FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – The Nova Southeastern University softball team (8-5) opens its Sunshine State Conference schedule against the undefeated No. 18 Rollins (10-0) at the AD Griffin Sports Complex. The series begins with a doubleheader Saturday at 1 p.m. and concludes with a single game Sunday at 1 p.m.
The three-game series will bring NSU to nine straight games against nationally ranked opponents. In their last six game, NSU is 3-3. The run of elite competition began with a doubleheader against No. 12 Alabama-Huntsville, looking to upset one of the South Region's premier teams. NSU would play in chilling temperatures and with icicles hanging from top of the dugout. The Sharks persevered and won game one, 10-7. NSU lost the second game but left Huntsville with its first win over a nationally-ranked team this year.
NSU traveled to Dahlonega, Ga. for North Georgia's tournament on Saturday, Feb. 15 to face the No. 9 Nighthawks and No. 25 Wingate. It was scheduled for four games, but the Sunday slate was cut due to expected inclement weather. The Saturday doubleheader could not have gone better, as the Sharks won both games by one run.
Rebecca Thornton (So., Lido, Calif.) would earn Sunshine State Conference Pitcher of the Week for going 3-0 against nationally-ranked teams.
Sitting at 3-1 during their northern road trip, travels would turn sour. The Sharks voyaged to Nashville, Tenn. for a doubleheader against Trevecca Nazarene, but those games were also cancelled due to the recent snowstorm. Instead of coming home early after four straight cancelled games, NSU would get stuck in Music City for an extra two days. With only one day to recover from the weather and travel, while preparing for a tough opponent, NSU would fall short against No. 19 Georgia College, 4-2 and 2-0.
Although NSU is looking to rebound from a disappointing weekend, the young Sharks have proven they can handle adversity well and hang with the toughest teams Division II has to offer. Those traits will come in handy against an undefeated Tars team that was picked to win the conference in the preseason.
Rollins comes into the game with a pristine record but still searching for a marquee victory. Rollins has recorded wins over Embry-Riddle, Kentucky State, Newberry and Armstrong State. Three out of the four opponents currently have losing records, with Armstrong State's 7-6 mark the best of the group. Rollins' most recent victory was a 4-3 win over the Pirates in ASU's tournament on Feb. 22.
Despite the ledger, Rollins' pedigree is proven. They are the reigning, defending SSC Champions and previously won three straight titles from 2009-11. Since 2006, Rollins has won a minimum of 39 games, including a 39-13 mark last season.
Rollins currently has six players hitting .400 or better, led by breakout sophomore Hailee Keisling with a .679 average. Rollins had seven players named All-Sunshine State Conference last year and returned honorees Courtney Durbin, Brittney Johnson and Niki Fogle.
The weekend will kick off a run of home weekend series for NSU. The Sharks will play all of their home conference series on the front end of their schedule, playing the entire second half of SSC play on the road. This weekend, the Sharks will look to start their home campaign off on a strong note against the SSC favorites.
