Box Score FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – The Nova Southeastern University baseball team (27-6, 8-2 SSC) walked off against the University of Tampa Spartans (24-8, 7-3 SSC), taking game one of the three-game battle for first place in the Sunshine State Conference.
Zachary Westcott (R-Sr., Weston, Fla.) earned the win, tossing three innings, while allowing just one run.
It looked as if Tampa was going to run away with the Friday contest, scoring four runs in the top of the first inning to take a commanding 4-0 lead.
Dylan Woods (So., New Symrna Beach, Fla.) began the climb back into the game, driving in
Andres Visbal (So., Miami, Fla.) to make the score 4-1 to end the bottom of the second.
Roberto Baroniel (Sr., Miami, Fla.) was determined to keep the Spartans lead within reach, as he allowed just one run over the next five innings. The offense thanked Baroniel for his efforts, providing him with one run in the fourth inning and four runs in the fifth inning.
Michael Hernandez (So., Pembroke Pines, Fla.) scored in the fourth inning on a groundout by
Antonio Rodriguez (Jr., Coral Gables, Fla.).
The fifth inning began with a Woods home run to right centerfield, his first home run of the year.
Roche Woodard (Sr., Tampa, Fla.) and
Mario Urdaneta (Sr., Ocala, Fla.) followed the home run with singles, putting runners on first and second with no outs.
Alexander Fernandez (Sr., Davie, Fla.) bunted the two runners over, leading to
Justin Garcia (Jr., Hialeah, Fla.) stepping to the plate. During Garcia's at-bat, Woodard scored on a passed ball to make the score 5-4. Garcia then doubled to right centerfield, scoring Urdaneta to tie the game. NSU took a 6-5 lead after a swinging bunt by Rodriguez plated Garcia from third base.
Westcott took over the pitching duties in the top of the seventh, allowing one run in his first inning of work. He set the Spartans down in order in each of the eighth and ninth innings. In the bottom of the ninth inning, Hernandez stepped to the plate with runners on first and second and one out. Hernandez sent a 1-2 changeup up the middle and Urdaneta beat the throw to the plate, as the Sharks won the contest in dramatic walk-off fashion.
The Sharks will be back in action on Saturday, beginning at noon. Be sure to tune in to each game, following the links on the
schedule page.
