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Box Score 2 FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – For the first time in program history, the top-ranked Nova Southeastern University Sharks (38-11, 18-6 SSC) are the champions of the Sunshine State Conference. With two wins on Saturday over the Barry University Buccaneers (21-28, 8-16 SSC), the Sharks set the NCAA era record for total wins in a season and conference wins in a season.
Quotes Director of Athletics Mike Mominey - "Winning the 2015 Sunshine State Conference Championship is certainly a credit to all the players and coaches of this years team. With that said, this is also a shared championship with all the former players and coaches who have ever worn the NSU uniform. This accomplishment is yet another affirmation that the NSU program has become one of the elite baseball programs in the country. The blueprint for success includes not only winning in the field, but in the classroom and in the community. There are many alums around the country who are celebrating and who are proud to have come through this program."
Head Coach Greg Brown's thoughts right here:
Saturday Recap Justin Garcia (Jr., Hialeah, Fla.) led the Sharks on Saturday, blasting three home runs on the day.
Alex Mateo (Jr., Miami, Fla.) tossed 7.1 innings with seven strikeouts in the first game of the doubleheader, on his way to his ninth win of the season.
Ryan Castellanos (Jr., Davie, Fla.) earned the win in game two for his ninth win of the year, tossing 7.0 shutout innings, while striking out six Barry hitters.
Game 1 – NSU 11, Barry 3 The Sharks got on the board first, taking a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning on a sacrifice fly off of the bat of
Mario Urdaneta (Sr., Ocala, Fla.). NSU added to its lead in the bottom of the second on a sacrifice fly from
Nick McNeil(Jr., Clearwater, Fla.). Justin Garcia extended the NSU lead to 4-0 in the bottom of the third, launching his first home run of the day, a two-run homer over the right field fence.
Barry fired back in the top of the fourth, scoring three runs to pull within one run. The Barry fourth inning was highlighted by a Greg Brodinski two-run home run over the left field fence. That was the last Barry run that would cross the plate, as the Sharks would pour on seven runs from the fourth to the sixth innings to secure a 11-3 win. The scoring was highlighted by a
Andres Visbal (So., Pembroke Pines, Fla.) solo home run, a
Dylan Woods (So., New Symrna Beach, Fla.) RBI double, an
Alexander Fernandez (Sr., Davie, Fla.) RBI single, a
Kavan Thompson (Jr., Melbourne, Fla.) RBI walk and Garcia's second home run of the day, a three-run shot to centerfield.
Game 2 – NSU 6, Barry 0 Looking to complete their fifth Saturday doubleheader sweep in a row and tenth doubleheader sweep of the season, the Sharks came out swinging, scoring three runs in the bottom of the first inning. After reaching base on a fielder's choice and advancing to third on a double off of the bat of Fernandez, Urdaneta scored on a passed ball to give the Sharks a 1-0 lead. Justin Garcia then crushed his third home run of the day over the centerfield fence, a two-run shot to give the Sharks a 3-0 lead.
The Sharks extended their lead to 4-0 in the bottom of the second after Mario Urdaneta ripped a single off of the second baseman for a RBI single. With the bases loaded in the bottom of the third inning, Visbal sent a fly ball to deep left field to drive in the Sharks' fifth run of the ballgame. The Sharks made the score 6-0 after Urdaneta drove a ball into left field with the infield in for his second RBI of the ballgame.
Zachary Westcott (R-Sr., Weston, Fla.) and
Devin Raftery (R-Jr., Deltona, Fla.) tossed an inning of relief each, closing the book to the 2015 regular season.
What's Next? The Sharks will now wait until 10 p.m. on May 10
th, when they will find out their postseason fate. The Sharks currently hold the top spot in the NCAA South Region poll and are prepared for the possibility of hosting the NCAA South Region Tournament. Tune in to the Selection Show right
here.
