Speranza Named SSC Softball Player of the Week

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – After a solid performance in a 6-0 home-opening weekend for the Nova Southeastern softball team, junior first baseman Juliana Speranza has earned the title of Sunshine State Conference Player of the Week, as announced by the conference office on Monday afternoon.
 
The junior transfer was the leading offensive player for the Sharks this past weekend, who picked up doubleheader wins over Georgian Court, Washburn and East Stroudsburg. During the six games, the Woodbridge, Ontario native went 7-for-15 with one home run and one double, registering seven RBI and scoring twice. She currently is ranked second in the league with nine RBI.
 
Finishing with a slugging percentage of .733 and an on-base percentage of .526, Speranza also registered multiple hits in two games, and had two RBI in a 3-1 win over Washburn. Defensively, the first baseman made 31 putouts and had a .969 fielding percentage.
 
The Sharks will open up Sunshine State Conference play on the road this upcoming weekend, heading to Winter Park, Fla. to take on the Rollins Tars.
 
Follow along with live updates on Twitter by following @NSU_Softball.
 

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Sharks Remain Perfect at Home With Twinbill Sweep Over East Stroudsburg

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – The Nova Southeastern softball team picked up its sixth-straight win on Sunday afternoon, topping the East Stroudsburg Warriors 4-2 and 7-4 in a doubleheader at the AD Griffin Sports Complex. With the two wins, the Sharks are now 6-0 at home and 8-2 on the season, heading to begin conference play next weekend for their first true road matches.
 
INSIDE THE MATCHUP (GAME ONE):
FINAL: Nova Southeastern Sharks 4 (W: E. Hess, 4-1), East Stroudsburg Warriors 2 (L: M. Grow, 0-1)
RECORDS: Nova Southeastern (7-2), East Stroudsburg (1-4)
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 runners on the corners, an Allie Janowiak RBI-single to left field made it 1-0 in favor of the Sharks as Mya Maddox.
 
TOP 4TH | With a runner on third and two outs, the Warriors used an infield single by Shannon Bonewit to tie the game at 1-1.
 
BOTTOM 5TH | After leading the inning off with a single to third, Alexis Smith was brought home two batters later on another infield single by Sam Sisco to once again give NSU the lead, 2-1. After stealing second, Sisco scored on an RBI-single by Maddox and after a single to left by Tia Williams, an RBI-single by Juliana Speranza plated Maddox for the Sharks’ final run of the game and allowed the Sharks to take a 4-1 lead.
 
TOP 6TH | The final run of the game came in the sixth, as East Stroudsburg’s Ashley Spencer sent a sacrifice fly to left to score Kaylee Hazewski.
 
INSIDE THE STATS:
 

  • The Sharks outhit the Warriors, 9-6, with five coming from the fifth inning alone.
  • Smith finished the game 2-for-3 with one run scored.
  • Maddoz went 1-for-3 with an RBI and scored twice, while Sisco was 1-for-3 with an RBI and one run scored.
  • Speranza and Janowiak each tallied an RBI apiece, finishing 1-for-2 and 1-for-3, respectively.
  • Emily Hess earned her fourth-straight win, pitching the full game and allowing two runs on five hits, striking out five.

 
BEYOND THE BOXSCORE:
 

  • After tallying five strikeouts, Hess now leads the SSC with 33 strikeouts on the season.

 
 
INSIDE THE MATCHUP (GAME TWO):
FINAL: Nova Southeastern Sharks 7 (W: S. Foster, 4-1), East Stroudsburg Warriors 4 (L: M. Range, 1-2)
RECORDS: Nova Southeastern (8-2), East Stroudsburg (1-5)
 
HOW IT HAPPENED:
 
BOTTOM 1ST | Loading the bases with a leadoff double by Sisco, a single by Maddox and a walk drawn by Williams, the Sharks recorded their first run of the game as Speranza singled up the middle to bring Sisco home. With the bases still loaded, Anina Fernandez was hit by a pitch and Janowiak was walked, tallying two more for NSU for a 3-0 Shark lead. Two batters later, Smith fouled out down the left field line, but made it a sacrifice fly as Speranza was able to score to make it 4-0.
 
TOP 3RD | With runners on the corners, the Warriors made it on the board with an RBI-single by Spencer, cutting NSU’s lead to three at 4-1.
 
TOP 6TH | The Warriors were able to tie things up in the sixth as an RBI-triple by Molly Nies scored two and a dropped ball at first base gave ESU’s Nies enough time to cross the plate.
 
BOTTOM 6TH | The Sharks weren’t about to let the Warrior’s come any closer as Alez Suzuki sent a double down the left field line to score Hayley Hendricks, who pinch ran for Janowiak after her leadoff single, allowing the Sharks to retake the lead at 5-4. Two batters later, Sisco made it 6-4 in favor of the Sharks, using an RBI-infield single to bring home Suzuki. The Sharks’ final run of the game came off a Williams sacrifice fly, as it gave Sydney Lageyre enough time to make it across the plate.
 
INSIDE THE STATS:
 

  • The Sharks once again out-hit the Warriors, tallying 10 hits to their six.
  • Sisco had a solid game, finishing 3-for-4 with one RBI and scored once.
  • Lageyre and Speranza also had a pair of hits of their own, finishing 2-for-3 and 2-for-4, respectively, each scoring once. Speranza also added one RBI.
  • Savannah Foster (4-1) picked up her third win of the weekend, going the distance and striking out eight while allowing four runs (2 ER) on six hits.

 
BEYOND THE BOXSCORE:
 

  • After today’s two wins, NSU holds a 4-0 overall series record over ESU, seeing them for the first time only last season.
     

UP NEXT
 
The Sharks will open up Sunshine State Conference play on the road this upcoming weekend, heading to Winter Park, Fla. to take on the Rollins Tars.
 
SHARKS ON SOCIAL MEDIA:
 
Follow along with live updates on Twitter by following @NSU_Softball.
 

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Sharks Make it Four-Straight With Wins Over Washburn

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – The Nova Southeastern softball team continued their hot streak at the AD Griffin Sports Complex on Saturday afternoon, picking up two wins over the Washburn Ichobads with the final score of both games finishing at 3-1.
 
INSIDE THE MATCHUP (GAME ONE):
FINAL: Nova Southeastern Sharks 3 (W: E. Hess, 3-1), Washburn Ichobads 1 (L: A. Thissen, 0-3)
RECORDS: Nova Southeastern (4-2), Washburn (0-4)
LOCATION: AD Griffin Sports Complex | Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
FOLLOW US: @NSUSHARKS and @NSU_Softball on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube
 
HOW IT HAPPENED:
 
BOTTOM 2ND | With the bases loaded, Alexis Smith drilled an RBI-single through the left side to bring home pinch runner Hayley Hendricks, running for Juliana Speranza who led the inning off with a single down the right field line.
 
TOP 5TH | The Ichobads were able to tie things up in the fifth with an RBI-single by Jenna Moore.
 
BOTTOM 5TH | After stealing second to put the Sharks in scoring position, Mya Maddox was brought home on a throwing error by Washburn’s shortstop during Williams’ at bat. The next batter, Speranza, then singled up the middle to bring home Williams to make it 3-1 in favor of the Sharks.
 
INSIDE THE STATS:
 

  • Both the Sharks and the Ichobads tallied four hits apiece. Speranza was the top Shark offensive leader, finishing 2-for-3 with one RBI.
  • Anina Fernandez and Alexis Smith recorded NSU’s remaining hits, going 1-for-3 and 1-for-2, respectively. Smith also tallied one RBI and was hit once.
  • Emily Hess (3-1) earned her third-straight win, tossing all 7.0 innings and allowing one run (0 ER) on four hits with seven strikeouts.

 
BEYOND THE BOXSCORE:
 

  • With her six strikeouts, Hess now has 28 on the season, ranking her second in the Sunshine State Conference.

 
 
INSIDE THE MATCHUP (GAME TWO):
FINAL: Nova Southeastern Sharks 3 (W: S. Foster, 3-1), Washburn Ichobads 1 (L: R. Hamm, 0-2)
RECORDS: Nova Southeastern (6-2), Washburn (0-6)
 
HOW IT HAPPENED:
 
TOP 3RD | For the first time at home this year, the Sharks fell behind 1-0 as Washburn’s Moore used an RBI-single to left first to get the Ichobads on the board.
 
BOTTOM 3RD | The Sharks quickly responded in the bottom half of the inning, as Speranza singled through the left side, bringing home Sam Sisco, who led the inning off with an infield single.
 
BOTTOM 4TH | Allie Janowiak led the inning off with a single through the left side, and made it all the way to third thanks to a passed ball and a sacrifice fly by Sydney Anderson before making it home just in time on a Smith fielder’s choice.
 
BOTTOM 5TH | The final run of the game for either team came in the bottom of the fifth as a sacrifice fly by Speranza scored Sisco to make it 3-1 in favor of NSU.
 
INSIDE THE STATS:
 

  • Both teams recorded five hits, as Sisco tallied two for the Sharks in her three at-bats.
  • Speranza finished with two RBI going 1-for-2, while Janowiak was also 1-for-2.
  • Williams inked NSU’s fifth hit, finishing 1-for-3.
  • Savannah Foster (3-1) was in the circle for all 7.0 innings, allowing one run on five hits with two strikeouts.

 
BEYOND THE BOXSCORE:
 

  • Catching two batters looking, Foster now leads the SSC with nine backwards Ks on the season.
  • After today’s two wins, NSU now holds a 2-1 overall series record over Washburn.
     

UP NEXT
 
Nova Southeastern will finish its six-game homestand on Sunday afternoon, hosting East Stroudsburg in a doubleheader starting at 1:00 p.m.
 
SHARKS ON SOCIAL MEDIA:
 
Follow along with live updates on Twitter by following @NSU_Softball.
 

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Solid NSU Pitching Leads to Two Wins on Home Opening Night

 
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – Opening up the 2020 home slate, the Nova Southeastern softball team picked up two wins over Georgian Court on Friday night at the AD Griffin Sports Complex. NSU starting pitchers Emily Hess and Savannah Foster each notched 10 strikeouts apiece, helping the Sharks to 2-0 and 7-1 wins over the Lions.
 
INSIDE THE MATCHUP (GAME ONE):
FINAL: Nova Southeastern Sharks 2 (W: E. Hess, 2-1), Georgian Court Lions 0 (L: M. Gilgert, 0-1)
RECORDS: Nova Southeastern (3-2), Georgian Court (0-1)
LOCATION: AD Griffin Sports Complex | Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
FOLLOW US: @NSUSHARKS and @NSU_Softball on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube
 
HOW IT HAPPENED:
 
BOTTOM 2ND | Leading off the inning, Juliana Speranza registered her first home run as a Shark, giving the home team a 1-0 advantage.
 
BOTTOM 4TH | With Tia Williams at second after drawing a leadoff walk and stealing, Anina Fernandez brought her home on an RBI-single up the middle.
 
INSIDE THE STATS:
 

  • There were only three hits in the entire game, with Williams and Speranza registering NSU’s two.
  • Starting pitcher Emily Hess (2-1) went the distance, striking out 10 along the way. In 7.0 innings, she allowed just one hit, which didn’t come until the sixth inning.

 
BEYOND THE BOXSCORE:
 

  • With her 10 strikeouts, Hess tied the 2019 season’s high, which only happened once on Apr. 3.
  • The 10 K’s are also Hess’ career-high.

 
 
INSIDE THE MATCHUP (GAME TWO):
FINAL: Nova Southeastern Sharks 7 (W: S. Foster, 2-1), Georgian Court Lions 2 (L: J. Tellefsen, 0-1)
RECORDS: Nova Southeastern (4-2), Georgian Court (0-2)
 
HOW IT HAPPENED:
 
BOTTOM 1ST | With Sam Sisco on third and Mya Maddox on second, a single to left field by Williams was enough to bring Sisco home for a 1-0 Shark edge.
 
BOTTOM 3RD | With Maddox on third, Speranza tallied her second RBI of the night with a ground out to second, making it 2-0 in favor of NSU. After a single by Fernandez and a walk drawn by Allie Janowiak put the Sharks in scoring position, Alex Suzuki drilled a double to left field, scoring Fernandez and Janowiak to bring the score to 4-0 before getting caught by the third baseman to end the inning.
 
BOTTOM 4TH | NSU tallied another three runs in the fourth, the first coming on a passed ball on a walk drawn by Sydney Lageyre. After catching Lageyre at the plate on the play before, a sacrifice fly by Williams brought home Sisco and a throwing error by the Lions scored Maddox, who reached on a fielder’s choice, serving as the last run of the game to make it 7-0 with NSU out in front.
 
TOP 7TH | The Lions tallied their lone run of the evening in the seventh, scoring on an RBI-single up the middle.
 
INSIDE THE STATS:
 

  • The Sharks outhit the Lions 7-6 as Maddox led the Shark offense with two hits of her own in four at bats. She also scored twice and stole one base.
  • Sisco, Williams and Fernandez were all 1-for-3. Sisco scored twice and Williams tallied a team-high three RBI.
  • Suzuki was 1-for-2 with two RBI and Lageyre was also 1-for-2.
  • Savannah Foster (2-1) pitched all 7.0 innings for NSU, racking up 10 strikeouts with four walks. She allowed just one run on six hits in 26 batters faced.

 
BEYOND THE BOXSCORE:
 

  • Tonight was the first time the Lions and the Sharks have met in program history.
     

UP NEXT
 
The Sharks will host two more non-conference doubleheaders this weekend, with Washburn on Saturday and East Stroudsburg on Sunday. Both doubleheaders are slated to start at 1:00 p.m.
 
SHARKS ON SOCIAL MEDIA:
 
Follow along with live updates on Twitter by following @NSU_Softball.
 

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NSU Finishes Play At Gulf South Invitational

GULF SHORES, Ala. – The Nova Southeastern softball team split a pair of games on Sunday morning to wrap up play in the 2020 Gulf Shores Invitational. To start the day, the Sharks topped South Region member Delta State 6-2, before falling to the Rogers State Hillcats 9-1.
 
INSIDE THE MATCHUP (GAME ONE VS. DELTA STATE):
FINAL: Nova Southeastern Sharks 6 (W: E. Hess, 1-1), Delta State Lady Statesmen 2 (L: O. Burns, 0-2)
RECORDS: Nova Southeastern (2-1), Delta State (1-2)
LOCATION: Gulf Shores Sportsplex | Gulf Shores, Ala.
FOLLOW US: @NSUSHARKS and @NSU_Softball on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube
 
HOW IT HAPPENED:
 
BOTTOM 3RD | After two scoreless innings, Juliana Speranza tallied NSU’s first run of the game with an RBI-single up the middle to score Tia Williams, who led off with a double to left.
 
BOTTOM 5TH | An error by the Lady Statesmen during Williams’ at bat allowed Sam Sisco to make it 2-0 in NSU’s favor before a double to center by Anina Fernandez brought Williams home to extend NSU’s lead to 3-0.
 
TOP 6TH | The Lady Statesmen cut the Sharks’ lead to just one run in the top of the sixth, scoring two on back-to-back RBI-singles.
 
BOTTOM 6TH | After a sacrifice bunt by Alexis Smith pushed Alex Suzuki to second, an RBI-single by Sydney Lageyre brought her home to make it a two-run game at 4-2. NSU added two more insurance runs thanks to an RBI-single up the middle by Mya Maddox and an RBI-triple by Williams, serving as the last two runs of the game for either team.
 
INSIDE THE STATS:
 

  • The Sharks outhit the Lady Statesmen 10-7.
  • Williams finished 3-for-4, scoring twice and tallying on RBI.
  • Lageyre went 2-for-3, recording one RBI and one run scored while Sisco was 2-for-4, scoring once.
  • Emily Hess (1-1) earned her first win as a Shark, pitching all 7.0 innings and allowing two runs on seven hits, striking out six including the game ending swinging strikeout.

 
BEYOND THE BOXSCORE:
 

  • With the win, it evens the overall series 4-4 between the Lady Statesmen and the Sharks.

 
 
INSIDE THE MATCHUP (GAME TWO VS. ROGERS STATE):
FINAL: Rogers State Hillcats 9 (W: A. Morales, 2-0), Nova Southeastern 1 (L: S. Foster, 1-1)
RECORDS: Nova Southeastern (2-2), Rogers State (2-1)
 
HOW IT HAPPENED:
 
TOP 1ST | With runners on first and third for the Sharks, Maddox stole second and Sisco came home, as the umpire ruled that there was interference at the plate, making it 1-0 in NSU’s favor.
 
BOTTOM 1ST | With two outs and the bases loaded, the Hillcats’ Tailee Reding doubled to center field, scoring all three baserunners for a 3-1 Rogers State lead.
 
BOTTOM 2ND | Rogers State tacked on another run in the bottom of the second with another RBI-triple, making it 4-1 in the Hillcats’ favor.
 
BOTTOM 3RD | The Hillcats continued to add to their lead in the third, scoring two on an RBI-single and a wild pitch to bring the score to 6-1.
 
BOTTOM 4TH | Tallying another two run in the fourth off an RBI-double and RBI-single, Rogers State pushed their lead to 8-1.
 
BOTTOM 6TH | With the bases loaded, a walk drawn by Reding led to an early end of the game, as the Hillcats ended up on top 9-1.
 
INSIDE THE STATS:
 

  • Sisco led the Sharks offensively, finishing 2-for-3 with one run scored.
  • Smith tallied NSU’s third hit, as the Hillcats outhit the Sharks 9-3.
  • Savannah Foster pitched all 5.2 innings, allowing nine runs (8 ER) on nine hits.  

 
BEYOND THE BOXSCORE:
 

  • This was the first time the Sharks and the Hillcats have faced off in program history.
     

UP NEXT
 
The Sharks will host their home opener on Friday, Feb. 7 against Georgian Court. First pitch of the doubleheader is scheduled for 5:00 p.m.
 
SHARKS ON SOCIAL MEDIA:
 
Follow along with live updates on Twitter by following @NSU_Softball.
 

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Sharks Open 2020 With Saturday Split, Topping No. 4 West Florida

GULF SHORES, Ala. – After battling weather on Friday afternoon that cancelled two games, the Nova Southeastern softball team opened up the 2020 season with a Saturday split, falling to the Lee Flames, 2-1, before routing the No. 4 West Florida Argonauts, 8-1.
 
INSIDE THE MATCHUP (GAME ONE VS. LEE):
FINAL: Lee Flames (W: L. Vasquez, 1-0), Nova Southeastern Sharks 1 (L: E. Hess, 0-1)
RECORDS: Nova Southeastern (0-1), Lee Flames (1-0)
LOCATION: Gulf Shores Sportsplex | Gulf Shores, Ala.
FOLLOW US: @NSUSHARKS and @NSU_Softball on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube
 
HOW IT HAPPENED:
 
TOP 1ST | Leading off, Kayla Louie stole second and advanced to third on a ground out before a single by Taylor De Adder brought her home for a 1-0 Lee lead.
 
TOP 5TH | Madison Besaw started the inning off with a double down the right field line and after back-to-back ground outs, scored on a Louie single to left, pushing the Flames ahead, 2-0.
 
BOTTOM 7TH | After forcing Lee to leave a runner at third in the top of the inning, NSU hinted at a comeback as pinch runner Hayley Hendricks was brought home on an RBI-single by Alexis Smith, cutting Lee’s lead in half, 2-1. That would be as close as the Sharks would get as Alex Suzuki, who doubled to right field, was caught at home and back-to-back ground outs ended the inning.
 
 
INSIDE THE STATS:
 

  • Both teams tallied six hits apiece.
  • Allie Janowiak led the Sharks, finishing 2-for-3.
  • Sam Sisco, Juliana Speranza, Smith and Suzuki tallied the remaining four hits.
  • Emily Hess took the loss, tossing all 7.0 innings and allowing two runs on six hits while delivering five strikeouts.

 
BEYOND THE BOXSCORE:
 

  • With the loss, the Flames hold the overall series edge 2-0.

 
 
INSIDE THE MATCHUP (GAME TWO VS. NO. 4 WEST FLORIDA):
FINAL: Nova Southeastern Sharks 8 (W: S. Foster, 1-0), Palm Beach Atlantic Sailfish 1 (L: G. Gilbert, 0-1)
RECORDS: Nova Southeastern (1-1), No. 4 West Florida (1-1)
 
HOW IT HAPPENED:
 
BOTTOM 5TH | After four innings of scoreless play, the No. 4 Argonauts tallied their lone run of the game on a fielder’s choice drawn by Mika Garcia.
 
TOP 6TH | With Sisco and Sydney Lageyre on the corners, back-to-back throwing errors by UWF allowed the Sharks to take the lead, 2-1. Next, an RBI-single by Mya Maddox brought home Sisco to make it 3-1 and after Tia Williams singled to third and stole second, another RBI-single by Speranza brought home Maddox for a 3-1 NSU lead. The next batter, Anina Fernandez, pushed it to 4-1 in favor of the Sharks after reaching on a fielder’s choice, allowing just enough time for Williams to score.
 
TOP 7TH | With Smith on third and Lageyre on second, Sisco sent an RBI-double down the left field line to score Smith, making it 5-1. After a UWF pitching change, a wild pitch scored Sisco to advance NSU’s lead to 6-1. An RBI-single by Williams brought home Sisco before Williams was plated by an RBI-double to left field by Janowiak, serving as the final tally for NSU, eventually becoming the final 8-1 score.
 
INSIDE THE STATS:
 

  • Lageyre finished a solid 2-for-3 with two runs scored while Maddox was also 2-for-3 with one RBI and scored once.
  • Williams went 2-for-4 with an RBI of her own and two scored runs.
  • Speranza and Janowiak each finished 1-for-4 with an RBI apiece and Smith went 1-for-3, scoring once.
  • Savannah Foster went the distance, allowing only one run on three hits with five strikeouts.

 
BEYOND THE BOXSCORE:
 

  • Tonight’s win signifies NSU’s first win over a Top-10 program since No. 10 Saint Leo on March 9, 2018.
  • This is also NSU’s first win over West Florida since Feb. 7, 2014.
     

UP NEXT
 
The Sharks will finish play in the 2020 Gulf Shores Invitational tomorrow, competing against Delta State at 9:00 a.m. (CST) and Rogers State at 11:30 a.m. (CST).
 
SHARKS ON SOCIAL MEDIA:
 
Follow along with live updates on Twitter by following @NSU_Softball.
 

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Sharks Kick Off 2020 at the Gulf Shores Invitational

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – The Nova Southeastern softball team will get the 2020 season started this weekend, playing in six-straight games at the Gulf Shores Invitational. During the event, NSU will play two games on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, competing against four South Region opponents including fourth-ranked West Florida.
 
On Friday, the Sharks will take on Lubbock Christian and West Alabama at 10:00 a.m. CST and 12:30 p.m. (CST), respectively. Last season, LCU finished in fourth place of the Heartland Conference (16-14) and ended the season as the runner-up at the Heartland Conference Championships with a 32-19 overall season. Now a member of the Lone Star Conference, the Chaps have been selected to finish ninth in their preseason poll. West Alabama went 30-23 overall and 15-13 in league play in 2019, which helped the team qualify for the GSC Championship Tournament for the first time in five seasons and marked the 18th appearance overall for the program. The Tigers return their top eight hitters including All-GSC Second Team selections Kierra Hague and Grace Self.
 
NSU’s first game on Saturday is slated for 2:00 p.m. (CST) as the Sharks will take on Lee University. Chosen to place ninth in the Gulf South Conference, the Flames finished 22-31 overall in 2019, and lost a few key players but return offensive threats Abby McKinney and Taylor De Adder. Nova Southeastern’s second game on Saturday will be against No. 4 West Florida, slated for 4:30 p.m. (CST). The Argonauts had a banner year in 2019, winning its fourth Gulf South Conference title, winning 54 games, and advancing to the NCAA Championship for the second time in the last three years. UWF returns nine starters and 15 letterwinners from last year’s South Region Championship team, including All-Americans Teala Howard and Kelsey Sweatt, and NCAA Championship All-Tournament Team member Grace Gilbert.
 
Wrapping up play in the Gulf Shores Invitational on Sunday, NSU’s first game of the day will be against South Region member Delta State at 9:30 a.m. (CST). Picked to finish 11th in the GSC Poll, the Lady Statesmen went 22-25 in 2019 and welcome seven freshmen to the 2020 squad. Nova Southeastern’s final game of the weekend will be against Rogers State, with first pitch scheduled for 11:30 a.m. (CST). The Hillcats were picked to finish fourth in their inaugural season in the MIAA conference, returning eight of their starters from last season as well as ace pitcher, Andrea Morales, who won Heartland Conference Pitcher of the Year honors and All-American Honors from FastPitch News.
 
To keep up with this weekend’s games, head to the softball schedule page for live stat links. Only Friday’s game against West Alabama will be live streamed.
 

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LeMaire, Sharks Predicted to Finish Sixth in SSC Softball Preseason Poll

MELBOURNE, Fla. – Looking to build off its first 30-win season since 2014, the Nova Southeastern softball team has been projected to finish sixth by the league’s coaches in the Sunshine State Conference Preseason Poll, announced on Friday.

The Sharks earned a total of 56 points, nine more than seventh-place Palm Beach Atlantic. On the receiving end of seven first-place votes, Rollins topped the poll for the first time since 2015. Defending SSC champion Florida Tech landed runner-up with three first-place votes, while Saint Leo and Tampa captured a share of third after collecting an identical 80 points apiece. Embry-Riddle rounded out the preseason Top-5.

Entering her fifth season at the helm, head coach Julie LeMaire will be faced with the tough task of replacing NSU’s top bat in All-American Suka Van Gurp, along with the team’s Top-2 arms from a year ago in Miriam Schmoll and Lexie Storrer. The Sharks will look towards the big bats of junior transfers Anina Fernandez and Juliana Speranza to step up at the plate, while Shark fans can expect to see Savannah Foster and Emiy Hess split a majority of the time in the circle for NSU.

Opening Day for the Sharks is set for Jan. 31, where they’ll face both Lubbock Christian and West Alabama in the DII Gulf Shores Invitational. To stay up-to-date with the Sharks throughout the season, follow them on Twitter @NSU_Softball.

Below are the full results of the 2020 SSC Preseason Coaches’ Poll. Coaches are not allowed to vote for their own teams (points: 10-9-8-7-6-5-4-3-2-1, first-place votes in parentheses). 
 
2020 SSC SOFTBALL PRESEASON POLL

Rank
1
2
T3
T3
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
School (FPV)
Rollins (7)
Florida Tech (3)
Saint Leo
Tampa (1)
Embry-Riddle
Nova Southeastern
Palm Beach Atlantic
Florida Southern
Eckerd
Lynn
Barry
Total Votes
93
82
80
80
69
56
47
39
23
21
15
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