FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – Down 3-0 in the bottom of the third inning, the Nova Southeastern softball team exploded for eight runs en route to an 11-8 victory over Lynn University on Friday evening at the AD Griffin Sports Complex.
 
The win pushes the Sharks above the .500 mark on the season at 25-24 and 13-9 in the Sunshine State Conference, and also gives NSU a sole third-place ranking in the league, which they previously shared with the Fighting Knights. With the loss, Lynn falls to 26-20 and 12-10 in the SSC.
 
With the Knights in the lead, Samantha Gonzales kicked off the aforementioned strong third inning with a stand-up double down the left field line. After a fly out by Mary Acosta, back-to-back singles by Dana Edmundson and Dakota Villella loaded the bases for the Sharks. An RBI-single to center by Lexie Storrer put the Sharks on the board, and ignited the NSU offense. RBI-singles by Alex Suzuki, Ashley Roe and Erica Winter tallied three more runs for the Sharks, and gave them a 4-3 lead, one they would not relinquish. A fielder's choice by Megan Maloney and an error by the Lynn defense allowed two more to cross the plate for NSU for a 6-3 lead, before an RBI-single by Gonzales and an RBI-ground out by Acosta plated two more to end the scoring for the inning with NSU on top, 8-3.
 
The Knights cut the deficit to two runs in the top of the fourth, tallying three runs on a two-RBI double by Diaz and an RBI-single by Vazquez before back-to-back strikeouts by Storrer and a pop out by Flores halted Lynn from getting any closer.
 
NSU pulled away and padded their lead in the home half of the sixth inning, scoring its final three runs of the game. Roe kicked off the scoring hit an infield single just feet away from the pitcher, allowing enough time or Storrer to score, who reached on an error. After a wild pitch advanced the base runners, Winter singled to left field, scoring two for the 11-6 lead.
 
Lynn attempted to rally in the top of the seventh, tallying two runs, but fell short, giving the Sharks the 11-8 victory.
 
Winter had the best offense outing of her career on Friday night, finishing with a career-high three hits in her four at bats. She also tallied three RBI and scored once. Roe was also strong behind the plate, going 2-for-3 with two RBI and runs scored, while Gonzales was also 2-for-3 with a run scored and one RBI.
 
Storrer (19-10) picked up her seventh-consecutive home win, tossing all 7.0 innings, allowing eight runs (7 ER) on 10 hits with six strikeouts.
 
Lynn's Francais Olexa (13-12) was handed the loss after 2.1 innings of work, giving up six runs on seven hits with two strikeouts. Rachel Lightner entered in relief, pitching the remaining 3.2 innings and allowed five runs (4 ER) on four hits with four strikeouts.
 
The Sharks and the Knights will complete the three-game series and the 2017 season tomorrow with a doubleheader beginning at 1:00 p.m. In between the two games, NSU will honor its two seniors, Ashley Roe and Dakota Villella. For live coverage, follow @NSUSharks and @NSU_Softball on Twitter.