MONTGOMERY, Ala. - The number 24th ranked Nova Southeastern Softball team has their sights set on another deep postseason run, taking on No. 5 seeded Saint Leo in the first round of the NCAA South Regional Tournament.  First pitch is set for 2:00 PM EST at the AUM Softball Complex on Auburn Montgomery's campus. 

• The Sharks have a 37-12 overall record, while Saint Leo owns a 37-17 record.  

• The Sharks swept the Lions in an SSC series earlier in the season. 

• NSU leads the all-time series 37-36. 

The Sharks are led by their high-powered offense and stellar defensive play. NSU had six athletes land on this year's All-SSC teams (Alexis Smith, Alyssa Drogemuller, Aubrey Hutzler, Maliyah Lawson, Gianna Russo, Brenna Lokeinsky). Smith, Russo, and Drogemuller have been at the forefront of the Sharks offensive attack, combining for an impressive 161 hits, 94 RBIs, and 12 home runs. Maliyah Lawson, the SSC Freshman of the Year has also made her impact felt offensively in her first season as a Shark, ranking third on the team in batting average (.345). In the pitching circle, Drogemuller and Julia Allen helped lead NSU to a team 2.11 ERA, ranking third in the SSC, behind Tampa and Rollins. 

Saint Leo is led by Madyson Coe, the 2024 SSC Player of the Year. Coe has been an absolute juggernaut offensively for the Lions, ranking in the top three in multiple offensive categories in the league. Alexis Barbe and Hailey Beuer have also helped lead the Lions offensive attack, ranking 1st in the SSC in hits and RBIs respectively. In the pitching circle, Haleigh Thomas has been dominant, she leads the SSC in batters struck out with an impressive 167 strikeouts.  
 

The Sharks and Lions will open its matchup on Thursday, May 9 at the AUM Softball Complex in Montogomery, Ala. First pitch is set for 2:00 PM EST.