Box Score

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. – The Nova Southeastern University softball team (9-7, 0-1 SSC) fell to Eckerd (10-6, 0-1 SSC), 4-3, in Friday's Sunshine State Conference opener.

Erika Garcia (Sr., Pembroke Pines) and Lorena Spaulding (Jr., Pembroke Pines, Fla.) each went 2-for-3 on the night, both notching RBI singles in the game. The defense held Eckered to no runs after the first inning. 

In the bottom of the first, Eckerd filled the bases with two batters being hit by a pitch and a fielding error. The Tritons' Amber Hay, Sydeny Dinelli and Carolyn Griffin then notched back-to-back-to back RBI singles for the first three runs of the game. Mitchell grabbed the fourth run for the team, reaching home on a Sharks' fielding error, giving Eckerd the early 4-0 lead.

NSU scored their first two runs in the bottom of the third. Melanie Spicola (Jr., Umatilla, Fla.) set up the scoring plays for the Sharks with a hit to the circle. Spicola then stole second and third as the next batter, Dakota Villella (Fr., Hollywood, Fla.) would walk and steal second. Spaulding and Samira Tanaka (Sr., Sao Paulo, Brazil) would both get back-to-back RBI singles, cutting the Tritons lead by two, 4-2.

The last run of the game was off the bat of Garcia in the bottom of the sixth. Gina Bondarenko (Sr., Pembroke Pines, Fla.) hit a single to get on base. Shelby Cogan (Jr., Fort Lauderdale, Fla.), pinch running for Bondarenko, then came home after Garcia doubled to center field.

The Sharks will continue conference play in a doubleheader against Eckerd tomorrow at 1 p.m.

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