JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - A quality start from
Bryce Fisher and a strong offensive day from
Jakob Runnels helped North Florida (15-13, 5-6 ASUN) roll past Eastern Kentucky (9-22, 6-5 ASUN) in a 7-2 win on Saturday afternoon at Harmon Stadium.
Fisher was impressive in his first UNF start, recording a quality start by going six innings and allowing two unearned runs. He walked one and struck out four before giving way to the bullpen in the seventh inning.
The Ospreys struck early with two runs in the second inning. With runners at first and third,
Finn Howell singled through the right side to bring home
Cade Reich.
Drew Leinenbach then laced a single to left to make it a 2-0 score. Eastern Kentucky tied the game in the fourth, taking advantage of a balk. Ron Franklin drove in the tying run on a sacrifice fly.
With the bases loaded,
Finn Howell gave North Florida the lead on a run-scoring groundout. Three batters later, Leinenbach crossed on a wild pitch.
Tripp McKinlay reached on a fielding error at third base, which scored the third run of the inning and allowed
Cherokee Nichols to hit. Nichols laced a single into left, which brought the score to 6-2.
In the seventh, Runnels homered for the second straight game against the Colonels.
Brett Dennis and
Brody Maynard combined for three scoreless innings to secure the Ospreys' first victory in two weeks.
UNF 7, EKU 2
Pitchers of Record
Win: Bryce Fisher (2-0)
Loss: Ryker Walton (2-2)
Line Scores
UNF | 7 R, 11 H, 2 E, 7 LOB
EKU | 2 R, 5 H, 1 E, 4 LOB
Statistical Leaders
UNF
Jakob Runnels | 2-3, HR, RBI, 2 R, BB
Finn Howell | 1-4, 1B, 2 RBI
Bryce Fisher | 6.0 IP, 0 ER, 3 H, BB, 4 K
EKU
Conner Davis | 2-4, 2B, R
Colby Ott | 2-4
NOTES
- UNF snapped their six-game losing streak.
- Bryce Fisher made his first start as an Osprey.
- Tripp McKinlay extended his hit streak to five games.
- Jakob Runnels hit his 20th career home run.
- Bryce Fisher set a new high in innings pitched in an outing with six.
UP NEXT
The Ospreys wrap up the series in a rubber match on Sunday, Apr. 7, against Eastern Kentucky at 11:30 a.m., in Harmon Stadium.