FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – Even with a depleted lineup full of bumps and bruises, No. 21 Nova Southeastern couldn't be slowed on Sunday as the Sharks ran their win streak to eight with 7-6 and 11-6 victories over Sunshine State Conference opponent Florida Tech.
The Sharks were aided by a Jake Anchia two-run home run before the bullpen picked up the slack in game one on Senior Day. Anchia added another bomb in the second affair, while Dylan Woods collected two round-trippers of his own. However, it was Ronny Orta's effort out of the bullpen that made the difference in helping Nova Southeastern now improve to 33-15 overall and 16-7 in the league.
"Getting two victories today was tough," said head coach Greg Brown. "It was Senior Day, and there were a lot of emotions with this special class. Unfortunately, we had a lot of injuries today, but we had a lot of guys step up. It was a total team effort. I'm so proud at the heart of this club, I can't say enough. I love going to work with them."
Game One
An early offensive surge lifted the Sharks in game one before some late insurance helped seal the deal on their seventh consecutive win. Right-hander Matt Hardy earned victory number seven on the mound in the final home start of his career, while Anchia notched a crucial two-run blast that handed Nova Southeastern the lead for good.
A Jeremy Vasquez RBI-single into right put the Sharks in front quickly in the home half of the first inning. That cushion soon grew two innings later when Sebastian Diaz juked past Florida Tech catcher Ryan Sinzenich after Woods was hung up in a pickle between first and second base. With two outs in the frame, Brandon Gomez then drove in a pair on a double roped down the left field to extend the margin to 4-0.
Ignited by Daniel Szpik's solo shot to right, Florida Tech struck for two runs a piece in the fourth and fifth innings to even up the ball game. Anchia would deaden the Panthers' momentum, though, in the ensuing half inning. After a triple play was overturned and ruled a double play on a liner off the bat of Vasquez, Anchia took advantage on the very next pitch from Florida Tech starter Ty Cohen. Sitting fastball to begin the at-bat, the sophomore got exactly what he was looking for and deposited the Cohen offering over the wall in left center to climb back ahead 6-4.
A much-needed RBI-groundout by Michael Hernandez helped the Sharks maintain their two-run edge in the eighth, which eventually proved critical for closer Josh Glick in a tense ninth inning. A Nick Capra knock into left field narrowed the gap to one before the tying run moved into scoring position with just one out. However, Glick was able to force a line out and a fly out in the pressure-packed situation to secure his ninth save of the season.
Four players recorded multiple hits in the effort for the Sharks, including Diaz, who was penciled in atop the lineup for the first time this year.
Game Two
Both offenses came out firing on all cylinders in the evening capper. One eventually slowed down, though, thanks to the performance of Orta as the Sharks busted open a tight contest late.
A pair of two-run blasts in the second inning by Hernandez and Woods pushed the Sharks out to a 4-1 advantage against Florida Tech starter Andy Marzheuser. However, the Panthers managed to knot the score right back up in the top of the third following consecutive run-scoring hits.
Woods 11th home run of the season kept things even at 6-6 in the fourth until Dillon Maya crossed home on a wild pitch to help Nova Southeastern regain a slim lead.
As the offense continued to produce, Orta became more and more dialed in on the mound. The right-hander walked the first batter he faced on four straight pitches after relieving Jonny Ortiz in the fourth inning. Yet, from there on, Orta would allow just three more baserunners the rest of the way. His lone hit surrendered in the victory came in the sixth, but he was then picked up by his defense when Andrew Labosky and Diaz teamed up for the 4-6-3 double play to end the threat.
With his two-homer ball game, Woods gives the Sharks four players with double-digit bombs for the first time in a single season in program history.
NSU will look to complete the sweep Monday night at 6 p.m. ET when it wraps up the regular season. For complete coverage, log onto NSUSharks.com or follow the Sharks on Twitter @NSU_Baseball.
