Box Score 1 Game 1 Boxscore
Game 2 Boxscore
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The University of North Florida baseball team needed extra innings, but claimed a 5-4 victory over Campbell in the second game of a doubleheader at Dusty Rhodes Field at Harmon Stadium to win the series, 2-1. The Ospreys dropped game one 10-4.
In game two, the Ospreys fell behind 3-0, before rallying for two runs to cut the Camel lead to just one after six innings. A run for Campbell in the seventh made it 4-2, but two runs in the bottom of the seventh knotted the score at 4-4, setting up the exciting finish.
The two teams failed to score in the final two innings of regulation to force extra innings. After a scoreless 10th inning, the Ospreys led off the 11th inning with a walk by Kyle Dahl. A bunt single by Andrew Hannon that was perfectly placed on the line gave UNF a pair of base runners with no outs. With one out, Preston Hale drew a four-pitch walk to load the bases. Andrew Kameris stepped to the plate and hit a chopper to third base. The Campbell third baseman threw home to try to salvage the game, but Dahl successfully slid under the tag, giving the Ospreys a 5-4 victory.
In game one, Campbell jumped out to a 4-0 lead in the first inning and never looked back as the Camels tied the series with a 10-4 victory, setting up the pivotal game two.
On the day, UNF was led by Hannon who finished the day 5-for-11 (.455) with a double and two runs scored. Four other North Florida players recorded multiple hits on the day including Hale, Karmeris, Steve Hillan and Sam Perry. Hillan drove in a team-best three runs on the day, while Karmeris and Ryan Roberson each had a pair of RBI on the day.
On the mound, Robbie Collier claimed the victory in the second game. The junior worked 6.0 innings of relief, allowing one unearned run on five hits. He did not walk a batter, while striking out three en route to his third victory of the season.
Collier entered the game in relief of starter Kyle Finch. The freshman earned a no decision, scattering seven hits in 5.0 innings. Finch allowed three runs on the day, walking one and fanning six.
In game one, Michael Kelly took the loss after surrendering a season-high nine runs. However, because of some shaky defense by the Ospreys, only five of the runs were earned. Clayton Schulz closed out the first game, working 5.1 innings allowing just one run on seven hits.
Game 1 Recap
Campbell jumped out to an early 4-0 lead and led 10-1 before claiming a 10-4 victory to tie the series at one game apiece.
In the top of the first inning, Campbell recorded seven consecutive base hits to jump out to a quick 4-0 lead. The Ospreys limited the damage with some excellent defense by the catcher Dahl. He picked off a base runner at second base for the first out of the inning and through out a runner on a stolen base attempt for out number two.
North Florida scored a run in the bottom of the first to cut the lead to three. Hannon led off the inning with a double to left center field. He advanced to third on a ground out and came around to score on a Karmeris RBI single that hit the Campbell shortstop in the face.
The Camels added a run in the top of the third inning. After the Ospreys turned a double play, Campbell used a double and an RBI single to score a run with two outs to increase their lead to 5-1.
Campbell added four runs in the fourth inning to take a 9-1 lead. The Camels scored four runs on three hits and a pair of UNF errors to score the four unearned runs. Campbell used three hits in the top of the fifth to score a run and make the score 10-1.
North Florida rallied in the bottom of the eighth inning. Hale started the inning off with a double to left field. Karmeris singled through the left side of the infield to give the Ospreys runners on the corners. T.J. Thompson delivered a sacrifice fly to score Hale from third. A double by Justin Preckajlo gave UNF a pair of runners in scoring position. A ground out scored the second run of the inning and a RBI single cut the deficit to 10-4. The Ospreys would get no closer, falling to the Camels in game one.
Game 2 Recap
In the rubber match of the series, Campbell jumped out to a 3-0 lead before the Ospreys mounted a comeback to force extra innings. In the 11th inning, UNF manufactured a run to take the game and claim the series.
The Camels started the scoring in game two with a run in the second inning. A lead off single started things off for the visitors. After back-to-back strikeouts by Finch, the Ospreys were in position to escape the inning without any damage. However, a stolen base moved the runner into scoring position and back-to-back wild pitches scored the runner.
Campbell increased its lead with a run in the fourth inning. A leadoff triple to right field just out of reach of a diving Hale put a runner within 90 feet of home. The runner would not score as a fielder's choice eliminated the lead runner. With a runner on first and one out, Campbell moved the runner into scoring position with a stolen base. A single left the Camels with runners on the corners. For the second time in the inning, a fielder's choice eliminated the lead runner at the plate, keeping the visitors off of the scoreboard. A wild pitch moved the lead runner to third base and an RBI single scored a run to make it 2-0.
The Camels pushed the lead to three runs with a single run in the top of the fifth inning. A double down the right field line, followed by a groundout left Campbell with a runner on third base. The Camels scored the runner with a sacrifice fly to deep center field.
The Ospreys battled back with two runs in the bottom of the sixth inning. After two quick outs, Preckajlo walked to give UNF a base runner. Perry followed with a single through the left side of the infield. A single by Collier loaded the bases for Hillan. With two strikes, Hillan delivered a two-RBI single through the right side of the infield to cut the margin just one, 3-2.
Campbell regained a two-run advantage with a run in the top of the seventh. A pair of errors by North Florida and an RBI single scored the run, making the score 4-2.
North Florida knotted the score at 4-4 with two runs in the bottom of the seventh inning. Hannon singled to right field and Michael Smith drew a walk to give UNF a pair of base runners. Preckajlo walked to load the bases. Roberson delivered a two-RBI pinch hit single to tie the score.
Neither team scored in the eighth, ninth or 10th innings, setting up the 11th inning dramatics for UNF.
North Florida returns to action on Tuesday, March 30, as the Ospreys head to Statesboro, Ga. for a game with Georgia Southern. The Ospreys and Eagles met earlier this season with UNF claiming a 14-3 victory on March 2, at Harmon Stadium.
