Three multi-hit games not enough as SCSU falls 8-4 to Nova Southeastern

Friday, March 10

Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

5 p.m. CT

St. Cloud State

4-6

Nova Southeastern

9-9

St. Cloud St.

Nova Southeastern

Three multi-hit games not enough as SCSU falls 8-4 to Nova Southeastern

3/10/2023 10:10:00 PM | Baseball

Box Score

Five unanswered Sharks runs doom Huskies in final three frames

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – St. Cloud State Baseball (4-6, 0-0 NSIC) received multi-hit efforts from John Nett (2-for-4, BB, 3B, RBI), Sawyer Smith (2-for-4, 2B, RBI) and Kevin Butler (2-for-4, R, RBI) but lost a 4-3 lead in the seventh on the way to dropping game two 8-4 to Nova Southeastern (9-9, 3-3 SSC) on Friday evening in Fort Lauderdale.

Ethan Lanthier gutted through 4.0 innings of three-run ball in his third start of the season, fighting his control to work around six walks and a pair of hits while striking out three. Nova Southeastern plated the game's first run in the third inning courtesy of an RBI single. Otto Grimm (1-for-5, R) singled with one away in the top of the fifth, turning on the jets to score all the way from first two batters later on a Drew Bulson (1-for-4, 2B, RBI) double laced down the left field line.

The Sharks touched home twice more in the fourth to retake the lead, with SCSU responding once again in the ensuing frame as Ethan Navratil (0-for-2, BB, R, SB) walked, stole second and scored on a Butler single into center. Trailing 3-2 entering the sixth after Drew Beier (L, 3.1 IP, 5 H, 3 ER, BB, 3 K) fired a scoreless fifth, Sam Riola (0-for-4, BB, R, SB) walked and stole second before crossing home on an opposite-field RBI double off the bat of Smith.

Another scoreless frame from Beier brought a 3-3 game to the seventh. Butler singled into right with one away, then Nett crushed an RBI triple into right to put the Huskies up 4-3.

St. Cloud State's bullpen faltered in the seventh as Nova took the lead with a pair of solo shots, plating three more in the eighth for the decisive 8-4 final.

Game three of the series is set for Saturday afternoon at noon CT in Fort Lauderdale.

For all the latest on St. Cloud State Baseball, stay tuned to SCSUHuskies.com and follow the team on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.