After losing the first two games of the weekend series on Friday and Saturday to the Panthers, the Nova Southeastern Sharks bounced back to win the finale 7-4 on Sunday at Andy Seminick-Les Hall Field.
Florida Tech had nine hits but left 10 runners on base. Hayden Kimball was 2-for-3 with two runs scored, while Sam Schner had a 3-for-4 day with an RBI and a run scored.
The Panthers (22-7, 7-5 SSC) used four pitchers in this one, with Justin Lorenz getting the start. Lorenz struck out three in the first inning and got one more in the second, but the Sharks got on the board in that frame with an RBI single by Alejandro Macario.
The bottom of the second started with a Dylan Owens single, extending his hitting streak to 11 games. Kimball’s infield single scored Owens later in the inning, tying the game 1-1. Schner then tripled to bring Kimball home, making it 2-1. It was the 20th triple of the season for the Panthers, tying a school record. They have at least one triple in 20-of-29 games. A Paul Castillo double brought Schner home, putting the Panthers up 3-1.
Schner’s triple is the 20th @FloridaTechBB have hit this year, tying the 1981 team for most in a season in program history. https://t.co/uKF0ZY3ciZ
— Florida Tech Stats (@FTStatsInfo) March 20, 2022
NSU (19-5, 4-5 SSC) got the first three runners on to start the third inning. Nik Sanders’ fielder’s choice closed the gap to 3-2 and Daniel Irisarri tied the game with a single to score Adam Frank.
Florida Tech regained the lead in the bottom of the fourth. Kimball singled and Schner beat out a bunt before Dohanos got another infield single to load the bases. Castillo grounded into a double-play, bringing Kimball home to put the Panthers up 4-3.
Lorenz (3-1) had thrown 89 pitches through four innings and got the first out of the fifth before giving up a single and a walk. Aiden Pryzgoda was brought in from the bullpen and after an infield single loaded the bases, an error, a walk, and a hit by a pitch all resulted in runs and the Sharks led 6-4.
He was done after 4 ⅓ innings, allowing five runs on nine hits (three earned). He struck out five and walked two, throwing 68 of his 101 pitches for strikes.
A hit by pitch, a walk, and a sacrifice put runners at second and third in the NSU sixth. They would eventually load the bases on an intentional walk before Kolbe Aven’s sac fly to give the Sharks a 7-4 lead.
The Panthers had a couple of innings that looked promising, but NSU shit them down the rest of the way. Jeremy Cook got the win for the Sharks, giving up four earned runs on eight hits, through 5 ⅔ innings. He walked two, struck out four, and hit four batters. He threw 94 pitches, 59 for strikes.
For more info: NSU @ Florida Tech Box Score
The Panthers will be back at it on Tuesday night with a non-conference regional game against the Lynn Fighting Knights at home. The first pitch is scheduled for 6:00 p.m.