North Florida had six batters with multiple hits led by
Tyler Marincov who had three hits, including a double.
Alex Bacon,
Chris Carter,
Andrew Karmeris,
Ryan Roberson and
Joe Wielbruda each had a pair of hits on the night. Carter, A. Karmeris,
Drew Weeks and Wielbruda each had a double in the game. Bacon and A. Karmeris led all Ospreys with three runs batted in, while A. Karmeris and Wielbruda each scored a pair of runs.
On the mound, North Florida used three pitchers on the night. Starter
Kyle Westwood allowed four runs on seven hits in 6.2 innings of work. The hurler surrendered just one walk, while striking out five batters. The Tarpon Springs native had three 1-2-3 innings.
Westwood was relieved by
Evan Stermer, who worked 1.2 innings. The southpaw surrendered just one hit, while striking out two batters.
Chandler Jagodzinski recorded the final two outs of the night securing the victory.
North Florida was the first team to score, plating a run in the bottom of the first inning. With two outs, A. Karmeris drew a walk to start things off for the Ospreys. Marincov followed with a single and
Michael Wesner loaded the bases with a four-pitch walk.
Ryan Roberson scored A. Karmeris from third base with a high chopper to third base to put UNF in front 1-0.
South Alabama knotted the score at 1-1 as Jordan Patterson hit a solo home run to right field in the top of the second inning.
The Ospreys responded with a pair of runs in the bottom of the second inning to regain the lead. Bacon led off the inning with a single to center field. With two outs, Wielbruda single to the shortstop. With two runners on, A. Karmeris doubled off of the center field wall to score Bacon and Wielbruda and give UNF a 3-1 advantage.
UNF added two insurance runs in the bottom of the third inning. Roberson walked to lead off the inning. Weeks doubled to give the Ospreys a pair of base runners in scoring position. Roberson came around to score on an RBI groundout. With a runner on third and one out,
Joe Iorio singled to right field to score Weeks and push the UNF lead to 5-1.
USA responded with two runs in the top of the fourth. With a runner on base, Patterson hit his second home run of the game to trim the deficit to 5-3.
In the top of the sixth inning, South Alabama trimmed North Florida's lead to just one. With two outs, the Jaguars used a double to place a runner in scoring position. Patterson continued his solid night with an RBI double to left field to score the runner. The Ospreys used a strikeout to end the inning, but lead 5-4 after five and a half innings.
North Florida plated a run in the bottom of the seventh inning. Wesner led off the inning with a walk and Roberson was hit by a pitch to give UNF a pair of base runners.
Garrick Ferguson entered the game to pinch run for Roberson at first base. Carter singled up the middle to load the bases for the Ospreys. Bacon scored Wesner from third with a sacrifice fly to right field. UNF was unable to muster another run in the inning, but lead 6-4.
The Ospreys secured the victory with four runs in the bottom of the eighth inning. Wielbruda was hit by a pitch to lead off the inning. He advanced to third on a failed pickoff attempt by the Jaguars. A. Karmeris followed with an RBI single up the middle. Marincov continued the inning with a double to right center field. With two runners in scoring position,
T.J. Gavlik was intentionally walked to load the base and set up a double play. Carter made the Jaguars pay with a two-RBI double to left field, scoring A. Karmeris and Marincov. Bacon plated the final run of the game with a sacrifice fly to right field, giving the Ospreys a 10-4 advantage they would not relinquish.
North Florida and South Alabama continue the series with a game at 1:00 p.m. at Dusty Rhodes Field at Harmon Stadium.
