FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – Nova Southeastern University's baseball team (0-1) fell to the Tusclum Pioneers (1-0) on Opening Night at the NSU Baseball Complex by a score of 13-2. Julian Loret de Mola (0-1) earned the loss, while Tusculum's Placido Torres (1-0) earned the win, striking out nine Sharks along the way.
 
The Sharks jumped out to an early lead in the bottom of the first inning, as Brandon Gomez grounded out to score Jancarlos Cintron-Torres. That tide quickly turned in the bottom of the second inning on a Tusculum three-run home run over the left field wall. Loret de Mola would be pulled after 1.1 innings, handing the ball to Seton Hall transfer, Joe DiBenedetto. DiBenedetto tossed 3.1 innings, allowing four hits and four runs. The southpaw from Staten Island, N.Y. struck out four batters before being pulled in favor of Steven Fleming in the top of the fifth.
 
Fleming allowed two hits and two runs, while striking out two across his 1.1 innings of work. Kyle Kilbourne would make his debut for the Sharks, tossing two innings in relief. Kilbourne worked a quick one-two-three inning to begin his NSU career, before allowing four runs in his second inning of work.
 
The Sharks bats had trouble getting going all night long, featuring only two hits. Dylan Woods laced a single on an 0-2 pitch in the bottom of the third inning and Andrew Liberty smashed a double to right-center field in the bottom of the eighth. Liberty would eventually score after Jake Anchia moved him over to third base on a groundout and Andres Visbal grounded out to score Liberty from third base.
 
The Sharks will be back in action Saturday afternoon at 1:00 p.m. taking on the Newberry Wolves. Newberry defeated the Lynn Fighting Knights on Friday night by a score of 13-9. Jonny Ortiz will get the ball for the Sharks, looking to secure the first win of his NSU career and the 2016 season.