FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – Top-ranked Nova Southeastern has already shown what it's capable of playing on its home turf thus far in 2017. At 5-0 through the first week of the season, the Sharks have batted a collective .345 at the plate while limiting four of their opponents to two runs or fewer. The test now will be for head coach
Greg Brown and company to replicate that same type of success on the road as it travels to North Georgia for a three-game series beginning Friday at 4 p.m. ET.
The Sharks picked up their fifth win in as many days on Tuesday following a 4-2 victory over St. Thomas (Fla.).
Kevin Suarez led an offensive attack that tallied 12 hits on the night with a 3-for-4 effort on his birthday to go along with a pair of hits and runs scored by second baseman Jancarlos Cintron. However, it was Cintron's performance with the leather that garnered the most attention as the senior produced numerous web gems throughout, including a diving stop in the fifth inning that likely prevented two runs from scoring.
Meanwhile,
Ryan Maya earned the win on the mound after tossing two scoreless innings before the ball was eventually turned over to reliever
Josh Glick, who recorded his first save since 2014. Since surrendering a lone run in the seventh inning in game one of last Saturday's doubleheader against Alabama-Huntsville, the Nova Southeastern bullpen has now pitched 15.2 consecutive innings of scoreless baseball.
By the looks of things, though, the pitching staff will likely be challenged by a North Georgia club that enters the weekend at 4-0 and currently averaging 12.5 runs per game. Following a season-opening 6-4 victory versus Carson-Newman, the Nighthawks have tallied at least 13 runs in three straight contests – collecting seven home runs in that span.
One of five regular starters hitting at least .350, first baseman Trevor Sams leads the way for the Nighthawks with a .571 average. Together, he and teammate Connor Hoover have already combined for 19 RBI's overall.
Following a 32-20 campaign in 2016, North Georgia was selected to finish third in the Peach Belt Conference preseason coaches' poll.
Potential NSU Series Starting Pitchers
Friday
Devin Meyer – 1-0, 6.1 IP, 2.84 ERA, 4 K, 5 BB, 6 H
Saturday
Matt Hardy – 1-0, 6.0 IP, 0.00 ERA, 5 K, 1 BB, 4 H
Sunday
Joe DiBenedetto – 1-0, 6.0 IP, 1.50 ERA, 6 K, 0 BB, 4 H
For complete coverage of this weekend's action, log onto
NSUSharks.com or follow the Sharks on Twitter @NSU_Baseball.
