Box Score 1 | Box Score 2

MIAMI – The Nova Southeastern softball team (30-17) swept the St. Thomas Bobcats (22-21) on Tuesday at Bobcats Field, 1-0 in eight innings in game one and 13-1 in the nightcap.

The first six in the lineup each notched an RBI on the day to outscore the Bobcats by a total of 14-1.

Game One

The Sharks left 11 players on base in the game before taking the 1-0 win in the top of the eighth.

NSU's first scoring threat was in the top of the third. Lorena Spaulding (Jr., Pembroke Pines, Fla.) reached first on a bunt single. Samira Tanaka (Sr., Sao Paulo, Brazil) arrived safely at first on a bunt as well, and both Spaulding and Tanaka advanced bases on a throw. With Spaulding at third and Tanaka at second, two popouts to the outfield would get the next two outs needed for the Bobcats to close the inning.

The Sharks left two more in scoring position in the top of the seventh. Spaulding hit a bunt single to reach and advanced to second as Melanie Spicola (Jr., Umatilla, Fla.) walked. Tanaka connected for a sac bunt to advance both runners to scoring position, but a popout and flyout later closed the inning for the Bobcats.

The extra inning rule was in effect for the next at-bat, with Gina Bondarenko (Sr., Pembroke Pines, Fla.) starting at second. She advanced to third on a passed ball, and two batters later, Rebecca Thornton (Fr., Lodi, Calif.) hit a sacrifice fly to give the Sharks a 1-0 victory.  

Jennie Von Doellen (Sr., Hudson Bay, Canada) dominated in the circle for the Sharks, throwing for all eight innings and allowing only five hits, no walks and no runs.

Game Two

Comparatively, the Sharks had much less drama in the final game on Tuesday, notching 13 runs on 13 hits to sweep the Bobcats, 13-1.

Three consecutive RBI's in the top of the first gave the Sharks an early lead. The first run of the game was set up by the Bobcats as Spicola, the leadoff batter in the game, was walked. Tanaka advanced Spicola to third on a single to put two Sharks on base, one in scoring position. Next at-bat, Erika Garcia (Sr., Pembroke Pines, Fla.) doubled up the middle for the Sharks' first RBI of the game. 

Bondarenko followed and earned her first sacrifice fly of the season, hitting it to left field to bring Tanaka home and advance Garcia to third. Katrina Ammons (Jr., Jacksonville, Fla.) notched the Sharks' third RBI in a row on a double to right field to bring Garcia in. After Dakota Villella (Fr., Hollywood, Fla.) reached on a single, she and Ammons pulled off a double steal, with Ammons scoring NSU's final run of the inning by taking home, putting the Sharks up 4-0.

The Sharks furthered their lead in the top of the third. With the first at-bat of the inning, Bondarenko hit a single up the middle and then stole second to land in scoring position. Ammons connected on a single up the middle to advance Bondarenko to third and put two runners on base, and then Spaulding brought in Bondarenko on a single to left center.

A two-run single by Spicola scored both Thornton and Roberson. Then, with Spaulding at third and Spicola at second, Tanaka hit a bunt single to bring in Spaulding, and then instigated another NSU run by putting herself in a pickle between first and second. The Sharks' five runs in the inning pushed the Sharks up 9-0.

The Bobcats scored a run in the bottom of the third to avoid the mercy rule. A double by Christina Sacremento put St. Thomas in scoring position, then Sasha Horton notched the Bobcats' only RBI on the day with a single to left center.

NSU revived the mercy rule in the top of the fifth. Villella hit a single bunt to get on first. Next at-bat, pinch-hitter Taylor Rotz (Fr., Pittsburgh, Penn.) drew a walk, and then Spaulding connected for the second bunt single in the inning to load the bases for the Sharks. After a fielder's choice, Tanaka hammered a three-run double down the middle to put the mercy-rule into effect again. With Tanaka at third, Bondarenko notched the final RBI of the day on a single up the middle.

Thornton went the distance for the Sharks, allowing one run on eight hits and striking out two.

The Sharks' sweep marks 30 victories in the season. They will wrap up the regular season next weekend in a crucial series with Rollins. The Tars are 34-11 and are 16-5 in SSC play, just one game ahead of NSU. The first game from Winter Park, Fla., will be Friday at 6 p.m., with the series wrapping up the following day at 1 p.m.

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