Box Score FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – NSU dropped its first contest of 2018, as the top-ranked Delta State Statesmen poured 21 runs on the Sharks on Saturday afternoon. Despite the lopsided outcome, the Sharks were within one run of the Statesmen heading into the top of the ninth inning and were unable to record an out before Delta State scored 10 runs, blowing the premiere matchup of the NCAA Division II opening weekend wide open. Jake Anchia launched two more home runs, moving him into fourth all-time on the career home run record list at NSU with 28.
 
INSIDE THE MATCHUP:
Score: No. 1 Delta State 21, No. 12 Nova Southeastern 12
Records: Nova Southeastern (2-1), Delta State (1-1)
Location: NSU Baseball Complex | Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
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INSIDE THE MATCHUP:
 
NSU jumped out to a 6-0 lead early in the ballgame, chasing preseason First Team All-South Region selection Seth Birdsong out of the ballgame in just 2 1/3 innings. The six-run third inning was highlighted by an Anchia two-run home run and RBI doubles from Ian Acevado, Dominic Diana, and Nick Gallo. Delta State quickly responded with a seven run top of the fourth inning, chasing NSU's starter Christian Demby out of the ballgame.
 
Delta State would add two more in the sixth and three in the eighth to extend their lead to 11-6. While the game may have seemed out of reach at that point, it was far from over. Anchia stepped to the plate with Harris and Andrew Labosky on the base paths and smashed his second home run of the game, a moonshot to left-centerfield. Acevado would add an RBI to bring the score to 11-10, giving the Sharks a chance to go win it in the bottom of the ninth.
 
Unfortunately for NSU, 10 Statesmen crossed the plate before the Sharks recorded an out in the top of the ninth, blowing the game wide open and ending NSU's chances of taking down the top-ranked Statesmen.
 
UP NEXT:
 
The Sharks will welcome Catawba back to the NSU Baseball Complex on Sunday at noon to cap the opening weekend of their 2018 campaign. Johnny Leone will get the nod for the Sharks, making his first career start for the Sharks.