Boxscore
 
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The University of North Florida baseball team jumped out to an early lead and never looked back as the Ospreys opened Atlantic Sun Conference play with an 8-2 victory on the road against Lipscomb at Ken Dugan Field in Nashville, Tenn. The win marked the first time the Ospreys started the A-Sun season 1-0 in the Smoke Laval Era.
 
The Ospreys batted around in the first inning – scoring four runs, and relied on solid pitching to keep the Bisons' bats at bay to come away with the victory.
 
Offensively, North Florida recorded 13 hits on the night. The Ospreys were led by Donnie Dewees, who finished the night 3-for-4 with two runs scored, two RBI and a walk. Paul Karmeris and Drew Weeks also added a pair of hits in the game. Nick Karmeris led the team with three RBI. Dewees and Weeks each had a pair of runs scored to pace UNF.
 
On the mound, Tommy Organ earned the victory on the night. The starter worked 5.2 innings, scattering five hits. He allowed a pair of runs, walking four and striking out two. He gave way to David Trexler who tossed the next 2.1 innings. Trexler allowed no runs on one hit with a team-best four strikeouts. Ryan McMahon worked the final inning, inducing three ground balls for a 1-2-3 inning.
 
North Florida was the first team to score, plating four runs in the top of the first inning. The Ospreys batted around in the first inning en route to a 4-0 lead after a half an inning of play. Joe Wielbruda and Weeks led off the game with back-to-back singles. Tyler Marincov followed with a four-pitch walk to load the bases. Dewees followed with a two-RBI single up the middle. Corbin Olmstead reached on a fielder's choice. On the play Dewees was able to slide underneath the tag, loading the bases for the Ospreys. With one out, N. Karmeris reached on a fielder's choice that scored a run. On the play, Lipscomb committed a throwing error allowing all UNF players to advance safely and Dewees to come around and score on the play.
 
The Ospreys added a run in the top of the second inning. Weeks singled to center field to start off the inning and moved into scoring position with a stolen base. Dewees singled to second base leaving North Florida with runners on the corners. P. Karmeris delivered a two-out single through the right side of the infield to score Weeks and increase the UNF lead to 5-0.
 
Lipscomb chipped into the North Florida lead with a run in the bottom of the second inning. The Bisons led off the inning with a single, but Organ was able to get the first out of the inning with his first strikeout of the game. A walk gave the home team a pair of base runners. The Ospreys recorded the second out of the inning on a foul out to first base. With two outs, the Bison were able to score a run on a single that was popped straight up into the air and landed just inside the first base line. On the play, the lead runner came around to score. The Ospreys ended the inning as Corey Bass threw out a runner trying to steal second. For Bass, it was the 11th batter he has caught stealing this season.
 
North Florida added three insurance runs in the top of the fourth inning. With two outs, Dewees started the inning with a single up the middle. Olmstead followed with a single up the middle. P. Karmeris singled through the left side of the infield, scoring Dewees. Olmstead and P. Karmeris each moved up a base on a passed ball by the Bisons. N. Karmeris singled to right center field, scoring both runners and increasing the Osprey advantage to 8-1.
 
The Bisons scored a run in the bottom of the fifth inning. Lipscomb started the inning with a single and advanced the runner with a sacrifice bunt. The runner came around to score on a RBI double down the left field line. The Ospreys were able to end the inning on a line out and a fly ball, keeping the score 8-2.
 
The North Florida pitching staff was able to hold Lipscomb scoreless over the final four innings, including three 1-2-3 innings. In the stretch, Trexler tied Kyle Westwood for the most consecutive strikeouts this season with four Ks in a row. Trexler and McMahon combined to retire the final nine batters in order.
 
North Florida and Lipscomb continue the series with a single game on Saturday afternoon slated for 3:00 p.m. (ET) / 2:00 p.m. (CT) at Ken Dugan Field in Nashville, Tenn.