ST. AUGUSTINE – Flagler College and Nova Southeastern University split a non-conference softball doubleheader Wednesday evening at Flagler Field. The Sharks won the opener 3-2, but the Saints won big in the second game, 16-3, in five innings.
Flagler is now 16-15 on the season while Nova Southeastern leaves with a 16-16 record.
In the second game, Flagler scored six runs in the third and fourth innings to help invoke the mercy rule.
The Saints sent 12 batters in the third and scored six runs on seven hits.
Natalie Murphy hit a pair of singles in the inning, the latter drove in two runs.
Rachel Hudson hit a two-run single in the frame and
Morgan Murphy hit the only extra base hit, a double.
Flagler batted around in the fourth and
Genevieve Mangini had the big hit, a bases clearing double.
That was more than enough for
Katlyn McCue (9-8) who scattered eight hits and allowed three runs over five innings for the win.
Natalie Murphy went 3-for-4 with a home run and four runs batted in.
Garland Evans went 3-for-3 with a double, four runs scored (ties a school record) and three RBI. Mangini finished 2-for-3 with a double, three RBI and she scored two runs.
Tatum Morgan singled twice and drove in a run.
Dominique Sprengers (6-3) took the loss after surrendering 12 hits and 13 earned runs in three-plus innings pitched.
Daniela Bautista went 2-for-3 with a home run and two RBI for the Sharks. Kailynn Blackwood collected two singles and she knocked in a run.
In the opener, Nova Southeastern took advantage of a Flagler error to score the game-winning run.
In the top of the third with Flagler holding a 1-0 lead, Keeley Mayers drew a one-out walk. Sydney Lageyre reached first on a bunt single and Mayers moved to second. The top of the order, with Blackwood, now faced the Saints. She socked a double to right-center to plate Mayers and tie the game. Megan Maloney followed with a fly ball to right field, but Mangini could find the handle on the ball and Lageyre scored to give Nova a 2-1 lead. After a walk loaded the bases,
Ally Marcano (7-7) got an infield popup, but Lexie Storrer (9-12) helped out her own cause with an RBI single to center to give the Sharks a 3-1 lead.
Flagler took advantage of a Nova Southeastern fielding error in the seventh. After
Morgan Murphy singled to lead off the inning, her pinch runner
Zoe Mooney took second when
Maria Kappos reached on an error by Sharks shortstop Lageyre. A sacrifice bunt, then a walk loaded the bases.
Haley Kirinsky came up as a pinch hitter and flew out to left, but enough to score Mooney and cut the deficit to 3-2 with two outs. Evans lined out to shortstop to end the rally.
Storrer scattered three hits and allowed two unearned runs for Nova Southeastern. She retired 11 batters on fly outs and another eight on ground outs. She also collected a pair of singles and drove in a run.
Marcano only allowed four hits and two earned runs. She walked three and fanned seven, which ties her season high.
Morgan Murphy went 2-for-3 with a double.
Flagler will venture out on the road for a pair of Peach Belt Conference doubleheaders, starting with Saturday's twinbill at UNC Pembroke at 2 p.m.
