FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. The American International College baseball team dropped a, 16-1, decision to Nova Southeastern University in non-conference action this evening from the NSU Baseball Complex.
The Sharks (11-7) jumped to a comfortable lead in the bottom of the first inning by putting a five spot on the board with the big blow being a two-run homer off the scoreboard in left center from freshman Jake Anchia (Miami Lakes, Fla.).
Junior Daniel Zardon (Pembroke Pines, Fla.) drove in a pair with a double to deep center also in the first inning. NSU then added two more runs in the second inning on an RBI single and sacrifice fly for the 7-0 edge.
Junior Dylan Woods (New Symrna Beach, Fla.) pushed the lead to double-digits in the bottom of the fourth as he blasted a three-run bomb to left field for the 10-0 advantage.
The Jackets (1-6) then loaded the bases with one out in the top of the fifth, but failed to score as junior south-paw Joe DiBenedetto (Staten Island, N.Y.) induced a 4-6-3 double-play to preserve the shutout for the moment.NSU junior Teft Hill (Fort Myers, Fla.) then busted things wide open in the bottom half of the frame as he lifted an 0-1 pitch high over the left field fence for a grand-slam and the 15-0 margin.
AIC finally got on the board in the top of the sixth as sophomore Eugene Quirk (Matawan, N.J.) drove in classmate Reed Phillips (East Longmeadow, Mass.) with a fielder's choice for the 15-1 score.
Nova added another late run for the final score as freshman Phillip Hatchouel (Lynn, Mass.) and sophomore Dimitri Bryant (Ludlow, Mass.) pitched a scoreless seventh and eighth inning, respectively.
The Sharks outhit the visitors 14-8 as AIC's three through six hitters combined for six hits including a 2-for-4 performance by junior K.J. White (Wilbraham, Mass.).
Freshman J.D. Lehouiller (Chicopee, Mass.) was dealt the loss after tossing the first four innings allowing 10 runs (nine earned) on nine hits with four walks and one strikeout to fall to 0-1 on the year. NSU used nine pitchers each tossing a solo inning on the evening.
AIC returns to action tomorrow as they play Nyack in a neutral site double-header at Palm Beach Atlantic starting at 12 p.m.