MIAMI SHORES, Fla. – Nova Southeastern committed four errors and allowed a momentum-killing, two-run home run in the fifth inning en route to a 6-2 defeat on the road at Barry in its Sunshine State Conference opener Friday night in Miami Shores, Florida.
The setback drops the Sharks to 0-1 in the league and 5-8 overall, while the Buccaneers improve to 1-3 in the SSC and 4-8 on the season.
Starting pitcher Lexie Storrer entered the contest fresh off a shutout in Tuesday's victory over Kentucky State, but was unable to pick up win No. 4 in the early stages of the year despite a solid, complete-game effort. The freshman hurler yielded six hits and four earned runs to go along with three strikeouts in the circle.
Early deficits have troubled the Sharks thus far this season, and proved to be an issue once again against Barry after the Bucs grabbed a 1-0 edge following a two-out double into left center in the bottom of the opening frame. Nova Southeastern is now 2-8 this year in contests in which its opponent has scored first.
A trio of errors in the home half of the third soon led to more trouble for the Sharks. Trailing 2-0, a muffed throw and a fielding miscue prolonged the inning and eventually allowed the Bucs to double their advantage to 4-0.
Nova Southeastern would find some offense, though, and respond in the fourth inning. A pair of singles by Dana Edmundson and Dakota Villella set the table to begin the frame. Two batters later, Ashley Roe walked to load the bases before Megan Maloney cashed in with a single into right to cut the deficit in half.
Storrer retired the side in order in the bottom of the fourth to keep the momentum in favor of the Sharks. However, that soon shifted in the fifth. A throwing error allowed the Bucs' lead-off batter to reach base, and instantly came back to bite Nova Southeastern as the ensuing batter launched a two-run shot to stretch the lead to 6-2.
The Sharks would bring the tying run to the plate with just one away in the seventh, but weren't quite able to capitalize, putting an end to their previous four-game win streak.
Edmundson paced the Sharks' offensive attack, registering a pair of hits and a run out of the lead-off spot.
Head coach Julie LeMaire and company will look to rebound on Saturday with game one of the scheduled doubleheader set to begin at 1 p.m. ET. For complete coverage of the action, log onto NSUSharks.com or follow the Sharks on Twitter @NSU_Softball.
