Tag: Softball

MIAMI SHORES, Fla. – The Nova Southeastern softball team wrapped up its series with the Barry Buccaneers on Sunday afternoon, splitting a pair of games. The Sharks fell, 5-4, in extra innings in game one before topping the Bucs in game two, 8-3, to win the overall Sunshine State Conference series.
 
INSIDE THE MATCHUP (GAME ONE – 8 INNINGS):
FINAL: Barry Buccaneers 5 (W: M. Barnhart, 4-7), Nova Southeastern Sharks 4 (L: E. Hess, 4-3)
RECORDS: Nova Southeastern (5-4, 3-4 SSC), Barry Buccaneers (7-13, 5-11 SSC)
LOCATION: Buccaneer Field | Miami Shores, Fla.
FOLLOW US: @NSUSHARKS and @NSU_Softball on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube
 
HOW IT HAPPENED:
 
TOP 3RD | After two scoreless innings, the Sharks grabbed a 1-0 edge as a fielding error by the Bucs off a single by Tia Williams allowed Ryleigh Langwell to cross the plate.
 
BOTTOM 6TH | The home team was able to tie the game 1-1 thanks to a fielder’s choice, before a three-run homer by Maggie Wheless pushed the Bucs to a 4-1 lead.
 
TOP 7TH | The Sharks responded in the next half inning, tying the game once again at 4-4. Langwell led the inning off getting hit by a pitch before moving to second on a bunt-single by Sam Sisco. After a wild pitch advanced the runners, Alexis Smith sent a three-run home run over the left field fence to bring the score to 4-4.
 
BOTTOM 8TH | Barry was able to steal the win, 5-4, walking off on an RBI-single by Payton Germer.
 
 
INSIDE THE STATS:
 

• Sisco finished 3-for-4 with one run scored while Smith went 1-for-4 with her three RBI.
• Allie Janowiak (2-for-4) and Madison Fine (2-for-3) each had multi-hit games and Williams was 1-for-3.
• Emily Hess took the hard-fought loss, pitching all 7.1 innings and allowing five runs on eight hits.

 
BEYOND THE BOXSCORE:
 

• Smith’s home run was the first of her career.
• The Bucs’ home run in the sixth inning was Hess’ first home run allowed in 2021.

 
 
INSIDE THE MATCHUP (GAME TWO):
FINAL: Nova Southeastern Sharks 8 (W: M. Johnson, 2-1), Barry Buccaneers 3 (L: C. Lee, 3-7)
RECORDS: Nova Southeastern (6-4, 4-4 SSC), Barry Buccaneers (7-14, 5-12 SSC)
 
HOW IT HAPPENED:
 
BOTTOM 1ST | Barry was the first to score, taking advantage of an RBI-ground out by Wheless to go ahead 1-0.
 
TOP 2ND | With Janowiak on second after drawing a walk and advancing on a sacrifice bunt by Fine, Juliana Speranza singled up the middle to score Janowiak and tie the game at 1-1.
 
TOP 3RD | Smith led the inning off with a walk, and after stealing second, she was brought on an RBI-single through the left side by Williams to give the Sharks the lead at 2-1.
 
TOP 4TH | With the bases loaded, a fielding error by the Bucs allowed enough time for Mayte Lezcano to score, pushing the Sharks to a two-run advantage at 3-1.
 
BOTTOM 4TH | The Bucs brought NSU’s lead back down to one run (3-2) in the home half of the inning as Cassandra Lee doubled through the left side to score Erin Scanlon.
 
TOP 5TH | NSU pulled away in the fifth inning, scoring three runs on two hits. With the bases loaded, a two-RBI single by Shaw scored two before an RBI-single by Smith brought in a third run for a 6-2 lead.
 
BOTTOM 5TH | Barry was able to score in the bottom half of the fifth, as Megan Ballash singled up the middle to bring the score to 6-3.
 
TOP 6TH | With two outs on the board and the bases loaded, Reece Martin drew a walk to push NSU’s seventh run across the plate before an RBI-single by Sisco scored Shaw to make it an 8-3 game in NSU’s favor.
 
 
INSIDE THE STATS:
 

• The Sharks outhit the Bucs 9-4.
• Sisco finished 2-for-4 with one RBI and Martin was 2-for-3 with an RBI of her own.
• Both Shaw and Lezcano went 1-for-3, with Shaw recording two RBI and scoring twice and Lezcano scoring once.
• Williams and Speranza were both 1-for-5 with an RBI apiece and Smith was 1-for-4 with an RBI and a run scored.
• Johnson earned the win after 7.0 innings of work, allowing three runs on four hits with one strikeout and four walks.

 
 
BEYOND THE BOXSCORE:
 

• Martin’s two hits were the first of her Shark career.
• With her two hits, Sisco now leads the Sharks with 16 on the season. Her .421 batting average also ranks her first on the team.

 
 
UP NEXT
 
The Sharks will return to the AD Griffin Sports Complex on Wednesday, hosting the PBA Sailfish in a doubleheader scheduled to start at 5:00 p.m.
 
SHARKS ON SOCIAL MEDIA:
 
Follow along with live updates on Twitter by following @NSU_Softball.
 

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FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – The Nova Southeastern softball team picked up a pair of wins over the Barry Buccaneers on Friday night, earning one Sunshine State Conference win. The Sharks edged the Bucs, 4-3, in game one before toppling the visitors, 11-3, in just five innings in game two.
 
INSIDE THE MATCHUP (GAME ONE):
FINAL: Nova Southeastern Sharks 4 (W: E. Hess, 3-2), Barry Buccaneers 3 (L: M. Barnhart, 3-6)
RECORDS: Nova Southeastern (4-3, 4-3 SSC), Barry Buccaneers (6-12, 4-11 SSC)
LOCATION: AD Griffin Sports Complex | Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
FOLLOW US: @NSUSHARKS and @NSU_Softball on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube
 
HOW IT HAPPENED:
 
BOTTOM 1ST | With two outs on the board and Sam Sisco on second, a throwing error by the Bucs allowed batter Tia Williams to reach and advance to second while Sisco moved to third. Three batters later, Madison Fine singled through the right side to score both Sisco and Williams for a 2-0 Shark edge.
 
TOP 2ND | The Bucs responded in the top of the second as a Shark error and a double steal caught the Sharks off guard, tying the game at 2-2.
 
BOTTOM 3RD | NSU pulled out in front again in the third as an RBI-double to left by Fine scored Williams, who led the inning off getting hit by a pitch.
 
BOTTOM 4TH | The Sharks tallied their last run of the game in the fourth as an RBI-bunt single by Alexis Smith scored Ryleigh Langwell who was waiting for the opportunity to score at third.
 
TOP 7TH | Barry attempted a comeback in the top of the seventh with an RBI-single by Michelle Roldan, scoring one to make it 4-3, but ultimately fell short to make this the final score.
 
INSIDE THE STATS:
 

• Fine finished the game 2-for-3 with three RBI while Sisco was 2-for-4 and scored once.
• Smith was 1-for-4 with one RBI.
• Hess picked up the win, tossing the full game and allowing three runs (0 ER) on eight hits with four strikeouts.

 
BEYOND THE BOXSCORE:
 

• Fine’s three RBI are a career-high.

 
 
INSIDE THE MATCHUP (GAME TWO – 5 INNINGS):
FINAL: Nova Southeastern Sharks 11 (W: E. Hess, 4-2), Barry Buccaneers 3 (L: C. Lee, 3-5)
RECORDS: Nova Southeastern (6-3), Barry Buccaneers (6-13)
 
HOW IT HAPPENED:
 
TOP 1ST | The Buccaneers struck first in game two, scoring two runs off an RBI-sing by Michelle Roldan.
 
BOTTOM 1ST | With two outs and Williams on third, a wild pitch allowed her to score to cut Barry’s lead to just one run, 2-1.
 
BOTTOM 2ND | The Sharks took control in the bottom half of the second as an RBI-single by Smith brought home Samantha Burke and Juliana Speranza to give NSU its first lead of the game, 3-2. Two batters later, Kerstyn Shaw single to center field, scoring Sisco for a 4-2 edge. After a walk drawn by Allie Janowiak, an RBI-single by Fine allowed Smith to score to make it 5-2 in NSU’s favor.
 
TOP 3RD | The Bucs tallied their final run of the game in the third as a fielder’s choice allowed Maggie Wheless to score, cutting NSU’s lead to two at 5-3.
 
BOTTOM 3RD | With the bases loaded with Burke, Sisco and Smith, an RBI-ground out by Williams scored Burke before an RBI-single by Shaw brought home Sisco to give Nova Southeastern a 7-3 advantage.
 
BOTTOM 4TH | The Sharks exploded in the fourth inning for four runs on four hits. After reaching on an error by Barry, Fine was brought home on a home run over the right field fence by Speranza, making it a 9-3 game in favor of the Sharks. The next batter, Burke, singled to left field and after a BU pitching change, a ground out by Mayte Lezcano and a Sisco double advanced her to third, Burke scored on an RBI-single by Smith to push NSU to double digits at 10-3. NSU was able to load up the bases and scored their final run as Janowiak was hit by a pitch to bring home Smith for the 11-3 mercy rule winning score.
 
INSIDE THE STATS:
 

• The Panthers outhit the Sharks 11-6.
• Smith went 2-for-3 with three RBI and scored once while Speranza was 2-for-3 with two RBI and two runs scored.
• Sisco was also 2-for-3 and Burke was 2-for-2, both scoring three times.
• Shaw finished 2-for-2 with two RBI and two walks drawn and Fine was 1-for-4, scoring once with one RBI to her name.
• Hess earned her second win of the day, entering in relief to pitch the final 4.1 innings, allowing one run (0 ER) on four hits with three strikeouts.
• Mikayla Johnson started the game, pitching 0.2 innings and giving up two runs on two hits.

 
 
BEYOND THE BOXSCORE:
 

• Smith’s three RBI are a career-high.
• Speranza’s home run in the fourth was the second of her career.

 
 
UP NEXT
 
Nova Southeastern will travel down to Miami Shores on Sunday to take on the Barry Bucs in a SSC doubleheader starting at 3:00 p.m.
 
SHARKS ON SOCIAL MEDIA:
 
Follow along with live updates on Twitter by following @NSU_Softball.
 

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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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FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – Opening 2021 play at the AD Griffin Sports Complex on Saturday afternoon, the Nova Southeastern Sharks were swept by the Florida Tech Panthers in two irregular games, coming up short in extras in game one before a six-inning loss in game two.
 
INSIDE THE MATCHUP (GAME ONE – 8 INNINGS):
FINAL: Florida Tech Panthers 3 (W: J. Lawlis, 3-5), Nova Southeastern Sharks 2 (L: E. Hess, 1-1)
RECORDS: Nova Southeastern (2-1, 1-1 SSC), Florida Tech (6-8, 5-6 SSC)
LOCATION: AD Griffin Sports Complex | Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
FOLLOW US: @NSUSHARKS and @NSU_Softball on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube
 
HOW IT HAPPENED:
 
BOTTOM 4TH | After three scoreless innings, the Sharks made it on the board as a fielder’s choice drawn by Allie Janowiak and a throwing error by the Panthers’ pitcher allowed Juliana Speranza to score. NSU made it 2-0 as Ryleigh Langwell sent an RBI-single to left to bring home Samantha Burke, who reached on a walk two batters prior.
 
TOP 7TH | With two outs on the board, the Panthers loaded the bases before an RBI-single by Mikayla Lewin brought home two to tie things up before the Sharks could walk away with a win.
 
TOP 8TH | With runners on second and third, Florida Tech took advantage of an RBI-single by Jolie Miracle to score Chloe French for the 3-2 lead and eventual win.
 
INSIDE THE STATS:
 

• Speranza finished 2-for-3 and scored once.
• Williams was 1-for-3 while Madison Fine and Langwell were 1-for-4.
• Hess (1-1) was handed the loss after pitching the full 8.0 innings, allowing 11 hits on three runs with two strikeouts.
• The Panthers outhit the Sharks 11-5.

 
BEYOND THE BOXSCORE:
 

• Game one was the Sharks’ first extra-inning game since Feb. 15, 2020.

 
 
INSIDE THE MATCHUP (GAME TWO – 6 INNINGS):
FINAL: Florida Tech Panthers 11 (W: S. Guider, 3-3), Nova Southeastern Sharks 2 (L: M. Johnson, 1-1)
RECORDS: Nova Southeastern (2-2, 1-2 SSC), Florida Tech (7-8, 6-6 SSC)
 
HOW IT HAPPENED:
 
TOP 2ND | For the first time all series, the Panthers were the first to score as a sacrifice fly by Jolie Miracle brought home M Wessel, who singled to left field two batters prior.
TOP 3RD | The next inning, FT took a 4-0 lead thanks to RBI-singles by Mikayla Lewin and Ashley Campbell.
 
TOP 4TH | Florida Tech exploded for four runs in the fourth as Lewin’s RBI-single scored two more and back-to-back RBI singles by Victoria Szrom and Chloe French made it an 8-0 game.
 
BOTTOM 5TH | The Sharks held off the mercy rule loss in the fifth. A Tia Williams single to right center led off the inning and a throwing error by FT’s pitcher pushed her all the way to third and batter Kerstyn Shaw to second. The next batter, Allie Janowiak used a bunt single to score Williams to put NSU on the board before a fielder’s choice by Juliana Speranza allowed Shaw to score to cut Florida Tech’s lead to six, 8-2.
 
TOP 6TH | The Panthers wouldn’t back down, however, as a solo homer by Lewin and a two-RBI single by Ashlynn Shelley served as the final three runs of the game, giving FT the 11-2 victory.
 
INSIDE THE STATS:
 

• The Panthers outhit the Sharks 16-8.
• Fine finished 2-for-3 and Williams was 2-for-4 and scored once.
• Janowiak was 1-for-3 with an RBI.
• Sisco and Smith were both 1-for-4 and Langwell was 1-for-2 coming in as a pinch hitter.
• Mikayla Johnson (1-1) took the loss, allowing 11 runs (8 ER) on 16 hits in 6.0 innings.

 
 
BEYOND THE BOXSCORE:
 

• The Sharks haven’t fallen to the mercy rule since Feb. 2, 2020.
• NSU hasn’t fallen more than once in the past two seasons in less than seven innings.

 
 
UP NEXT
 
The Sharks will hit the road on Wednesday, April 7 to take on the powerhouse that is the Rollins College. The doubleheader against the No. 6-ranked Tars will begin at 4:00 p.m.
 
SHARKS ON SOCIAL MEDIA:
 
Follow along with live updates on Twitter by following @NSU_Softball.
 

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MELBOURNE, Fla. – After a 387-day hiatus from their last game, the Nova Southeastern softball team returned to the field with a point to prove, which they did with a doubleheader sweep over the Florida Tech Panthers that included five home runs and five extra base hits. It took just five innings for the Sharks to win game one 8-0, before topping the home team 9-2 in game two on Thursday night.
 
INSIDE THE MATCHUP (GAME ONE – 6 INNINGS):
FINAL: Nova Southeastern Sharks 8 (W: E. Hess, 1-0), Florida Tech Panthers 0 (L: J. Lawlis, 2-5)
RECORDS: Nova Southeastern (1-0, 1-0 SSC), Florida Tech (5-7, 4-6 SSC)
LOCATION: Nancy Bottge Field | Melbourne, Fla.
FOLLOW US: @NSUSHARKS and @NSU_Softball on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube
 
HOW IT HAPPENED:
 
TOP 2ND | With Juliana Speranza on first after drawing a one-out walk, Samantha Burke kicked off her Shark career with a two-run homer over the left-center fence to give the Sharks a 2-0 advantage.
 
TOP 3RD | Tia Williams made it a 3-0 game with a lead-off home run also over the left center fence. After a walk drawn by Kerstyn Shaw and an infield single by Madison Fine, both runners stole their next base to put runners on second and third. Two batters later, an Allie Janowiak RBI-single and an error by Florida Tech’s center fielder score the two baserunners for a 5-0 Shark lead.
 
TOP 5TH | With the Sharks in scoring position with Fine at second and Burke at first, Janowiak made it an 8-0 game in favor of the Sharks with a three-run homerun to left field.     
 
INSIDE THE STATS:
 

• Janowiak was 3-for-3 with five RBI and one run scored.
• Burke was 1-for-2 two runs scored and two RBI.
• Williams went 2-for-3 with an RBI and run scored.
• Both Sam Sisco and Alexis Smith were 1-for-4, while Fine was 1-for-2 with two runs scored.
• Ryleigh Langwell finished 1-for-3.
• Emily Hess (1-0) earned the win after a complete-game shutout, allowing just three hits in from 17 at-bats. She also struck out six with four walks.

 
BEYOND THE BOXSCORE:
 

• In 29 games in 2020, the Sharks only tallied two home runs. They beat that number in one game.
• Janowiak’s home run in the fifth was the first of her Shark career. Her three hits and five RBI were both career-highs.
• This was Hess’ fourth shutout in her Shark career.
• The Sharks force Florida Tech to utilize three different pitchers.

 
 
INSIDE THE MATCHUP (GAME TWO):
FINAL: Nova Southeastern Sharks 9 (W: M. Johnson, 1-0), Florida Tech Panthers 2 (L: S. Guider, 2-3)
RECORDS: Nova Southeastern (2-0, 1-0 SSC), Florida Tech (5-8, 4-6 SSC)
 
HOW IT HAPPENED:
 
TOP 3RD | With two outs on the board and Smith on second, Shaw doubled to left center to bring her home and put the Sharks on the board before the next batter, Fine, homered to left field for a 3-0 NSU lead.
 
TOP 4TH | Leadoff batter Janowiak put the Sharks in scoring position with a double to left field and soon after was pushed to third base on a single up the middle by Sisco. The next batter, Smith, used a sacrifice fly to center to bring home Janowiak, making it 4-0 before an RBI-single by Williams scored Sisco, pushing the Sharks to a 5-0 advantage.
 
TOP 5TH | Shaw reached on a single to right center and two batters later, Juliana Speranza advanced her to second on a single through the right side. The Sharks made it 6-0 as Burke doubled to center to score Shaw and after a Florida Tech pitching change, Janowiak used a sacrifice fly to center to score Speranza.
 
BOTTOM 5TH | The Panthers tallied their first runs of the day in the fifth as back-to-back RBI-singles by Victoria Szrom and Chloe French made it a five-run game at 7-2.
 
TOP 6TH | With two outs on the board, Williams singled through the left side before Shaw brought her home on yet another homer by the Sharks to make it 9-2.
 
INSIDE THE STATS:
 

• The Sharks outhit the Panthers 14-7, with eight different Sharks recording hits.
• Shaw finished 3-for-4 with three runs scored and three RBI.
• Speranza was 2-for-3 and scored once.
• Sisco, Williams and Burke all went 2-for-4, and Sisco and Williams each scored once. Williams and Burke had one RBI apiece.  
• Fine, Smith and Janowiak each had one hit in their game two outings. Fine had two RBI and Smith and Janowiak each had one.
• Mikayla Johnson earned her first collegiate win, pitching 4.1 innings and allowing two runs on five hits.
• Hess finished the final 2.2 innings and tallied four strikeouts, allowing no hits.

 
 
BEYOND THE BOXSCORE:
 

• NSU’s 14 hits ties their season high from 2020.

 
 
UP NEXT
 
The Sharks will continue to play against the Florida Tech Panthers in an SSC doubleheader showdown at the AD Griffin Sports Complex on Saturday, April 3. First pitch of game one is scheduled from 2:00 p.m.
 
SHARKS ON SOCIAL MEDIA:
 
Follow along with live updates on Twitter by following @NSU_Softball.
 

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FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – For the first time in almost a year, the Nova Southeastern softball team will be hitting the field this week, as head coach Julie LeMaire and the Sharks have released its 2021 schedule, slated to start on Wednesday, March 10 at Florida Tech.

To view the full 2021 schedule, CLICK HERE. 
 
Due to COVID-19 regulations within the Sunshine State Conference, the Sharks will face off against SSC members only in 2021. For the doubleheaders that are scheduled during the week, only the first game of the doubleheader will count as SSC action. All weekend double headers will count as league play.
 
Starting the year off on the road, the Sharks will have their home opener also against the Panthers on Saturday, March 13. The first conference game will start at 2:00 p.m.
 
The next week, NSU will host Florida Southern for a pair of games on March 18, before heading to Lakeland to take on the Mocs on March 20.
 
Five days later, Nova Southeastern will play host to the Palm Beach Atlantic Sailfish on Thursday March 25 before heading north for a doubleheader on Saturday, March 27.
 
After taking a weekend off, the Sharks will see their first ranked opponent in Rollins, who sits sixth in the latest 2021 NFCA Division II Top 25 Coaches Poll. The two will square off in doubleheaders on April 7 (away) and April 10 (home).
 
On April 15 and 17, NSU will play against South Florida neighbor Barry, hosting the Bucs on Thursday before heading south on Saturday.
 
The Sharks will travel to Boca Raton, Fla. on Friday, April 23 to play the Lynn Fighting Knights in a midday doubleheader before hosting them two days later in the AD Griffin Sports Complex.
 
The final two weekends of the season will serve as regular three-game series, the first against powerhouse Saint Leo, who is ranked fourth in the latest NFCA Top 25 Coaches Poll. The first game will be at SLU on Thursday, April 29, before the series will wrap up at home on May 2.
 
The final series will be played against the No. 24 Tampa Spartans. The last home game of 2021 will be played on May 7 at 4:00 p.m. before the regular season will be wrapped up with a doubleheader in Tampa on May 9.
 
To stay up-to-date with NSU, visit NSUSharks.com or follow the Sharks on Instagram and Twitter @NSU_Softball.
 

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FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. –  Eagerly awaiting the start of the 2021 season, the Nova Southeastern softball team has been selected to finish sixth by the league’s coaches in the Sunshine State Conference Preseason Coaches Poll, announced on Thursday afternoon.
 
The Sharks earned a total of 33 points, just two points behind fifth-place Palm Beach Atlantic. With 64 points and eight first-place votes in the poll, the Rollins Tars have been designated as the preseason number one for the second consecutive year. Tampa slides into second with 55 points and the final first-place vote, followed closely by Saint Leo with 52 points. Florida Tech follows in fourth place with 40 points.
 
Before the COIVD-19 pandemic halted play during the 2020 season, the Sharks held a 19-10 overall record, winning 11 of their last 12 games. As a team, the Sharks led the SSC with their 76 stolen bases, ranking them third in NCAA DII softball. Additionally, the Sharks were ranked second in the SSC in multiple categories including batting average (.287), RBI (115), hits (211) and runs (130).
 
The full Nova Southeastern softball schedule for 2021 has not been officially released at this time, but stay tuned to NSUSharks.com for schedule updates to come.
 
To stay up with all the latest with Sharks softball, follow on Twitter @NSU_Softball, on Instagram @NSU_Softball and on Facebook /NovaSoutheasternSharksSoftball.
 
Below are the full results of the 2021 SSC preseason coaches’ poll. Coaches are not allowed to vote for their teams (points: 8-7-6-5-4-3-2-1, first-place votes in parentheses).
 

2021 SSC SOFTBALL PRESEASON COACHES POLL
Rank	School (FPV)	Total Points
1	Rollins (8)	64
2	Tampa (1)	55
3	Saint Leo	52
4	Florida Tech	40
5	Palm Beach Atlantic	35
6	Nova Southeastern	33
7	Florida Southern	20
8	Barry	15
9	Lynn	10

 
 

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FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – A member of the 2010 Nova Southeastern Hall of Fame class, former softball star Jennifer Ridenoure has been selected as the GEICO Alumni of the Month.
 
Ridenoure was a pitcher for the NSU softball team and led her team to multiple NAIA National Tournament appearances. She is one of the most decorated pitcher in NSU softball history with two all-time career records. Ridenoure leads the program with 95 complete games and 48 shutouts, and is second all-time in wins (69) and strikeouts (597). She also holds the third-lowest ERA in program history at 1.42.
 
She also is ranked in the Top-10 in many individual season records as her 15 shutouts during the 1999 season are the most all-time and her 14 in 2001 ranks second.
 
The NSU softball team was named regional champions during Ridenoure’s entire career. She compiled many awards including four All-Florida Sun Conference and three NAIA All-Region honors. She was named an NAIA All-American in 1999 and Region XIV Player of the Year in 2002. Ridenoure also performed well academically and received multiple NAIA Academic All-America awards.
 
Ridenoure earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Biology in 2002 and a Master of Medical Science in Physician Assistant studies in 2005, both degrees coming from Nova Southeastern. She returned to NSU as a part of the PA faculty as an Assistant Professor in March 2020.
 
In a recent interview, Ridenoure answered a few questions for the NSU Athletics department, discussing her time as a student-athlete and what it means to her to be a Shark.
 
What initially led you to sign with NSU?
“Honestly, I signed because I knew I’d be on a great softball team. NSU softball was 49-7 and ranked No. 12 in NAIA rankings the year before. I also signed along with three of my travel teammates (awesome ball players whom I played with since 14U!) so I was confident we’d be a great team with the potential to win championships.”
 
What was your degree in at NSU?
“Bachelor of Science in biology with a minor in psychology. I went on to grad school at NSU and earned another bachelor’s degree and a Masters of Medical Science in physician assistant studies.” 
 
How did your time at NSU contribute to you current success and beyond?
“I have NSU to thank for my degrees, my medical foundational knowledge, critical thinking skills and my work ethic. The classroom and all the educators involved provided me with the knowledge base. My coaches, trainers and teammates helped shape my drive to succeed and improve every day. Athletics made me disciplined, hard-working, competitive, self-confident, focused, determined and dedicated. I went on to study medicine and graduated with honors from the NSU Physician Assistant program. Being part of such an amazing team helped me prepare to be a reliable and competent team player throughout my healthcare professional career as well.” 
 
How much do you still follow/stay in touch with the current NSU team?
“Some of my teammates have turned into life-long friends. Some are local and I can see and hang out with them regularly. Others are scattered throughout the country and we talk on the phone and text, but even if we’re thousands of miles apart, we always pick up right where we left off. In regards to the current team, I follow their Instagram. Coach LeMaire is working hard to have annual alumni events, which are always fun. Now that I’m officially back on campus I hope to catch more games (once quarantine life is over!)”
 
What was your fondest memory of playing at NSU?
“This is a hard one. I have so many fond memories of NSU softball. So many laughs and good times with my teammates and coaching staff! Traveling with my team, hotel shenanigans and water balloon fights, opening ceremonies at the national championship tournaments, big games, big rivalries, big wins (an occasional loss here and therel), dinner with my teammates after practice at the “Caf”, which is what we all called the cafeteria, and standing on the NSU softball field pitcher’s mound side-by-side with my catcher during the national anthem before games.” 
 
Discuss your career path after NSU. What is your current profession?
“As an undergrad, I knew I wanted to pursue a career in the medical field. I learned about the physician assistant profession early on because I had teammates going into or dually-enrolled in the NSU PA program. Upon learning about the PA profession, I knew it’s what I wanted to do. So once I earned my bachelor’s degree, I set out on pursuing grad school at NSU and I was accepted into the PA program in 2003. I had the opportunity to learn from the most amazing faculty and was blessed with amazing mentors. I’ve been practicing medicine for 15 years as a physician assistant. I have worked mostly in family and internal medicine and have had the great privilege of taking care of the health care needs of patients and their families, and in many cases multiple generations of families. Being a PA is challenging, but also extremely rewarding. I had the opportunity to teach and mentor NSU PA students as a family medicine preceptor for 10 years and most recently I’ve joined the NSU PA program faculty full-time. I also continue to work as an internal medicine PA in Pompano Beach.”
 
How does it feel to be part of the NSU faculty after being a student-athlete and earning your master’s degree?
“Joining the NSU PA faculty feels like it has all come full circle. I feel like I’m home. I have this amazing opportunity to be directly involved with PA education, a profession that I am proud of and so very passionate about. As I mentioned, I have been blessed with great educators, professors, and mentors all associated with NSU and now I get to “pay it forward.” I get to educate, foster and empower future PA’s, PA’s that will be an important part of our changing healthcare landscape, and do it at my alma mater, a university that I am proud to be a part of, and that seems to be expanding at what is an exponential rate! I feel proud, not to mention extremely impressed with the sheer expansion and state of the art technology and facilities! I’ve joined the faculty team amidst a pandemic with #stayhome orders, and yet the semester continues and the students have not missed a beat. Impressive!”
 
What does it mean to be a member of the 2010 Hall of Fame Class?
“I am proud and honored to be among such an elite group of student athletes at NSU. It was a privilege to have worn an NSU softball uniform. I gave it my all, and I am a better person for it.” 
 
 

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FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – The Nova Southeastern athletic department continues its Senior Day celebrations for the programs whose seasons were limited this spring with the softball team, who had five seniors on their 2020 squad. Today, the Sharks would like to recognize Sydney Anderson, Kendra Baldridge, Sydney Lageyre, Alex Suzuki and Stephanie Wang and thank them for their time spent as members of the team.
 
“I’m so proud of these five young women and everything they have accomplished on and off the field as a Shark!” boasted head coach Julie LeMaire. “Whether it was the countless hours of extra work, battling through injuries, or moving across the country to chase a dream, each of them has a completely different story with the same end goal – to be a part of something bigger than themselves. The 2020 season showed us there is always something bigger than us as individuals. I can’t thank them enough for their loyalty and dedication they have put in to our program to leave it in a better place. We were off to the best start in years this season and I hope that is something each of them can be proud of. I want to wish Syd A, Kendra, Alex and Steph the best of luck with the next chapter of their lives and Syd L, we will see you back on the field to finish what you started!”
 
The first senior, a junior transfer from Highland Community College, Anderson was with the Sharks for two seasons before the aforementioned shortening of the 2020 season. During her time at NSU, she saw action in 31 games with 27 starts, finishing with a .186 batting average after notching 13 hits including two homers with five RBI. While used for offense primarily during the 2020 season, in 2019 she did not commit an error the entire season, notching 26 putouts. Off the field, she was named to the 2019 SSC Spring Commissioner’s Honor Roll.  
 
Coming from Highland CC like Anderson, Baldridge also joined the Sharks as a junior. While playing for Nova Southeastern, she competed in 12 games with eight starts, posting a .136 career batting average. Her three RBI came from her junior season, all of which were from a three-run homerun against East Stroudsburg on Feb. 10, 2019. Defensively, she made 13 putouts with 10 coming from the 2020 shortened season.
 
Our third senior is local Miami native, Lageyre, who played all of her four seasons with Sharks. Starting in 2017, Lageyre competed in 174 games with 168 starts, posting a .283 batting average. In her 427 at bats, she recorded 77 hits with five doubles, eight triples and one home run for a .340 slugging percentage. She also scored 77 times and tallied 41 RBI. Her .326 on-base percentage opened her up to steal 45 bases in 50 attempts, with 21 steals coming from 2020 alone. In fact, her 45 steals rank her seventh all-time in the NSU softball record books. Defensively, she made 284 putouts with 169 assists. Lageyre’s highlight of her senior season came during the second week of March as she was named both Sunshine State Conference Player of the Week and 2020 Louisville Slugger/NFCA Division II Player of the Week for her outstanding play during games played Mar. 2-8. Off the field, she was named to the SSC Spring Commissioner’s Honor Roll for three-straight years, 2017-19.
 
Also a four-year letterwinner for the Sharks is Suzuki, who has spent the last five years at NSU after redshirting her freshman season. While wearing the Nova Southeastern jersey, Suzuki started all but two of her 146 games played, posting a .212 batting average after tallying 63 hits in 297 at-bats, connecting for 14 doubles and six homers. Additionally, she scored 47 times and brought home 58 RBI. Primarily behind the plate for the Sharks, Suzuki made 561 career put outs, catching a program-high 51 runners stealing, while adding 109 assists. Off the field, Suzuki was also named to the SSC Spring Commissioner’s Honor Roll for three-straight years, 2017-19.
 
A part of the Shark squad for two seasons, Wang battled through adversity to continue her support as a member of the team, despite only seeing action in 17 games during the course of her career. During that time, she totaled six hits in 34 at-bats with three RBI and scored two runs. Defensively, she recorded a .960 fielding percentage with 23 putouts. Academically, she was named to the 2019 SSC Spring Commissioner’s Honor Roll.
 
Each Friday over the course of the next few months, NSU will celebrate its seniors who had their final seasons cut short this spring.
 
To stay up-to-date with the Sharks, follow them on Twitter @NSU_Softball, on Instagram @NSU_Softball and on Facebook /NovaSoutheasternSharksSoftball.
 

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LOUISVILLE, Ky. – After earning the title of Sunshine State Conference Player of the Week, senior centerfielder Sydney Lageyre has been awarded the title of 2020 Louisville Slugger/NFCA Division II Player of the Week for her outstanding play during games played Mar. 2-8.
 
View the full NFCA article HERE.
 
Lageyre helped the Sharks to a 6-0 week and extend their winning streak to 10 games through Sunday’s final contest. The speedy leadoff hit .632 (12-for-19) with a triple, 10 runs scored and 11 stolen bases. She recorded five multi-hit games, drove in four runs, walked twice and recorded a .636 on-base percentage. Lageyre, the Sunshine State Conference Player of the Week, swiped at least one base in all six contests, including four in game one against Queens College (2-for-2, 3 R) and three in game two versus Lander. She posted a 3-for-3 outing against West Liberty and also scored twice in nightcaps versus the Hilltoppers and Knights, respectively.
 
The Sharks will return to SSC play this weekend, traveling to Daytona Beach, Fla. to take on the Embry-Riddle Eagles in a three-game series starting on Friday, Mar. 13 at 7:00 p.m.
 
Follow along with live updates on Twitter by following @NSU_Softball.
 
 

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