MONTGOMERY, Ala. -  The #24 ranked Nova Southeastern Softball team kicked off the opening round of the NCAA Tournament with a dominant victory over the #5 seeded Saint Leo Lions on Thursday afternoon from the AUM Softball Complex. NSU was led by RBIs from Alexis Smith (2), Aubrey Hutzler (2), Madison Fine (1), Alyssa Drogemuller (1), and Kerstyn Shaw (1). 
 

Score: Nova Southeastern 9 (W: A. Drogemuller, 23-7) | Saint Leo 2 (L: H. Thomas 15-7)                         
Records: Nova Southeastern (38-12, 22-8 SSC) | Saint Leo (37-18, 21-9 SSC)             
Location: Montgomery, Ala. | AUM Softball Complex   
Get Social: @NSUSharks and @NSUSoftball on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube       
     

BOT 1st – With two outs and the bases loaded, Aubrey Hutzler stepped up to the plate and batted in two runs to give the Sharks an early 2-0 lead. In the ensuing at-bat Kerstyn Shaw tacked on the third NSU run of the game. Shortly after, a fielding error by the Lions allowed another Shark run to come home. NSU's run barrage continued as Alyssa Drogemuller was walked with the bases loaded, putting the Sharks up 5-0.  

BOT 3rd – NSU picked up where they left off, scoring three more runs thanks to a fielding error by the Lions and RBIs from Alexis Smith and Madison Fine. 

TOP 4th – Saint Leo finally got on the board, scoring one run. 

BOT 4th – Alexis Smith was then hit by pitch with the bases loaded, bringing the ninth Shark run home. 

BOT 5th – The Lions answered with a run of their own, but it wasn't enough to complete the comeback as Nova Southeastern secured the 9-2 victory.  

Five different Sharks had an RBI (Drogemuller, Smith, Fine, Hutzler, Shaw).  
 

The Sharks will await the winner of the Auburn Montgomery/Spring Hill matchup and take them on tomorrow in the second round of the regional tournament, Saturday, May 10th, at the AUM Softball Complex in Montgomery, Ala. First pitch is set for 2:00 PM EST.