Box Score (PDF)
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Lipscomb (24-21, 8-5 A-Sun) captured a 6-1 series-opening victory over North Florida (28-16, 7-6 A-Sun) behind a standout performance by starting pitcher Brady Puckett. The Ospreys had been unbeaten in their previous 10 games at Harmon Stadium, the fourth longest streak in the country coming into the weekend.
 
Puckett tossed a complete game, six-hitter to improve to an A-Sun best, 8-2 on the season. The sophomore right-hander sat down the first 10 batters he faced and finished the night with seven strikeouts. Puckett threw a season high, 126 pitches and allowed just one extra-base hit. Puckett has now thrown two complete games against the Ospreys in his brief collegiate career, with the first one occurring in last year's A-Sun Tournament.
 
The Bisons never trailed and scored three runs in their first trip to the plate. The big hit of the frame came off the bat of Zeke Dodson who doubled down the right field line and allowed Lee Solomon and Adam Lee to score the first two runs of the ball game. Lipscomb piled on two unearned runs before Solomon singled home two runs in the top of the fourth to give the visitors a 6-0 advantage.
 
The Ospreys uncharacteristically committed three errors in the contest. It marked only the third time North Florida has made three or more errors in a game this season.
 
Only three of the six runs given up by Osprey starting pitcher Bryan Baker were earned. The junior righty struck out six batters and threw 103 pitches in six innings. He has now struck out five or more batters in all but one start this season.
 
Senior Dakota Higdon broke up Puckett's no-hitter in the fourth inning with an infield single in front of the mound. In the process he extended his hit streak to 10 games. Shortstop Kyle Brooks also added to his hit streak with an infield hit in the eighth inning. He has now hit safely in eight-straight games.
 
For the third consecutive game, Zach Drury added a double to his stat line. He collected his third double of the season, ripping a first pitch fastball from Puckett down the left field line in the fifth.
 
Senior Keith Skinner was masterful defensively behind the plate. The Bisons came into the game with 81 stolen bases, the ninth most in the country. Skinner cut down both runners attempting to steal and picked off Tevin Syonette at first base in the fifth inning. At the plate, he was 1-for-4 and scored the lone Osprey run on a Lipscomb throwing error in the fourth.
 
Baker and reliever Adam Polansky kept the Bisons off the scoreboard for the final five innings. Polansky pitched the final three and struck out a pair while scattering two hits. It was his second longest outing of the season and he lowered his ERA to 2.35.
 
The middle game is slated for Saturday at 1:00 p.m. Sophomore right-hander Matt Vaka (3-1) will get the start for North Florida and will be opposed by Jeffrey Passantino (5-3) of Lipscomb. On both Saturday and Sunday, fans in attendance at Harmon Stadium can play "Baseball Bingo" for prizes.