Box Score Box Score (.pdf)
Jacksonville, Fla. – The North Florida Ospreys scored four runs in the third and seventh innings as they secured a series win following a 10-3 victory over USC Upstate at Harmon Stadium on Saturday.
North Florida improves to 33-17 overall and 11-6 in the Atlantic Sun while Upstate drops to 20-27 and 3-13.
James Fowlkes hit Upstate's league-best 21st triple of the season with two outs in the third inning but was stranded following a groundout. North Florida opened the home half of the frame with back to back singles by Dalton Board and Kyle Brooks before a sacrifice bunt advanced the runners into scoring position. Keith Skinner brought home Board on an infield single before Brooks scored on a groundout. Nick Karmeris gave the hosts a 3-0 lead with a two out single before scoring on a Chris Thibideau double down the left field line.
The Ospreys added a solo home run by Karmeris in the fifth followed by a home run by Board in the sixth.
Upstate got on the board with a pair of runs in the seventh inning. Jordan Ford reached on a walk with one out and advanced to second on a Hunter Gilbert single. After a groundout advanced the runners 90 feet, Brendan Brundage brought home Ford and Gilbert with a single to center field. North Florida answered with four runs in the bottom half of the inning.
The Spartans scored the final run of the game as Fowlkes singled to center field with two outs in the ninth inning, scoring Zach Krider.
Fowlkes went 2-for-5 with a single and triple. Daniel Fickas went 2-for-4 with two singles. Brundage went 1-for-4 with a single and two RBI. Krider, Hunter Gilbert and Jake Beaver each had a single.
Board went 4-for-4 with three singles, a home run, two runs scored and an RBI. Brooks went 4-for-5 with four singles. Thibideau went 3-for-4 with two single, a double and three RBI.
Austin Drury (5-1) earned the win, allowing two runs on three hits with two walks and four strikeouts in 6.2 innings. Zach Mitchell (5-4) took the loss, allowing four runs on eight hits with a walk and a strikeout in four innings.
The series concludes tomorrow afternoon at 1 p.m.
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