Box Score (PDF)JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The North Florida baseball team managed only five hits in today's series finale against Lipscomb where the Bisons came away with a 5-2 victory at Harmon Stadium. Lipscomb starting pitcher Denton Norman allowed only one run in 8.1 innings pitched to earn his sixth victory of the season.
The game did not finish without some drama as the Ospreys had a last ditch comeback effort fall short. After a 59-minute lightning delay with one out in the bottom of the ninth inning, the Ospreys strung together two hits and scored run on a fielder's choice. Lipscomb reliever Jason Ziegler loaded the bases but ultimately recorded the game's final out.
The Ospreys, who were seeking their first series sweep of 2014, drop to 22-26 overall and 11-13 in Atlantic Sun play. Lipscomb salvages the series with their first road win since April 8
th. The Bisons improve to 28-24 on the year and 15-9 against league opponents.
Norman was incredibly efficient, throwing only 103 pitches and striking out three batters. After surrendering a lead-off hit to
Kyle Brooks in the first inning, the right-hander retired 11-straight batters before issuing a walk to
Trent Higginbothem in the fifth. The very next batter, Norman was able to induce a double play ball to end the Osprey threat.
The only blemish on the afternoon for Norman came in the bottom of the sixth when
Garrick Ferguson belted a chest high fastball over the left field wall. The home run was Ferguson's second of the season and pulled the Ospreys within four.
Lipscomb grabbed the initial lead in the top of the second inning and took advantage of four walks in the frame by Osprey starter
Bryan Baker. Nick Rome came up with the bases loaded and lined a double down the left field line that cleared the bases, giving the Bisons an early, 3-0 advantage.
The three-run inning would be all for Baker as he gave way to reliever
Evan Incinelli. The junior righty was strong in relief, pitching 5.1 innings and allowing only two runs on four hits. More importantly he did not walk a batter and kept the Ospreys in the ball game.
Mike Korte and Tyson Ashcraft were responsible for the final two Bison runs. In the top of the fourth, Korte doubled to left center, scoring Adam Lee. Korte was called out at third base trying to stretch the hit into a triple. The throw from the outfield from
Alex Bacon and relay from Brooks was in time to catch Korte. The outfield assist for the Ospreys was the 21
st of the season which is among the most is the country.
Ashcraft capped the scoring for Lipscomb in the fifth, with a two-out single to left that scored Josh Lee. Lipscomb was only the second team this season to keep the Ospreys under five hits.
Osprey relievers,
Dan VanSickle and
Ryan McMahon each threw a scoreless inning of relief.
The Ospreys will wrap up the 2014 season beginning Thursday when they travel to Kennesaw State to take on the red-hot Owls. After this weekend's results, the Owls are winners of their last 16 games. Thursday's game is scheduled for 6:00 p.m.