FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – Back at home and back in Sunshine State Conference play, the Nova Southeastern baseball team (7-4, 3-1 SSC) used a four-run fourth inning to put Embry-Riddle (3-5, 0-1 SSC) away in the series opener at the NSU baseball complex. Logging 11 hits in the 5-2 victory, the Sharks worked behind solid pitching performances from starter
Nathan Campbell and reliever
JP Williams.
INSIDE THE MATCHUP:
Score: Nova Southeastern –
5, Embry-Riddle –
2
Records: Nova Southeastern (7-4, 3-1 SSC), Embry-Riddle (3-5, 0-1 SSC)
Location: NSU Baseball Complex | Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
Get Social: Twitter - @NSU_Baseball | Instagram - @NSU_Baseball | Facebook - /NSUSharksAthletics
HOW IT HAPPENED:
First blood went to the Eagles, via Kyle Guttveg rounding third for the score on Luis Olivier's RBI single into shallow left field. However, the Sharks weren't to be kept quiet for long.
After second baseman
Daniel Irisarri tabbed a one-out double to get the Sharks under way in the third,
Garrett Wolforth cashed in the opportunity. The senior catcher smoked an RBI double over the ERAU center fielder's head, knotting things up at 1-1.
Although the Eagles responded quickly and regained the advantage in the top of the fourth, NSU's home frame response put the game under wraps. After
Bryan Diaz reached as a leadoff hit batsman, shortstop
Brandon Chinea followed with a third-pitch RBI triple ripped straight down the right center alleyway. On the next pitch to the plate, first baseman
Mike Rojas granted NSU the lead with an RBI single, while Irisarri and
Nathan Chevalier registered back-to-back RBI singles to move out to a 5-2 NSU advantage.
With the momentum in NSU's favor and a solid start by the freshman southpaw Campbell (3-0) carrying the Sharks into the sixth en route to the win, the junior right-hander Williams stepped to the rubber for his best performance of the early season. Williams went 4.0 solid innings with only one hit allowed, striking out six Eagles with no walks for his first save with the Sharks.
STATS OF THE GAME:
- The Sharks extended their series lead over the Eagles to 25-19.
- Earning the win and moving to 3-0, Campbell pitched 5.0 innings with five hits and two runs allowed, walking five with two strikeouts.
- Campbell's season ERA sits at 2.40 to lead all NSU starters.
- Registering his first save at NSU, Williams went 4.0 innings with only one hit allowed and six strikeouts.
- At the plate, Chinea went 2-for-3 with a double and a triple, adding an RBI and scoring one of his own.
- Irisarri went 2-for-4 with a double, tabbing one RBI and two runs scored, also logging NSU's lone steal.
- Wolforth was also 2-for-4 with an RBI.
FROM COACH GREG BROWN:
UP NEXT:
The home series at the NSU Baseball Complex between the Sharks and Eagles continues on Saturday with a pair of full games in a doubleheader beginning at 1:00 p.m. For complete coverage of the action, follow the Sharks on Twitter @NSU_Baseball or visit the
schedule page on NSUSharks.com.
