ST. PETERSBURG, FLA. – The Eckerd softball team used a six-run sixth inning on Thursday night highlighted by a
Nikole Van Gennep grand slam to rally past Nova Southeastern at the Turley Athletic Complex, 7-3.
Nova Southeastern jumped out to an early 3-1 lead, which it held onto through five innings. Eckerd, however, scored six times in the sixth inning all before recording an out to take the lead before shutting down the Sharks in the seventh inning to seal the win.
HOW IT ENDED
Final: Eckerd 7, Nova Southeastern 3
Records: Eckerd 15-18 (6-10 SSC), Nova Southeastern 16-17 (5-8 SSC)
WP: Gaburo (1-3)
LP: Storrer (9-13)
HR: Suzuki (1), Newstrom (2), Van Gennep (1)
KEY MOMENTS
- Nova Southeastern started quickly, putting the first three batters of the game on base via two singles and a walk. The Eckerd defense shut down the threat turning a bases-loaded double play and getting a ground out to end the inning.
- The Sharks tacked on one run in the following inning. After three straight singles, Kailynn Blackwood drew a bases-loaded walk to take a 1-0 lead.
- The Sharks took a 3-0 lead in the third on a two-run homer by Alex Suzuki.
- Kayelee Newstrom lessened the deficit in the bottom of the frame leading off with a solo homerun to left as Eckerd trailed 3-1.
- The Sharks looked to threaten again in the fifth putting two runners on with one out, but Janna Gaburo came on in relief getting a strikeout and ground out to end the threat.
- In the sixth, the Tritons scored six runs all before the Sharks were able to record an out. Crystal Garcia led off the inning smoking a double down the left field line and Gaburo quickly traded places with her with a double off the left-field wall. After a Carrie Shere walk, Eckerd evened the score with aggressive base running following a Sharks error. Gaburo was safe following an errant throw at third on a Meredith McGinnis grounder to shortstop. A wild throw to third skidded in front of the Triton dugout as Gaburo took off for home and beat the throw at the plate for the tying run. Newstrom followed with a walk loading the bases, setting the table for Van Gennep. Van Gennep unloaded on the first pitch she saw, blasting it over the centerfield wall to take a commanding 7-3 lead.
- Gaburo shut down the Sharks' offense in the seventh retiring the side with three pop-ups to seal the win.
NOTES AND NUMBERS
- Gaburo threw 2.2 innings of relief allowing just one hit in earning her first win of the season.
- Van Gennep's grand slam was her first homerun of the season and the first grand slam of her career while Newstrom's homerun was her second of the season.
- Garica extended her reached base streak to 11 games while Van Gennep extended hers to eight games.
UP NEXT
Eckerd concludes the three-game series with Nova Southeastern with a doubleheader tomorrow at noon.
