ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. – The Eckerd College softball program manufactured its runs early and rose above some unforeseen circumstances throughout a chilly night to edge Nova Southeastern University in its Sunshine State Conference opener on Friday, 4-3.
In front of family and friends at the Turley Athletic Complex, Eckerd head coach
Josh Beauregard reeled in his 100th career victory, reaching the coveted career milestone in a hurry since the start of the spring campaign.
Beauregard is also just four wins away from earning the distinctive title of the program's all-time winningest coach, quickly closing in on Nancy Roby's 103 wins strung together from 1991 to 1998.
"Over the last 11 games, we've been really able to catch our stride," Beauregard said. "Each day has been a different player stepping up in a big way for us and it's been a fun ride to see our players build up confidence along the way."
The Tritons (10-6, 1-0 SSC) sustained their red-hot streak by winning their 10th game in 11 attempts as junior starter
Erin Dixson scattered six hits over her sixth complete-game effort to pick up her fifth win in the circle.
Dixson quieted the bats of the Sharks (9-7, 0-1 SSC), who featured three of the SSC's top-10 hitters coming into the series opener. She currently ranks in the top five in the SSC in complete games, innings pitched and games started.
In an adventurous seven-inning contest, an inning-ending 1-6-3 double play was overturned that led to an RBI double for Nova Southeastern, EC sophomore
Kara Oberer left the game after suffering a head injury from a foul ball and fans saw one of the longest at-bats unfold (14 pitches) as Dixson dueled with NSU leadoff hitter Dakota Villella in the third inning.
Oberer departed the game in the bottom of the sixth inning and did not return at her shortstop position with three outs needed to end it.
But the new defensive alignment in the top of the seventh inning paid immediate dividends as versatile sophomore
Brittany Martinez moved from second base to shortstop and made two of the final three outs of the game, including a backhanded stab of a sinking line drive.
The Tritons reached NSU starter Erika Garcia for four runs in their first series of plate appearances as juniors
Amber Hay and
Sydney Dinelli delivered respective RBI singles.
The Sharks scratched out two runs in the top of the third and added one more in the sixth inning, but Dixson's ability to strand all four NSU base runners on the night would be pivotal.
Eckerd picked up two of its three hits in the first inning alone and solid defensive play set the tone for the final decision.
The Tritons and the Sharks will wrap up the three-game series at the Turley Athletic Complex tomorrow afternoon with a doubleheader scheduled to get underway at 1 p.m.
