LAKELAND, FL. - The Sharks overcame a six-run deficit, scoring seven runs in the top of the eighth inning, stunning the Florida Southern Moccasins in the Sunshine State Conference series opener with a 9-8 victory on Sunday evening.  

INSIDE THE MATCHUP 

SCORE: Nova Southeastern 9, Florida Southern 8 

RECORDS: Nova Southeastern 33-14, 16-12 SSC; Florida Southern 28-20, 19-9 SSC 

LOCATION: Henley Field | Lakeland, Fla.  

GET SOCIAL: Instagram & Twitter – NSU_Baseball 

HOW IT HAPPENED 

1ST INNING - NSU started the scoring with a two out rally in the top of the first inning. Duncan Pastore worked a walk and moved into scoring position following a single from Adan Fernandez. Adam Frank was the third consecutive Shark to reach base, driving in Pastore with an RBI single.  

3RD INNING – Despite being held off the scoreboard for the first two innings, Florida Southern was able to breakthrough in the third. The Mocs scored six runs, chasing the NSU starting pitcher, before Daniel Rivero entered the contest in relief. Rivero ended the threat with a strikeout.  

4TH INNING – Frank added another RBI, dialing up a long ball, and putting the score at 6-2. The momentum was short-lived, as Florida Southern followed with a two-run homer in the bottom half of the inning.  

8TH INNING – Trailing 8-2 in the late innings, Michael Avendano got a Sharks rally started with a lead-off single. Frank was hit by a pitch and loaded the bases for Daniel Irisarri. An error allowed Pastore to score, as the Sharks began cutting into the deficit. The rally continued following a Florida Southern pitching change, as Adam Smith worked a walk, scoring Fernandez, and Alez Hernandez drove in two with an RBI single. A second FSC pitching change didn't faze NSU, as Avendano drove a line drive to left center, tying the game at 8-8. Pastore reclaimed the lead for Nova Southeastern with an RBI single, putting the score at 9-8.  

Stephen Schissler and Matt Ornelas combined to handle the pitching duties for NSU in the bottom half of the eighth. Both Shark pitchers recorded a strikeout.  

9TH INNING – Michael Dillon, the Sharks closer, slammed the door to earn his 13th save of the 2022 season. Dillon did not allow a ball to leave the infield as the Sharks completed the thrilling comeback with a 9-8 victory.  

UPCOMING 

Nova Southeastern will conclude its regular season with a doubleheader on Monday, May 9, against the Moccasins of Florida Southern in Lakeland, Fla.