FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – For the second time in four days, Nova Southeastern mustered up some walk-off magic as
Nick Gallo delivered the game-winning single in the 12
th inning to lift the Sharks past Lander by the final score of 3-2 Friday night at the NSU Baseball Complex. Head coach
Greg Brown's club let a 2-1 lead slip away in the ninth, yet found a way late to extend its win streak to a season-high four games.
INSIDE THE MATCHUP:
Score: Nova Southeastern 3, Lander 2 (12 Innings)
Records: Nova Southeastern (10-6), Lander (5-14)
Location: NSU Baseball Complex | Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
Get Social: Twitter - @NSU_Baseball | Instagram - @NSU_Baseball | Facebook - /NSUSharksAthletics
HOW IT HAPPENED:
Continuing his impressive stretch on the mound, starter
Devin Conn carved up the Bearcats throughout Friday's ball game. The sophomore fanned 11 batters in seven innings of work, while surrendering just one earned run. He has now eclipsed double-digit strikeouts in all three home starts this season.
Following a scoreless top half of the second, Conn received a bit of support when
Nathan Chevalier put the Sharks ahead 1-0 on a two-out single through the left side of the infield. The Nova Southeastern edge soon doubled after
Ian Acevedo drove in
Dylan Harris on another two-out RBI in the bottom of the third.
Lander cut into the deficit in the fourth following a base hit into center by first baseman Nathan Schreckengost. Conn would limit the damage, though, as the 2-1 lead stuck heading into the ninth.
Yet, following two base hits and a walk to open the inning, the Bearcats clawed back to tie things up at 2-2 on a sacrifice fly to center.
The score would remain in the 12
th until the Sharks found some life on offense, Following a lead-off single by
Andrew Labosky, the NSU second baseman advanced all the way to third on an errant throw by the Lander catcher. Two batters later, the Sharks would take advantage as Gallo roped a liner just over the outstretched arm of the centerfielder to secure the victory.
STATS OF THE NIGHT:
- Chevalier and Gallo led the way offensively for NSU, finishing with two hits apiece in the win.
- The Sharks' pitching staff combined for 18 strikeouts on Friday, including three in a perfect eighth inning from Michael Gizzi.
- Despite throwing just one pitch, reliever Cameron Churchill earned the win after inducing a double play in the top of the 12th.
- The Sharks now improve to 1-1 on the year in extra-inning contests.
UP NEXT:
The Sharks will look to complete the sweep when the series wraps up at 11 a.m. ET on Saturday. For complete coverage of the action, follow the Sharks on Twitter @NSU_Baseball or visit the
schedule page on NSUSharks.com.
