The Tars entered the weekend series against the Nova Southeastern Sharks with a recent 10-6 victory over in-state rival Flagler College. Notable performances from that game included clutch relief efforts by pitchers Adam Ogburn ’14, Jack Murray ‘14 and Matt White ‘11. Ogburn was called upon in the first, already down 6-3, and inspired the visiting Tars by pitching seven and one-third shutout innings, enabling the Tars to mount a steady comeback.
With one victory already in the week the Tars were hopeful enough to carry their momentum into the three game series against Nova. Little did the Tars know that they were running into a buzz-saw. The first game Nova launched an unrelenting offensive attack against Tars starting pitcher Garrett Yount ‘12, who only lasted two and two-third innings. Before the Tars knew what hit them, the were down 9-0 at the end of the third. Despite a late Tars surge, the Sharks took game one at Harper-Sheppard Field by a final score of 14-9.The Tars looked to pitcher Mike Howard ‘12 to hit the mound and pitch the Tars to a victory in the second game of the day. However, Nova pitcher Sean Tighe would prove to be virtually unhittable in the shortened seven-inning game. Tighe would go the distance for a complete game shutout, striking out 10 Tars in the process. Howard pitched admirably, but was hampered by some subpar fielding by the Tars, who committed three errors while he was on the mound.
Sunday was a beautiful day in Winter Park and the Tars looked to be in form to take game three against the Sharks. The Tars’ starting pitcher, Will Krasne ‘11, pitched a beautiful game against the offensively potent Sharks lineup, going seven innings and only giving up five hits and two runs. He left the mound with a shot at victory as the Tars were up 3-2 going into the ninth with White on the mound to close out the game. The win seemed within the grasp of the Tars, but the Sharks had other plans. The Sharks were able to load the bases after an error, a walk and an infield hit. White was relieved by pitcher Alex Venegas ‘11, who then threw a wild pitch that allowed the tying run to score. To make matters worse, the next batter, Nova catcher Anthony Angulo, hit a two-RBI single putting the Sharks up 5-3 in the top of the ninth. The Tars scored one, but it was not enough, and the Sharks broke the brooms out after sweeping the weekend series with the Tars.
This week the Tars hit the road for a conference rendezvous with the Fighting Knights of Lynn. They return home to face Florida Tech on April 6.
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