Boxscore | Postgame Interview (Paul Karmeris)
 
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The University of North Florida baseball team and The Citadel combined for seven home runs in the second game of a three-game series as the Ospreys edged the Bulldogs 9-8 on Saturday afternoon at Dusty Rhodes Field at Harmon Stadium. The win evens the series at one game apiece. The rubber match is slated for 1:00 p.m. Sunday afternoon.
 
North Florida fell behind 8-4 at the seventh inning stretch, but rallied with four runs in the bottom of the seventh inning to tie the game. The Ospreys used a run in the eighth inning to take the lead and earn the victory.
 
Offensively, North Florida collected 17 hits, including seven extra base hits. As a team, the Ospreys hit for the cycle, collecting three doubles, a triple and three home runs. Six different UNF batters recorded multiple hits in the game. Corbin Olmstead led the team with three hits, including a two-run double during the comeback in the seventh and the game-winning RBI single in the bottom of the eighth inning. Corey Bass, Paul Karmeris, Tyler Marincov, Ryan Roberson and Drew Weeks each had a pair of hits each. P. Karmeris, Roberson and Kyle Brooks each belted home runs in the game, while Spencer Herrmann tripled. Bass and Marincov each added doubles on the afternoon. Olmstead led the team with three runs batted in, while Brooks, P. Karmeris and Roberson each added a pair. Nine different Ospreys scored a run in the game.
 
On the mound, Herrmann picked up his second victory of the season. The sophomore tossed 3.0 innings of relief. The southpaw scattered four hits in his three innings allowing one run. Herrmann did not issue a walk and notched three strikeouts. He relieved starting pitcher Kyle Westwood who was charged with seven runs on 12 hits in 6.0 innings of work. Westwood walked one while striking out four.
 
The Citadel scored eight runs on 16 hits, including four home runs. The Bulldog's Tyler Griffin paced the offensive attack for the visitors with three home runs on the day. Bo Thompson also added a home run for the Bulldogs.
 
North Florida was the first team to scratch the scoreboard. In the first inning, Marincov doubled to left center field to start the game for the Ospreys. With one out, Roberson put UNF on the scoreboard with a two-run home run off of the scoreboard in left field. North Florida was unable to score another run in the inning, but led 2-0 after one full inning of play.
 
The Citadel chipped into the Ospreys' lead in the top of the third inning. The Bulldogs placed a pair of runners on base with a single and a walk. A bunt left the visitors with runners on the corners. The Citadel used a fielder's choice to score the lead runner and trim the UNF lead to 2-1.
 
The Bulldogs knotted the score at 2-2 with solo home run from Griffin to lead off the top of the fourth inning. The home run was the first of three home runs on the day for The Citadel right fielder.
 
The Ospreys answered with a pair of runs in the bottom of the fourth inning. Donnie Dewees led off the inning with a walk and Brooks plated two with a home run just over the left field fence. The two-run homer gave North Florida a 4-2 lead after four complete innings of play.
 
The Citadel took its first lead of the game in the top of the fifth inning. The Bulldogs used a leadoff double and back-to-back home runs by Thompson and Griffin to take a 5-4 advantage at the midway point of the game.
 
The Bulldogs increased their edge to four runs with three runs in the top of the seventh inning. The visitors started the game with back-to-back singles. After a pitching change, Griffin recorded his third home run of the game to give The Citadel an 8-4 advantage at the seventh inning stretch.
 
North Florida responded to tie the game in the bottom of the seventh inning. Weeks and Roberson opened the frame with back-to-back singles. Garrick Ferguson entered the game to pinch run for Roberson to give the Ospreys added speed on the base path. UNF benefitted from a wild pitch to move both runners 90 feet closer to home. Olmstead delivered a two-RBI double to right center field and cut into the deficit. One pitch later, P. Karmeris tied the score on one swing. The senior third baseman hit the first pitch he saw over the left field fence to tie the game at 8-8. The Ospreys were unable to score another run in the inning, but headed into the final two innings of regulation tied.
 
After holding the Bulldogs scoreless in the top of the inning, the Ospreys scored the go-ahead run in the bottom of the eighth. With one out, Herrmann helped his own cause by tripling to left field. After a pitching change, Olmstead singled up the middle to score Herrmann from third and give UNF a 9-8 advantage.
 
Herrmann returned to the mound for the final inning. The sophomore surrendered a leadoff single, but got the next batter to hit into a double play. With two outs, Herrmann induced a pop up in foul territory to end the game and preserve the victory.
 
North Florida and The Citadel conclude the three-game series with the rubber match on Saturday, Feb. 24 at 1:00 p.m. at Dusty Rhodes Field at Harmon Stadium.