Commanding Game Two Effort Sends Sharks to Doubleheader Split at Florida Southern

LAKELAND, Fla. – A complete-game shutout in the circle by junior Emily Hess, along with a late offensive surge, handed the Nova Southeastern softball team a decisive 5-0 victory and a doubleheader split Wednesday evening in Lakeland, Fla. The Sharks dropped a narrow 2-1 decision in game one of the twinbill.
 
INSIDE THE MATCHUP (GAME ONE):
FINAL: Florida Southern Moccasins 2 (W: K. Cowart, 4-0), Nova Southeastern Sharks 1 (L: E. Hess, 1-2)
RECORDS: Nova Southeastern (2-3, 1-3 SSC), Florida Southern (7-7, 6-5 SSC)
LOCATION: Chris Bellotto Field | Lakeland, Fla.
FOLLOW US: @NSUSHARKS and @NSU_Softball on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube
 
HOW IT HAPPENED:
 
TOP 1ST | The Sharks struck early, grabbing a 1-0 lead in the first. With one out, Alexis Smith used a walk to reach before stealing second and advancing to third on a throwing error by the Moccasins’ catcher. The next batter, Tia Williams, brought her home on an RBI-single to center to score NSU’s lone run of the game.
 
BOTTOM 4TH | The only other two runs of the game came from the Mocs in the fourth, as an RBI-double by Kiki Morris and an RBI-single by Lindsey Wilson pushed the home team out in front and gave them the eventual 2-1 win.
 
INSIDE THE STATS:
 

  • Williams went 1-for-3 with the one RBI.
  • Sam Sisco finished 2-for-3, while Mayte Lezcano went 1-for-3.
  • Going the distance, Hess (1-2) took the loss after allowing two runs on five hits with two strikeouts.

 
BEYOND THE BOXSCORE:
 

  • Lezcano’s double in the top of the second was the second of her Shark career, and first since Feb. 3, 2018.

 
 
INSIDE THE MATCHUP (GAME TWO):
FINAL: Nova Southeastern Sharks 5 (W: E. Hess, 2-2), Florida Southern Moccasins 0 (L: M. Rogers, 2-3)
RECORDS: Nova Southeastern (3-3, 2-3 SSC), Florida Southern (7-8, 6-6 SSC)
 
HOW IT HAPPENED:
 
TOP 1ST | For the second time in as many games, the Sharks were the first to jump on the board in the first inning. With two away in the frame, Williams singled to third base before an RBI-double by the next batter, Kerstyn Shaw, pushed her across the plate for the 1-0 NSU edge.
 
TOP 4TH | A walk by Allie Janowiak and a single up the middle by Juliana Speranza chased Florida Southern starter Mel Rogers with two outs in the inning. However, a groundout to short would end the threat with the Sharks still holding on by just the one run.
 
TOP 6TH | With Hess doing her part, the offense managed some insurance in the sixth. A lead-off single through the left side by Williams got things started. She would then advance to second on a stolen base before runners were on the corners following a Janowiak base knock into center. Madison Fine laid down a beautiful bunt right in front of home plate to score Williams, when Speranza provided a sacrifice fly to left in the ensuing at-bat to extend the lead to 3-0.
 
TOP 7TH | With two on and two out, Smith scored from third on a fielding error by the FSC shortstop. Taking advantage, Janowiak pushed across one more run for good measure with a single into left that plated Williams.
 
 
INSIDE THE STATS:
 

  • Hess surrendered just three hits in the effort, with just one coming past the third inning.
  • Seven of the nine batters in the NSU lineup recorded at least one hit, including multi-hit performances by Janowiak, Speranza and Williams.
  • Hess threw 74 of her 111 pitches in the outing for strikes.

 
 
BEYOND THE BOXSCORE:
 

  • Hess’ complete-game shutout in game two marked her second of the season, and in the process, lowered her ERA to an impressive 1.22.
  • Through their first six games of the season, the Sharks have fared well on the road, turning in a 3-1 record away from the AD Griffin Sports Complex.

 
 
UP NEXT
 
Nova Southeastern will return to the AD Griffin Sports Complex to take on local foe Barry in a doubleheader on Friday, April 16 beginning at 5:00 p.m.
 
SHARKS ON SOCIAL MEDIA:
 
Follow along with live updates on Twitter by following @NSU_Softball.
 

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