BOX SCORE

LAKELAND, Fla. – The Nova Southeastern University softball team (31-19, 9-13 SSC) dropped a 3-2 heartbreaker in 12 innings to the Florida Southern Mocs (24-20, 12-10 SSC) Thursday evening at Barnett Field.

It was a back-and-forth battle between both teams right from the start. The Moccasins were first to strike with an RBI double by Heather Raulerson in the second inning.

The Sharks evened the game in the third inning as junior Katie Kelton (Pembroke Pines, Fla.) hit a one out double for NSU. After advancing to third on a sacrifice bunt by senior Rachel Talenfeld (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.), sophomore Laura Saladrigas (Hollywood, Fla.) was walked on four straight pitches to bring up rookie Gina Bondarenko (Pembroke Pines, Fla.) with two outs. The freshman was clutch as she hit a shot down the right field line to even the game, 1-1.

In the sixth inning, the Sharks took a lead on one of Brittany Phillips (Seminole, Fla.) three hits. Saladrigas earned her second walk of the game and advanced on a Bondarenko groundout. Phillips hit a shot in front of the driving Moccasin right fielder to plate home Saladrigas.

Florida Southern did not let that lead sit for very long as Brittany Martin led off the bottom of the sixth with home run to even the game 2-2.

Then the pitching battle between FSC’s Christine Clark and NSU’s Lexi Sarradet (Sr., Miami, Fla.) really start to begin. There was 10 3-up and 3-down innings between the two hurlers.

Clark held the Sharks to seven hits, while Sarradet held the Moccasins to six hits.

In the bottom of the 12th, Florida Southern’s Erin Foley ripped her first extra base of the season with a runner on to secure the win.

The Sharks are now 0-3 in extra inning games.

Sarradet (13-5) tossed a complete game and tied the all-time strikeout record with NSU Hall of Famer Jennifer Ridenoure with 597.

Philips led the Sharks at the plate with three hits, two being doubles.

The Sharks and Mocs will conclude the series tomorrow, April 29 with a doubleheader at 1 p.m.