MELBOURNE, Fla. - No. 7 Nova Southeastern dropped the Sunshine State Conference series opener to the Florida Tech Panthers 6-3 on Friday evening. Despite getting held out of the hit column for the first six innings, NSU rallied for three runs in the final innings of play, courtesy of a pair of home runs from
Adan Fernandez and
Michael Avendano.
INSIDE THE MATCHUP
RECORDS: No. 7 Nova Southeastern 18-4, 3-4 SSC, Florida Tech 21-6, 6-4 SSC
SCORE: No. 7 Nova Southeastern 3, Florida Tech 6
LOCATION: Melbourne, Fla. | Seminick-Hall Field
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HOW IT HAPPENED
Tyler Epstein led the game off with a walk and quickly stole second base, seemingly table-setting a big opening inning for the Sharks. However, NSU wasn't able to capitalize and stranded two runners in the first inning. Florida Tech tallied three hits in the opening frame and plated the games first run to take an early lead.
The Panthers added a second run in the bottom of the second, extending their lead to 2-0. Nova Southeastern's offense struggled to get going, as the Sharks were blanked through the first four innings. FIT scored three more runs in the fifth inning, taking a 6-0 lead over the Sharks.
Adam Frank slapped a single to center field for the first NSU hit of the contest and scored as
Adan Fernandez blasted a home run to cut the Panthers lead to 6-2.
Michael Avendano added a home run to bring the Sharks back within three in the ninth inning but NSU was unable to complete the comeback, losing the first game of the Sunshine State Conference series opener, 6-3.
STATS OF THE NIGHT
- Carlos Rey was the only Shark called out of the bullpen and threw four shutout innings in relief.
- Adam Frank extended his hitting streak to 17 with his single in the ninth inning.
UPCOMING
No. 7 Nova Southeastern continues its SSC series against the Panthers on Saturday evening with first pitch set for 6 p.m.
