GULF SHORES, Ala. - The #5 ranked Nova Southeastern Softball team bounced back and earned two victories on Saturday afternoon. NSU started the day with a 6-4 win against West Georgia then cruised past West Florida, taking them down 8-0 in game two.
(GAME ONE)
Score: No. 5 Nova Southeastern 6 (W: B. Mahaney, 1-0) | West Georgia 4 (L: M. Register, 0-1)
Records: No. 5 Nova Southeastern (2-2) | West Georgia (1-2)
Location: Gulf Shores, Ala. | Gulf Shores Complex
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BOT 2nd – West Georgia put the first run on the board after a fielder's choice to second base.
TOP 3rd – Alisha Lanyon hit a bomb out of the park to tie the game at one apiece.
TOP 4th – With a runner on base, Gianna Russo joined the action, hitting her own home run, putting the Sharks ahead 3-1.
TOP 5th – The homerun derby continued in the 5th inning as Brenna Lokeinsky hit a two-run shot to left field, extending the NSU lead to 5-1.
BOT 6th – West Georgia cut into the Shark lead, bringing two runners across home plate.
TOP 7th – NSU tacked on another run off an error as Lokeinsky came home to give the Sharks a three-run advantage.
BOT 7th – The Wolves hit a home run, bringing their deficit to just two runs but it wasn't enough to complete the comeback as NSU secured the 6-4 victory over West Georgia.
Three different players hit a home run (Alisha Lanyon, Gianna Russo, Brenna Lokeinsky).
(GAME TWO)
Score: Nova Southeastern 8 (W: A. Drogemuller, 1-2), West Florida 0 (L: H. Harper, 0-2)
Records: Nova Southeastern (2-2), West Florida (1-3)
TOP 1st – Alexis Smith got on base to start the game after being walked. Shortly after, Madison Fine was walked, putting two runners on base for NSU. Gianna Russo then singled to the shortstop, bringing Smith home for the first run of the game. Kerstyn Shaw joined the action, hitting a single through the right side, bringing another run home for the Sharks. A wild pitch then brought another run home for NSU, extending their lead to 3-0. The run barrage continued as another walk tacked on a run and put the Sharks up four runs. In the ensuing at-bat, Smith singled to center field, bringing two runs across home plate. Just when you think the Sharks have slowed up, two errors brought two more runs home, giving the Sharks an early 8-0 lead.
NSU continued to play stellar, ultimately securing the 8-0 victory over West Florida in five innings.
Head Coach Julie LeMaire: I'm very proud of the girls for the way they came out today after a couple of tough losses yesterday. The entire team was in full force with their energy and fire, it was truly a team atmosphere today that I think we were missing yesterday with day-one jitters. It is exciting to see some big swings out of Brenna, Gianna, and Alisha over the last few days! Paired with great pitching performances out of Brooke, Alyssa, and Tierani, made today a great day for the Sharks!
NSU will close play at the Gulf Shore Invitational tomorrow, facing Valdosta State at 11:00 a.m. EST and Spring Hill College at 1:30 p.m. EST.
