Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – Nova Southeastern University softball (1-3) fell 6-3 to Lynn (4-4) and 6-0 to Tampa (3-2) to conclude play at the Eckerd College Spring Invitational on Sunday.
 
"We need to focus on our defense over the next week," said head coach Julie LeMaire. "Our offense gives us a chance, but we need to focus on helping our kids who are out of position to get better in certain game situations. We need to minimize some of our errors and capitalize on the pitchers getting ground balls and doing their job."
 
The first game of the day against Lynn remained scoreless until the bottom of the third inning. Sophia Devesa (Fr., Pembroke Pines, Fla.) started the Sharks off with a single and would advance to second on a groundout by Ashley Roe (Jr., Flower Mound, Texas). Junior Dakota Villella got a bunt single to move Devesa to third and both runners would score off a Megan Granitto (Fr., Wellington, Fla.) single to right field. The team's third and final run of the game was driven in after starting pitcher Dajia Jones (Jr., Jacksonville, Fla.) doubled to right center.
 
The Fighting Knights would score all six runs in the top of the sixth inning off a two-RBI double by Victoria Rios and an Elizabeth Diaz grand slam. Pitcher Katelyn Key (2-1) would hold NSU off to get the win. Sharks' pitcher Jones (1-1) went 2-for-4 and had two strikeouts.
 
In the second and final game of the tournament, NSU returners Villella (Jr., Hollywood, Fla.), Katey Blummer (Jr., Naples, Fla.) and Haley Gonzales (So., Boca Raton, Fla.) put up the Sharks' only three hits. Freshman Erica Winter (0-2) got her second loss of the season as she gave up 10 hits, five earned runs and struck out three. Tampa pitcher Makaleigh Dooley picked up the win (2-0) for the Spartans.
 
"I think Erica (Winter) had a really good day and overall outing over the weekend as a freshman starting pitcher," continued LeMaire. "She did what she needed to do as a pitcher against Tampa, and I thought she looked good on the mound. She also looked good in relief for Dajia (Jones) against Lynn."
 
The Sharks will take part in Palm Beach Atlantic's Sailfish Showdown this coming weekend in West Palm Beach, Fla. NSU will face Armstrong State at 11 a.m. and Washburn at 5 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 13 and Georgia Southwestern at 1 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 14.