NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The University of North Florida baseball team scored six runs in the top of the eighth inning to overcome a four-run deficit and defeat Lipscomb, 7-5, on Sunday afternoon in the rubber match of the series at Ken Dugan Field in Nashville, Tenn.
The Ospreys improved to 16-13 overall and 8-7 in the Atlantic Sun Conference while Lipscomb fell to 11-17 and 3-6 in the conference.
Offensively, the Ospreys recorded seven hits on the afternoon with Andrew Karmeris leading the team with three hits. Corey Bass hit a three-run home run in the eighth inning which proved to be the game-winning hit. Bass finished the day 2-for-3 with a run scored and a team-high four RBI. Shane Kennedy finished the game 1-for-3 with a walk, two runs scored and two RBI.
On the mound, starter Casey Medlen earned a no decision for the Ospreys. Medlen worked 3.2 innings, scattering four hits. He surrendered four runs and three walks. Medlen did strike out five batters on the afternoon, recording at least one strikeout per inning of work.
Clayton Schulz entered the game in relief of Medlen. The southpaw tossed 2.2 innings of relief, giving up one run on a pair of base hits. Schulz walked two batters while striking out one.
Paul Karmeris earned his first win as an Osprey, hurling 2.0 scoreless innings of relief. Karmeris allowed a pair of base hits with two walks. He struck out one batter en route to the victory.
Chandler Jagodzinski picked up his third save of the season. The junior worked the final 0.2 innings without allowing a hit or a walk. He closed the game with a strikeout to preserve the victory.
Lipscomb threatened in the bottom of the first inning. The leadoff batter hit the first pitch he saw for a double down the right field line. The runner advanced to third on a wild pitch. Medlen struck out the next batter of the inning for the first out of the inning. The infield moved in to prevent the runner from advancing on a ground ball and the move worked as a groundout to second base recorded the second out of the inning. The next batter walked to give the Bisons runners on the corners, but a groundout back to the pitcher ended the inning and the threat.
North Florida broke up the Lipscomb no-hitter with a single by Andrew Karmeris in the top of the fourth inning. With two outs, A. Karmeris singled to through the left side of the infield. He advanced to second as Evan Stermer drew a free pass. Neither runner would advance any further as a strikeout ended the inning.
The Bisons broke the scoreless tie in the bottom of the fourth inning. The home team sent nine batters to the plate, scoring four runs on four hits and a pair of walks. The first batter of the inning drew a walk to start things off for Lipscomb. A sacrifice bunt moved the runner into scoring position. A walk gave Lipscomb a pair of base runners. The next batter followed with a two-RBI double to left field to score the first runs of the game. A single gave the Bisons runners on the corners and the lead runner came around to score on a wild pitch. The Ospreys got the next batter to strike out, but a single continued the inning. After a pitching change, the Bisons scored on an RBI single to right field. The Ospreys ended the inning with a strikeout, but trailed 4-0 after four complete innings of play.
The Ospreys tried to answer in the top of the fifth inning. With two outs, T.J. Gavlik and Bass walked on eight straight pitches, but the runners were left stranded as a fly ball to center field ended the inning.
North Florida threatened in the top of the sixth inning. A. Karmeris singled to right field with one out to get things started for the Ospreys. Stermer followed with a walk to give UNF a pair of base runners. The Bisons were able to escape the inning as a strikeout/throw out double play ended the inning.
The Ospreys scratched the scoreboard with a run in the top of the seventh inning. With one out, Kennedy drew a walk to start things off for UNF. A deep fly ball to center field allowed Kennedy to advance to second base. Bass singled to right center field to score Kennedy from second base and trim the deficit to 4-1.
The Bisons got the run back in the bottom of the seventh inning. The leadoff batter walked to start off the inning, but was eliminated on a fielder's choice. With a runner on first, the next batter singled to left field to give Lipscomb a pair of base runners. A double steal moved both runners into scoring position and a wild pitch scored the lead runner, pushing the Bisons lead back to four at 5-1.
North Florida rallied in the top of the eighth inning. Michael Smith led off the inning with a walk. He advanced to second base on A. Karmeris' third base hit of the day. With two runners on base, Andrew Hannon pinch hit and loaded the bases with a walk. Alex Bacon stepped to the plate with the bases loaded and no outs. The freshman hit a sacrifice fly to right field to score Smith from third. On the play, A. Karmeris was able to advance to third base, leaving the Ospreys with runners on the corners. Michael Wesner was hit by a pitch to load the bases for the second time in the inning. Kennedy continued his hot play in the series singling to left field, scoring A. Karmeris and Hannon on the play. An error by the left fielder allowed Wesner and Kennedy to both advance into scoring position. After a pitching change, a fielder's choice left the Ospreys with runners on the corners for Bass. The sophomore catcher hit his first home run of the season to put the Ospreys in front 7-5.
The Ospreys held the Bisons scoreless in the final two innings of play to secure the victory. In the eighth inning, UNF saw just four batters in the inning, surrendering just a single. In the ninth, P. Karmeris allowed a one-out single. The Ospreys went to the bullpen and brought in Jagodzinski. A fielding error allowed the second runner of the inning to reach base. A fielder's choice recorded the second out of the inning and left runners on the corners. The runner on first base stole second to put the tying run in scoring position, but a strikeout ended the game and preserved the victory.
North Florida returns to action on Tuesday afternoon as the Ospreys take on Savannah State at Dusty Rhodes Field at Harmon Stadium. First pitch is slated for 3:00 p.m.
