Box Score (PDF)
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The North Florida baseball team scored eight runs in its final two at bats, overcame a four-run deficit and defeated previously unbeaten Citadel, 16-9 this afternoon. The Ospreys even their overall record to 2-2 while the Bulldogs drop to 3-1 on the young season.

The Ospreys broke the game open in the bottom of the eighth inning by putting together a seven-run rally that proved to be the difference in the game. Sophomore Alex Merritt delivered the go-ahead run in the eighth with an RBI single that scored Trent Higginbothem.

Junior Nick Karmeris had three hits on the day, including a three-run home run in the bottom of the second inning to give the Ospreys an initial lead. He was 3-for-5 with three runs scored and three RBIs. Senior Trent Higginbothem added to his hot start and put together his third-straight, multiple-hit effort. He was 3-for-4 with two runs scored a pair of RBIs.

The game featured a combined, 17 pitchers, nine from North Florida and eight from The Citadel.  Five of the nine Osprey pitchers made their collegiate debuts in the victory. Starting pitcher and true freshman Matt Vaka looked sharp in his first appearance, tossing two innings and recording two strikeouts. Freshman Conner Andrews was credited with the win after he pitched a scoreless seventh inning. Brad Depperman and John Suskauer were also effective in their debuts, each tossing one inning of scoreless baseball.

After an eight-run third inning by The Citadel in the third, the Osprey offense finally put together a rally to tie the game in the sixth. A critical, bases-loaded error with two outs by the Bulldogs, prolonged the frame and allowed four unearned runs to score. After a run scored on the error, a hustling Donnie Dewees beat out an infield hit allowing a run to cross the plate, making the score 8-6. Ryan Roberson plated the tying run on a two-RBI single. Roberson was 2-for-4 with two runs scored and is now 8-for-18 (.444) on the year.

Senior Garrick Ferguson got the start in right field and went 3-for-5 with two runs scored and an RBI. Red-shirt Freshman Blake Voyles made his first start as an Osprey and recorded his first collegiate hit in second inning. He later scored on Karmeris' home run and finished the day 2-for-4.

The Ospreys will hit the road for the first time this season to participate in the Cox Diamond Invitational in Pensacola beginning with two games on Friday. North Florida will play Nicholls State at 12:00 p.m. EST and then take on Southern Mississippi at 7:00 p.m. EST.