FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – Following a tough stretch at home a week ago, Nova Southeastern will now look to regroup and refocus when it hits the road Tuesday for an afternoon tilt at Flagler.
 
Albeit against top-10 competition, the Sharks have dropped four of five overall and were even shutout for the first time since 2014 in game two versus Sunshine State Conference foe Tampa this past Saturday. With that being said, the Nova Southeastern offense will gladly welcome a Flagler pitching staff it tagged for 19 runs on 18 hits en route to victory back on February 21.
 
Second baseman Jancarlos Cintron led three players with at least with at least three runs batted in the effort, finishing with a career-high five RBI's. The Sharks' lead-off batter has yet to slow, either. Entering Tuesday, Cintron ranks among the top-six in the SSC in batting average (.417), hits (45), on-base percentage (.515) and runs scored (36). As recently as Saturday, Cintron even set the program's new hit streak mark with at least one hit in 24 consecutive games to begin the season.
 
Despite the late struggles, the lower half of the Nova Southeastern batting order has seemed to find its groove a bit. Facing the league's top pitching staff in terms of opponent batting average over the weekend, both Sebastian Diaz and Kevin Suarez pieced together some nice numbers versus Tampa. Diaz went 5-for-10 with an extra-base hit, five RBI's and a pair of steals during the series. Meanwhile, Suarez batted .385 with three runs scored, and managed to gain sole possession of the SSC stolen base lead with four swiped bags in four attempts.
 
The Sharks will need the bulk of their lineup to get back on track Tuesday, though, knowing a shootout may very well be in store against the Saints yet again.
 
Flagler enters the week with four of its regular starters hitting at least .360, led by outfielder Dylan Jones' .378 clip. Jones ranks tops in the nation in doubles, already with 21, yet finished just 1-for-4 in the season's earlier meeting with the Sharks. Still, Flagler managed 21 hits in the ball game, and led up until the eighth inning when head coach Greg Brown's club pushed across five runs to thwart the upset.
 
The Sharks have compiled a record of 5-2 in midweek contests in 2017.
 
For complete coverage Tuesday's action, log onto NSUSharks.com or follow the Sharks on Twitter @NSU_Baseball.