TAMPA, Fla. - Nova Southeastern began its NCAA South Region tournament run with a dominant 11-3 victory against Valdosta State on Thursday evening from the UT Baseball Field. Jeremy Cook guided the Sharks to the victory, twirling a masterpiece on the mound. The left-hander threw 8.1 innings, striking out seven and allowing just two earned runs.
INSIDE THE MATCHUP
RECORDS: Nova Southeastern 35-15, Valdosta State 30-15
SCORE: Nova Southeastern 11, Valdosta State 3
LOCATION: Tampa, Fla. | UT Baseball Field
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HOW IT HAPPENED
TOP OF THE 3RD : The fifth-seeded Sharks got the scoring started as Bryce Hazzard led off the inning with a single to second base. Tyler Epstein followed with a single of his own, moving Hazzard to third base. Adam Frank drove in Hazzard with a sacrifice fly, giving NSU an early 1-0 lead. Later in the inning, Adan Fernandez blasted a two-run to put the Sharks ahead 3-0.
TOP OF THE 5TH: Following a pair of miscues by the Blazers, the Sharks tacked on their fourth run of the contest as Epstein scored from second on a dropped third strike and errant throw.
BOTTOM OF THE 5TH: Cook worked around a pair of two out singles, keeping Valdosta State off the board through five innings and the Sharks in the lead at 4-0.
TOP OF THE 6TH: Nova Southeastern plated five runs in the sixth inning, breaking the game open. Epstein recorded a two out double, driving in Gabriel Rivera and Daniel Irisarri. Frank followed with a two-run single of his own, scoring Epstein and Hazzard to put the Sharks ahead 8-0. Another series of miscues from the Blazers led to Frank scoring from first on a stolen base.
TOP OF THE 8TH: Frank added two more RBIs with another two-run double, extending the lead to 11-0.
BOTTOM OF THE 8TH: Cook finished his final full inning of work with a strikeout.
BOTTOM OF THE 9TH: Valdosta State scored three runs in the inning, not allowing Cook to finish the complete game, but Ryan Bradarich finished the victory for the Sharks.
UPCOMING
Nova Southeastern takes on Sunshine State Conference rival and host Tampa in the winner's bracket game on Friday, May 20. First pitch is set for 3 p.m.
