Box Score (PDF)PENSACOLA, Fla. – In another tightly contested matchup at the Cox Diamond Invitational, North Florida (3-4) was held to a season-low, four hits as Troy (4-2) emerged, 2-1 winners this afternoon at Pensacola Bayfront Stadium.
The Trojans scored two runs on two hits and an error in the bottom of the seventh inning to capture its fourth win of the season. It marks the fourth game this year for the Ospreys decided by one run.
Troy starting pitcher, Grant Bennett threw 114 pitches in seven innings and allowed only three Osprey hits on the afternoon. He fanned four batters and allowed an unearned run in the top of the second inning. Through two starts this season the junior has yet to yield an earned run in 13 innings of work.
For all but one inning it was Osprey starting pitcher,
Bryan Baker who was the story. After a rocky second inning, the sophomore settled in nicely, pitching into the seventh inning. He also did not allow an earned run in the contest and struck out five while walking only two.
A lead-off double, an error and intentional walk loaded the bases for the Trojans in the seventh. Cameron Sanders worked a full count and earned a walk, forcing in the tying run. One batter later, Nick Massonia pulled a ball through the left side that enabled Bert Givens to score the go-ahead run.
Prior to that, the biggest threat for Baker early in the game was in the second with two runners on. The sophomore dug himself a hole after committing an throwing error trying to pick off a Reid Long at second base. His throw sailed into centerfield, allowing both Long and Clay Holcomb to move up a base into scoring position. Baker then caught everyone off guard by picking off Long at third base.
Garrick Ferguson came up big a few pitches later and ended the inning by gunning down Holcomb from left field who was trying to score on a base hit.
The Ospreys lone run of the day was scored by
Alex Bacon in the top of the second. The senior reached on a fielder's choice and advanced two bases on an errant pick-off attempt by Bennett. He later scored on
Alex Merritt's RBI ground out to third. Merritt finished the day, 1-for-4 with an RBI.
Sophomore
Patrick Ervin,
Keith Skinner and
Donnie Dewees accounted for the other three Osprey hits.
Corbin Olmstead had another solid outting in relief, striking out four of the eight batters he faced. The sophomore righty struck out the side in bottom of the eighth and now leads the team with 10 strikeouts in just two appearances out of the bullpen.
The Ospreys will conclude their time in Pensacola tomorrow with a matchup against the Saint Louis Billikens who claimed victories over Southern Miss and Nicholls already this weekend.
Evan Incinelli will get the start on the mound for the Ospreys. The right-hander is fresh off a career-best seven strikeout performance last weekend against VMI.
