FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – After being away from the AD Griffin Sports Complex for the opening eight games of the season, the Nova Southeastern softball team finally made its anticipated 2022 home debut Sunday, splitting a doubleheader matchup with Florida National. The Sharks ran their record to 6-4 overall following a 7-1 victory and a 4-3 defeat, with the start of Sunshine State Conference play looming next Friday at Embry-Riddle.
 
INSIDE THE MATCHUP (GAME ONE)
Score: Nova Southeastern 7 (W: A. Connor, 1-0), Florida National 1 (L: J. Goolsby, 0-1)
Records: Nova Southeastern (6-3), Florida National (5-1)
Location: AD Griffin Sports Complex | Fort Lauderdale, Fla.  
Get Social: @NSUSharks and @NSU_Softball on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube
 
HOW IT HAPPENED:
BOT 4^th | Both the Sharks and Conquistadors registered just one hit a piece through the first three innings in game one Sunday. The NSU bats would awaken, though, in the bottom of the fourth after a pair of singles by Allie Janowiak and Emerson Morris set the table for Samantha Burke, who handed the Sharks a 1-0 lead with an RBI-single into left field. A base hit by Ryleigh Langwell loaded the bases still with just one out before Sydney Lageyre plated two more for NSU on a hard liner just out of the reach of the FNU shortstop.

TOP 6^th | An unearned run in the bottom of the fifth stretched the NSU advantage to 4-0. FNU would erase the shutout in the next half inning, though, following a two-out, RBI-single into center.

BOT 6^th | A pair of run-scoring doubles by Janowiak and Morris provided some added insurance for the Sharks, extending the margin to 7-1, which would prove more than plenty for starting pitcher Ashley Connor, who picked up her first win as a Shark thanks to a complete-game effort.



INSIDE THE MATCHUP (GAME TWO)
Score: Florida National 4 (W: G. Hay, 1-0), Nova Southeastern 3 (L: K. Ellard, 3-2)
Records: Florida National (6-1), Nova Southeastern (6-4)

HOW IT HAPPENED:
BOT 3^rd | NSU fell behind early 1-0, yet pulled back even two innings later when Tia Williams found a hole in right, scoring Langwell from second.

TOP 5^th | The scored remained tied 1-1 into the fifth until the Conquistadors found some two-out offense, scoring twice with two away to grad a 3-1 edge.

BOT 6^th | Trailing 4-1, the Sharks trimmed the margin two 4-3 following a timely, two-out double off the bat of Alexi Watkins.

BOT 7^th | NSU put the tying running on base with one out. However, the Sharks were unable to cash in, as a fielder's choice and a foul out to shortstop dashed the hopes of a comeback.

UP NEXT
NSU will dive into SSC action next Friday for the first of a three-game set on the road at Embry-Riddle. For complete coverage, visit the schedule page on NSUSharks.com or follow the Sharks on Instagram and Twitter at @NSU_Softball.