GULF SHORES, Ala. – Forced to wait an extra 24 hours, the Nova Southeastern softball team made its anticipated 2022 debut on Saturday, splitting a pair of regional matchups against both No. 14 Auburn Montgomery and Christian Brothers. The Sharks suffered a 6-3 defeat to the 14^th-ranked Warhawks before earning a walk-off victory in the afternoon capper by a final score of 5-4.
 
INSIDE THE MATCHUP (GAME ONE)
Score: No. 14 Auburn Montgomery 6 (W: M. Ferguson, 1-0), Nova Southeastern 3 (L: E. Hess, 0-1)
Records: No. 14 Auburn Montgomery (1-0), Nova Southeastern (0-1)
Location: Gulf Shores Sportsplex | Gulf Shores, Ala.
Get Social: @NSUSharks and @NSU_Softball on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube
 
HOW IT HAPPENED:

BOT 1st | The Sharks got off to a rough start, as the first four batters reached base safely for AUM, chasing NSU starter Emily Hess from the game prior to recording an out. The Warhawks would plate their first two runs on bases-loaded walks, before a sac fly compounded by a throwing error would put the Sharks in a 4-0 hole.

TOP 2^nd | Sparked by a two-out rally, NSU cut the deficit in half thanks to a two-run single by Ryleigh Langwell that scored both Kerstyn Shaw and Nicole Hayslip.
 
BOT 5^th | In relief of Hess, Ashley Connor failed to allow a hit for four-plus innings. The run ended, though, in the bottom of the fifth after a lead-off double. The Warhawks would play some small ball, using a sac bunt and sac fly to extend their lead to 5-2.

TOP 7^th | AUM tacked on another insurance run in the bottom of the sixth. The Sharks didn't go quietly, however. Maddie Fine was hit by a pitch to load the bases with no outs. Shaw registered a one-out, RBI-single, yet Tia Williams was thrown out at third on the play. Hayslip stepped to the plate representing the tying run, yet grounded into a fielder's choice to end the ball game.
  
INSIDE THE STATS:

• Despite the loss, the Sharks outhit the Warhawks 6-5.
• Connor worked six innings in relief, striking out four while allowing three hits to go along with six walks.
• Sydney Lageyre collected two walks in her return after missing all of 2021 due to injury.

BEYOND THE BOXSCORE:

• AUM is the first of two ranked opponents for the Sharks this weekend. NSU will face No. 23 Alabama Huntsville on Sunday at 12:15 p.m.

INSIDE THE MATCHUP (GAME TWO)
Score: Nova Southeastern 5 (W: K. Ellard, 1-0), Christian Brothers 4 (L: M. Puckett, 0-1)
Records: Nova Southeastern (1-1), Christian Brothers (0-2)

HOW IT HAPPENED:
 
TOP 1st | Like game one, the Sharks fell behind right away, as the Buccaneers opened the scoring with a one-out, RBI-double into right center.
 
BOT 2nd | Making her NSU debut, starting pitcher Katelyn Ellard would settle in nicely by retiring the side in order in the top half of the inning, leaving way for the offense to pick her up when Shaw scored on a fielding error by the CBU pitcher.

TOP 4^th | Still tied at 1-1, the Bucs' first two batters reached on a pair of hits before a sac fly to right helped them regain a 2-1 advantage. Four batters later, CBU extended the margin to 4-1 thanks to a two-run double to left center.
 
BOT 5th | NSU responded in the home half of the fifth when Williams trimmed the deficit to 4-3 on a two-run double to left center that plated both Langwell and Alexis Smith. The momentum continued in the ensuing at-bat, as Maddie Fine added a double of her own to knot the score at 4-4.
 
BOT 7TH | The Sharks escaped a bases-loaded jam in the top of the sixth, and later capitalized. Smith reached on a throwing error to lead off the frame before walks by Allie Janowiak and Shaw filled the bases with two outs. Reeling from consecutive walks, the CBU pitcher issues a third in a row, with Hayslip scoring Smith on the game-winning free pass.
 
INSIDE THE STATS:

• Williams led the way offensively, finishing 2-for-4 with two RBI and a run scored.
• Smith scored two of NSU's five runs, while also adding two stolen bases.
• Ellard earned her first win as a Shark, throwing a complete game with three strikeouts.   

UP NEXT
The Sharks will wrap up play at the DII Gulf Shores Invitational on Sunday when they square off against Mississippi College at 10 a.m. EST followed by a matchup with Alabama Huntsville. For complete coverage, visit the schedule page on NSUSharks.com, or follow the Sharks on Instagram and Twitter at @NSU_Softball.