ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. – Saturday had to feel a whole lot like déjà vu for head coach Julie LeMaire and the Nova Southeastern softball team. For the second day in a row, the Sharks knocked off Lenoir-Rhyne – this time by a final score of 3-2 – before suffering a 7-5 defeat at the hands of Flagler following yet another walk-off home run. NSU wrapped up play at the Old Coast Classic with a record of 2-2, moving to 5-3 overall on the season.
 
INSIDE THE MATCHUP (GAME ONE)
Score: Nova Southeastern 3 (W: K. Ellard, 3-1), Lenoir-Rhyne 2 (L: M. Beeler, 1-2)
Records: Nova Southeastern (5-2), Lenoir-Rhyne (2-4)
Location: Flagler Field | St. Augustine, Fla.
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HOW IT HAPPENED:
BOT 1^st | After digging itself into a 2-0 hole, NSU cut the deficit in half following a two-out, RBI-single by Maddie Fine.

BOT 3^rd | The Sharks struck again in the third, capturing a 3-2 lead thanks to a Tia Williams RBI-triple and another run-scoring single by Fine.

TOP 7^th | The one-run advantage proved to be enough for NSU, as starting pitcher Katelyn Ellard surrendered just one hit over the final four innings to earn her third win of the season.

INSIDE THE STATS:

• Fine was one of three NSU players to record multiple hits in the victory, finishing a perfect 3-for-3 at the plate with two RBI.
• Williams tagged a double and a triple to go along with one RBI and two runs scored, while Sydney Lageyre also recorded a pair of hits.

INSIDE THE MATCHUP (GAME TWO)
Score: Flagler 7 (W: M. Wise, 4-1), Nova Southeastern 5 (L: E. Hess, 2-2)
Records: Flagler (6-3), Nova Southeastern (5-3)

HOW IT HAPPENED:
TOP 3^rd | Like game one of the day, NSU fell behind early. Facing a 3-0 deficit, the Sharks answered with three runs of their own in the top of the third to draw back even. NSU got on the board after a Flagler miscue plated Samantha Burke. An Alexis Smith RBI-single made it a 3-2 ball game before Smith would later steal third and come around to score on a throwing error by the Saints catcher.

TOP 5^th | On the base paths again in the fifth, Smith would give NSU its first lead after scoring on an Allie Janowiak RBI-single down the leftfield line.

TOP 7^th | Janowiak provided what the Sharks thought would be an insurance run with a single through the right side that plated Williams.

BOT 7^th | The first two batters of the inning reached base for Flagler before the Sharks recorded out No. 1 on a groundout to the catcher. With the bases loaded, NSU pitcher Emily Hess induced a pop-up in the infield for out No. 2. However, the very next pitch, Flagler's Kyleigh Taylor would lift the Hess offering over the wall in center for a walk-off grand slam.

INSIDE THE STATS:

• Janowiak led the way with two of the team's six hits overall.
• Smith scored two runs to go with three stolen bases.
• Williams collected a pair of stolen bases, with Ryleigh Langwell also adding a stolen base to her name.

BEYOND THE BOXSCORE:

• Through eight games, the Sharks have totaled 23 stolen bases – most in the Sunshine State Conference.

UP NEXT
NSU will make its home debut next Sunday, Feb. 20 with a doubleheader against Florida National. For complete coverage, visit the schedule page on NSUSharks.com or follow the Sharks on Instagram and Twitter at @NSU_Softball.