FT. LAUDERDALE, Fla. – The Lynn University baseball team claimed both games of a Sunshine State Conference doubleheader on Saturday, defeating Nova Southeastern 11-7 in the opener before taking the finale by a tally of 8-6. First baseman Ryan Donovan led the way offensively, slamming three of Lynn's seven home runs on the day.

INSIDE THE MATCHUP:

Final: Lynn 11, Nova Southeastern 7 | Lynn 8, Nova Southeastern 6

Records: Lynn (14-8, 6-0 SSC), Nova Southeastern (11-10, 3-3 SSC)

Location: NSU Baseball Complex | Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.

Series: Lynn leads 51-49

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HOW IT HAPPENED:

Game 1 

• With two runners on and two outs in the first, Ryan Donovan launched his fourth home run of the season to give Lynn an early 3-0 lead.
• The second inning proved pivotal, as the Lynn offense erupted for six runs after an RBI double from Kyle Schindler and Donovan's second three-run shot in as many innings.
• The Sharks plated their first two runs of the day in the home second, but the Fighting Knights got both back on solo dingers from John Borup and Kyle Schindler.
• NSU scored three in the fourth to cut its deficit to 11-5 before managing a run in each of the next two frames.
• Jonathon Wake tossed five innings of relief for the Blue and White to earn his first victory of the season.

Game 2

• Donovan and Tyler Curtis each drove home a run in the first inning to put Lynn on the scoreboard first for the second straight game.
• Eric Schindler launched his third longball of the season in the second inning, and Borup followed with his second of the afternoon.
• The Sharks plated three runs in the home third to cut the Lynn lead to 4-3.
• Donovan continued his display of power in the fifth, extending the Fighting Knights' lead to 5-3 with a solo shot to center.
• NSU scored three runs in the home sixth to take their first lead of the game.
• Miguel Ceballos' two-run double in the seventh put Lynn back in the driver's seat with an 8-6 advantage.
• Payton Smith shut the door out of the bullpen to record his fourth save.

QUOTABLE:

• "This whole weekend was about us picking each other up. We had a couple of great defensive plays, and our bullpen did a great job. Our guys show a lot of trust and confidence in one another, and that was a common theme this weekend. Our offense is our strength, and by embracing that, it allows the other parts of our game to get better. Next week, we will face some quality teams from the north that will help us get ready for our next conference series." – Lynn head coach Rudy Garbalosa 

STATS FROM THE GAME:

• Donovan's six runs batted in led the Fighting Knights in the opener, and Kyle Schindler went 3-for-5 with two RBI and two runs scored.
• Lynn starting pitcher Donovan Armas pitched into the fifth, allowing six runs on four base hits and five walks before giving way to Jonathon Wake.
• Wake tossed the final five frames to earn the win.
• Matt Hardy wore the loss for the Sharks in Saturday's first game after surrendering nine runs on eight base hits through two frames.
• Donovan and Frank Grandinette each posted three-hit games in the nightcap.
• Jaret Vermillion gave the Blue and White 5.1 innings on the bump, scattering three earned runs and fanning four along the way.
• Rigo Beltran provided some key relief, delivering 2.2 chapters without giving up an earned run.
• Smith was the final man to toe the rubber in the series, retiring all three men he faced in the ninth inning.

BEYOND THE BOX SCORE:

• Kyle and Eric Schindler both homered on the same day for the second time this spring.

• Lynn is now 6-0 in Sunshine State Conference games and has posted 10 or more hits in each.
• The Fighting Knights are currently riding their second five-game winning streak of the season.
• After seven home runs in Saturday's doubleheader, the Blue and White totaled 10 for the series and 44 on the year.

UP NEXT

Lynn returns to action on Monday, when they play host to Molloy in the first of five non-conference games. First pitch from Lynn Baseball Field is set for 3:00 pm.