TAMPA, Fla. – Thanks to some outstanding performances in the circle and just enough timely hitting, the Nova Southeastern softball team completed a massive road sweep at No. 11 Tampa on Saturday. The Sharks edged the Spartans by scores of 3-2 and 1-0, taking all three games in the series by one-run apiece. The series victory marks the program's first over a ranked opponent since winning 2-of-3 over then-No. 8 Saint Leo back in March of 2017.
INSIDE THE MATCHUP (GAME ONE)
Score: Nova Southeastern 3 (W: E. Hess, 3-3), No. 11 Tampa 2 (L: M. Galhouse, 4-5), (S: A. Connor, 1)
Records: Nova Southeastern (12-7, 2-3 SSC), No. 11 Tampa (11-7, 5-3 SSC)
Location: Naimoli Stadium | Tampa, Fla.
Get Social: @NSUSharks and @NSU_Softball on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube
HOW IT HAPPENED:
NSU starting pitcher
Katelyn Ellard used a solid effort in the circle to work into the fifth inning. However, a two-out, RBI-single in the frame by the Spartans knotted up the score at 1-1. Lead-off batter
Sydney Lageyre sparked a response, though, opening the ensuing inning with a one-out single through the left side of the infield. After Lageyre moved into scoring position via stolen base,
Tia Williams capitalized on the opportunity, putting the Sharks back in front thanks to a two-out single up the middle. NSU added some insurance on a
Haley Hendricks RBI-single in the seventh, which proved to be huge, as
Ashley Connor would eventually strand the tying and go-ahead runs in scoring position in the bottom of the seventh to preserve the win with her first career save.
INSIDE THE STATS:
- Williams led the way offensively for the Sharks, finishing 2-for-3 with an RBI.
- Hendricks and Maddie Fine also registered RBIs as part of NSU's seven-hit effort.
- Emily Hess earned the victory in the circle after allowing one earned run in 1.1 innings in relief.
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INSIDE THE MATCHUP (GAME TWO)
Score: Nova Southeastern 1 (W: A. Connor, 6-1), No. 11 Tampa 0 (L: M. Feldman, 2-1)
Records: Nova Southeastern (13-7, 3-3 SSC), No. 11 Tampa (11-8, 5-4 SSC)
HOW IT HAPPENED:
In a pitcher's duel between NSU's Connor and Tampa's Mary Beth Feldman, the game remained scoreless entering the sixth inning. That's when Williams produced a one-out single and moved into scoring position following her 13th stolen base of the season. Like she did on Friday, Allie Janowiak once again delivered in the clutch, stinging a double down the left field line to give the Sharks all the offense they'd need. Connor worked out of a bases-loaded jam in the sixth before retiring the side in order in the seventh to secure the series sweep.
INSIDE THE STATS:
- Connor improved to 6-1 on the season after surrendering just three hits and one walk in her first career complete-game shutout.
- Batters 1-4 in the NSU lineup combined for five of the team's six hits. Janowiak finished 2-for-3.
- Hendricks and Williams each recorded a stolen base.
UP NEXT
NSU will return to Winter Haven, Fla. next Friday for another round go-round at THE Spring Games. The Sharks will open at 2:30 p.m. against Bloomfield. For coverage, visit the schedule page on NSUSharks.com or follow the Sharks on Instagram and Twitter at @NSU_Softball.
