PENSACOLA, Fla.-The Nova Southeastern Sharks outhit the Delta State Lady Statesmen 20-12 over a two game doubleheader, but a solid effort in the circle from Victoria Combs in game two gave the Lady Statesmen a split on opening day of the 2011 season Saturday.

NSU (5-1) got off to a quick start in game one, scoring four runs in the bottom of the first against DSU (1-1) starter Brittany Gonzales.

Gonzales, who is the only returning pitcher from the 2010 team, allowed a two rbi single by Dani Millan and a two out double by pitcher Sara DeMuth.

Trailing 6-0 in the top of the sixth, a solo home run by Maggie Jackson put the first run of the season on the board for the Lady Statesmen.

Marisa Sanders and Emily Todd both reached base safely with no outs in the sixth following the Jackson homer, but a double play by center fielder Katie Kelton took away momentum from the green-and-white.

Trailing 7-1 in the bottom of the seventh, DSU clawed back for a pair of runs, but the rally was stopped short.

Laura Saladrigas (3-for-3) and Dani Millan (2-for-3) each recorded multiple hits for NSU.

Taylor Hughes (2-for-4) was the only DSU player with multiple hits. Jackson finished with two RBI's in her DSU debut.

Demuth (3-0) earned the win. Demuth allowed three runs, one earned and scattered eight hits. She struck out five DSU hitters and walked a pair.

Brittany Gonzales (0-1) took the loss. The sophomore allowed five runs on seven hits in 2.2 innings. Sara Davis and Katie Hebert each allowed a run in relief work. Davis worked 2.1 innings, while Hebert worked 1.0 inning in her collegiate debut.

Game two nearly started the same, as NSU had runners on first and third with no outs against freshman starting pitcher Victoria Combs. Following two straight outs, catcher Gina Bondarenko reached on an error by third baseman Meagan Church, scoring Rachel Talenfeld to keep the inning alive.

Combs escaped the first inning of her collegiate career with minimal damage, trailing only 1-0.

The Lady Statesmen responded in a big way in the bottom of the first. Hughes and Sanders each reached base safely, and Todd delivered with her first career RBI's, with a double to right field.

DSU went hitless over the next three innings, and the Sharks took advantage, tying up proceedings in the top of the fifth with a sac fly from Saladrigas.

Once again, the green-and-white responded with a run in the bottom of the fifth with an RBI double from Hughes that scored Crista Richard.

Trailing 3-2 in the top of the seventh NSU didn't go quietly. Gianni Artidiello led off the inning with a base hit, and advanced to second with a Talenfeld sac bunt. A single by Saladrigas to left put the tying run at third, but Combs showed her poise by retiring the next two hitters for the win.

Artidello (3-for-4) and Kelton (2-for-4) recorded multiple hits for the Sharks, who finished with 11 hits for the game.

Richard, Todd, Hughes and Kendall Sizemore had the hits for the Lady Statesmen.

Lexi Sarradet (2-1) took the loss. Sarradet allowed three runs on three hits. Sara Demuth allowed the other hit in one inning of relief.

Combs (1-0) got the win in her collegiate debut. Combs scattered 11 hits, and allowed two runs, one of which was earned. She struck out three and walked one.

The Lady Statesmen return to action Sunday at 9 a.m. with a doubleheader against Sunshine State Conference member St. Leo.

The Lions enter with a 4-4 mark.