lowest ERA in the country, with a 0.54 average. She also has the most complete game shutouts in the nation (13) and the third most strikeouts in the country (246).
“It’s all about confidence with the girls,” said head softball coach Lesa Bonee.
Tampa enters the weekend winning nine of their last 12, all coming against SSC opponents. The Spartans most recently swept their series against both Florida Southern and Eckerd.
When these teams met last season the Sharks were able to take one of three from the then-ranked No. 5 Spartans at the AD Griffin Sports Complex. Overall NSU holds a slight edge when it comes to the all-time series with Tampa, posting an 18-17 record over the SSC foe.
The game will be available via live video HERE and live stats HERE. Follow the Sharks on Twitter at www.Twitter.com/NSUSharks.
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