Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. - Georgian Court University, coming off its magical 46-win campaign a year ago, opened the highly-anticipated 2020 season Friday in the Sunshine State with a non-conference twin-bill at Nova Southeastern University.

In the first-ever meeting between the two programs, it would be the hometown Sharks that would sink their teeth into the win column as Nova secured the sweep with victories of 2-0 and 7-1.

A second-inning Juliana Speranza (Jr.-Woodbridge, Ontario) solo long ball, and an Anina Fernandez (Jr.-Kissimmee, Fla.) ribbie single up the middle in the fourth, provided the Sharks their only two runs and hits in the shutout triumph.

Emily Hess (So.-Endwell, N.Y.) went the distance for the victors as the right-hander fired a complete-game, one-hitter en route to her second win (2-1) on the year. A bunt single by Caitlyn Hughes to lead off the sixth provided the only knock of the contest vs. Hess as the Nova hurler struck out 10 Lions (5 BB) over her seven innings pitched.

Georgian Court ace, Mikayla Gilgert (0-1), provided a stellar season-opening showing in the circle for the visitors as the sophomore permitted the two Nova tallies on two hits and two walks (5 K) over six full. 

After taking a 1-0 lead in the nightcap's initial home frame, the Sharks (4-2) shredded the Lions by plating three runs in both the third and fourth inning, to take an insurmountable 7-0 surplus. GCU pushed across its lone run in the top of the seventh, courtesy of a Kendalia Turner RBI single through the middle, but it would not be nearly enough for Georgian Court to avoid the sweep.

Savannah Foster (Jr.-Niceville, Fla.), now 2-1 on the young year, authored Nova's second complete game of the day, matching her fellow hurler with 10 strikeouts (1 R, 1 ER, 6 H, 4 BB) in seven innings of work. GCU starter, Jennifer Tellefsen (0-1), took the loss (0.0 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 1 HBP).

Seniors Paige Eckert (2B, R) and Lindsey Fischbach each went 2-for-3 at the dish for the royal and gold in game two.

The Lions (0-2) return to the diamond Saturday afternoon when they travel to Boca Raton, Fla. for a non-conference twin-bill at Lynn University (12:00 p.m.).