JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The Owls' bats came alive in game three against North Florida, tallying 9 runs on 15 hits to win 9-4.
Because inclement weather entered the area during the third inning, play was suspended for over two hours at Harmon Stadium.
After a scoreless first inning, the Owls jumped on the board in the second inning when
Justin Russell hammered a solo shot on the second pitch of the frame.
Kennesaw State added two more in the second to extend its lead to 3-0. After
Tyler Simon reached on a fielder's choice and
Jake Franklin singled,
Terence Norman doubled to score Simon. Russell added to his RBI total with a ground ball that scored Franklin from third.
UNF cut the deficient to just one run after a two-run home run in the third inning.
After a 2 hour and 15 minute delay, the Owls got two runners aboard with a single and a walk, but both were left stranded in the fourth.
Jared Rine took over for
Jake Rothwell on the mound and worked out of a jam in the bottom of the frame after the Ospreys loaded the bases. UNF took advantage of its opportunity in the fifth, tying the game at three runs after an RBI single.
Taking advantage of its opportunity Kennesaw State did in the sixth inning, as the Owls plated three. With the bases loaded, the Osprey pitcher threw a ball in the dirt that scooted away from the catcher which allowed
Garrett Hodges to score. Simon followed with a single through the left side to score two more for the Owls and put them up 6-3.
The Ospreys scored one in the sixth to cut it to 6-4, but the Owls answered with a run in the top of the eighth to extend the lead to 7-3. Simon roped an RBI double for his third hit of the game to push the lead to a three.
Chabut added insurance in the ninth inning with an RBI double to score Hodges and Norman to extend the Owls' lead to 9-4.
Jake McLinskey was impressive in relief for the Owls, tossing 3.2 scoreless innings. Although he did not record a punch out, he limited UNF to just five hits.
Kennesaw State looks to put together back-to-back wins against Georgia Southern on Tuesday (May 14).
