FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – Powered by Duncan Pastore and Michael Uz, No. 22 Nova Southeastern Sharks Baseball began its 2023 campaign with an 8-2 victory over the Lane Dragons on Friday evening. Carlos Rey made the start for NSU, and the left-hander picked up his first win of the season – tossing three innings of shut-out baseball, while striking out four.

INSIDE THE MATCHUP
Score: No. 22 Nova Southeastern 8 | Lane 2
Records: No. 22 Nova Southeastern 1-0, Lane 0-4
Location: Fort Lauderdale, Fla. | NSU Baseball Complex
Social: Instagram & Twitter – NSU_Baseball

HOW IT HAPPENED
Bottom of the First – The Sharks loaded up the bases in the early inning, taking advantage as Lane couldn't find the strike              zone, but NSU was unable to score, leaving the game tied at 0-0.
Top of the Second – Rey struck out two in the frame, putting him at three, in the first two innings of the contest.
Bottom of the Third – Duncan Pastore led off the inning with a mammoth home run, clearing the NSU Baseball Complex scoreboard, giving the Sharks a 1-0 lead. Later in the inning, Marcus Franco recorded a two-out RBI double, driving in Adam Smith and extending the advantage to 2-0.
Top of the Fourth – Danny Vazquez made his NSU debut, coming into relieve Rey, and struck out a pair in his first inning of work.
Bottom of the Fourth – Pastore added another RBI to his total, driving in Hazzard with a sacrifice fly, and extended the Sharks lead to 3-0.
Bottom of the Fifth – Michael Uz added another home run, putting Nova Southeastern ahead 4-0.
Bottom of the Sixth – Pastore started a two out rally in the inning for the Sharks, lining a single to left field and immediately stole second base, putting himself in scoring position for Daniel Irisarri. Irisarri drove in Pastore, putting the NSU lead at 5-0.
Top of the Eighth – Jarett Krzyzanowski entered the game in relief for the Sharks and retired the side in order, while striking out a pair.
Bottom of the Eighth – The Sharks tacked on three more runs in the inning, opening up an 8-0 lead over Lane.
Top of the Ninth – The Dragons got on the scoreboard in the final frame, but Jason Acker was able to seal the season opening victory for Nova Southeastern, 8-2.

UPCOMING
No. 22 Nova Southeastern returns to the diamond on Saturday, February 4, taking on Colorado Christian from the NSU Baseball Complex. First pitch is set for 6 p.m. The Sharks look forward to welcoming back 2016 NCAA Division II National Champion, Andrew Liberty who is now a member of the CCU coaching staff.