Ospreys Outlast Spartans, 10-9

Tuesday, May 4

Greensboro, N.C.

6 p.m.

University of North Florida

23-20

UNC Greensboro

20-25

North Florida

UNC Greensboro

5/4/2010 9:55:00 PM | Baseball

Box Score

By: UNF Athletics

Boxscore

GREENSBORO, N.C. – The University of North Florida baseball team trailed 9-8 heading into the ninth inning against UNC Greensboro, but used a two-run home run by senior T.J. Thompson to win 10-9 on Tuesday night in Greensboro, N.C.

Trailing 9-8 in the top of the ninth inning, Michael Smith led off the inning with a walk. A wild pitch moved Smith to second base and a sacrifice bunt by Kyle Dahl. Thompson followed with a two-run home run to right center field to put the Ospreys ahead, 10-9. Closer Casey Medlen closed out the game with back-to-back strikeouts and a fly ball.

Thompson finished the game 2-for-3 with a double, a home run and two walks. Thompson's two walks placed the senior in a tie with Mac Mackiewitz (1995-98) for second place in UNF history with 104 career walks. Thompson is just two walks shy of tying Kenny Layfield (1988-89) for the all-time UNF lead.

Smith finished the game with a team-high three hits. The junior had a pair of doubles with two runs scored and a team-best four runs batted in.

T.J. Gavlik and Justin Preckajlo each had a pair of hits in the game. Gavlik had a double, while Preckajlo belted his team-leading 11th home run of the season.

Preston Hale finished the game with one hit, but his double in the first inning gave the senior 53 for his career, passing Matt Oxendine (2003-06) for first place in UNF's career record for doubles.

On the mound, the Ospreys used six pitchers on the night. John Atteo worked the first 2.1 innings in a controlled start. He struck out five batters, while walking one. Atteo scattered three hits, surrendering four runs.

Medlen picked up his fourth win of the season. The junior worked the final 2.1 innings of the game. He did not allow a hit or a walk, while striking out four batters.

The Ospreys wasted little jumping out to a quick 4-0 lead in the first inning. Gavlik led off the inning with a single to shallow right field. Preckajlo followed with a single through the left side. Hale hit a ground rule double to left field to score Gavlik. Andrew Karmeris recorded an RBI groundout for the second run of the inning. Smith continued the inning with an RBI double to left field. With runners on the corners, Andrew Hannon hit a rope to third base to score Smith and give UNF a 4-0 advantage after a half an inning of play.

The Spartans rallied with three runs in the bottom of the first inning. After retiring the first two batters, a triple and a walk gave the hosts runners on the corners. The next batter homered to pull UNCG to within one at 4-3.

UNF added a pair of runs in the top of the second inning. Gavlik led off the inning with a double to left center field. A fly ball moved Gavlik to third base and a walk to Hale gave the Ospreys runners on the corners. With two outs, Smith doubled off of the left field wall to score Gavlik and Hale and give UNF a 6-3 advantage.

UNCG added a run in the bottom of the third inning without the benefit of a hit. The Ospreys hit the first batter of the inning. Following a strikeout, the pitching staff hit the next batter of the inning. A walk loaded the bases and a strikeout looking recorded the second out of the inning. A four-pitch walk scored a run. The third strikeout of the inning ended the inning and the Spartan threat, leaving the score 6-4.

North Florida added a run in the top of the fourth inning. After back-to-back walks to Preckajlo and Hale, Smith delivered his third hit of the game, an RBI single to right field.

UNC Greensboro added a run without the courtesy of a hit. Back-to-back walks combined with a wild pitch placed two runners in scoring position. A sacrifice fly scored the lead runner and cut the UNF lead to 7-5.

The Ospreys got the run back on one swing of the bat. Preckajlo led off the inning with his team-leading 11th home run of the season. The solo homer gave North Florida an 8-5 advantage after five and a half innings of play.

The Spartans took the lead with a four-run seventh inning. The inning featured three walks, a wild pitch and a pair of hits, including a double. UNCG tied the game with two walks with the bases loaded and a wild pitch. The Spartans used the sacrifice fly to take the lead, 9-8.

UNF took the lead in the top of the ninth inning thanks to Thompson's home run, a lead they would not relinquish.

North Florida and UNC Greensboro conclude the midweek series with a single game on Wednesday, May 5. First pitch is slated for 2 p.m.