Nova Southeastern University Takes Down Baseball, 11-2

Box Score

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – Areo Regoli and Daniel Petitbon each slugged home runs to power a streaking Nova Southeastern University squad past the Eckerd College baseball program on Friday to begin a three-game series, 11-2.

The Sharks (16-4, 2-1 SSC) scored two runs in the first frame and added four more in the second frame against an unlikely opponent, EC's two-time Sunshine State Conference Player of the Week and NCBWA two-time South Region Pitcher of the Week, Joey Cuda.

The Tritons (12-12, 1-6 SSC) scored both of their runs in the top of the eighth inning as Nova Southeastern's winning starter Zachary Westcott improved to 6-0 on the season.

Westcott retired the first seven hitters he saw on the day and worked 7 1/3 innings to earn the decision.

The two-man wrecking crew of Regoli and Petitbon combined to go 4-for-6 with seven RBI and three runs scored. NSU leadoff hitter Carlos Asuaje finished 3-for-4 at the top of the order.

Petitbon delivered the first blow in the Sharks' first turn at the plate with a two-out two-run homer, his fourth of the season. Cuda retired the first two hitters he saw before issuing a walk and Petitbon left the park to straightaway center field.

One of three errors at the hot corner represented an unearned run against Cuda's line in the top of the second inning as the Sharks led 3-0.

After Regoli put NSU on top with a 4-0 lead following his RBI single, Petitbon lined a two-run single up the middle.

The Tritons' offense couldn't keep pace with the Sharks and finally knocked out Westcott with a pair of runs in the eighth. Shane Bishop came through off the bench with a pinch-hit RBI single and senior Joe McLemore plated another on a fielder's choice RBI.

Regoli belted a solo shot, his 10th of the season, for extra insurance in Nova Southeastern's eighth inning.

EC relievers Robbie Nabers and Joe Clagg combined for 4 2/3 innings out of the pen to finish the game.

The Tritons and Sharks will square off again today in an afternoon doubleheader. The first game is scheduled to get underway at 1 p.m.