Boxscore
KENNESAW, Ga. – The University of North Florida baseball team dropped a 6-2 decision to Kennesaw State on Saturday afternoon at Stillwell Stadium in Kennesaw, Ga. The Ospreys fell to 17-12 overall and 2-6 in the Atlantic Sun Conference, while the Owls improved to 17-11 and 6-2 in league play.
North Florida recorded six hits on the afternoon, including three extra base hits.
Andrew Karmeris belted a solo home run, while
Michael Wesner registered his team-leading third triple of the season.
Paul Karmeris finished the game with a pair of hits, including a double to pace the Ospreys. Both Karmeris brothers scored on the day with Wesner and A. Karmeris driving in the only runs of the game.
Alex Bacon and
Joe Iorio each added base hits in the game.
Starting pitcher
Michael Renner was charged with the loss in the game. The junior tossed 4.2 innings, scattering eight hits. Renner surrendered four runs on the afternoon. He walked on batter, while striking out a pair. Renner gave way to
Nick Allbritton who tossed 1.1 innings of relief. Allbritton allowed two runs on four hits and a walk. Spencer Herman threw the final 2.0 innings. The freshman struck out four and walked two without allowing a run or a hit.
Kennesaw State broke the scoreless tie with a run in the bottom of the fourth inning. With one out, the Owls used a double to right center field to place a runner in scoring position. Following a strikeout, KSU scored the runner with a double off the left center field wall to take a 1-0 lead. The Ospreys ended the inning and Owls' threat with a strikeout.
The Owls extended their lead with three runs in the bottom of the fifth inning. KSU led off the inning with a single to left center. After an out, Kennesaw State used an RBI double to increase their lead to two. A single extended the inning and left the hosts with runners on the corners. The Owls used a ground out to score the second run of the inning, leaving KSU with a runner on second. Kennesaw scored the final run of the inning on an RBI single to left field to increase its lead to 4-0 after five complete innings of play.
The Ospreys rallied in the top of the sixth inning. With one out, P. Karmeris doubled off the multipurpose building in left field to give UNF a runner in scoring position. Wesner stepped to the plate with two outs and scored P. Karmeris from second base with an RBI triple down the right field line. For Wesner, the triple was his third of the season and the fourth of his Osprey career. North Florida was unable to score another run in the inning and headed into the bottom of the sixth inning down 4-1.
Kennesaw State increased its lead with a pair of runs on three hits in the bottom of the sixth inning. North Florida looked to be out of the inning without allowing a run, but with a runner on base and two outs, a hitter was ruled safe on a ball hit to shortstop that extended the inning. The following batter singled up the middle to score the two base runners and push the KSU lead to 6-1.
UNF scored a run in the top of the ninth inning off the bat of A. Karmeris. The senior belted his second home run of the season and the 25th long ball of his career. The home run moves A. Karmeris into sole possession of 10th place on North Florida's career top-10 list. A. Karmeris is currently three home runs shy of tying Preston Hale (2007-10) and Eddie Bloom (1988-89) for eighth in school history.
North Florida and Kennesaw State conclude the three-game Atlantic Sun Conference tilt with a single game on Sunday afternoon at 1:00 p.m. at Stillwell Stadium. Live stats and in-game Tweets (@UNFOspreys) will be available.
