JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - The 2019 home finale for the Ospreys (30-21, 11-9 ASUN) saw 32 combined hits and a two hour and 17 minute weather delay, but when it was all said and done Kennesaw State (24-28, 9-12 ASUN) emerged with a 9-4 win Sunday, May 12.
KSU 9, UNF 4
Pitchers of Record
Win: Jared Rine (3-5)
Loss:
Hunter Bowling (1-1)
Save: Jake McKlinskey (2)
Line Scores
KSU | 9 R, 15 H, 0 E, 9 LOB
UNF | 4 R, 17 H, 0 E, 12 LOB
Behind the Line Score
- Justin Russell broke an 0-for-8 skid to start the series with a solo home run on a high curve ball in the second inning.
- UNF had a good opportunity in the second after a leadoff double from David Maberry and a single off the bat of Alex Reynolds. A foul out and strike-em out, throw-em out thwarted UNF.
- The Owls extended their lead in the next frame, taking a 3-0 lead. Tyler Simon reached on a fielder's choice before Jake Franklin singled to left center, advancing Simon to third as he was going on the pitch. Terence Norman doubled to right center, scoring Simon before a Russell RBI groundout plated Franklin.
- UNF got to KSU in the bottom of the third. Chris Berry shot a single through the left side and two batters later Tanner Murphy launched a two-run homer to left, cutting the deficit to 3-2.
- Lightning got in the way of things before the fourth inning could start. A series of lightning delays created a the two-hour plus hiatus before the game resumed. Hunter Bowling entered for starter Brandon Reitz while Jared Rine took over for Jake Rothwell.
- North Florida got even in the fifth. Tanner Clark hooked a double down the right field line and scored on an RBI single to left from Wes Weeks.
- KSU put together a three-run sixth to establish a 6-3 lead. Garrett Hodges and Tyler Tolve put up back-to-back singles through the right side, setting up David Chabut's eighth sac bunt of the year. Jaylen Smith walked before Daniel Seres was set down swinging. Trace Norkus uncorked a wild pitch, allowing Hodges to score before Simon drove in two with a single through the left side.
- With the bases loaded, Murphy dropped a Texas Leaguer down the right field line, scoring Sequera. Clark laced a one hopper right to Smith at second, getting the Owls out of it with a double play.
- Simon continued his big day with an RBI double scorched off the left field wall, scoring Smith who had reached on an infield single two batters earlier.
- More insurance came KSU's way in the ninth after Chabut split the gap in right for a two-RBI double, scoring Tolve and Hodges, putting the Owls ahead, 9-4.
Statistical Leaders
UNF
- Murphy | 2-for-5, R, 3 RBI, HR
- Maberry | 4-for-5, 2 2B
- Berry | 2-for-4, BB, R
- Clark | 2-for-5, R, 2B
Kennesaw State
- Russell | 1-for-5, R, 3 RBI, HR
- Norman | 2-for-5, R
- Simon | 3-for-5, 2B, R, 3 RBI
- Chabut | 2-for-4, 2 RBI
- McLinskey | 3.2 IP, 5 H, 0 ER
Notes
- North Florida has put up double-digit hits in 21 games this season.
- Today was the first weather delay of UNF's home slate this season.
- UNF concluded the season 23-11 at home.
- Murphy and Weeks are tied for the team lead with six homers apiece.
- North Florida remains with the series lead against KSU, 49-45.
- Seven Ospreys recorded at least two hits.
- Maberry put up the first four-hit game of his season.
- Murphy had 15 putouts in center this weekend.
- Weeks tied Murphy for the team lead in stolen bases, recording his 17th of the season.
Up Next
The Ospreys start a three-game set at Stetson Thursday, May 16. First pitch of the final regular season series is slated for 6:30 p.m.