NSU Sharks News
Martinez Powers Sharks To Doubleheader Sweep Of Flagler
Junior Leftfielder Goes 5-7 With 3 Homers In Doubleheader
FT. LAUDERDALE, Fla. (Feb. 28, 2009) Behind the bat of junior leftfielder J.D. Martinez (Pembroke Pines, Fla.), Nova Southeastern swept Flagler College 11-3, 5-4 in a doubleheader at the NSU Baseball Complex on Saturday afternoon. The two wins made it seven in a row for the No. 26 nationally ranked Sharks, improving their record to 15-2 on the season. Flagler falls to 4-12.Martinez got the scoring started in game one, leading off the top of the second inning with a solo home run. The Sharks would provide starter Michael Fiers (Sr., Pompano Beach, Fla.) with all of the support he needed in the third inning, scoring four runs on five hits, including a RBI double by Martinez.
Fiers (W, 5-0) pitched six innings, striking out a season high 14 batters to win his fifth consecutive start. He allowed seven hits, two walks and one earned run.
Zach North (So., Miami, Fla.), Jose Velazquez (Jr., Miami, Fla.) and AJ Hillenbrand (Fr., Rockledge, Fla.) each pitched an inning of relief.
Martinez led NSU at the plate, going 4-4 with two home runs, four runs scored and three RBI's. Centerfielder Brayan Valencia (Jr., Pembroke Pines, Fla.) and first baseman Riaan Spanjer-Furstenburg (Jr., Pretoria, Fla.) also had multiple hits for the Sharks.
Flagler took the lead early in game two with a single run in the first and two runs in the second inning. After the Saints added another run in the fourth inning, NSU retaliated scoring three runs on four hits in the bottom of the inning.
The third home run of the day by Martinez evened the score in the bottom of the sixth inning. Shortstop Dale Alberto's (Sr., Davie, Fla.) RBI single up the middle scored the go-ahead run for the Sharks later in the inning.
The Sharks ran into trouble in the top of the seventh, as Flagler loaded the bases on Sharks closer Sean Albury (So., Nassau, Bahamas) with a wild pitch on a strikeout, an error and an intentional walk. Velazquez was summoned from the bullpen and answered the call, striking out the final batter to close out the game.
Reliever Scott Woodrey (So., Lighthouse Point, Fla.) earned the win, pitching three and two-thirds innings allowing only one run while striking out seven. Velazquez's save was his first of the season.
Spanjer-Furstenburg, Alberto and designated hitter Rhys Roberts (Jr., Parkland, Fla.) had two hits apiece for the Sharks. The Sharks will remain home to host West Chester at 6 pm on Tuesday, March 3rd at the NSU Baseball Complex.
