BUIES CREEK, N.C. – The University of North Florida baseball team scored three runs in the first, sixth and eighth innings to claim a 9-8 victory over Campbell on Friday night at Taylor Field in Buies Creek, N.C. The two teams combined for 17 runs, 22 hits, seven errors and a pair of balks in the game.
The Ospreys improved to 18-13 overall and 9-7 in the Atlantic Sun Conference, while the Camels fell to 14-19 and 1-12 in conference play.
Offensively, UNF recorded 11 hits in the game, including a double, a triple and a home run. Four players had multiple hits in the game, led by freshman Shane Kennedy, who finished 3-for-4 with a triple. Corey Bass, Alex Bacon and Sam Perry each had a pair of hits apiece. Perry hit his seventh home run of the season, while Bass added a double. Bacon, Bass and Perry each had two RBI each to lead the Ospreys. Kennedy and fellow freshman Tyler Marincov led the team with a pair of runs scored each.
On the mound, Robbie Collier earned a no decision. The starter worked 4.1, scattering seven hits. The southpaw surrendered six runs with five earned runs. Collier finished one strikeout shy of his career high, finishing the night with seven K's.
Casey Medlen picked up his fourth victory of the year, tossing 2.2 innings of relief. The hurler surrendered a pair of runs on four hits and a walk, striking out two.
Chandler Jagodzinski earned his fourth save of the season. He worked the final 2.0 innings of the game. He did not allow a hit, walking one and striking out one. His four saves ties Andrew Karmeris for the most on the team and ties for 10th best in UNF's single season annals.
North Florida was the first team to scratch the scoreboard, plating three runs in the top of the first inning. Alex Hernandez led off the game with a single through the left side. He moved into scoring position courtesy of a balk by the Campbell pitcher. The balk proved costly for the Camels as Bass doubled down the right field line to score Hernandez. With one out and a runner on second base, Andrew Karmeris was intentionally walked. Evan Stermer moved Bass to third base as he reached on a fielder's choice. Stermer moved into scoring position on a wild pitch. Bacon drove in Bass and Stermer with a two-RBI single through the left side of the infield.
Campbell scored a run in the bottom of the first inning to pull to within two. The leadoff batter doubled to left center to start things off. A throwing error on a failed pickoff attempt allowed the runner to advance to third base. With one out, a groundout plated the runner. Collier escaped the inning without any more damage as he struck out the final batter of the inning.
The Camels tied the score with a pair of runs in the bottom of the second inning. A single and an RBI double cut the UNF lead to just 3-2. The next batter attempted to lay down the sacrifice bunt, but was able to beat out the throw, leaving the home team with runners on the corners. The runner on first attempted to steal and was caught stealing for the second out of the inning. On the play, the runner from third was able to score on the play, tying the score. Once again, Collier ended the inning with a strikeout.
Campbell took the lead in bottom of the fifth inning with four runs on four hits. After a strikeout, a walk proved to be costly. The next batter doubled down the left field line to score the lead runner and give the Camels their first lead of the night. An RBI single to right field scored the second run of the inning. After a pitching change, back-to-back singles scored another run. A fielder's choice plated the final run of the inning, putting the Ospreys down 7-3 after five complete innings of play.
North Florida pulled to within one with three runs in the top of the sixth inning. With one out, Bacon reached on a fielding error by the Camel's third baseman. Kennedy laid down a bunt down the third base line for an infield single. On the play, Bacon advanced to second base. Campbell's third baseman had an errant throw trying to throw out Bacon, allowing the freshman to advance to third base. Marincov continued the inning as he reached base on an error by the Camel's second baseman, scoring Bacon on the play. A deep fly ball moved Kennedy to third base and another fielding error by Campbell allowed Kennedy to score. With runners on first on second, Bass singled to left center field to score Kennedy and cut the score to 7-6.
The Camels added a run in the bottom of the seventh inning. A one-out double down the left field line put a runner in scoring position. A ground out moved the runner to within 90 feet of home. After a walk, an RBI single scored the run and put the home team in front 8-6.
The Ospreys regained the lead in the top of the eighth inning. With one out, Kennedy tripled to right center field. Marincov walked to put the tying run on base for the Ospreys. Kennedy came around to score and Marincov advanced to second on a balk by the Camels' pitcher. Marincov stole third base to move closer to home. Perry hit his seventh home run of the season to put North Florida in front, 9-8.
UNF closed out the game thanks to solid pitching and defense. Jagodzinski entered the game to pitch in the bottom of the eighth inning. He induced a ground out and a fly ball for the first two outs of the inning. A walk placed a runner on first base, but Jagodzinski picked off the runner to end the inning. In the ninth, the Ospreys sat down the Camels in order to preserve the one-run victory.
North Florida and Campbell will conclude the three-game tilt with a doubleheader on Saturday afternoon, beginning at 1:00 p.m.
