FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – An instant 4-0 deficit in the top of the first inning forced Nova Southeastern into an uphill battle from the get-go, and Florida Tech proceeded to pour it on late, as the Sharks fell 21-5 at home in their regular season finale.
The defeat snaps Nova Southeastern's previous eight-game win streak, dropping head coach Greg Brown's club to 33-16 overall and 16-8 in the Sunshine State Conference.
Fresh off his stellar outing two weekends ago against Florida Southern, and first career SSC Pitcher of the Week honor, Derik Beauprez struggled to find any sort of rhythm Monday evening. The first four batters he faced recorded hits, including a two-run home run by Panthers' right fielder Dan Szpik.
Another four-run frame extended Florida Tech's advantage to 8-1 in the top of the fourth. The Sharks made things a bit more interesting, though, in the home half of the inning when Michael Hernandez roped a two-out double off the wall in center to score Jake Anchia. Three batters later, a skied pop fly off the bat of Sebastian Diaz was misplayed at second base, narrowing the gap to 8-5.
However, the Panthers would retain their momentum by adding a run back in the fifth inning before eventually reeling off 13 unanswered to prevent the Sharks from capturing the series sweep.
Hernandez finished 2-for-3 at the plate in the final home game of his four-year career, while converted infielder Dillon Maya notched his first career RBI in the fourth after legging out an infield single to third base.
NSU will now wait to hear its name called on Selection Sunday when the seven-team, south region field is announced on NCAA.com. For complete coverage of the Sharks' tournament future, log onto NSUSharks.com or follow the Sharks on Twitter @NSU_Baseball.
