FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – Nova Southeastern University softball will host Albany State in a doubleheader for "Think Pink" Breast Cancer Awareness night on Tuesday, March 22 at 5 p.m. followed by a three-game series with conference opponent Florida Tech beginning on Thursday, March 24.
 
The Sharks (9-22, 1-11 SSC) begin the week with two games against Albany State (10-16, 6-4 SIAC) on Tuesday, March 22 starting at 5 p.m. NSU will then host Sunshine State Conference (SSC) opponent No. 24 Florida Tech (26-11, 6-3 SSC) with the first game on Thursday, March 24 at 6 p.m. followed by an afternoon doubleheader on Friday, March 25 beginning at 1 p.m.
 
Last weekend, NSU dropped three games to SSC rival Eckerd in St. Petersburg, Florida. Megan Granitto (Fr., Wellington, Fla.) continues to lead the Sharks in the circle despite picking up the loss in the first game. NSU fell 3-1, but Granitto (4-5) held the Tritons to just two hits and threw three strikeouts in six innings. She was also 1-for-3 driving in the team's only run. In the third game of the series, Granitto pitched five and two-thirds innings relinquishing just three hits and one run. She leads the pitching squad with an ERA of 2.40.
 
The Sharks' got into the swing of things in the second game of the series combining for 14 hits and earning nine runs. Eight of nine NSU batters had a hit in the game with Granitto going 4-for-5 with three RBI, Katey Blummer (Jr., Naples, Fla.) hitting 3-for-5 with two RBI and Dajia Jones (Jr., Jacksonville, Fla.) 2-for-4 with two RBI. Jones continues to lead the team with a batting average of .393, 35 hits and 20 RBI.
 
See below for information about the Sharks' upcoming opponents. Links to the live stats and live video stream for each game can be found HERE. Stay tuned to NSUSharks.com for the latest updates throughout the weekend.
 
Albany State
Albany State most recently competed in the SIAC Crossover Tournament coming out with a record of 5-2 with wins over Kentucky State University, Miles College, LeMoyne-Owen College, Lane College and Stillman College. The team is currently second in the SIAC's East Division and is led by 2016 SIAC Preseason All-Conference members Kayla Alexander and Ambrionna Atkism. Alexander was a member of the 2015 SIAC All-Conference Team while Atkism is the lone holdover from the Lady Rams' 2013 SIAC title team. The Lady Rams will face Palm Beach Atlantic in a two-game series on Monday, March 21 before heading down to Ft. Lauderdale to take on the Sharks.
 
Florida Tech
Florida Tech is ranked 24^th nationally and fourth in the SSC most recently dropping a series with Rollins 2-1. The Panthers have a lot of depth in the circle with a combined ERA of 2.50 while opponents are averaging a 4.43 ERA against them. Junior pitcher Rachel Pence (20-8) has been dominant with six shutouts this season and an earned run average of 1.87. At the plate, the duo of Nicole Shinsky and Hailey Leonard has been strong with each hitting .371 and .369 respectively. Leonard leads the team in slugging percentage (.712), hits (41), RBI (31) and extra base hits (21). The Panthers will take on Albany State before their three-game series with NSU begins.