BUIES CREEK, N.C. – The University of North Florida baseball team split a doubleheader on the road against Atlantic Sun Conference opponent Campbell on Saturday at Taylor Field in Buies Creek, N.C. The Ospreys (19-14, 10-8 A-Sun) dropped the first game 5-1, before pounding the Camels (15-20, 2-13 A-Sun) by a final of 14-4.
On the day, UNF was led by Tyler Marincov and Michael Smith. The duo each had five hits apiece in the doubleheader with each batter recording a double on the day. Marincov drove in three batters, while Smith drove in two on the day. Alex Hernandez, Alex Bacon and Andrew Karmeris each had multiple hits on the day. A. Karmeris finished the day with a home run and a double, while Bacon doubled and had three RBI.
In game one, North Florida managed just four hits in the contest, tying for the fewest hits in a game for the Ospreys this season. Campbell had eight hits in the first game, registering hits in the fifth inning and eighth innings – the only two innings in which the Camels scored.
Hernandez, Smith, A. Karmeris and Marincov each had a hit in game one with A. Karmeris recording an RBI double. Corey Bass scored the only run of the first game for the Ospreys.
Kyle Westwood took the loss in game one. The sophomore was saddled with five runs on seven hits, including a home run. He struck out six batters, while walking only two batters. After walking the leadoff batter, Westwood retired 12 consecutive batters in a row. He did not allow a hit until the fifth inning.
Clayton Schulz recorded the final two outs of game one. The sophomore surrendered on hit and struck out a pair in 0.2 innings of work.
In game two, North Florida belted out 19 hits with four doubles and a home run. Marincov and Smith each had four hits in the second game with a double apiece. Marincov finished the second game 4-for-5 with two runs scored and three RBI, while Smith was 4-for-6 with two runs scored and two runs driven in. Hernandez was 3-for-5 with a pair of runs scored and an RBI, while Bacon was 3-for-4 with two runs scored and three RBI. A. Karmeris hit his sixth home run in the game.
On the mound, Tyler Moore picked up his third victory of the season in his first collegiate start. The true freshman tossed 7.1 innings, scattering seven hits. He surrendered four runs in just over seven innings. Moore walked just two while striking out four.
Paul Karmeris finished the game, throwing the final 1.2 innings. The sophomore transfer gave up one hit, a walk, while striking out a pair.
GAME ONE RECAP
North Florida took the lead in the first game with a run in the top of the first inning. With one out, Bass reached second base courtesy of a two-base error by the Campbell shortstop. Smith followed with a walk. With two runners on base, A. Karmeris drove in the first run of the game with an RBI double off of the left field wall.
Campbell threatened in the bottom of the first inning. A leadoff walk put the tying run on first base. The runner stole second to move into scoring position. Westwood induced a groundout for the first out of the inning, but the runner moved over to third on the play. Westwood struck out the next batter for the second out. With a runner on third and two outs, Westwood fell behind in the count 3-1, but battled back to induce a fly ball to right field to end the inning and the threat.
The Camels scored three runs in the bottom of the fifth inning to take a 3-1 lead. The leadoff batter singled to left field for the first hit for Campbell in the game. The next batter squared around to bunt, but pulled the bat back and slapped the ball into right field for a base hit. On the play, the Ospreys mishandled the ball allowing both runners to move into scoring position. The next batter of the inning scored the lead runner with an RBI groundout to second base. With a runner on third and one out, Campbell's Ben Fish hit a home run over the left field wall to put the hosts in front. Westwood rebounded with a strikeout for the second out of the inning. The inning continued with a single to left center field. A single through the right side of the infield left the Camels with runners on first and second with two outs. Westwood used his fifth strikeout of the game to escape the inning with the Ospreys trailing by two runs.
Campbell added a pair of insurance runs in the bottom of the eighth inning. A line drive that hit Westwood in the leg allowed the first base runner of the inning. A sacrifice bunt moved the runner into scoring position. The next batter doubled to right field to score the insurance run. The Ospreys went to the bullpen, bringing in Schulz. The southpaw surrendered an RBI single up the middle to put the hosts in front 5-1. Schulz fanned the next batter he faced and used a second strikeout in the inning to close out the eighth inning.
The Ospreys were unable to generate any offensive in the final inning, falling by four.
GAME TWO RECAP
North Florida threatened in the top of the second inning, but was unable to plate a runner. With one out, Bacon singled up the middle to start things off. Smith followed with a single into left center field. With two outs and two runners on, Marincov drew a four-pitch walk to load the bases. The runners would be left stranded as a fielder's choice ended the inning.
The Ospreys plated a run in the top of the third inning. Hernandez led off the inning with a single up the middle. Shane Kennedy moved Hernandez to second base with a sacrifice bunt. A. Karmeris was intentionally walked to put runners on first and second. Evan Stermer followed with an RBI single through the left side to score Hernandez. Bacon followed with a walk to load the bases, but a strikeout and a fly ball to right field ended the inning, leaving the bases loaded.
UNF added four runs in the top of the fifth inning to take a 5-0 lead at the midway point of the game. A. Karmeris led off the inning with his sixth home run of the season. With one out, Bacon drew a four-pitch walk. Smith followed with a double down the right field line. Bacon scored on the play and Smith was able to advance to third on the play. Marincov battled for a two-out RBI single and he came around to score as Sam Perry doubled down the left field line.
Campbell chipped into the North Florida lead with a pair of runs in the bottom of the fifth inning. A leadoff single started things off for the Camels. A double put a pair of base runners in scoring position. A single to right field scored the two runners, but the Ospreys were able to throw out the runner at second base for the first out of the inning. A single up the middle continued the inning, but a 6-4-3 double play ended the inning with the Ospreys leading, 5-2, after five complete innings of play.
North Florida added an insurance run in the top of the sixth inning. A. Karmeris drew a leadoff walk to start off the inning. He advanced to second base on a wild pitch. A groundout moved A. Karmeris to third base with just one out. With two outs, Smith delivered an RBI single through the right side to push the UNF lead to 6-2.
The Ospreys scored four runs in the top of the seventh inning to go ahead 10-2. Marincov doubled down the left field line to start the inning off. Marincov stole third to move to within 90 feet of home. Perry hit a sacrifice fly to right field to score the first run of the inning. Hernandez and Kennedy delivered back-to-back singles and a wild pitch moved both base runners into scoring position. A. Karmeris was intentionally walked to load the bases. Bacon cleared the bases with a three-RBI double to right center field.
UNF added a run in the in the top of the eighth inning. Bass drew a leadoff walk and advanced to third with a pair of stolen bases. Bass came around to score on an RBI single by Hernandez.
Campbell trimmed the Ospreys lead with a pair of runs in the bottom of the eighth inning. The Camels got a one-out walk and a hit by pitch to place a pair of runners on base. A single to center field scored the first run of the inning. The Camels used a sacrifice fly to score the second run of the inning and cut the North Florida lead to 11-4.
The Ospreys scored three runs in the top of the ninth inning to provide the final margin of victory. With two outs, Bacon singled through the left side. An infield single by Smith gave UNF a pair of base runners. Bass singled to left center field to score Bacon. Marincov followed with a two-RBI single through the left side of the infield to give UNF a 14-4 advantage the Ospreys would not relinquish.
North Florida returns to action on Wednesday, April 13, as the Ospreys head to Statesboro, Ga. for a midweek contest with Georgia Southern. First pitch between the Ospreys and the Eagles is slated for 6:00 p.m.
