FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – The cheers could be heard from across campus on Saturday afternoon as the Nova Southeastern softball team swept the Saturday doubleheader against No. 8 Saint Leo to clinch the overall series win, 2-1.
 
"I think obviously this entire weekend was a huge step for us," explained head coach Julie LeMarie. "I think we overcame a hump that we've been trying to get to. Last night we saw some mistakes that hurt us and we have definitely refocused on that. The girls came out against a great team in Saint Leo and played very well."
 
The first game saw the Sharks explode for four runs in the bottom of the sixth en route to a 7-4 victory before a walk-off RBI single by Dakota Villella in the nightcap gave NSU a 3-2 win.
 
The two wins propel the Sharks to an overall record of 8-10 and an even 3-3 in conference while Saint Leo falls to 16-6 and 1-2 against league opponents.
 
 
GAME ONE
 
After a scoreless frame, the Lions were first to reach the board in the second before the Sharks responded in the home-half of the third to take the lead, 2-1. Sydney Lageyre reached on a lead-off single before a wild pitch pushed her into scoring position at second. A sacrifice bunt by Mary Acosta advanced Lageyre to third before an RBI single by Dana Edmundson scored her. After a ground out by Villella, Edmundson was brought home on an RBI-single by Storrer for the go-ahead run.
 
NSU added another in the bottom of the fourth on an Acosta sacrifice fly and a half-inning later, the Lions cut the deficit to one, 3-2. During the next inning, Leo stole back its lead, 4-3, with a fielder's choice and an RBI-single, but the Sharks weren't giving up.
 
The bottom half of the inning saw the Sharks tally four runs on four hits, including a two-RBI double by Edmundson, making the score 7-4 in NSU's favor and serving as the last runs for either team.
 
Saint Leo looked to rally in the top of the seventh, but a remarkable catch by Edmundson, turning into a double play at first, catching the lead-off batter, put two outs on the board before a pop up by Samantha Ohmie made it three and the Sharks ended up on top, 7-4.
 
Edmundson was a solid 2-for-3 with three RBI and two runs scored while Lageyre was 2-for-2 and scored twice.
 
NSU's starting pitcher Erica Winter improved to 3-1 on the season, earning the win after allowing four runs (2 ER) on seven hits in 6.0 innings of work. Lexie Storrer was credited the save after facing the final three batters, not allowing a single hit.
 
Saint Leo's relief pitcher, Stephanie Adkins, was saddled with the loss, giving up the final four runs on four hits in her single inning in the circle.
 
 
GAME TWO
 
Down 2-0 in the bottom of the third, Edmundson, who had been on fire all day, sent a line-drive two-run homer over the right-center fence, scoring Acosta and tying the ballgame, 2-2.
 
After three quick and scoreless frames, the Sharks entered the bottom of the seventh with an urgency for a walk-off win. Samantha Gonzales led off with a single up the middle, and was too fast for the Lions as a fielder's choice by Lageyre put her at second on the next play. A wild pitch advanced the baserunners, but the Lions were successful on their second try to get Gonzales, as she was tagged out at the plate on a fielder's choice by Acosta. After a walk by Edmundson, the Lions changed pitchers, but for no good as Villella stepped up to the plate to hit the game-ending RBI single that plated Lageyre.
 
Edmundson was once again 2-for-3 in game two with two RBI and one scored run thanks to her homerun, while Villella was 1-for-3 with her one very important RBI.
 
Storrer (5-5) picked up the win for NSU in the nightcap, going the distance and allowing nine hits, two runs (1 ER) and recorded two strikeouts.
 
Relief pitcher Alison Mitts (3-3) was given the loss, as she let the winning run reach the base in the final inning.
 
The Sharks will hit the road this Monday as they travel during their spring break for a total of seven games. NSU will start at Auburn Montgomery on Tuesday with a doubleheader starting at 1:30 p.m. For live coverage, head to NSUSharks.com, or follow @NSU_Softball on Twitter.