EC vs. Nova Southeastern (Game 1)
EC vs. Nova Southeastern (Game 2)
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. – One day removed from throwing a no-hitter, freshman Sara DeMuth flexed her muscle on offense with a pair of home runs and seven RBI in just one inning as Nova Southeastern University closed the weekend series against the Eckerd College softball program with a pair of wins on Saturday afternoon, 16-0 (5 innings) and 6-1.
Even though DeMuth was held hitless in game two, she earned the winning decision on the mound both as a starter (game one) and in a relief role.
On the day, she tossed eight scoreless innings on the mound with 10 strikeouts and just four hits allowed.
The Sharks (20-15, 5-4 SSC) completed a three-game Sunshine State Conference sweep against the Tritons (9-24, SSC), who scored their lone run with a Jessica Sudler RBI single in the finale.
NSU manufactured runs in the first two innings in the opener, but blew the doors open in a relatively close contest with an 11-run fifth frame.
DeMuth cleared the bases with a grand slam in the fifth and nearly had another as she slugged a three-run homer that followed a two-run double by Chelsea Emery. The Sharks pounded out seven hits in the inning.
Chelsea Jeffares doubled and she was joined in the hit column along with
Kristen Schurr and Sabrina Lolo.
The Tritons put game one quickly in the rearview mirror and held their own in game two as three scoreless innings proceeded to unfold.
After both teams traded one run in the fourth inning, the Sharks broke open the 1-1 tie in the fifth and added a pair of insurance runs in the sixth.
DeMuth relieved starter Laura Saladrigas and closed the door on the Eckerd offense with three innings of one-hit ball. She earned her 14th win of the season in game two.
EC managed four hits in game two against Saldrigas and DeMuth.
The Tritons are back in action next Monday in Lake Wales for a non-conference twinbill against Warner University. EC and Royals will get underway around 2 p.m. for the afternoon affair.
