Boxscore | Postgame Interview (Michael Renner)
 
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The University of North Florida baseball team posted a 7-1 victory over Lafayette to complete a three-game sweep of the Ospreys' final nonconference weekend series at Dusty Rhodes Field at Harmon Stadium. The Ospreys relied on solid pitching and clutch hitting to secure the victory and record the first sweep of the 2013 season.
 
On the mound, Michael Renner kept the Lafayette hitters at bay in his first weekend start of the season. The senior worked 6.2 innings, allowing just one run. Renner recorded a season-best seven strikeouts during the game, while surrendering just a pair of walks. The southpaw allowed just two base hits in the game. Renner opened the game with three consecutive strikeouts and was responsible for the first seven outs of the ballgame. The West Hills, Calif. native posted five strikeouts through the first two innings of play.
 
Ryan McMahon (1.1 inn.) and Spencer Herrmann (1.0 inn.) combined to throw the final 2.1 innings of the game. McMahon induced three fly balls and a ground out for a perfect outing. Herrmann walked a batter, but with one out, induced a game-ending double play to post a 1-2-3 inning and secure the Ospreys' 15th victory of the season.
 
Offensively, North Florida recorded eight hits as a team. Corbin Olmstead and Peyton Walsh each finished the day with two hits apiece. The Ospreys recorded a pair of extra-base hits on the day with Olmstead doubling and Drew Weeks hitting a three-run home run. Weeks led the team with three runs batted in on the day and a pair of runs scored.
 
North Florida was the first team to score, plating a run in the bottom of the second inning. Olmstead led off the inning with a double to left center field. He advanced to third on a wild pitch by Lafayette. Paul Karmeris followed with an RBI single up the middle to put the Ospreys in front 1-0.
 
Lafayette answered with a run in the top of the fourth. With one out, the Leopards' Campbell Lipe worked the count full before drawing a walk. With two outs, Scott Kelleher doubled down the left field line to score Lipe from first base and tie the score at 1-1.
 
The Ospreys responded in the bottom of the fourth inning with a run thanks to some help from the Leopards. Weeks led off the inning reaching second base thanks to a two-base error by LC. With one out, Weeks came around to score as Olmstead reached base on a throwing error by Lafayette.
 
North Florida broke the game open in the bottom of the fifth inning. Garrick Ferguson led off the inning with a single to third base. He advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt. Joe Wielbruda singled to right center field to give UNF runners on the corners. Weeks worked the count in his favor before belting a three-run home run over the center field fence. The home run was the third of the season for Weeks and the fourth of the sophomore's career.
 
The Ospreys added a pair of insurance runs in the bottom of the eighth inning. With two outs, Walsh singled to center field to give UNF a base runner. He advanced to second on a passed ball. Corey Bass walked to extend the inning and Ferguson loaded the bases as he was hit by a pitch. The first run of the inning came across to score as Kyle Brooks drew a bases-loaded walk. Bass scored the final run of the game on a wild pitch.
 
North Florida hits the road for five consecutive games. The Ospreys travel to Gainesville, Fla. for a midweek game against Florida on Tuesday night (7:00 p.m.) before heading to Tallahassee, Fla. for a Wednesday afternoon game against Florida A&M (3:00 p.m.). North Florida opens Atlantic Sun Conference play over the weekend with a three-game road series with Lipscomb.