Game 1 Boxscore
Game 2 Boxscore
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The University of North Florida baseball team split a doubleheader with Liberty on Saturday afternoon at Dusty Rhodes Field at Harmon Stadium. Liberty claimed the first game, 2-1, but North Florida rebounded in the night cap, winning 8-5.
On the day, the Ospreys recorded 16 hits, led by seniors Michael Smith and Robbie Collier who tallied three hits apiece. Senior Andrew Hannon and freshman Alex Bacon and Alex Hernandez each registered three hits each. Smith led all Ospreys with three runs batted in, while freshman Tyler Marincov added a pair of RBI. Hannon and junior Andrew Karmeris each scored two runs apiece.
On the mound, North Florida used six pitchers on the day. The Osprey stable boasted a 2.00 collective ERA in two games. The pitching staff recorded 12 strikeouts on the day compared to just a pair of walks.
In game one, starting pitcher Paul Karmeris took the hard luck loss, scattering eight hits in 6.1 innings of work. The sophomore surrendered a pair of runs, while striking out a pair. Paul Karmeris was relieved by sophomore Tommy Organ, who tossed 1.0 inning of work with a strikeout. Closer Chandler Jagodzinski tossed the final 1.2 innings with two strikeouts.
In game two, sophomore Kyle Westwood tied a career high working 7.0 innings. For the second consecutive game, Westwood fanned a career-high six batters. The sophomore surrendered just one earned run without walking a batter. He was relieved by freshman Tyler Moore. The rookie faced one batter over the minimum in 1.0 innings of work, walking one batter. Andrew Karmeris pitched a scoreless ninth inning en route to his second save of the season. He surrendered one hit while striking out one.
GAME ONE RECAP
The Ospreys were the first team to scratch the scoreboard, plating a run in the bottom of the first inning. Hernandez led off the game for UNF with a single and advanced to second base on a ground out. An intentional walk to Andrew Karmeris gave North Florida a pair of base runners. Hernandez was caught in a run down for the second out of the inning, but Andrew Karmeris advanced to second base on the play. Evan Stermer delivered an RBI single up the middle to score Andrew Karmeris and give the Ospreys the lead, 1-0.
The Flames scored their run of the series in the top of the fifth inning. With two outs, Liberty's Joshua Thompson doubled down the right field line to put a runner in scoring position. A single to left field scored Thompson from second base, tying the score at 1-1.
Liberty added a run in the top of the seventh. LU's Jeff Jefferson hit a solo home run to left field to put the Flames ahead, 2-1.
The Flames added an insurance run in the top of the eighth inning. A four-pitch walk started the inning and the runner advanced to second on a single to center field. A single through the left side of the infield allowed the run to score and gave the visitors a 3-1 advantage.
North Florida cut the deficit in the bottom of the eighth inning. Hernandez singled to center field to start things off for UNF. Andrew Karmeris delivered a one-out single to give UNF a pair of base runners. Marincov was able to produce a two-out single to score Hernandez and trim the Flames' advantage to 3-2.
Liberty scored a run in the ninth inning to provide the final score of 4-2 in game one.
GAME TWO RECAP
In the second game, the Ospreys jumped out to an early lead, plating four runs in the top of the first as eight batters came to the plate in the first frame. Hannon led off the game with a single to left center field. Freshman Shane Kennedy walked on four pitches to give UNF a pair of base runners. A passed ball by the Liberty catcher moved Hannon and Kennedy 90-feet closer to home. Smith delivered an RBI groundout to score the first run of the game. Andrew Karmeris was intentionally walked to give North Florida runners on first and second. The inning continued as Marincov reached base on a fielder's choice. On the play, the Flames tried to record the force out at second base, but an errant throw left UNF runners on the corners. Bacon followed with an RBI single to left field. A wild pitch advanced the runners into scoring position. An RBI single by Collier gave North Florida a 4-0 advantage after just one inning of play.
Liberty cut the North Florida lead to just one with a three-run second inning. The Flames started off the inning with back-to-back singles. A UNF error scored the first run of the inning. The Ospreys induced a fly ball for the first out and Westwood struck out the next batter for the second out of the inning. A two-RBI single cut the North Florida lead to just 4-3.
The Flames tied the game at 4-4 in the top of the third as Liberty's Casey Rasmus hit a solo home run to left field.
North Florida regained the lead in the bottom of the fourth inning. With two outs, Kyle Dahl walked and advanced to second base on a wild pitch. Sam Perry followed with a walk. Hannon delivered an RBI single to left center field to put the Ospreys back in front. Kennedy walked to load the bases and extend the inning. Smith followed with a two-RBI single to center field to give North Florida a 7-4 lead.
Liberty scored a run in the top of the seventh inning to cut the North Florida advantage to just a pair. With two outs, a fielding error allowed the inning to continue. A throwing error allowed the runner advance to second base. The third error of the inning allowed the run to score.
The Ospreys answered with a run of their own in the bottom of the seventh inning. Smith laid down a bunt single to start off the inning. He stole second base to move into scoring position. Andrew Karmeris walked. Marincov attempted to lay down a sacrifice bunt, but a two-base error by Liberty allowed all runners to advance safely, and scored Smith from second.
Neither team was able to score a run in the final two innings of play with the Ospreys claiming an 8-5 victory.
North Florida and Liberty conclude the series with a single game on Sunday afternoon at 1:00 p.m.
