Boxscore
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Trailing 3-0 heading into the final two innings, the University of North Florida baseball team scored four runs, including three runs in the bottom of the ninth to claim a 4-3 victory over Stetson on Saturday afternoon at Dusty Rhodes Field at Harmon Stadium and tie the series one-game apiece.
North Florida (25-17, 7-10 Atlantic Sun) entered the bottom of the eighth inning down 3-0, but the Ospreys scored a run in the bottom of the eighth inning to cut the deficit to just two. UNF followed with five consecutive base hits in the bottom of the ninth to score three runs and record a walk-off victory. The victory snapped a five-game losing skid against Stetson (28-14, 10-7 A-Sun) and ended the Hatters' five-game winning streak.
The Ospreys recorded 12 hits on the afternoon, led by
Drew Weeks who notched three hits on the day, including the game-winning RBI single.
Corey Bass and
Joe Wielbruda each had a pair of hits on the day.
Spencer Herrmann,
Andrew Karmeris and
Joe Wielbruda also added RBI on the day with Herrmann and A. Karmeris' RBI coming in the final inning.
Chris Carter, A. Karmeris,
Tyler Marincov and Weeks all scored runs in the game. A. Karmeris and Marincov each doubled in the game for the Ospreys.
On the mound,
Chandler Jagodzinski picked up the win in relief. The victory was the side winder's second of the season in his team-best 20th relief appearance. Jagodzinski tossed a scoreless inning, ending the frame with a strikeout.
Kyle Westwood was effective on the mound, throwing 8.0 innings. The starter surrendered seven hits on the day with just one extra base hit. Westwood allowed three runs, but only one earned run. The runs allowed broke a streak of 11 consecutive shutout innings. Westwood issued a pair of walks, while striking out five.
Stetson was the first team to score, jumping out to a 3-0 lead in the top of the third inning. The Hatters led off the inning with a double down the left field line and used a ground out to advance the runner to within 90 feet of home. A walk left the visitors with runners on the corners. The next batter hit a ball to first base; however, as the Ospreys tried to turn a double play, the throw to second base was off the mark. The lead runner scored on the fielder's choice and the error left the Hatters with runners on first and second. Stetson continued the inning with a RBI single to left center field. With two outs, the Hatters used a second RBI single in the inning to score the third and final run of the third.
North Florida was held scoreless until the eighth inning. In the eighth, Weeks singled to right field with one out to start things off for the Ospreys. Bass followed with a single through the right side of the infield. With two outs, Wielbruda put UNF on the scoreboard with a RBI single to right center field, scoring Weeks from second.
Jagodzinski retired the Hatters in order in the top of the ninth inning, closing out the inning with a strikeout and setting up the decisive ninth inning rally for North Florida.
In the ninth inning, Marincov led off the inning with a double to left center field. Herrmann pinch hit and delivered an RBI single to right center field, closing the gap to 3-2. Carter entered to pinch run for Herrmann and moved to second base on a wild pitch by the Hatters. A. Karmeris tied the game at three apiece with a RBI double to left center field. Bacon notched an infield single to give the Ospreys runners at the corners with no outs. After a pitching change, Weeks single through the right side of the infield to score A. Karmeris from third and give UNF a 4-3 victory.
North Florida and Stetson conclude the three-game tilt with a single game on Sunday afternoon at Dusty Rhodes Field at Harmon Stadium, beginning at 1:00 p.m. Live stats, live audio, ASun.TV and in-game Tweets (@UNFOspreys) will be available throughout the game.
