Box Score Boxscore
TROY, Ala. – The University of North Florida baseball team picked up its ninth victory of the season with a 10-9 victory over Troy on Wednesday afternoon at Riddle-Pace Field. The game featured six lead changes that saw the Ospreys picking up the one-run victory.
UNF was outhit 17-to-11, but managed to score just enough runs to pick up the win. Michael Smith and T.J. Thompson each had three hits on the day. Smith finished the day a single away from the cycle, recording a double, a triple and a home run on the afternoon. Thompson was a triple away from the cycle as he had a single, a double and a home run. Smith led all UNF players with seven RBI.
On the mound, Kyle Finch picked up his second win of the season. The freshman entered the game in relief and worked 1.1 innings, scattering three hits with two strikeouts, a walk and a run scored. Freshman Tommy Organ earned his second save of the year going 2.1 innings, allowing no runs on a pair of hits. Organ struck out two batters while walking one.
The Trojans were the first team to score. The first batter of the game for Troy, Adam Bryant lifted a 2-2 pitch over the 30-foot wall in right field to give the hosts a quick 1-0 advantage. Troy extended the inning with a base hit with one out. The runner advanced to second on a wild pitch and moved to within 90 feet of home on a ground out. With two outs and a runner on third, the Trojans plated the runner with an RBI single up the middle to take a 2-0 lead.
The Ospreys cut the lead in half with one swing as T.J. Thompson delivered his team-leading fifth home run of the season. The solo home run to center field cut the Troy lead to 2-1. A walk to Kyle Dahl extended the inning for UNF. A single by Steve Hillan gave the Ospreys a pair of base runners and a walk to Andrew Hannon loaded the bases. Michael Smith came through with a three-RBI double down the left field line to give North Florida a 4-2 lead.
Troy regained the lead with three runs in the bottom of the second inning. After loading the bases with no outs, the Trojans tied the game with a two-run double to left center field. A sacrifice fly to deep center field plated a runner and gave the home team a 5-4 edge.
UNF took the lead in the top of the fourth inning. Thompson led off the inning with a double to left field. With one out, Hannon followed with a walk to give the Ospreys a pair of base runners for Smith. The junior outfielder gave UNF the lead as he belted his first home run of the season. The three-run shot to left field gave North Florida a 7-5 advantage.
The Trojans cut into the Ospreys lead with a run in the bottom of the fifth inning. A one-out double started things for Troy and a second double of the inning plated a runner, cutting the UNF lead to 7-6 after five complete innings of play.
The Ospreys added an insurance run in the top of the sixth inning. Hillan walked with one out and advanced to third on a two-base error on a failed pick off attempt. After an out, Smith scored Hillan from third with a triple to straight away center field.
Troy regained the lead in the bottom of the sixth inning with three runs. The Trojans got things started with a one-out double. A wild pitch advanced the runner to third base. A walk gave the Trojans runners on the corners. A double off of the center field wall scored the first run of the inning. A double to right center field plated two runners and gave the hosts a 9-8 edge.
North Florida responded in the top of the seventh inning with two runs in the top of the seventh inning to regain the lead, 10-9. Karmeris singled through the left side of the infield and Justin Preckajlo followed with a double down the left field line. A ground out by David Eldredge scored Karmeris from third base to tie the score at 9-9. Thompson followed with an RBI single to center field to score Preckajlo and give the Ospreys back the lead.
Both bullpens would keep the other team off the scoreboard over the final two innings.
North Florida returns to action over the weekend as the Ospreys start Atlantic Sun Conference play against crosstown rival Jacksonville. The River City Rumble matchup begins on Friday, March 19, at Dusty Rhodes Field and Harmon Stadium. The second game of the series will be held at the Baseball Grounds of Jacksonville on Sunday, March 20, at 1 p.m. The Ospreys and Dolphins conclude the series at Harmon Stadium with a game at 1 p.m. on Sunday, March 21.
