FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – Starting pitcher Devin Meyer tossed 7.1 strong innings to go along with a career high-tying five RBI from Samuel Duran, as Nova Southeastern erupted late to run away with a 13-3 victory over Florida Southern in Friday's Sunshine State Conference series opener at the NSU Baseball Complex.

INSIDE THE MATCHUP:
Final Score: Nova Southeastern – 13, Florida Southern – 3
Records: Nova Southeastern (30-15, 17-11 SSC), Florida Southern (21-21, 7-15 SSC)
Location: NSU Baseball Complex | Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
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HOW IT HAPPENED:
The Sharks threatened in the home half of the third after a Duncan Pastore infield single put runners on the corners with one out. However, a hit-and-run attempt turned into an easy 6-3 double play to erase the scoring chance. 
 
Nova Southeastern quickly paid for the squandered opportunity, too, as the Moccasins' led off the top of the fourth with a triple to left center. One batter later, the Florida Southern opened the scoring after a fielder's choice plated the runner from 90 feet away. The Mocs appeared in line for a potential big inning, but a textbook 6-4-3 double play started by Pastore limited the damage. 
 
Back-to-back hits by Bryan Diaz and Mike Rojas ignited the Sharks' rally in the fifth before a Daniel Irisarri walk loaded the bases with no outs. With the lineup turned back over to Pastore, the freshman evened up the ball game on a bloop single just out of the reach of the Mocs' diving center fielder. Andrew Labosky would add to the offensive surge in the ensuing at-bat, roping a 1-1 offering from Florida Southern starter J.J. Niekro through the right side of the infield to hand the Sharks their first lead of the night, 3-1. 
 
On top 4-1 following a bases-loaded walk by Duran, Nova Southeastern turned things back over to Meyer, who was dialed in for much of his last career home start. At 99 pitches in the top of seventh, the senior flashed a little extra juice on pitch 100 to close the frame with his fifth and final strikeout of the night. 
 
Duran's second RBI of the contest, this time via a two-out single into right center, provided some insurance for Nova Southeastern in the bottom of the seventh. At the time, the base knock proved crucial after Florida Southern tallied a pair of runs in the eighth to cut the margin in half. 
 
Yet, the Mocs' momentum was short-lived, as the Sharks rattled off eight runs on five hits in the bottom of the inning, including a bases-clearing double by Duran. 
 
Up by double-digits, head coach Greg Brown would turn to Jarret Krzyzanowski on the mound, who had little trouble retiring the side to secure win No. 30 on the season for the Sharks.

STATS OF THE NIGHT

• Duran's five-RBI night matched his career high previously set against none other than Florida Southern on Apr. 29, 2018.
• Five Nova Southeastern players finished with multi-hit efforts including a three-hit performance by Labosky.
• Rojas collected a pair of doubles on top of scoring two runs in the win.
• With the victory, Meyer improves to 6-3 on the season, matching him with Nathan Campbell for the team lead.

UP NEXT:
The Sharks will recognize their 13 seniors Saturday afternoon on Senior Day. Pregame festivities will begin at approximately 12:30 p.m., with first pitch of game two against the Mocs set for 1:10 p.m. For complete coverage of the action, follow the Sharks on Twitter @NSU_Baseball or visit the schedule page on NSUSharks.com.