Nova (Davie, Fla.) is on the verge of getting its name in the National Federation of High Schools Record Book not one, but twice in the same month for the same feat.
The Titans, who are coached by Florida Hall of Fame coach Patrick McQuaid, opened the season with seven straight shutouts, which falls just short of the national record for shutouts in a season, which is held by Homer (Mich.).
Homer set its streak of eight consecutive shutouts during the 2005 season when it also set the national record for consecutive wins at 75 in a row. Homer also has three of the top five shutout totals for a season with 21 in 2006, 21 in 2005 and 20 in 2004. The record for shutouts in a season is 22 by Kee (Lansing, Iowa) and Jefferson (Lafayette, Ind.).
Nova is tied with four other teams for second place with seven in a row. The Titans will need six more shutouts to crack the list in the NFHS Record Book for shutouts in a season.
The streak ended with a 6-5 loss to St. Thomas Aquinas on March 4. The Titans have since won five more games by shutout (six wins counting a forfeit) and have now shut out their opponent in 78 out of the 81 innings they've played this year.
"We have been playing very good defense so far this season and we are a senior team with 15 seniors, seven or eight of which start," said McQuaid, who has a record of 782-285-2 in his tenure at Nova.
The pitching has been phenomenal for the Titans.
Ronny Patella, a right-handed sidearm pitcher who reaches 84 mph with his fastball, leads the staff with a 5-0 record and 41 strikeouts in 41 innings pitched with one earned run. Meanwhile
Reed Salzman, a senior left-handed pitcher who throws 83 mph, is 5-0 with 37 strikeouts and no earned runs.
Tony Massaro, a junior leftie who throws 87 mph, is 2-0 in 16 innings with 22 strikeouts and three earned runs.
The Titans opened the season with an 8-0 win over Everglades on Feb. 8 and then beat Miramar the next day 10-0. A 7-0 win over South Plantation on Feb. 15 followed and then Nova ripped off shutout wins over Northeast (13-0), Dillard (22-0), Plantation (14-0) and Ely (16-0).
Since the loss to St. Thomas Aquinas, Nova has defeated Dillard 15-0, South Plantation 13-0, Bartow 3-0, Ely by forfeit and St. Thomas Aquinas 3-0.
"We will have a tough time holding onto the current streak because we have three games in Birmingham this week," said McQuaid.
The Titans are scheduled to play Vestavia Hills, Mountain Brock and a third team to be named later in the three-game event at Vestavia Hills.