MONTGOMERY, Ala. – Following a promising start in the NCAA South Regional, the Nova Southeastern softball team had its postseason run come to a screeching halt on Friday as the Sharks were eliminated from play after falling 8-0 to Auburn Montgomery and 7-1 to Alabama Huntsville. The Sharks conclude the season with a record of 38-14, their highest win total since 2010.
INSIDE THE MATCHUP
Score: Auburn Montgomery 8 (W: A. Goble, 14-2), Nova Southeastern 0 (W: E. Hess, 13-6)
Records: Auburn Montgomery (45-9), Nova Southeastern (38-13)
Location: AUM Softball Complex | Montgomery, Ala.
Get Social: @NSU_Softball on Instagram and Twitter
HOW IT HAPPENED:
TOP 1st | The very first inning set the tone for the time of day it would end up being for the Sharks. Consecutive walks to open the game put two runners aboard for the Warhawks before AUM grabbed an early 1-0 lead following an NSU fielding error.
BOT 3rd | In search of momentum, NSU’s Alexis Smith led off the frame with a perfectly executed bunt single. However, just moments later, the Sunshine State Conference stolen base leader was ruled out after apparently leaving early on a steal attempt.
TOP 4th | Capitalizing on a pair of bunt singles, UAM extended its advantage to 2-0 thanks to a sacrifice fly to left.
TOP 7th | From there, the game snowballed on the Sharks a bit, as the Warhawks score two runs apiece in the fifth, sixth and seventh innings to punch their ticket into Saturday’s championship round.
INSIDE THE STATS:
- NSU was limited to just three hits in the effort.
- The loss marked the second for the Sharks against UAM this season after dropping the season opener to the Warhawks back on Feb. 5.
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INSIDE THE MATCHUP
Score: Alabama Huntsville 7 (W: L. Murphy, 19-9), Nova Southeastern 1 (L: A. Connor, 18-4)
Records: Alabama Huntsville (40-16), Nova Southeastern (38-14)
HOW IT HAPPENED:
BOT 2nd | A one-out double gave the Chargers a 1-0 edge in the bottom of the second.
BOT 3rd | That margin soon grew to 2-0 following a solo homer off the bat of UAH’s Kiara Akles – her 12th of the season.
TOP 5th | Sydney Lageyre cut the deficit in half in the fifth after an infield single to shortstop scored Sidney Swantic.
BOT 5th | The Chargers answered right back in the bottom of the inning, though, using consecutive two-out singles to push the margin to 4-1.
BOT 6th | The Sharks would be retired in order in the top of the sixth before UAH rattled off three more runs, including a two-run triple, to all but end it for NSU.
INSIDE THE STATS:
- Lageyre recorded a game-high three hits in her final career game.
- Just one night after tossing a complete-game shutout against the Chargers, Ashley Connor surrendered nine hits and seven runs – five earned – in Friday’s defeat.
UP NEXT
To stay up-to-date with NSU throughout the offseason, visit NSUSharks.com or follow the Sharks on Instagram and Twitter at @NSU_Softball.
