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JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The University of North Florida baseball team's Justin Preckajlo slid under the tag for the go ahead run in the bottom of the seventh as the Ospreys (25-20, 11-7 Atlantic Sun) claimed a 5-4 victory over Lipscomb (15-30, 6-12 A-Sun) on Friday night at Dusty Rhodes Field at Harmon Stadium.
Tied 4-4 at the seventh inning stretch, Preckajlo led off the inning with an infield single to the shortstop. The senior stole his team-high sixth base of the season to move into scoring position. With a runner on second and two outs, Michael Smith singled just out of reach of a diving second base man. The Bison's second baseman knocked down the ball and fired it home as Preckajlo rounded third. Preckajlo successfully slid under the tag of the Lipscomb catcher, giving UNF a 5-4 advantage that the Ospreys would not relinquish.
“You aren't going to get many opportunities against [their pitcher],” head coach Dusty Rhodes stated. “When that ball went that way, I was sending him all the way. I knew he would have to get up off the ground and make a perfect throw. Preckajlo made a great slide at home and we were able to win the ballgame.”
Offensively, North Florida was led by T.J. Gavlik who had two hits in the game along with a run scored and an RBI. Preckajlo finished with just one run scored but it proved to be the game winner. Sam Perry led all players with two runs batted in and also scored a run. Preston Hale added a hit, but reached base safely three times as he drew a team-high two walks.
On the mound, the Ospreys used three pitchers on the night en route to their 25th victory of the season.
George Lott earned a no-decision after getting the start. The right hander worked 5.1 innings, surrendering four runs on five hits. Lott kept the Bison off of the scoreboard through the first five innings of the game working out of several jams thanks to some stellar defense.
Robbie Collier picked up the win in relief. The junior worked 2.2 scoreless innings surrendering just one hit. The southpaw gave up just one walk while striking out a team-high three batters.
Casey Medlen closed out the game, picking up his team-leading fourth save of the season. The fireballer did not allow a hit in the final inning of play, fanning two batters. With the save, Medlen ties Billy Layman (2004) and Jared Incinelli (2005 & 2006) for 10th in the Ospreys' single-season saves list.
UNF was the first team to score as the Ospreys scored a run in the bottom of the first inning. Gavlik led off the inning with a single to third base. Gavlik advanced to second base on a ground out. With one out and a runner on second base, Hale delivered an RBI single to right center field to put North Florida ahead 1-0. The base hit extended Hale's hitting streak to a season-best 18 games.
The Ospreys plated a pair of runs in the bottom of the second inning to take a 3-0 lead. David Eldredge led off the inning with a single to center field and T.J. Thompson singled through the right side of the infield to give UNF a pair of base runners. With one out, Perry doubled to right center field to score Eldredge and Thompson.
UNF extended its lead to 4-0 with a run in the bottom of the fourth inning. With two outs, Perry walked and stole second to give the Ospreys a runner in scoring position. Gavlik singled to left field to score Perry from second base and give UNF a four-run advantage.
The run in the fourth inning proved to be important as Lipscomb rallied for four runs in the top of the sixth inning. With one out, a walk and a double scored the first run of the game for the Bison. A single through the right side of the infield left the visitors with runners on the corners. The next batter hit a ball to shallow left field that was muffed by the Ospreys, allowing the lead runner to score. The error proved to be costly as the next batter in the inning doubled to right center field to drive in two runs and tie the game at 4-4. Collier entered the game and recorded the final two outs of the inning without allowing a run.
The score remained tied until the bottom of the seventh inning when the Ospreys took the lead for good.
The Ospreys and Bison will conclude the series with a doubleheader on Saturday, May 8. The twin bill is slated for 1 p.m. at Dusty Rhodes Field at Harmon Stadium.
