WINTER PARK, Fla. – The No. 16 Nova Southeastern baseball team (19-11, 10-7 SSC) mounted two comebacks to tie things up in the series opener at Rollins (17-10, 5-5 SSC), but a third fell just short with the tying run on second base in the ninth, as the Tars defeated the Sharks on Friday night at Alfond Stadium at Harper-Shepherd Field, 5-4.
INSIDE THE MATCHUP:
Score: Rollins –
5, Nova Southeastern –
4
Records: Rollins (17-10, 5-5 SSC), Nova Southeastern (19-11, 10-7 SSC)
Location: Alfond Stadium at Harper-Shepherd Field| Winter Park, Fla.
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HOW IT HAPPENED:
The Tars drew first blood, using a Cameron Meehan RBI single through the left side to take a first-inning lead. Although the Sharks notched a leadoff hitter in each of the first two frames, it wasn't until the third when NSU was able to break through to tie the game on
Andrew Labosky's RBI single chipped off starter Cameron Enck's knee for an RBI double, scoring hit batsman
Jeffrey Cyr for the 1-1 tie.
The Tars wasted no time in their response, mounting a two-out rally against starter
Devin Meyer in the bottom of the third. After a controversial ruling on a dropped outfield fly, Rollins took off, logging four consecutive hits that generated three runs via back-to-back doubles by Meehan and Cameron Montgomery for a 4-1 advantage.
Enck held on for six innings, but saw some trouble in the top of the seventh and reliever Jimmy Robbins wasn't able to bail him out.
Daniel Irisarri and
Nathan Chevalier earned consecutive walks to force the pitching change and pinch hitter
Christian Kuzemka capitalized, lacing a career-first double down the right field line for two runs. Labosky followed with his second RBI, pulling a single through the right side to bring in Kuzemka's pinch runner,
Jarrett Hall, knotting up the score at 4-4.
However, again the Tars broke the tie with a Meehan sacrifice fly in the home half of the frame. Settling in after giving up the lead, Robbins kept the Sharks limited down the stretch, but Labosky gave the Sharks a chance. In the ninth, the designated hitter sliced a two-out single and
Garrett Wolforth moved him into scoring position with a full count walk. However, Robbins (4-2) was able to close the door for the win, striking out
Ian Acevedo to seal the 5-4 final with the tie run in scoring position.
STATS OF THE NIGHT:
- The Sharks had runners in six innings, but scored in two, stranding nine runners on the night.
- Leading the Sharks at the plate, Labosky was 3-for-4 with a double and two RBI.
- Making his sixth appearance this year, Kuzemka was 1-for-1 with two key RBI.
- Suffering the loss, JP Williams (2-1) tossed 2.0 innings with one unearned run on two hits.
- Meyer threw 5.0 innings with four runs on seven hits before giving way to Matt Ornelas in the sixth.
- The Sharks lead the all-time series with Rollins 36-24.
UP NEXT:
The three-day series continues on Saturday in Winter Park at Alfond Stadium at Harper-Shepherd Field. First pitch for game two is set for 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.