FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – A Jeremy Vasquez walk-off single in extra innings lifted Nova Southeastern past Barry in the year's first meeting back in early February. The win capped a perfect opening weekend as the Sharks reeled off five consecutive victories to start 2017. Fast forward nearly two months, and head coach Greg Brown's club appears to be clicking yet again as both teams prepare to clash in a Sunshine State Conference series set to begin Friday at 6 p.m. ET.
 
Just two weeks ago, the Sharks were in the midst of a season-long four-game skid after losing to a pair of top-10 opponents in Southern New Hampshire and Tampa. However, that streak has since taken a complete 180 degree turn as Nova Southeastern has tallied four straight in the win column, outscoring its opponents by a combined 41-18 margin. 
 
Offensively, the Sharks have belted a collective eight home runs in that span, three of those coming off the bat of sophomore Jake Anchia. Anchia registered a team-high 10 RBI's last week to go along with his .471 batting average. Meanwhile, Sebastian Diaz has quietly been on a tear as of late. The third baseman has hit in five straight ball games, notching two three-hit games in the process. Since March 4, Diaz has raised his average 88 points from an even .200 up to .288. 
 
More importantly, the Sharks' pitching staff has shown more consistency throughout the recent stretch. Devin Meyer tossed a season-high eight innings in Nova Southeastern's 5-2 win against Saint Leo before southpaw Joe DiBenedetto wrapped up the series with a quality start en route to his team-leading fifth win of the season. In addition, during the Sharks' four-game run, the bullpen has allowed just three runs in 12 innings of work. 
 
That same bullpen held Barry scoreless through 6.1 innings in Nova Southeastern's 8-7 'W' earlier this season, sending the Buccaneers to a 1-3 start that they've still never fully recovered from past the midway point in 2017.
 
After losing two of three versus Palm Beach Atlantic last weekend, Barry enters its series with the Sharks at 15-16 overall and 2-4 in the SSC. A first-inning home run from Claudio Rubiera stood as the difference in a 3-1 victory to avoid the sweep against the Sailfish, as the Bucs also received a strong 8.1-inning outing on the mound from lefty Nate Greve. Greve opened the year primarily as a reliever, but has since replaced Alex Lavandero in the starting rotation, where he has compiled a 3.26 earned run average over his previous four starts. 
 
Dating back to the 2015 season, NSU has beaten Barry in six consecutive meetings. 

Weekend Promotions
Friday: Think Pink Night (First 150 fans will receive a free pink NSU T-Shirt)
           Free raffle drawing for a one hour massage 

Saturday: Mr. M's Home Run Challenge (Free 6" Sub Give-Away if NSU hits a home run in the fifth inning)



For complete coverage this weekend, log onto NSUSharks.com or follow the Sharks on Twitter @NSU_Baseball.