Friday, February 3, 2006
NOVA SOUTHEASTERN RALLIES TO DEFEAT PRESBYTERIAN 9-8
FOR FIRST WIN OF SEASON
FT. LAUDERDALE, FL - The Nova Southeastern University baseball team (1-1) picked up its first win of the 2006 season with a 9-8 come-from-behind victory over the visiting Presbyterian College Blue Hose (0-1) in the second day of the Nike/OTS Division II Baseball Challenge Tournament on Friday.
The Sharks scored a combine seven runs in the seventh and eighth innings to erase a five-run deficit, as LF Steve Emery (Hollywood, Fla.) delivered the game-winning hit with a two-run single in the bottom of the eighth inning.
NSU was led by 3B Cory Clark (So., Palm Beach Gardens, Fla.) who went 3-for-5 in the game with 4 RBI and two runs scored including the game-winning run.
The Blue Hose were led by senior third baseman Nick Hoffner who went 3-for-4 with a homerun and four RBI on the night. Sophomore centerfielder Clay Belton went 2-for-3 with one run scored and senior first baseman Matt Bodie went 2-for-4 with a double for PC.
Presbyterian led throughout the game, as the Blue Hose scored three runs in the first on what became a three-run single by Hoffner. Hoffner had homered over the right field fence and appeared to have a grand slam, but overtook a teammate on the bases and was thus ruled out on the play.
The Sharks scored single runs in the first and second innings, while Presbyterian added a run of its own in the second and then put three runs on the scoreboard in the sixth to take a 7-2 lead.
NSU pulled to within one run in the seventh, as Clark delivered a two-run single with the bases loaded and RF Matt Mindick (So., Boynton Beach, Fla.) connected on a two-run double to left with his second hit of the night.
McFadden started the rally in the eighth with a two-out single and following a walk to Ikalina, Clark connected on a double to left center to score McFadden and knot the score at 7-7. Emery then hit the bloop single that gave the Sharks their first lead of the game, as both Ikalina and Clark scored to put NSU ahead 9-7.
The Blue Hose pulled to within one when Hoffner led off the ninth with a solo homerun, but NSU reliever Joe Franco (Sr., Boynton Beach, Fla.) came in and sat down the three batters he faced to earn the save (1) and secure NSU’s first win of the season.
Sharks reliever Nick Carris (So., Orlando, Fla.) was credited with his first win of the season (1-0), while Presbyterian’s freshman Parker Suit picked up the loss for the visitors (0-1).
The 2006 Nike/OTS Division II Baseball Challenge will continue tomorrow with a tripleheader at the NSU Baseball Complex. Presbyterian will face Lynn in the opening game at noon followed by NSU versus Palm Beach Atlantic at 3:30 p.m. The day will conclude with the nightcap, as Palm Beach Atlantic and Presbyterian will square off at 7:00 p.m.