Boxscore
JACKSONVILLE, Ala. – The University of North Florida baseball team opened up the first game of a three-game series with Jacksonville State with a 7-2 victory over the Gamecocks at Rudy Abbott Field in Jacksonville, Ala.
North Florida (3-2) used timely hitting and a stellar pitching effort to down Jacksonville State (0-3).
The Ospreys recorded 10 hits on the night including four extra base hits. UNF was held scoreless through the first four innings, but scored two runs in the top of the fifth inning to claim the lead, which it would not relinquish. Defensively, the Ospreys limited the Gamecocks to just a pair of runs on seven hits. The UNF pitching staff recorded 14 strikeouts while surrendering just three walks.
Four North Florida players had a pair of hits on the afternoon –
Joe Iorio,
Andrew Karmeris,
Drew Weeks and
Michael Wesner. Iorio hit a two-run double in the top of the fifth inning to give the Ospreys the lead. Wesner helped increase the UNF lead with a bases loaded triple, highlighting the Ospreys 4-run eighth inning. A. Karmeris and Weeks each had a double in the game, while Weeks and Wesner each scored a pair of runs. Wesner led all Ospreys with three RBI on the day.
On the mound, junior
Michael Renner was masterful on the mound. The southpaw worked 6.1 innings, allowing just one run on four hits. After surrendering a home run in the first inning, Renner sat down eight batters in a row. The junior college transfer walked only one batter while recording nine strikeouts – the most for a North Florida pitcher this season.
Chandler Jagodzinski and
Evan Stermer each surrendered a hit apiece before giving way to
Tyler Moore, who worked 1.1 innings with three strikeouts.
Spencer Brown tossed 0.1 innings, surrendering a run on one hit and a pair of walks. A. Karmeris worked the final inning, striking out two.
Jacksonville State wasted little time getting on the scoreboard. With one out, JSU's Erik Underwood lifted the first pitch he saw over the center field fence to give the home team an early 1-0 lead. The Ospreys used a fly ball and a strikeout to end the inning.
North Florida was held scoreless until the top of the fifth inning. Wesner led off the inning with a single through the right side of the infield. Weeks followed with a single to almost the same spot.
Alex Bacon squared for the sacrifice bunt, but managed to beat the throw for an infield single, loading the bases. With one out, Iorio doubled down the left field line to score Wesner and Weeks and give the Ospreys a 2-1 lead.
In the seventh inning, the Ospreys added an insurance run. Weeks led off the inning with a double to right center field. Bacon advanced Weeks to third with a successful sacrifice bunt. With one out, Iorio walked to give UNF runners on the corners. The Ospreys used a wild pitch by the Gamecocks to score Weeks from third and take a 3-1 lead.
Leading by two, North Florida put the game out of reach in the eighth inning.
Joe Wielbruda was hit by a pitch to start the inning. A. Karmeris followed with a single through the left side of the infield and
Tyler Marincov loaded the bases with a walk. Wesner cleared the bases with one swing as the junior tripled down the right field line. With a runner on third and no outs, Weeks drove in Wesner for the final run of the inning with a sacrifice fly to right field.
Jacksonville State attempted a rally in the bottom of the ninth. The leadoff batter walked and a double to left center field gave the hosts two runners in scoring position with no outs. A. Karmeris entered the game to pitch and struck out the first batter he faced. The Gamecocks scored on a groundout to second base to cut the Ospreys' lead to 7-2. JSU would get no closer as A. Karmeris ended the game with a strikeout, securing the victory.
North Florida and Jacksonville State continue play in the three-game series with a game on Saturday, Feb. 25, at 2:00 p.m. (ET).
