Boxscore

 

CHARLESTON, S.C. – The University of North Florida baseball team claimed its first series win of the season, blanking Charleston Southern, 7-0, on Sunday afternoon at CSU Ballpark in Charleston, S.C.

 

On the mound, the Ospreys need just two pitchers to combine for the shutout.  UNF recorded 11 strikeouts as a staff with just a pair of walks. 

 

Robbie Collier picked up his first victory of the year.  The junior worked a career high 6.1 scoreless innings, surrendering just four hits.  Collier fanned five batters while walking just a pair. 

 

Kyle Westwood entered the game in relief of Collier.  The sophomore worked the final 2.2 innings.  He allowed one hit and struck out six batters with no free passes. 

 

Offensively, North Florida scored seven runs on 12 hits, including a pair of doubles.  Michael Smith led all Ospreys, going 3-for-4 with a double, three RBI and a runs scored.  Kyle Dahl and Andrew Hannon each had a pair of hits apiece, and Sam Perry added a double.  Freshman Tyler Marincov scored a pair of runs while driving in two runs. 

 

The Ospreys were the first team to score a run, plating a run in the top of the first inning.  Michael Smith reached base after being hit by a pitch.  The senior stole second base to move into scoring position.  Alex Bacon delivered a two-out single to left field to score Smith from second, giving UNF a 1-0 lead. 

 

North Florida increased its lead to 4-0 with three runs in the fourth inning.  With one out, T.J. Gavlik reached base on a fielding error by Charleston Southern.  Robbie Collier followed with a walk.  A wild pitch advanced both runners into scoring position.  Sam Perry doubled down the left field line to score Gavlik from third.  Tyler Maricov hit a deep fly ball to center field to score Collier on the sacrifice fly.  Smith continued the inning with an RBI double to score Perry and give the Ospreys a four-run cushion. 

 

UNF added a run in the top of the sixth inning.  With two outs, Marincov was hit by a pitch.  The true freshman stole second to move into scoring position.  Smith singled to left field, scoring Marincov and increasing the Ospreys' advantage to 5-0. 

 

The Ospreys scored the final two runs of the game in the top of the eighth inning.  Hannon singled through the left side of the infield to start the inning.  He moved to second on a wild pitch.  Marincov delivered an RBI single to score Hannon from second base.  Marincov scored on an RBI single to center field by Smith, giving UNF a 7-0 advantage that they would not relinquish. 

 

North Florida returns to action on Friday, Feb. 25.  The Ospreys will face Liberty in a four-game series at Dusty Rhodes Field at Harmon Stadium.  The series begins a 13 game homestand for North Florida.