NSU Sharks News

Fiers One-Hitter Propels Sharks To 10-1 Victory Over Saint Leo

Sharks Newcomer Limits Saint Leo To Just One Hit, Ks Nine In 7.2 Innings

athletic pic FT. LAUDERDALE, Fla. (Feb. 6, 2009)  Led by the dominant outing of senior transfer Michael Fiers (Pompano Beach, Fla.), the Nova Southeastern University baseball team defeated Saint Leo University 10-1 in action at the NSU Baseball Complex on Friday evening. The Sharks even their record at 1-1 on the season while Saint Leo falls to 0-1.

Fiers was spectacular in his NSU debut, pitching seven and two-thirds strong innings, allowing only one hit and one unearned run. He retired the first six Saint Leo batters in order, including striking out the side in the second inning. The Lions scored their only run in the third inning, when Fiers allowed Saint Leo's only hit on the game, a RBI double by left-fielder Eugene Garnett. The double drove in Jonathan Duncan, who had reached earlier on an error. Fiers finished the night with nine strikeouts with only two walks.

A three run homer by NSU centerfielder Brayan Valencia (Jr., Pembroke Pines, Fla.) put the Sharks on the board in the bottom of the third inning. Back-to-back home runs by left-fielder J.D. Martinez (Jr., Pembroke Pines, Fla.) and Riaan Furstenburg (Jr., Pretoria, Fla.) gave the Sharks a four run cushion in the fifth inning and ended the night of Lions starter Caleb Fuddy. Fuddy picked up the loss, allowing five runs on eight hits in four and two-thirds innings.

NSU would add four more runs on three hits in the sixth inning. A solo homer by Sharks shortstop Dale Alberto (Sr., Davie, Fla.) finished the NSU scoring for the evening.

Reliever Scott Woodrey (So., Lighthouse Point, Fla.) held the Lions in check, retiring the final four batters in order.

Martinez and Alberto paced the Sharks offensive attack with three hits. Valencia followed with two hits and five runs batted in. Third baseman Rhys Roberts (Jr., Parkland, Fla.) and second baseman Dexter Butler (Sr., Key West, Fla.) also had two hits apiece.

The Sharks will remain at home, hosting Saint Leo in a doubleheader at 1 pm on Sat., Feb. 7th vs. at the NSU Baseball Complex.