MELBOURNE, Fla. - The seventh-ranked NSU Sharks salvaged the series with a 7-4 victory over Florida Tech in game three of the Sunshine State Conference weekend match-up. NSU out hit the Panthers 10-9 in the contest, while Matt Ornelas and Michael Dillion combined to throw 3.1 shutout innings in relief.  

INSIDE THE MATCHUP 

Records: No. 7 Nova Southeastern 19-5, 4-5 SSC; Florida Tech 22-7, 7-5 SSC 

Score: No. 7 Nova Southeastern 7, Florida Tech 4 

Location: Seminick-Hall Field | Melbourne, Fla. 

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HOW IT HAPPENED 

Alejandro Macario got the Sharks on the board in the top of the second inning, hitting a clutch two-out single, which scored Daniel Irisarri. The lead was short-lived, however, as Florida Tech scored three times in the bottom of the inning to take a 3-1 advantage over NSU. Nova Southeastern quickly responded with two more runs, tying the game at 3-3, following an RBI single from Irisarri to score Adam Frank.  

Trailing 4-3 in the top of the fifth inning, the Sharks took advantage of some FIT miscues to score three runs and reclaim the lead at 6-4. With two outs in the inning, Macario reached via an error, tying the game 4-4, and kept the bases loaded for Epstein, who drew a walk. Duncan Pastore was hit by a pitch, bringing in the third Sharks run, as NSU took a 6-4 advantage. The Sharks tacked on an insurance run in the top of the sixth inning, as Aven drove in Fernandez with a sacrifice fly.  

Ornelas relieved Cook in the bottom of the sixth inning, and lasted through the eighth, providing seven key outs for the Sharks. Michael Dillon entered the game in the bottom of the ninth and recorded the final three outs for NSU, as the Sharks claimed the win to salvage the series.  

UPCOMING 

No. 7 Nova Southeastern returns to the NSU Baseball Complex for a three-game series against Lynn beginning on Friday, March 25.