Box Score MIAMI SHORES, Fla. – The Nova Southeastern University softball team dropped their series opener with Barry on the road Tuesday night, with the Bucs outlasting the Sharks, who had the tying run on deck in the seventh, by 5-1.
The Sharks (14-18, 2-11 SSC) fell into a 3-0 hole after the first inning to the Bucs (25-9, 9-4 SSC), on just two hits. Two runs scored on one play, a bunt single and ensuing throw in an attempt to get the hitter advancing to second. That would turn out to be enough to ensure the victory.
NSU's first scoring opportunity came in the third, when the first batter of the inning,
Shelby Cogan (Sr., Fort Lauderdale, Fla.), reached on an error and advanced on a sacrifice bunt by
Haley Gonzales (Fr., Boca Raton, Fla.). One out later,
Lorena Spaulding (Sr., Pembroke Pines, Fla.) dropped down a beautiful bunt of her own and reached for a clean single, followed by a walk to
Maegan Lee (Sr,. Miami). But Barry starter Haley Wiseman got a strikeout to leave the bases loaded and keep the Sharks off the board.
The Bucs added runs in each of the fourth and fifth innings, and Wiseman continued her success in the circle, allowing just a walk in each of those same innings.
NSU finally broke through against her in the sixth with two straight line shots to start the frame: a single up the middle by Lee, followed by a double to left-center to bring her in off the bat of
Katrina Ammons (Sr., Jacksonville, Fla.). But the Bucs got out of the inning with a double play to keep it a four-run edge, 5-1, and that would end up being the final tally despite two Shark runners reaching in the seventh.
Wiseman issued a free pass to
Te Reo Powhiri Matautia (Jr., Auckland, New Zealand) and gave up a hard-hit single to left by Cogan to start the inning. After a fielder's choice allowed pinch-hitter
Taylor Rotz (So., Pittsburgh) to reach (and erase Matautia), the game ended on yet another double play, a lineout-throwout to clinch the win.
Rebecca Thornton (So., Lodi, Calif.) went the distance for NSU, with only three of the five runs against her earned. There were many solid defensive plays behind her, including a fine catch in deep rightfield by Cogan; difficult diving stops at second by
Dakota Villella (So., Hollywood, Fla.), at short by Gonzales, and at third by Lee; and a nicely-turned double play in the fifth that went Villella to Gonzales to Ammons at 1B.
The series wraps up Wednesday from Miami Shores with a doubleheader beginning at 5 p.m.
