FT. LAUDERDALE, FL - An eighth inning comeback from the Panthers made it interesting, but a home run in the bottom of the inning gave #22 Nova Southeastern a 5-4 win over Kentucky Wesleyan on Thursday night. 

This was the first game of the season for the new look Kentucky Wesleyan Panthers, and they gave one of the best teams in the country all they could handle. Starter Austin Baugh started off strong, failing to give up a hit in the first two innings. The Sharks tagged Baugh for four runs over the next few innings and Wesleyan found themselves down 4-0 after five. 

Wesleyan got a run back in the sixth thanks to an RBI single from Cameron Langston that scored Sammy Rowan. The Panthers took advantage of NSU pitching struggles in the eighth, loading the bases on two walks and a hit-by-pitch. After a quick pitching change, Jaret Humphrey was walked to score newcomer Noah Davis. A Jacob Adams walk scored Rowan, and Cade Gudalis closed out the scoring with a sacrifice ground out to score Langston and tie the game at four. 

Nova Southeastern hit a home run in the bottom of the eighth to plate home what would be the winning run. Davis managed to single in the top of the ninth to keep Wesleyan's hopes alive, but NSU closed it out to take the win. 

Stephen Schissler (1-0) got the win for the Sharks, while Cade Moore (0-1) took the loss. 

Sammy Rowan went 2-for-4 with two runs scored, while Noah Davis and Cameron Langston each added a hit and a run. Returners Jacob Adams and Cade Gudalis each tallied an RBI in the contest. 

Wesleyan will have a chance to get their first win tomorrow when they take on Palm Beach Atlantic in West Palm Beach, Florida. First pitch is scheduled for 2 p.m. CT. 

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