Box Score 1 |
Box Score 2 GAME ONE BOX | GAME TWO BOX
TAMPA, Fla. – The Nova Southeastern softball team (23-26, 6-18 SSC) fell in both games of a doubleheader against the No.15 Tampa Spartans (28-8, 16-5 SSC), losing 3-2 in game one and 4-2 in the second, at Naimoli Family Field in Tampa, Fla.
Despite the losses, the Sharks held their own against one of the nations best, holding a lead in each of the two games.
GAME ONE
The first game started very similar to Friday’s game, as both pitchers allowed just one hit each in the first two innings of play.
Jennie Von Doellen (Jr., Hudson Bay, Canada) (14-15) struck out the fist four Tampa batters of the game.
NSU took their first lead of the series in the third inning, taking a one-run lead against Tampa. The Sharks rallied on a
Shelby Talon (Fr., Boynton Beach, Fla.) single to left center, NSU’s second hit of the ball game. Talon was moved over to second on a well hit sacrifice bunt from
Lorena Spaulding (So., Pembroke Pines, Fla.). The Sharks scored when
Samira Tanaka's (Jr., Sao Paulo, Brazil) hit over to second was fielded cleanly but was thrown over the first basemen’s head. Talon’s speed and hustle allowed her to score from second, giving NSU a 1-0 advantage.
The Spartans acted quickly in the next half inning, scoring two runs and taking a 2-1 lead.
After no runs for either side in the fourth, the Sharks tied the game on another Tampa error. Spaulding reached first with a single up the middle, scored all the way from first, when a routine ground ball to Tampa’s pitcher Kayla Cox (21-4) was thrown past first baseman. Spaulding used her speed to make a diving play at the plate to even up the game for the Sharks.
An infield base hit from the Spartans’ Meagan Burke scored a run from third and turned out to be the game winner for Tampa. NSU was unable to record a hit in the final two innings of the game.
The two Shark runs were the most runs allowed by Cox since March 29, when she let up two against Florida Southern.
Despite the loss, Von Doellen had a strong outing in the circle, allowing three runs and struck out five.
Game Two
The Sharks were in control of game two, holding on to a 2-1 lead heading into the bottom of the fifth. However, the Spartans erased the lead with a two-out RBI single in the fifth and then another two-out hit, this time a two-RBI triple in the sixth from Tampa’s Kayleen Boatwright, giving Tampa the 4-2 win.
The game started quickly for the Spartans, when they were able to take a quick 1-0 lead over the Sharks.
After nothing in the second, NSU recorded its biggest inning of the series, scoring two runs and taking a 2-1 lead. Leadoff hitter
Marissa Raimo (Sr., Hampton Bays, N.Y.) hit her fourth double of the season, this one off the fence in left centerfield. Talon then dropped down a sac bunt to move Raimo to third. Spaulding then dropped a bunt to the pitcher, who was unable to field the ball cleanly, scoring Raimo and reaching first safely.
Tanaka then had a single on a bunt, followed by an easy steal as no one for the Spartans was covering the bag. With both runners in scoring position,
Laura Saladrigas' (Sr., Hollywood, Fla.) groundout to third allowed Spaulding to score from third. Tampa pitcher Julia Morrow (7-4) was able to get out of the inning with no further damage.
Erika Garcia (Jr., Pembroke Pines, Fla.) had another strong day in the circle, allowing only one earned run and striking out five Tampa batters.
The Sharks will take a few days off before their doubleheader in West Palm Beach, Fla. on Wednesday, against Northwood, beginning at 2 p.m.
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