NSU Softball Carries 12-Game Winning Streak into SSC Opening Series

Off to its best start and longest winning streak in the six-year Lesa Bonee’ era, the Nova Southeastern softball team fashioned a 12-game winning streak going into Sunshine State Conference play.

The team’s 28-10 start presents a remarkable turnaround for the Sharks after going 21-17 in the first 38 games of 2007. While the offense has been more productive despite the loss of All-American utility player Katie Veltri (225 runs in 2008, 200 runs in 2007), the greatest improvement for NSU has been in the pitcher’s circle.

Dani Caron (So., Wellington, Fla.), Lexi Sarradet (Fr., Miami, Fla.) and Ashley Baker (Sr., Lake Worth, Fla.) have combined to lower the Sharks’ earned run average to 1.71 in 2008 after NSU’s staff posted a 3.03 ERA in the first 38 contests of 2007. After going 4-0 with a save, a 0.31 ERA and 26 strikeouts, Caron was named SSC Pitcher of the Week for the week ending March 16.

Meanwhile, the Sharks’ offense has been stellar, hitting at a 323 clip with .430 slugging and .404 on-base percentages to match. Baker has paced the NSU attack, hitting a cool .400 with six home runs and 28 runs batted in, good for first and second in the SSC, respectively.

With all of the gaudy numbers the Sharks have put up, the most impressive stat remains NSU’s 28-10 record. If NSU can maintain its winning ways against the SSC, perhaps the toughest conference in Division II softball, the Sharks would be on pace for their first 40-win season under Bonee’ and first since 2001.

Athletic Notes

• The National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC) announced that NSU guard/forward Tim Coenraad (Jr., Brisbane, Australia) was named to the NABC Division II All-South Region First Team. He is now eligible for the State Farm Division II All-America teams, selected by the NABC. This post-season, Coenraad has already been selected to the Daktronics All-South Region Second Team to the All-Sunshine State Conference Men's Basketball Second Team.
• Ulia Talalenko was named the Sunshine State Conference Women’s Tennis Player of the Week. The No. 29 ranked singles player in the nation, Talalenko won all three of her #1 singles matches during the week.  The No. 9 nationally ranked Sharks have won eight consecutive matches, to bring their overall record to 11-3, and have defeated four NCAA Division I opponents along the way.