JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The University of North Florida baseball team battled back and forth with crosstown rival Jacksonville on Sunday afternoon before prevailing 9-8 at Sessions Stadium in the final game of a three-game Atlantic Sun Conference series.
The Ospreys improve to 25-21 and 13-14 in the A-Sun, while the Dolphins fall to 29-18 and 18-9 in conference play.
Offensively, UNF recorded 12 hits on the day, including a pair of home runs. Alex Hernandez, Alex Bacon and Michael Smith each had multiple hits on the afternoon. Hernandez finished the game 3-for-5 with a home run, two runs scored and two RBI. Bacon was 3-for-5 with a double, a run scored and two RBI, while Smith added two hits and a walk. Kyle Dahl made his only hit of the day count, as the senior belted a three-run home run. Dahl's three-RBI led the Ospreys on the day.
On the mound, Casey Medlen started the game, earning a no decision. The senior tossed 4.0 innings, scattering eight hits with no extra base hits. He surrendered seven runs with only five earned runs. Medlen walked three and struck out four. Clayton Schulz earned the victory in relief. The sophomore pitched 3.1 innings, giving up one run on three hits and a walk. Schulz struck out two batters. Marshal Rosenberger picked up his first save of the season, working 1.2 scoreless innings of relief.
North Florida was the first team to score, plating a pair of runners in the top of the first inning. Hernandez led off the inning by getting hit by a pitch. Corey Bass advanced Hernandez to second base with a ground out. Andrew Karmeris reached base on a throwing error by the Jacksonville third base man, allowing Hernandez to reach third base. Karmeris advanced to second on a wild pitch. Bacon singled up the middle to score Hernandez from third for the first run of the game for the Ospreys. Shane Kennedy followed with a single through the left side of the infield to score Karmeris and give UNF a 2-0 advantage.
Jacksonville responded with a run in the bottom of the first inning to cut the North Florida lead in half. The leadoff batter reached base on a fielding error by the Ospreys. A walk gave the Dolphins a pair of base runners. The next batter flew out to right field, but the ball was deep enough to advance both runners into scoring position. A sacrifice fly to left field allowed the lead runner to score and cut the lead to 2-1.
The Dolphins took the lead in the bottom of the third inning, scoring a pair of runs. The leadoff batter started the third with a single through the left side. After a fly ball out, the runner stole second and third to move within 90 feet of home. A walk left JU with runners on the corners. The runner on first advanced to second on a wild pitch. A one-out single to center field plated the two lead runners to give Jacksonville a 3-2 advantage.
The Ospreys responded with a run in the top of the fourth inning. With one out, Andrew Hannon laid down a bunt single to give UNF a base runner. Smith singled down the right field line and Hannon was able to advance to third base on the play. Sam Perry hit a ball down to third base. The Dolphins tried to turn a double play but Perry was able to beat out the throw, allowing Hannon to score on the play and tie the score at three.
Jacksonville regained the lead with a run in the bottom of the fourth. With one out, back-to-back singles started the rally for the Dolphins. A balk by the Ospreys moved the two runners into scoring position. The balk proved costly as a ground out allowed the go-ahead run to score. The Ospreys escaped further damage as a ground out back to Medlen ended the inning.
North Florida took the lead in top of the fifth inning. With two outs, Bacon singled to third base to get things started for UNF. Kennedy followed with a walk to give the Ospreys a pair of base runners. Dahl hit the second pitch he saw over the left field fence for his sixth home run of the season. The three-run shot put the Ospreys in front, 6-4, at the midway point of the game.
The Dolphins answered with three runs in the bottom of the fifth inning. Back-to-back-to-back singles started things off for JU, scoring the first run of the inning and leaving the hosts with runners on first and second. After a pitching chance, the next batter laid down a bunt; the Ospreys tried to retire the lead runner but were unable, leaving the bases loaded. An error by UNF allowed two more runs to score and allow JU to regain the lead, 7-6. A double play and a strikeout ended the inning, but saw the Ospreys trailing by one.
The see-saw battled continued as the Ospreys used three runs in the top of the eighth inning to take the lead for the third time in the game. Smith reached base on a throwing by the Dolphins. Perry reached on a fielder's choice as JU opted to eliminate the lead batter. With a runner on base and one out, Hernandez homered to left center field to put UNF in front 8-7. With two outs, Karmeris continued the inning with a walk. Bacon drove home Karmeris with an RBI double to left center field to put the Ospreys ahead by two.
JU cut the lead to just one with a run in the bottom of the eighth inning. A walk and a fielder's choice left the Dolphins with a runner on first. The runner advanced to second on a wild pitch. A single up the middle scored the runner, cutting the Ospreys lead to 9-8.
The Ospreys were able to secure the win as UNF retired the Dolphins in order in the ninth inning.
North Florida returns to action on Wednesday, May 11, as the Ospreys travel to Gainesville to take on the No. 4 Florida Gators. First pitch is slated for 7 p.m.
