TAMPA, Fla. – The No. 16 Nova Southeastern baseball team (10-6, 6-3 SSC) split Saturday's doubleheader with No. 7 Tampa. The Sharks brought more offense to the Spartans, taking the first lead in both contests, but UT was able to mount a comeback in the finale thanks to a pair of big swings.
 
INSIDE THE MATCHUP:
Game 1 Score: Nova Southeastern – 7, Tampa – 4
Game 2 Score: Tampa – 7, Nova Southeastern – 4
Records: Tampa (11-5, 3-3 SSC), Nova Southeastern (10-6, 6-3 SSC)
Location: UT Baseball Field | Tampa, Fla.
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HOW IT HAPPENED:
After taking a hit in the series opener on Friday, the Sharks came out swinging on Saturday and made an offensive statement. Second baseman Daniel Irisarri led off the doubleheader with a triple to right center and Samuel Duran quickly put the Sharks on the board with a sacrifice fly. As Bryan Diaz struck with a two-run single to center field, NSU came out of the opening stanza with a 3-0 advantage that proved to be the difference in the first game of the day.
 
Although Yorvis Torrealba snuck a shot in there with a leadoff home run in the first, starter Devin Meyer settled in and gave the Sharks breathing room – holding the Spartans to just two runs in five innings.
 
In the meantime, NSU extended its lead in the fourth, courtesy of Nathan Chevalier's two-run comebacker laced up the middle for a 5-2 Sharks lead.
 
Helping to keep the edge despite Spartan scores in the seventh and ninth, NSU tacked up a pair of insurance runs in the top of the eighth, as Chevalier again capitalized with runners, firing a two-run single to grant the Sharks seven scores.
 
Taking over in relief for Gil Torres, Brock Minich shut the door on the final 2.2 innings, earning his third save of the year and securing the victory for Meyer (3-0).
 
A complete departure from the first two games of the series, a pitcher's duel ensued in the first half of the finale, scoreless through the first four frames. However, when Mike Rojas reached on an error in the fifth, a spark was ignited for the Sharks. Irisarri followed with an RBI single into outer left field to break up the shutout. In short order, Diaz sliced a two-run single up the middle and Acevedo capped the frame with an RBI single looped into left field for a 4-0 advantage.
 
However, two key swings changed the game's momentum as the back half arrived. With runners aboard and two outs away, Keenan Bell's fly to right field appeared headed for the warning track in the sixth inning, but continued to carry for a three-run homer, trimming the NSU lead to a single run. Stevie Mangrum opened the seventh with a game-tying leadoff solo home run and Alec Aleywine added an RBI triple to move UT ahead, 5-4.
 
Two more insurance runs in the eighth cemented the Spartans' lead as closer Tyler Beck tossed two blank frames for the save to finalize the 7-4 UT win.

STATS OF THE DAY:

• Tampa holds the series lead over NSU at 44-22.
• Batting 3-for-4 in both games of the doubleheader, left fielder Diaz was 6-for-8 with four RBI and two runs scored.
• Chevalier was for 4-for-8 on the doubleheader with four RBI.
• Meyer earned his third win in as many appearances this year, going 5.0 innings with two hits, two runs, two walks and one strikeout for the victory.
• Minich closed out his third save of the year, throwing 2.2 innings with one hit, one run, one walk and two strikeouts.
• Nik Sanders made his first appearance of the year in starting the finale. Working on a pitch count, Sanders went 2.0 innings, allowing two hits and no runs, with one walk and no strikeouts.
• The Sharks stole three bases on the day, paced by a 2-for-2 performance by Brandon Chinea.
• The Sharks outhit Tampa 22-14 on the day.

UP NEXT:
The Sharks are not scheduled for any midweeks and head back out on the road for a three-game set at Lander in Greenwood, S.C., kicking off next Friday, March. For complete coverage of the action, follow the Sharks on Twitter @NSU_Baseball or visit the schedule page on NSUSharks.com.