FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (Mar. 20, 2010) - The No. 25 Nova Southeastern softball team won two games Saturday to clinch the weekend series sweep against the Florida Tech Panthers. The Sharks (27-7, 5-1 SSC) won the first game, 4-2 and defeated the Panthers (13-10, 4-5 SSC) in the final game, 5-0.

Laura Saladrigas (Fr., Hollywood, Fla.) made the difference in the first game when she hit a grand slam in the first inning that scored all of the Sharks' runs. It was the first home run of her career. Saladrigas went 2-for-2 in the game with one walk. Dana Bergner (Sr., Palm Harbor, Fla.) and Noemi Luciani (Sr., Miami, Fla.) both had a multiple hit game.

Dani Caron (Sr., Wellington, Fla.) pitched lights out in the final game of the series and earned her team-high 10th win of the season. She pitched a complete game shutout and only allowed two hits. She also topped her season-high with nine strikeouts. Luciani led the way on offense by hitting 3-for-4 with two runs.

In the opening game, Florida Tech struck first with two runs in the first inning. The Shark answered back immediately by scoring all four runs in the bottom of the first. Luciani led off with a bunt single and stole second base. Lopez reached on an error and Jessica Hernandez (Sr., Miami, Fla.) loaded the bases with a single to left field.

Coming into the game with six RBI on the season, Saladrigas blasted the game-winning grand slam over the left centerfield fence. It was her fifth extra base hit of the season.

Over the final five innings, the Sharks were able to tally for four more hits but left seven runners on base. After the first inning, Lexi Sarradet (Sr., Miami, Fla.) kept the Panthers scoreless and earned her eighth win of the season. She did not allow more than one hit in an inning after the opening frame.

In the second game, The Sharks attacked in the third inning and put their first three runs on the board. Patty Rivero (Sr., Miami, Fla.) and Luciani both earned singles in the inning's first two at bats. Rachel Talenfeld (Jr., Fort Lauderdale, Fla.) was walked to load the bases and Hernandez earned her only RBI of the day with a walk of her own.

With two outs on the board Brittney Lamb (Sr., West Palm Beach, Fla.) had her best hit of the weekend when she doubled up the middle, scoring two runs. Lamb now has 15 RBI on the season.

NSU would score two more times in the fourth inning. Sarah Hart (Jr., Newburgh, Ind.) started off the frame with a single and was advanced to second on Rivero's sacrifice bunt. Luciani followed up with a single before Rachel Talenfeld (Jr., Fort Lauderdale, Fla.) was walked to load the bases. Lauren Lopez sent Hart home with a single through the left side, her 22nd RBI of the year.

Saladrigas capped off the inning by earning her fifth RBI of the day on a walk. The Sharks went on to win the game as Caron only allowed one hit over the final three innings.

The Nova Southeastern softball team will begin a five game road trip this Wednesday, Mar. 24 against Palm Beach Atlantic at 5 pm.