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University of North Florida Athletics

Ferguson
4
Northern Ky. NKU 9-17, 0-2 A-Sun
7
Winner North Florida UNF 22-11, 3-2 A-Sun
Northern Ky. NKU
9-17, 0-2 A-Sun
4
Final
7
North Florida UNF
22-11, 3-2 A-Sun
Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E
Northern Ky. NKU 2 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 4 10 3
North Florida UNF 0 3 1 1 0 0 1 1 X 7 12 1

W: Naylor, Matthew (4-0) L: WATTS, Justin (1-2) S: Olmstead, Corbin (3)

Game Recap: Baseball |

Long Ball, Bullpen Help @OspreyBSB Clinch Series vs NKU

Box Score (PDF)
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – A pair of home runs and four shutout innings from the North Florida bullpen helped the Ospreys to a 7-4 victory over Northern Kentucky (9-17, 0-2 A-Sun) in Atlantic Sun play this evening at Harmon Stadium. The Ospreys improved to 22-11 on the season and 3-2 against A-Sun foes this season.
 
Senior Garrick Ferguson started another North Florida power surge with a three-run home run in the bottom of the second inning to give the Ospreys a 3-2 lead. The outfielder was 2-for-4 with four RBIs and two runs scored. Classmate Trent Higginbothem belted his fifth homer of the year with a solo shot in the third.
 
The Ospreys have now hit 26 home runs as a team which leads the Atlantic Sun.
 
Reliever Matthew Naylor was credited with his fourth win of the year after tossing 3.1 innings of scoreless relief. He scattered four hits and struck out one to tie him for the team lead in wins. Senior Corbin Olmstead recorded the game's final four outs to earn his third save of the year. Olmstead struck out three of the four batters he faced and has yet to yield an earned run in 21.1 innings this season.
 
The Norse took the initial lead, scoring two runs on an RBI double down the left field line by Cody Kuzniczci. Northern Kentucky's only lead of the series was short lived as the Ospreys regained the lead with one Ferguson swing in the second. The Norse didn't go away without a fight, scoring a run in the fourth and fifth innings including the sixth home run of the year by Cole Bauml.
 
Higginbothem's home run in the third combined with an RBI single by Ferguson in the fourth gave the Ospreys the lead for good. The North Florida offense tacked on runs in the seventh and the eighth to provide some insurance for Naylor and Olmstead.
 
Donnie Dewees put together his 16 multiple hit game of the year and finished the night, 2-for-5 with a run scored and an RBI. Ryan Roberson, who came into the game ranked fifth in the league in RBIs, drove in his 33rd run of the year in the seventh inning. He was 1-for-3 with an RBI and a walk.
 
After a stellar defensive performance last night, sophomore Patrick Ervin got it done at the plate tonight. He had a team-high three hits, including his first career triple in the sixth inning.
 
North Florida starting pitcher, Tyler DuPont exited in the fifth inning shortly after surrendering the home run to Bauml. He fanned Northern Kentucky's top hitter twice before Bauml lifted one over the left centerfield wall. DuPont, who is tied for the team lead with four wins, struck out four batters in 4.1 innings of work. Only three of the four runs he surrendered were earned.
 
Saturday's series finale is scheduled for 11:30 a.m. at Harmon Stadium. The Ospreys will go for the sweep and their fourth-straight win tomorrow when they send freshman right-hander Matt Vaka (1-0) to the mound. The Norse will counter with lefty Matt Jefferson who is 1-4 this season with a team-high 32 strikeouts.
 
 
 
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