NSU Sharks News
Softball Falls at Florida Southern, 6-5
Lopez hits her second home run of the season
Lakeland, Fla. (Mar. 2, 2009) - The Nova Southeastern University softball team fell to Florida Southern 6-5 in late innings on Monday night at Barnett Field in what was the opening game of a three-game Sunshine State Conference series. The Sharks (20-5, 3-1 SSC) scored four of its runs in the third inning, all of them coming with two outs. With Patty Rivero (Jr., Miami, Fla.) on second, Rachel Talenfeld (So., Fort Lauderdale, Fla.) sent an RBI-single up the middle to drive in Rivero and put the Sharks up 1-0. Talenfeld then scored on an April Donachie (Sr., Orlando, Fla.) double to right center. Meanwhile, Lauren Lopez (Jr., Miami, Fla.) blasted a two-run shot to center field to give the Sharks a 4-0 advantage.
NSU added another run in the fifth. With two outs and Lopez on second, Brittney Lamb (Jr., West Palm Beach, Fla.) laced a single down the right field line that drove in Lopez and put the Sharks up by five.
However, the Moccasins (12-1, 1-0 SSC) answered in the bottom of the fifth. Sara Lovestrand began the inning with a triple and then ultimately scored off an NSU error. Then with one out and the base loaded, Elli Howell hit a grand slam to left center that tied the game at 5-5.
Florida Southern scored the go-ahead run in the sixth. With two outs and Lovestrand on second, Lindsey Powell sent an RBI-single to center field that allowed Lovestrand to score with proved to be the game-winning run.
Christine Clark was credited with the win after coming in for the final 2.1 innings and allowing just three hits.
Lexi Sarradet (So., Miami, Fla.) had the loss after pitching six innings, giving up six runs - five earned - off nine hits. Sarradet also struck out four batters.
Both Talenfeld and Lopez were 3-for-4 from the plate. Lopez also had two RBI and two runs.
NSU concludes its three-game series with Florida Southern with a doubleheader on Tuesday. First pitch of game one is set for 5 p.m. from Barnett Field.
