FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – Back at home and back in Sunshine State Conference play, the Nova Southeastern baseball team (9-4, 5-1 SSC) earned its first league sweep of the season, knocking out a doubleheader against Embry-Riddle (3-7, 0-3) with big hitting and solid pitching in game one, followed by determination to win put on full display in the finale.
INSIDE THE MATCHUP:
Game 1 Score: Nova Southeastern –
12, Embry-Riddle –
4
Game 2 Score: Nova Southeastern –
7, Embry-Riddle –
6
Records: Nova Southeastern (9-4, 5-1 SSC), Embry-Riddle (3-7, 0-3 SSC)
Location: NSU Baseball Complex | Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
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HOW IT HAPPENED:
In game one of the doubleheader, the Sharks unloaded on the Eagles across the first two frames of the doubleheader, using RBI by
Garrett Wolforth,
Ian Acevedo and
Bryan Diaz to jump out in front in the first, following up with a five-run second – highlighted by Wolforth's NSU career-first grand slam to extend the NSU advantage to 8-1.
Two more in the third and the Sharks hit double figures aided by ERAU walks and an error to bring home Diaz and
Brandon Chinea to go ahead 10-1, as the middle frames slipped into a pitcher's duel. ERAU chipped away a pair of ERAU runs picked up on walks in the eighth, but Wolforth logged another homer for two scores.
On the mound for NSU, earning his second win in as many outings this week, senior right-handed starter
Devin Meyer (2-0) tossed 5.0 innings with just three hits and one run before giving way to a four-Shark relief group.
The second time around, the Sharks found themselves in for much tighter of a fight as the Eagles reached the scoreboard in just the second inning, forcing the first of four NSU pitching changes. A see-saw battle ensued as the Sharks matched effort in the home half on an RBI single and RBI fielder's choice Acevedo and
Mike Rojas, respectively.
Although the Eagles reclaimed the upper hand in the third, the Sharks coordinated a big-time response in the bottom of the fourth.
Samuel Duran got things moving, smacking an RBI single to third base. Acevedo keyed on the pick attempt on a delayed double steal, overtaking home and providing NSU its first lead.
After ERAU coach Randy Stegal was ejected in dispute of a call, NSU grew its lead as
Daniel Irisarri launched an RBI double and
Nathan Chevalier added a fourth run on the frame to push NSU on top 6-3. Across the sixth and seventh, the Eagles crept back into the game, knotting the score in the seventh on a Kyle Guttveg RBI walk - 6-all.
With a tie game into the bottom of the ninth, Duran beat the throw on a slow-moving single up the middle to put the gears in motion. The senior Preseason All-American capitalized on ERAU reliever Dominic Jeancola's wild throw at first to put out Irisarri on a sac bunt attempt. As the ball dribbled deep down the right field line, Duran rounded third and tapped home – greeted by the entire NSU dugout – securing the 7-6 walk-off victory and the series sweep.
STATS OF THE DAY:
- With the sweep, the Sharks move further out in front in the overall series, 27-19.
- The second-inning bomb by Wolforth was the first grand slam of his NSU career and the first of the year for the Sharks. NSU collected three grand slams last season.
- Wolforth led the Sharks in the first game of the day, hitting 3-for-4 with two home runs and a total of seven RBI, collecting hits from both sides of the plate.
- Earning his second win in as many tries, Meyer went 5.0 innings, allowing just three hits and one run, giving no walks and striking out three.
- In the second game, Diaz went 2-for-3 with two runs, while Acevedo was 2-for-3 with an RBI and a run to lead the Sharks.
- Kyle Kilbourne got his longest relief action of the year, going 4.0 innings with five hits and one run allowed.
- Closing down the final frames of the finale, Brock Minich (2-0) made his second big appearance of the week, earning the win on 3.0 innings with no hits, three walks and four strikeouts.
FROM COACH GREG BROWN
UP NEXT:
The Sharks are back at home on Tuesday to extend a long-time area rivalry against St. Thomas at the NSU Baseball Complex. For complete coverage of the action, follow the Sharks on Twitter @NSU_Baseball or visit the
schedule page on NSUSharks.com.
