By DAHALIA SMITH, NG Sports Reporter, dahalia@nasguard.com

The Forsythe brothers are playing extremely well for the Northwood University Seahawks. They took the team one step closer to reaching the Florida Sun Conference (FSC) Region XIV tournament for the first time since 2004.

Brothers Neil, ace pitcher, and Nathan, right fielder, who are former outstanding members of the Junior Baseball League of Nassau (JBLN), helped Northwood University split two games against Webber International over the weekend. The Seahawks won game one, 12-3, and lost game two, 2-1. With the victory, the Seahawks now sit tied for third place in the FSC.

The team's focus is now set on winning at least one game in this Friday's double-header against Thomas University in order to move onto the playoffs set for May 5-9 at Chain O' Lakes Stadium in Winter Haven, Florida.

In the win, Neil pitched a complete game, struck out five and allowed only two earned runs. In that same game, Nathan went 2-for-4, scored one run and had an RBI. Neil told The Nassau Guardian that splitting the series was disappointing.

"Playing in those games against Webber was very difficult because there was a lot of pressure on me. However, I was able to maintain my composure, so I got myself together and told my team that I needed them to make runs. They responded well and that allowed me to do my thing."

Neil, who in August of 2006, led the Bahamas Baseball Federation's (BBF) senior men's national team to a monumental 2-1 victory over Cuba at the 3rd World University Baseball Championships, noted: "I perform best under pressure. Whenever I find myself in a difficult game situation I just reflect on the frame of mind that I was in during that game against Cuba. I usually use that game as a measuring stick in terms of focus for other games."

Neil noted that the games this Friday will be crucial.

"Since we had the two games on Friday, one of the other eight pitchers Valaquez will pitch in the first game. At this point, I hope that he wins that game because if we do, then we don't have to win the second game. If we lose the first game more than likely I will be pitching the second game. A lot of pressure is on me because that would be the last game of the season and for me as a senior," Neil said. He added: "I want to advance my baseball career even further. I am hoping to showcase my skills to the various scouts out there. I really want to go professional and play baseball for the rest of my life. Also, to those baseball players back home, in everything do your best. If you don't make it you would be comforted in knowing that you put your best foot forward."

Meanwhile, Nathan's perspective on the games this Friday is more team-oriented.

"I am actually still upset that we lost one of those games last weekend. My performance was good but I am more concerned with what the team's effort was like. We really need to step up this weekend. Last year we did not do so well but this year the guys played well and reached farther. In any event, I want to thank the team for giving me a great senior year," Nathan said.

According to Nathan, he has a no plans to advance his baseball career after graduation but noted, "if something comes up that would be great."